The debut of an entire new story arc in Matt Wagner's ongoing Grendel Tales series, this issue begins the tale of Petrus Christus, the lone survivor of a town gruesomely massacred by a band of Grendels. In order to seek revenge, Petrus must himself adopt the mantle of Grendel -- but, unbeknownst to him, the price may be too terrible to pay! "Black Blood" is written and illustrated by Rob Walton, and painted by Bernie Mireault and Kathryn Delaney, using the same animation-cel style coloring that earned them an Eisner Award nomination for Grendel: War Child.

Also premiering this issue is an ongoing four-page back-up story, written and lavishly painted by Grendel creator Matt Wagner, featuring the popular Grendel-Prime character from War Child. In this issue, the clandestine search for Grendel-Prime begins, as the fate of the world empire teeters on the brink of chaos!