GrimJack is the main character of a comic book published by First Comics. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are credited as co-creators of the character, although Ostrander had been developing Grimjack with artist Lenin Delsol before Truman's arrival on the project (according to Ostrander's own text piece in GJ #75; in that same essay, the writer also revealed having initially conceived the character to be the star of a series of prose stories, set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago). First Comics was an American publisher of comic books. ... IDW Publishing (a division of Idea and Design Works) is an American comic book company. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Starslayer was a comic book series published starting in 1982 by American writer and artist Mike Grell starring the time-displaced Celtic warrior Torin MacQuillon. ... John Ostrander is an American writer of comics. ... Timothy Truman (born February 9, 1956 in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia is an American writer, artist and musician best known for his stories and Western Movie-style comic book art. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... First Comics was an American publisher of comic books. ... John Ostrander is an American writer of comics. ... Timothy Truman (born February 9, 1956 in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia is an American writer, artist and musician best known for his stories and Western Movie-style comic book art. ...

GrimJack is the street name of John Gaunt, a sword-for-hire, ex-paramilitary, war veteran and ex-child gladiator. He operates from Munden's Bar in the Pit, a slum area of Cynosure, a pan-dimensional city to which all dimensions connect. Mundens Bar is a fictional bar featured in the First Comics title GrimJack. ... Cynosure is also the name of a common ground-like plane in the Forgotten Realms Cynosure is the name of a fictional pan-dimensional city that exists within the First Comics multiverse. ...

The character

John Gaunt

John Gaunt, alias GrimJack, was born in The Pit, a slum area of the pan-dimensional city of Cynosure, where both magic and technology, humans and aliens intermingle. Sentenced to fight in the Arena of Cynosure at age eight, he joined one of the gangs of child warriors called "Wolfpacs." Gaunt went on to fight in the arena for thirteen years. During that time, Gaunt went by the name of "Grinner" and was known as the second-best fighter in the arena, behind the flashier Dancer. Slums in Delhi, India. ... Cynosure is also the name of a common ground-like plane in the Forgotten Realms Cynosure is the name of a fictional pan-dimensional city that exists within the First Comics multiverse. ...

Gaunt escaped the Arena and found peace for a time when he found refuge in the dimension of Pdwyr, where he met the love of his life, a woman named Rhian. His inner demons got the better of him when he met Major Lash, who convinced him to come back to Cynosure and fight off the invasion of the city by Hell itself. Gaunt went on to fight in the Demon Wars, and was thus unable to prevent the invasion of Pdwyr by Hell, and the death of all those he loved, including Rhian. Following the end of the War, Gaunt joined the Major's group of temporal bounty hunters, the Lawkillers.

GrimJack later left the Lawkillers and joined the Trans-Dimensional Police, Cynosure's police department. Upon quitting the TDP, he was enlisted as the first member of Cadre, a spy agency of the Cynosure government. After the events detailed in the GrimJack: Killer Instinct storyline, he abandoned Cadre and set himself up as a mercenary and private investigator in Cynosure. At some point he purchased the bar known as Munden's, apparently named after bartender Gordon Munden. For other uses, see Mercenary (disambiguation). ... A private investigator, private detective, PI, or private eye, is a person who undertakes investigations, usually for a private citizen or some other entity not involved with a government or police organization. ...

The GrimJack clone

During a bloody conflict with the Lawkillers, John Gaunt managed to kill two of Major Lash's men, Preacher and Grunt, but turned his back on Lash, disgusted with the senseless bloodshed and murder, including the revelation that the enemy he had killed months ago was his biological son. Lash seized this opportunity and killed GrimJack. Gaunt was shocked to find himself in Heaven, where he was reunited with his former love, Rhian. He was informed that for all his faults, he always stood by his friends, and for that he was judged worthy. But he soon discovers that Dancer has reanimated Gaunt's corpse in order to murder his friend Blackjacmac. Gaunt is horrified at this, as Blackjacmac would go to Hell if he were to die at this point in his life. Forfeiting a peaceful Afterlife, but continuing to act for the benefit of those he called friends, Gaunt animated a clone body of himself, returning to Cynosure as a younger clone of himself, although without legal rights.

James Twilley

Having willingly abandoned Heaven to save the soul of a friend, Gaunt found himself barred both from Heaven and from Hell. Upon the undisclosed death of his clone, he discovers that he is now condemned to cycle of deaths and rebirths until the city of Cynosure itself ceases to exist.

GrimJack was reborn as James Edgar Twilley, the son of a rich Cynosure family. Initially unaware of his past life, Twilley began remembering it when he witnessed a thug murdering a jock who bullied him in high school. As his past life returned to him, Twilley murdered the thug, and marked himself with the trademark GrimJack scar of his previous life. Twiley went underground, disappearing from his family and friends as he set about re-learning his past skills. When he was ready, Twilley showed up at Munden's, and using a clause written into the ownership contract of the bar, claimed his identity as well as the bar. Sometime later, his family, distraught over the changes that their son has undergone, kidnapped him and forced him into a personality restructuring therapy to erase the troubling memories, but when presented with a copy of John Gaunt as supposed proof that Twilley's memories were false, he flew in a frenzy and ripped out the Gaunt copy's throat with his teeth.

Discovering his family's manipulations, James Edgar Twilley left his family, assumed once again the street name of GrimJack with Munden's Bar as his base of operations.

James Twilley died in issue #81 of GrimJack, concluding First Comics' run.

Other incarnations

A few other incarnations of GrimJack have been hinted at by the series creators, including FutureJack, a GrimJack incarnation from the far future who tries to murder Gaunt before the curse of rebirth can befall him. Although these have never seen print, Ostrander hinted at a GrimJack in Hell story, as well as the possibility of one incarnation featuring GrimJack as a twin brother.

There are currently no plans for stories featuring other incarnations of GrimJack, although Ostrander and Truman have not denied the interest.

Supporting characters

See List of GrimJack supporting characters

This is a list of supporting characters from the First Comics series GrimJack. ...

Influence of GrimJack in other published works

Award winning science fiction and fantasy author Roger Zelazny was a GrimJack fan and paid homage to the character in his own works, The Chronicles of Amber, and the Amber short story "The Shroudling and the Guisel" published in Amberzine #8, November 1995. In the fourth chapter of his 1986 Amber novel "Blood of Amber" Zelazny introduced a character named "Old John" who is remarkably similar in appearance to John Gaunt. In the letters column of GrimJack issue #35 (June, 1987) a letter from Chuck Wilson describes "Old John" and John Ostrander replies by complimenting Zelazny and inviting him to write in. Zelazny did and his response stating that he had been a GJ fan since #1 was published in GrimJack #39 (October, 1987) along with Ostrander's uncharacteristically, but understandably, giddy response. Zelazny later contributed the introduction to the GJ graphic novel "Demon Knight". Finally, in Zelazny's Amber short story "The Shroudling and the Guisel", published posthumously in Amberzine #8, November 1995, he refers to GJ by name "I stood among the grave markers of unknown mortals -- Dennis Colt, Remo Williams, John Gaunt -- and swore to be her champion if ever she needed one." Zelazny died in June, 1995 of lung cancer. Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels. ... The Chronicles of Amber is a popular fantasy series by Roger Zelazny. ...

Publication History

Starslayer

GrimJack began as a back-up feature in issue 10 of the comic book Starslayer. The character of GrimJack was created by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman, but the setting, in the pan-dimensional city of Cynosure, predates the character. Starslayer was a comic book series published starting in 1982 by American writer and artist Mike Grell starring the time-displaced Celtic warrior Torin MacQuillon. ...

The GrimJack backup story was very popular with the readers of Starslayer, and First Comics decided to give the character his own title. The GrimJack back-up story ran from issue 10 to 17. GrimJack guest-starred in the main Starslayer story in issue 18, in July 1984.

GrimJack

Issue #1 of GrimJack was published by First Comics in August 1984, and ran until issue #81, in April 1991. Artists who worked on the series included Timothy Truman, Sam Grainger, Tom Mandrake, Jim McDermott, Steve Pugh Tom Sutton and Flint Henry. Timothy Truman (born February 9, 1956 in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia is an American writer, artist and musician best known for his stories and Western Movie-style comic book art. ... Sam Grainger (March 18, 1924 - October 1986) was an American comic book artist best known as a Marvel Comics inker during the 1960s and 1970s periods fans and historians call, respectively, the Silver Age and the Bronze Age of Comic Books. ... Tom Mandrake is a notable comic book artist, perhaps best known for collaborating with John Ostrander on multiple comic books, including Grimjack (from First Comics) and The Spectre, Martian Manhunter, and Firestorm, from DC Comics. ... Jim McDermott is a New Hampshire-based artist who works in a variety of styles and media. ... Steve Pugh is a British comic book artist who has worked for most of the major comic producers on both sides of the Atlantic: DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and 2000 AD. Bibliography Comics work includes: Third World War: Ivans story: Why me? (with Pat Mills, in Crisis, #36, 1990... Tom Sutton a. ...

Throughout its run, with the exception of a few full-length issues (as well as #60 with its expanded letter column), GrimJack featured a back-up story in the manner of other First Comics series. From issue 2 to 69, the backstory was titled Munden's Bar, a comical, episodic retelling of the events at the eponymous bar, owned by GrimJack. The story brought a small amount of fame to the series for its occasional guest stars, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Mundens Bar is a fictional bar featured in the First Comics title GrimJack. ... TMNT redirects here. ...

Starting with issue 70 a new back-up feature began, as John Ostrander felt that Munden's Bar was getting too far away from his original intent and he suspended it for reworking. In its place was his own serial entitled Youngblood, drawn by Steve Pugh. Not to be confused with the Image comic of the same name, this told the story of John Gaunt's troubled childhood, via flashbacks from a point in Gaunt's life prior to his first published appearance in Starslayer, but after the Demon Wars (told in the lead feature in issues 66-69). It concluded in issue #81. Steve Pugh is a British comic book artist who has worked for most of the major comic producers on both sides of the Atlantic: DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and 2000 AD. Bibliography Comics work includes: Third World War: Ivans story: Why me? (with Pat Mills, in Crisis, #36, 1990... Image Comics is an American comic book publisher. ... Youngblood may refer to: // Harold F. Youngblood (1907-1983), U.S. Representative from Michigan Jack Youngblood, a former NFL player Joel Youngblood, a former all-star baseball player Luke Youngblood, an actor Rudy Youngblood, an actor also known as Tee-Dee-Nae Thomas Youngblood, a guitarist and founding member of... Starslayer was a comic book series published starting in 1982 by American writer and artist Mike Grell starring the time-displaced Celtic warrior Torin MacQuillon. ...

Although one of First Comics' most popular titles, after the company declared bankruptcy, it did not make it into print again before 2005.

Demon Knight

Published by First Comics in 1990, Demon Knight is a stand-alone graphic novel featuring the James Twilley incarnation of GrimJack, going back in time to the Demon Wars to try and change his fate. Although a stand-alone, the story ties in thematically with the "Demon Wars" flashback storyline taking place in issues 66-69. In literature and film, a flashback (also called analepsis) takes the narrative back in time from the point the story has reached, to recount events that happened before and give the back-story. ...

GrimJack Casefiles

Running from November 1990 to March 1991, GrimJack Casefiles reprints the Starslayer back-up story, as well as the first issues of the GrimJack series. It ran a total of 5 issues.

GrimJack: Killer Instinct

Following the original creators of GrimJack getting back the rights to the character out of legal limbo, John Ostrander and Timothy Truman teamed up again to publish GrimJack: Killer Instinct, a 6-issues miniseries published by IDW Publishing. The miniseries, since then reprinted in graphic novel form, serves as a prequel to the First Comics' GrimJack series, and shows John Gaunt's life leading up to his first appearance in Starslayer #10. The series met with critical acclaim for its art, storyline and original setting. IDW Publishing (a division of Idea and Design Works) is an American comic book company. ... Trade paperback of Will Eisners A Contract with God (1978), often mistakenly cited as the first graphic novel. ... A prequel is a work that portrays events which include the structure, conventions, and/or characters of a previously completed narrative, but occur at an earlier time. ...

The series is written by John Ostrander, drawn by Timonthy Truman, lettered by John Workman and edited by Mike Gold, all of whom worked on the original GrimJack comic. John Workman is a letterer in the comic book industry. ... Mike Gold was an American literary critic, associated with the left wing. ...

Legend of GrimJack

On the heels of GrimJack: Killer Instinct, IDW Publishing also re-issued First Comics' GrimJack run as an anthology. As of October 2007, 8 collections have been released, covering the Starslayer back-up story, as well as the first issues of the series. The anthology was originally planned as a trade paperback or hardcover series of graphic novels, although IDW Publishing has cancelled the hardcover edition starting with issue #4. An anthology, literally a garland or collection of flowers, is a collection of literary works, originally of poems. ...

Other appearances

In addition to the aforementioned series and specials, GrimJack made appearances in two Munden's Bar specials, as well as a few First Comics crossover specials such as The Gift and Crossroads. In a text piece in the special issue #75, Ostrander revealed that a character glimpsed in the shadows of Munden's in the first panel of the back-up story he wrote for First's Warp #5, August 1983 was actually Gaunt, making his initial publication appearance. Away from First, Gaunt's corpse made a one-panel appearance as a sight gag in the DC Comics horror anthology title Wasteland. The Gift is a holiday-themed crossover special published by First Comics. ... Crossroads was a five issue limited series making use of various First Comics published characters. ... In comedy, a Sight Gag is anything which conveys its humour visually, often without words being used at all. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The character is currently being serialised online at COMICMIX.com with a brand new story done exclusively online, The Manx Cat.

Legal history

Following the bankruptcy of First Comics in 1991, the legal rights to GrimJack became tied up with First Comics' other assets. Ken F. Levin, co-founder of First Comics, and Mike Gold, GrimJack's original editor, set out to free the rights to the character from legal limbo. (There were several reports over the years that the problem wasn't the rights to GrimJack, invariably stated in these accounts to be owned outright by Ostrander, but those to its setting, the "pan-dimensional" city of Cynosure, which were the property of First Comics. The unique nature of the place was crucial to many of Ostrander's storylines, and some observers even considered it to be a "character" in its own right.)

After 12 years of efforts, all rights to GrimJack were released, and a new company was founded, the NightSky GrimJack Rights and Production Vehicle (Four Wheel Drive Model), LLC, with legal ownership to the character. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are said to have "substantial equity positions" in the venture.

Film

J. Michael Straczynski had reportedly planned to write a film adaptation of GrimJack during his time on Babylon 5. He initially planned to produce the script during the summer of 1996, but timing conflicts prevented him from doing it. As a result, the project was put on hold, and has not been resurrected since. According to J. Michael Straczynski, the film was budgeted for $30 million dollars, and as scriptwriter, Straczynski intended to remain as faithful as possible to the source material. Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is an award-winning American writer/producer of television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. ... Babylon 5 is an epic American science fiction television series created, produced, and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. ...

The freeing of the legal rights to GrimJack make the production of a GrimJack film a possibility again, but there has been no word from the series' creator as of yet.

External links and sources

• GrimJack Official Site
• IDW Publishing GrimJack Press Release
• http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/c/cynosure.htm
• http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/j/jgaunt.htm
• http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_ostrander_demonknight.html