Matt Wagner’s Grendel has been one of the most popular characters in independent comics since he (or she, depending on the era) first appeared more than 26 years ago, but do you know where Grendel first appeared?

It was in Primer #2, a black and white anthology title from the then-upstart publisher. While other early Comico titles such as Skrog and Slaughterman quickly disappeared after a couple of issues, Grendel caught on.

While it lasted only three issues as a B&W title, Grendel spawned a 40-issue color series and three gaphic novels (Devil By The Deed, Devil’s Legacy, and Devil’s Vagary) at Comico.

Since then, more than 18 Grendel mini-series have appeared from Dark Horse Comics. Along the way, such noted artists as Tim Sale, the Pander Brothers, John K. Snyder III, David Mack, Paul Chadwick, Mike Allred, Chris Sprouse, Stan Sakai, Jill Thompson, Phil Hester, and Kelley Jones, among others, have illustrated the dark force of nature.

During it’s short run, Primer (also known as Comico Primer), was also the notable first home of The Maxx and Evangeline.

Dark Horse Comics published The Grendel Archives in 2007. That edition collected the first four Comico appearances in hardcover.

Wagner, among other projects, is presently writing the hit series Madame Xanadu for DC’s Vertigo imprint, but we have no doubt more Grendel is waiting in the wings.