| “ | That's when Beowulf hops up and starts in on the grapplin'. He grapples like nobody's business, with that crazy-ass strength, and suddenly Grendel's the one making all the noise. Kicking up more of a racket than a whole hall full of drunken warriors ever could. Hypocrite. | „ |
| ― Bigby Wolf recounts the defeat of Grendel by Beowulf, Fables: The Wolf Among Us #11 — "Chapter Eleven" |
Beowulf is a human Fable renowned as a legendary hero, celebrated for slaying the formidable monster Grendel. He is first mentioned in Fables #91 — "Geppetto: Chapter Five of Witches," and appears in flashbacks from the Homelands in Fables: The Wolf Among Us #11 — "Chapter Eleven."
History
The great hero
In Dane-land, the Homelands version of Denmark, there was a great monster named Grendel who enjoyed the taste of Danes so much that he regularly indulged in feasting upon them. This went on for twelve years, until the legendary hero Beowulf, a Geat, sailed over to Dane-land with fourteen of his friends. Beowulf was reputed to possess the strength equivalent to that of thirty men and an unyielding grip, and volunteered to defeat the monster. He informed Hrotgar, one of the individuals tormented by Grendel, that he would confront Grendel alone, without any weapons or assistance, stating that if Grendel were to defeat him, he would be allowed to consume his fourteen companions, which understandably caused his friends great fear. Nevertheless, the relieved Danes celebrated with a party, a festivity that Grendel was infamous for despising due to the noise, prompting him to launch an attack. Beowulf removed his armor and engaged Grendel in one-on-one combat. He succeeded in vanquishing Grendel and ripping off his arm.[1]
Following the vanquishing of the legendary monster, Beowulf successfully battled sea monsters, while Grendel was sent off into the swamp to lick his wounds.[1]
Grendel sent his mother on a mission to seek revenge against Beowulf. She prowled around Heorot, trying to find Beowulf, but he ultimately killed her. He then ascended to the throne as the king of the Geats.[1]
Death
Grendel sulked in the swamp for fifty years, until he hired a fire dragon to kill his old nemesis, leaving a long paper trail along the way. The dragon fried Beowulf where he stood and Grendel lived to tell about it, always claiming that he had the upper hand. The Geats were reported to have mourned for years after the passing of their hero.[1]
Legacy
Beowulf is immortalized in legends as a great hero. When Grendel engages in a violent brawl with Bigby Wolf years later, Bigby reflects on how Beowulf triumphed over Grendel, utilizing that insight to tear Grendel's arm off, leading to Grendel's defeat once again.[1]
When Bufkin, confined in the Business Office, tries to use the Vorpal Blade, he finds its size to be a significant obstacle. Frankie motivates him to rise above the sword and invoke his inner Beowulf.[2]
Following the demise of the Nome King, Bufkin converses with Bungle, Jack Pumpkinhead and Sawhorse, and admits that he thinks of himself as a Beowulf to their Hrotgar. However, Jack does not understand the reference and says that pumpkins don't come down with hrotgars.[3]
Powers and abilities
Superhuman strength: Beowulf was said to have the strength of thirty men and an unbreakable grip.[1]
Appearances
Fables
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Fables: The Wolf Among Us
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Original source
Beowulf is based on the titular character of the epic poem Beowulf. In contrast to the comic, Beowulf emerged alive from the confrontation with the fire dragon.
References
Notes
- ↑ In the epic poem Beowulf, the titular character was a member of the Geats, a Scandinavian civilization hailing from southern Sweden. In the comic, Beowulf is also described as one of the Geats.