Captain Marvel vol. 5 #21Captain Marvel vol. 5 #21
Title: “Grendel's Layer
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Chrisscross
Inker: Anibal Rodriguez
Colors: VLM
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The red bird from Marlo’s store is flapping wildly in its cage. It knows that its opponent’s plans have come to fruition, and that it must help Marlo. It manages to knock the cage off the table opening it. The bird flies towards the door of the store, but smashes right into the glass of the door.
Merlin says that the story of Beowulf said that Grendel’s mother was killed because it made a better story, but that really she was imprisoned in a floating underground prison. He tells them all to tremble before her. Marlo asks who Beowulf is. Al says that he thinks that it was that little furry guy from the “Song of the South” cartoon. Another guy says that he thought that was Brer Wolf. Marlo says that she is confused, and asks if she fought a cartoon wolf. Another guy says that it is Brer Fox, and that there was no wolf in the story. Merlin yells at them all. He asks if they are all mentally deficient in some way. He says that Beowulf is a centuries old epic poem. He asks if they teach them anything in school. Merlin apologizes to Grendel’s mother, and says that when she devours them that he fears they will be empty calories. Merlin notices that her appearance has changed. She explains that her visage adapts to her surroundings. She asks why these people don’t run from her. Merlin says that his enchantment prevents them from doing so. She asks Merlin if she should sup on one, but Merlin says that he thinks that she will find it difficult to stop with just one. Grendel’s mother steps up to Al and says that she will start with him. Marlo says that she will be sorry if she does. Grendel’s mom asks why Marlo says this. Marlo says that there are heroes protecting this city, and that she even knows one personally who has a habit of showing up just in time. Grendel’s mother looms close to Marlo, and Marlo says that he will be showing up any second.
Marv and Moondragon stand atop the Excalibur casino is Las Vegas. Marv says that he doesn’t get it, and that he concentrated on Marlo and sensed a castle, Excalibur, and danger. Moondragon says that she isn’t sensing any cosmic level danger here. Marv tells Rick to wake up, and that he thinks that Marlo is in danger. Rick asks “yeah? So?” Marv asks what if she dies. Rick says that everyone and everything dies. Marv says that Rick can’t tell him that he doesn’t care about Marlo. Rick says that he cares, but that he just doesn’t get worked up about it. Marv starts lecturing Rick, but Rick just says ‘Comic Castle’. Marv keeps railing, but then realizes that Rick said something. Rick explains that Comic Book Castle is a place that opened up across from her, and that there is probably something evil going on there. Marv grabs Moondragon’s arm and starts flying as fast as he can back towards Los Angeles.
Lorraine stands outside continually ringing the doorbell for the super of the building. She says that she can’t believe that the intercom is still broken. The super comes to the door and says that he has a gun, and that he isn’t afraid to use it. Lorraine greets “Carmie”. Carmine sees Lorraine and freaks out. Lorraine says that she doesn’t have her keys, wallet, money, or anything, but that she got there all the way from Laguna Beach, and was wondering if he would let her up into her apartment. Carmine starts shouting that Lorraine is dead, and that she isn’t going to suck his brain. Carmine blows a hole through the door, but Lorraine dodges off to the side. Lorraine grabs the gun through the door and asks him what is the matter with him. She holds the gun on him, and asks how he can be standing there looking at her and says that she is a zombie. Carmine says that he went to her funeral, saw her cremated, and helped spread her ashes. Lorraine says that would explain it.
Marlo keeps waiting for Marv to arrive in
the “nick of time”. Merlin says that this is ridiculous
and tells Grendel’s mother to get on with it and devour her.
Grendel’s mother tells Merlin to watch how he talks to her,
and that she is not his servant. Marlo says that Merlin probably
thinks so. She says that he must want something because guys like
him don’t just help people unless there is something in it
for him. Grendel’s mother says that Marlo speaks truly, and
that the desires of wizards are never what they seem. She asks
Merlin what it is she wants. Merlin says that Beowulf’s last
opponent was a dragon that guarded a treasure. In the treasure is
the Holy Grail. Merlin says that after Grendel’s mother has
had her fill that he would like her to lead him to it.
Grendel’s mother says that she knows the dragon and the
lair. Merlin asks if she will take him to it. She says that she
will not. Merlin asks why. Grendel’s mother says that these
magicians are all alike, and that they think they can summon them
and that they will be so grateful for the attention that they
will do whatever they ask. She reminds Merlin that she is the
mother of the monster, and that she is so fearsome that she
doesn’t even have her own name so that no one may have power
over her least of all a tricked up conjurer like him. 
Merlin calls
her an ingrate and a foolish creature. He says that she has no
idea who she is dealing with. Marlo tells everyone to run for it
while Merlin is busy. Merlin says that no one is going anywhere.
A bolt of red streams across the sky and smashes into Merlin.
Merlin asks how he shook off his spell of transformation. He
tries to blast the armored man, but the man spins and deflects.
Marv and Moondragon spot the bolts of magic and say that must be the place. He says that they can only hope that Marlo isn’t right in the middle of it for once. The Comic Book Castle is starting to come down. The red figure scoops up Marlo and carries her off to safety. Merlin notices something coming through his magic. Marv comes right through it. He says that Merlin has an interesting form of energy, but that like all forms of energy it can be manipulated. Marv asks Merlin if he would like to just give up now. Merlin blasts Marv, but Marv blocks it with a shield. Moondragon tells everyone to clear out so that they don’t get hurt. Grendel’s mother walks by her and says that her concern is laudable. Merlin says that this is just a temporary setback, and that he will bind the creature to his will. Merlin says that Marv has no chance at stopping him. Marv says that fortunately he brought friends. Marv calls out to them and suddenly there are dozens of Captain Marvels flying at Merlin.
Grendel’s mother is walking around looking at what type of world she has been brought into. She sees Manns’ Chinese Theater and the area around it and says that the world is beautiful. An agent spots Grendel’s mother and asks her to tell him that she doesn’t have an agent. Grendel’s mother doesn’t even know what an agent is. He says that is just what he wanted to hear. Mordeaci P. Boggs says that she should be asking what he can do for her. He says that he can make all of Hollywood hers. He says that he can have them all eating out of the palm of her hand. Grendel’s mother asks if she can eat out of the palm of her hand too. He says that she can, and that this is Hollywood and that big stars are above the law. Grendel’s mother says to tell her more.
Merlin knows that the other Captain Marvels are illusions. He asks if Marv actually hopes to trick him this way. Marv swoops in and hits Merlin. He says, “Actually, I kind of do.” Moondragon blasts Merlin with a psi-blast. She says that should put an end to “this charlatan’s tricks”. Merlin is outraged that she would dare call him a charlatan. He asks if she really thinks that Merlin Demonspawn could be dispatched that easily. He says that now they will learn the error of their ways.
In the Microverse, Rick says that he has heard this all before. He tells Marv that these guys are always defeated by reflecting their own spell back at them. Marv says that’s a nice plan, but asks where they are going to find a reflective surface. He looks down at his nega bands and sees Rick’s face in it. Rick says that if Wonder Woman can do it that he can too. Merlin lets loose a blast. Marv deflects it, but shoots it right at the guy in the red suit. The guy in the red suit deflects it towards Moondragon. Moondragon concentrates and shoots it back at Merlin finally. Rick guesses that Marv ‘meant’ to make that a four cushion shot.
Marlo helps the man in red armor to his feet and asks who he is. From inside the armor, Al says that he doesn’t know. Marlo asks him what he thinks he is doing. Al says that he just saw the armor there, and figured that if he was going to go out that it might as well be as a hero. A naked man stands with a copy of Giant-Size Man-Thing covering his swimming suit areas. He says that is all well and good, but now that Merlin’s spell has been broken, and he has managed to get over here without the police seeing him he was wondering if he could have his armor back.
The next day at Golden Orange Comics, Al and Marlo are watching the television. Al spots Grendel’s mother in a press conference. Marlo says that what is even scarier is that Boggs is her old agent. On the television, Boggs says that ‘Big Mother’ has signed a five-year deal with the FWW, and that he contends that she is going to change the face of wrestling. Marlo asks if this is a happy ending. Rick says that it is an ending, and that he is happy about it. He says that is close enough. Marlo says that they never figured out what happened to Merlin. Rick says that sometimes a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is best with super-villains.
Somewhere Merlin struggles to get free of the orb that previously held Grendel’s mother prisoner.
Legacy rating: 5.5 out of 10
Everything that I didn’t like about last issue I like less in this issue. The threat of Merlin is a little goofy to me, and to spend two issues on him is too long. The fact that Grendel’s mother doesn’t do Merlin’s bidding is all well and good, but the notion that they let her walk off to become a wrestler is a little goofy as well. I know Peter David likes to write comedy into his book, but I just don’t like it when the comedy supplants the plot of the book. Chriscross’ style is still strong, and some of his fighting is done okay, but then those energy blasts show up and some of the punching and flying becomes just blurred lines. That’s not real impressive.