Grodd of War #1

Writer: Sean Ryan
Penciller: IG Guara
Inker: Ruy Jose

Colorist: Stephani Rennee
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Art: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Assistant Editor: Kate Stewart
Editor: Joey Cavalieri

I have always been a fan of stories told from the point of view of the villain.  Grodd of War lived up to my hopes for it.  The story addresses the question of what happens when the conquerer has nothing left to conquer and the warrior has nothing left to wage war on.  

I suppose in Grodd's case, getting there was more than half the fun.  Grodd seems to have come to the realization that it's the conquest, the fight, the violence that fuels him and makes life worth living.   Old soldiers are not meant for peace and the boredom that comes in a life after struggle and combat. 

Grodd has an attempt on his life that he believes to have been coordinated by his aide, Malavar, but he lets him live and does not let on that he is aware of the treachery.   Grodd is tired of life without a worthy fight and hopes that Malavar will try again and succeed.  Grodd also allows one of the young humans who tried to assassinate him to live after mind controlling him into killing his friends.  He tells the boy to grow up hating him and to one day kill him.

Grodd, hoping to die in a blaze of glory, decides to take on both Wonder Woman and her Amazon Furies and Aquaman and the Atlanteans.  The book started off on solid footing and I am looking forward to the next issue.