In 2022 , famed American risible book writer and artist Matt Wagner made headlines by joining a collection of artists who contributed toComics for Ukraine : Sunflower Seeds , a welfare anthology Good Book to help the refugees displaced from the Russian invasion ( accord toaiptcomics.com ) . Wagner , who created the popularMageandGrendel , has also written / illustrate several comics for DC , Dark Horse , Vertigo , Dynamite , Legendary , and Marvel in the past .

While Wagner will always be known forMageandGrendel , his unique brand of storytelling and awesome artwork have been used to differentiate some of the cool story in the Batman , Shadow , and   Superman mythologies .

Mage

Published by Comico between 1984 and 1986 , volume one ofMage : The Hero Discoveredis a extremely - acclaimed 15 - outlet comic Word serial created , drop a line , and illustrated by Wagner , give the creative person full self-confidence and freedom to take the stuff into defy Modern areas . The superhero comic follow Kevin Matchstick , an outcast who meets the ace Mirth and obtains a charming baseball bat with superhuman powers , only to understand he is bond in a unknown retelling of the King Arthur legend .

With two more loudness , The Hero DefinedandThe Hero Denied , Wagner has go on to improve on the mythology of Mage until 2019 , giving the character a 35 - class reign that speak to   Matchstick ’s massive popularity . As such , Mage : The Hero Definedcurrently holds an 8.8/10 score onComic Book Roundup .

Grendel

In Mage : The Hero Discoveredissues # 6 - 14 , Wagner drop a line a backupGrendelstory that directly led him to produce the character reference ’s own spinoff serial . A wise idea , asGrendelis the most iconic Wagner comic to date , leading to several coolheaded crossover comic and a mess of accolades . First put out by Comico before moving to Dark Horse Comics , Grendel is the disguise alter ego of Hunter Rose , an author by day and assassin by night .

hold up 40 military issue from 1986 to 1990,Grendelremains Wagner ’s greatest comic bookto date , bring in the creative person an Eisner Award nominating speech in 1988 for a " Best Writer " and winning an Eisner Award for Best Finite Series / Limited Series forGrendel : War Childin 1993 . The comic is so popular that Netflix is presently accommodate it into a goggle box series .

Batman And The Monster Men

Published by DC Comics in 2006,Batman and the Monster Menis a superb six - way out running written and drawn by Wagner and colored by Dave Stewart . The acclaimed comic incur Batman see Hugo Strange for the first time , where the Caped Crusader let on Strange ’s plot to turn humans into violent monster . It ’s one of the coolestBatman mirthful plot line that should be adaptedinto the movie sequels .

Hailed for reintroducing Bruce Wayne ’s love involvement Julie Madison for the first fourth dimension since the 1940s , Batman and the Monster Menled directly into the equally - awesomeBatman and the Mad Monk , a six - exit follow - up that mark Batman against a lamia . With starring graphics , rich characterizations , and a horror - centrical plot line , Wagner adds his own seam to the Batman mythology .

Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity

write and drawn by Wagner , Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman : Trinityis a splendid three - takings comic crossover published by DC Comics in 2003 . The storyline imagine the trinity of superheroes satisfy for the first meter and hammer an confederation prior to the formation of the Justice League . The comic gasconade a whopping 9.7/10 vital rating onComic Book Roundup , suggesting cosmopolitan prayer .

In terms of the criminal battle , the storyline involve   Ra ’s al Ghul teaming with Artemis and Bizarro to make global unrest , forcing Batman and Superman to encounter Wonder Woman for the first time and take on the villain as a emphatic unit of measurement of one . apart from get to indite and draw for three of the most iconic superheroes of all time , Wagner ’s inspire artwork helped to havethe wild laughable leger crossoverbe collected in both hardback and paperback   publications .

Batman/Grendel

write by DC Comics from 1993 to 1996 , Wagner engender to mash up his own cosmos with one of the most celebrated comic book superheroes of all time . Indeed , the two - volumeBatman / Grendelis the perfect position for two equally - matched champion to trade humour , providing deep insight into the two politically - affiliated crimefighters .

The news report find Grendel traveling to Gotham City to pull off a criminal offence after becoming bored in New York when his scourge disappears . Told from four different perspectives , let in Hildie and Fergie as well as the nominal lead , the comic prof Wagner can collate two superhero mythologies into one seamless whole .

The Shadow: Year One

While the artwork was done by Wilfredo Torres , Wagner wrote all 10 issue of the popular and well - receivedThe Shadow : Year Onecomic published by Dynamite Entertainment in 2010 . presently boasting an 8.1/10 decisive grievance onComic Book Roundup , the series is definitely one of Wagner ’s most accomplished .

Like any good origin story of an years - old character , Wagner was able-bodied to breathe rivet new liveliness into the mysterious gun for hire - sling crimefighter Kent Allard / Lamont Cranston despite the graphic symbol being around since the 1930s . The Shadow : Year Onebecame such a succeeder that Wagner wroteThe Shadow#100 in 2015 .

Grendel Vs. The Shadow

Given his authorial representative inThe vestige : Year One , Wagner wisely combined the character with his own macrocosm in 2014 . Despite running just three issues , Grendel Vs . The Shadowcurrently holds an 8.8/10 criticalComic Book Roundupscore , indicating howbeloved the cool risible Holy Writ crossoveris almost a 10 later .

Much like theBatman / Grendelmashup , The Shadow is a double-dyed foil and romantic partner for Hunter Rose when the latter is whisked back to 1930s New York to match mental capacity with the nocturnal avenger . The pulpy noir conventions of both fictitious character are sartor - made for them to make for off one another in exceedingly funny and exciting elbow room , but it ’s Wagner ’s detailed paneling and an accessible storyline that makes the comical a great origination to both character .

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Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Split image of comics covers for Mage and Grendel

Kevin grips his magical bat in Mage

Hunter holds a sword in Grendel

Batman discovering a gruesome scene in the comics

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman hover in the air in Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman Trinity

Batman and Grendel fight in Batman/Grendel

The Shadow Year One comic book cover

Grendel fights the Shadow in Grendel Vs. The Shadow

Batman

Superman