So you’re probably wondering what I’m thinking when I suggest that an obscure character might have become as legendary as Mike Grell’s Warlord. 

Let me explain.

There’s nothing sadder than an interesting and creative comic character marching off into the sunset. From the CrossGen Comics brand to the ill-fated Atlas Comics pseudo-relaunch in 2010-2011, seeing comics fail because of business-related issues is always a tragedy.

When Atlas Comics emerged on the comics scene in the 1970s, they had all the trappings of success; new and exciting characters, great talent, and the fact that the company was producing new material when much of what Marvel Comics was producing were reprints.

Enter Wulf the Barbarian. 

Unlike Robert E. Howard’s Conan, Wulf was born to nobility and was the heir to the throne of Baernholm. Here’s an concise synopsis of Wulf The Barbarian #1, courtesy of the Atlas Comics Archives: 

“As Wulf awaits his flagon of ale at Bashir’s Wine Shop, he notices a golden falcon. The falcon triggers a memory of some ten years ago, as a young Prince Wulf accompanied his parents and the Royal Hunting Party. 

Without warning, out of the tall grass, the Trolls of Drakenroost attack. A feathered shaft finds it’s mark, striking and killing the King, Lord Wulfgar, Thane of Baernholm. With the King dead, Stavro Dar Kovin seizes command. 

Hopelessly outnumbered, Queen Lenore orders Stavro to take young Wulf to safety.As Stavro escapes the carnage, Wulf looks behind him to see his mother being slain by a grinning monstrosity. It is a scene that he will never forget. It is a face that Wulf will come to know as the Grinner. 

Many days later, Stavro and Wulf arrive at the city of Azerebaja. With little money, they struggle to survive, with Stavro juggling knives on a street corner and Wulf holding a begging bowl. 

Every evening however, Stavro would train Wulf in the ways of combat. Stavro is determined to groom Wulf into a fighting machine. 

His thoughts of the past come to an abrupt end when Wulf is informed that three strangers have attacked Stavro. Wulf races back to his home, only to find Stavro dead, along with two of the attackers. The remaining assassin has been wounded, leaving a trail of blood. 

Sword in hand, Wulf follows the trail and discovers his worst nightmare. He is face to face with the Grinner, the monstrous troll that killed his mother.As Wulf attacks, his sword is shattered by the Grinner, who wields the sword of Lord Wulgar, Wulf’s father. 

The overconfident Grinner, sensing an easy kill, casually begins flipping his sword between his two hands. A lightning fast Wulf grabs the sword and plunges it deep into the heart of the Grinner. He has avenged both his mother and father while facing his greatest nightmare. His greatest task, however, lies ahead, as he sets out to kill the sorcerer Mordek, who was behind the troll attack that killed his parents.”

Larry Hama tackled Wulf the Barbarian, and would later go on to be editor of The Warlord at DC Comics.

This was just the synopsis for the first issue. 

Now, add to the concept the writing and artistry of Larry Hama, assisted by Klaus Janson. Hama got his start in a few one-off issues for Marvel, and completed two issues of Ka-Zar: Lord of the Hidden Jungle for the House of Ideas before tackling Wulf for the fledgling startup called Atlas.

When Atlas went under just a year later, Hama joined DC Comics, taking on major editorial roles for huge titles like Wonder Woman, Mister Miracle, Super Friends and….The Warlord. 


I wonder just how much Larry Hama’s experience writing and drawing Wulf led to his editorial job overseeing Mike Grell’s Warlord.


Sadly, we’ll never know what became of Wulf; the series was resurrected briefly (six poorly put-together comics) by the predecessor to Scout Comics but died a slow death on the vine. If I recall correctly, there was even a Facebook page devoted to the re-release of the old Atlas titles and it was full of reader frustration. People couldn’t find a place to purchase the issues, marketing was non-existent and frustrated fans clogged the page with “What’s going on?” type inquiries.

Could Wulf the Barbarian have been a legendary title like Warlord? It certainly was possible at one time. But the world may never know, as many of these Atlas properties seem to once again be in limbo.

As always, I am – Wally (AKA Paint Monk)