A masked vigilante known as Grendel stalks the night, a figure of both fear and fascination, whose legend becomes intertwined with the very fabric of the city he seeks to control. The Grendel persona, adopted by Hunter Rose, a pulp novelist, becomes a symbol of corruption and violence that infects New York City. Rose, driven by a desire to avenge his father's murder and protect his sister, Christine, navigates a treacherous underworld, battling organized crime and the corrupt police force. The narrative explores the cyclical nature of violence and the corrupting influence of power, often told through a non-linear structure that jumps between different eras and Grendel iterations.

Matt Wagner's Grendel cycle is widely recognized as a seminal work in independent comics, celebrated for its ambitious scope and thematic depth. Critics often highlight the innovative storytelling, particularly the non-linear narrative structure and the exploration of the Grendel persona across different eras and individuals. Readers frequently praise the intricate plotting and the philosophical questions the series raises about power, corruption, and the nature of evil. The cycle is considered a landmark achievement, influencing subsequent generations of comic creators with its dark, complex, and visually striking approach to the vigilante mythos.