Terry LaBan has quickly established himself as one of the top writers in the comic-book industry. Known for such diverse titles as Vertigo's The Dreaming and his own Cud Comics, LaBan has most recently turned his attention to the cult-horror concept of Matt Wagner's Grendel.

In December, Dark Horse will begin a six-part Grendel Tales miniseries, titled The Devil May Care. The story is set in the Indianapolis of the future, a place where no sport is bigger -- or deadlier -- than speed racing. The sport is controlled by a devil-clan of outlaw Grendels, which has transformed this formerly peaceable spectator sport into a brutal test of honor and merit, with the Indy 5000 as its ultimate test of Grendelhood.

"It's the story of a kid named Albert," said LaBan. "He's a social misfit who wants to make his name driving the 5000. He's in good with the Grendels, so getting into the race isn't a problem. But his mother stands in his way. And things get further complicated when Albert's mom becomes romantically involved with Hack, the Grendel chief! It's a hell of a time to fall in love, in the midst of gangs of thugs pillaging and plundering your city. "

Grendel Tales: The Devil May Care is fully painted by 2000 A.D. artist Peter Doherty, who also provides the covers. The first issue ships to comics shops on December 19, 1995.