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 in Grendel (1983), but do you know where Grendel first appeared?

It was in Primer #2 (January 1983), 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 black and white title, Grendel spawned a 40-issue color series and three graphic novels (Devil by the Deed, Devil’s Legacy, and Devil’s Vagary) at Comico.

Since then, more than 20 Grendel miniseries 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 its short run, Primer (also known as Comico Primer), was also the notable first home of The Maxx and Evangeline.

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