Grimjack #2
John Jack
Recap
It's time yet again for ANCIENT HISTORY and what do we have this week but a dive into the realm (planet?) Cynosure and a dip into the life of one John Gaunt, GRIMJACK!!!!!
We open with Grimjack tending bar in Munden's his bar. A small boy comes in and offers Gaunt his entire life savings, a single penny. Grimjack is honored to be worth that much to a small child and accepts. Throwing his coat on they go to meet the boy's mother. The boys mother tells Gaunt that the father has left to try his luck in a fighting arena as part of a desperate attempt to make some much needed money.
Grimjack arrives at the arena and finds it ruled by a genetically engineered monster called Butcherboy. Tracking down the boys father Grimjack takes his place and we're off to the races in a fantastically rendered battle by series artist Tim Truman.
Review
Grimjack rules, that’s all there is to it. This series is top notch but this issue is a standout in my mind. I love the way Grimjack’s altruism comes out but this issue also does a lot to advance the ongoing narrative, truly masterful. John Ostrander does a great job of making a rough and tough badass that’s three dimensional and human. I love the way Grimjack interacts with the kid and the way the fight ends is perfection.
Likewise the art by Tim Truman, who I mainly know as the writer who took on Conan after Kurt Busiek, is really good and fits perfectly with the old newsprint interior pages, rough and gritty. Amazing. I love the design for Butcherboy who is this giant hulking monstrosity. It’s just a great book all around.
This book can be easily found in the wild (I got my copy in a 50-cent bin) as a single issue or more rarely in the out of print (yet still available on Amazon for approximately $40) Grimjack Omnibus #1 paperback omnibus.
Final Thoughts
Grimjack is awesome! If you find this or any other Grimjack you buy it! Thanks for reading, see you next week!
ANCIENT HISTORY #19: GRIMJAAAAAAAAACK
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
