Like I said yesterday, I'm going to go through each issue of the Manx Cat mini-series and see what Ostrander and Truman tell us about GrimJack over the course of the issue. I already know most of it, but I'm trying to approach it as if this is my first time ever having heard of the character.
Page 1 - A character (not yet named) breaks into the home of one Johnny Aristo. This character has at some point, suffered for the amusement of the 'aristos', probably meaning upper class. The lizard thing's plight indicates the aristos enjoy watching more than just humans suffer for their fun. The lines on his face indicate he's probably not a spring chicken.
Page 2 - The character's name is John Gaunt, or GrimJack, and he does work for hire, probably dirty work (he says he's who you hire when you need an asshole). In this case recovering a piece of stolen art Johnny Aristos has. Gaunt has some marble thing called the Cat's Eye.
Page 3 - The Cat's Eye is magic (it floats and moves on its own), and Gaunt knows enough about magic to use it. He knows how to get past vaults guarded with 'wards'.
Page 4 - Gaunt has some extrasensory skill, based on his comment that something in the vault feels 'psychically dank'. Or this is simply a "gut feeling" related to past experience he might have, depending on how one looks at it. Either that extrasensory skill is in play, or Gaunt hear's voices sometimes, because the statue (called the Manx Cat) talks to him.
Page 5 - Some thieves stake out particular areas as their turf, Darlin' Lil being one. GrimJack isn't one of them. He also doesn't believe in dibs. He smokes cigarettes.
Page 6 - Lil likes to play dirty. Grimjack may have a history of trouble with women.
Page 7 - Gaunt knows a little about fighting dirty too. He grew up in the Pit (what's the Pit?). He killed a man before the age of 10 (why? who?).
Page 8 - Gaunt likes to stick to shadows. He's not above using profanity, or regretting not killing someone. Lil is not above using other people to do her work for her.
Page 9 - Grimjack likes to be prepared for things to go wrong. Or he just likes smoke grenades.
Page 10 - In addition to swords and magic trinkets, Gaunt carries a swingline gun. He knows how to use terrain to his advantage (he swings above the crowd which are obscured by the smoke grenades so the hired guns can't shoot for risk of hitting their boss. Since I felt the need to explain it, I'm not sure that should count, but one of the goons orders his guys not to shoot and explains why, so I think it's OK. Though I may be making a mistake in assuming that was something Gaunt planned on.)
Page 11 - Wherever Gaunt is, there are plenty of things that don't look like Homo sapiens that walk, talk, and shoot. Gaunt fought in the Arena for the amusement of the rich (see Page 1). He believes in gettin payback when the opportunity presents itself.
Page 12 - Has enough awareness to hear a small lizard ask for help. Saves the lizard for reasons even he doesn't understand. The lizard is apparently a 'gatorlizard' (Why can it talk? Why was it being tortured?)
Page 13 - Gaunt's not above mocking a person he just stole from.
Page 14 - Gaunt will work for people who are 'almost respectable' (Does he work for people who aren't anywhere near respectable?). Gaunt can be hired by middlemen such as Goethe, who serve other people. Gaunt does not care, as long as he gets paid. He wanted to hold onto the Manx Cat, but didn't. Will give cigs to gatorlizards, will not tolerate Goethe badmouthing it (feels a kinship with animals?).
Page 15 - Gaunt doesn't like it when things don't go as planned. Doesn't actually want the gatorlizard around. Gaunt's sympathy for the plight of others only extends so far.
Page 16 - Gaunt has some connection to a place called Munden's. Looks like a bar. The bar does not accept 'tourbots'. Bartender is named Gordon, he refers to GrimJack as Mr. Gaunt. Gaunt will drink liquor, or hold a bottle like he's thinking about drinking. Gordon and Gaunt trade insults casually. Gaunt not the only who one who thinks of him as an asshole.
Page 17 - Gordon's father's name is (was?) Bob. Father not seen on premises (dead? vacationing? sleeping in back?). Mention of father a sore spot for Gordon (for Gaunt too?). Gaunt owns the bar. Gordon not entirely happy being there? Or working for Gaunt? Bob the Gatorlizard will drink alcohol. And sing.
Page 18 - Gaunt can recognize the pain in Bob's singing, because he's lived through something like it (what?). The aristos tortured Bob Because his song sounds best when he hurts. Gaunt sees things cynically, and his idea of sympathy may include a bullet to the head. He may or may not consider that kindness (depending on how you read 'A regular angel of mercy - that's me.')
Page 19 - Gaunt was a member of the Transdimensional Police (what's transdimensional about them?) He had a partner named Roscoe Schumacher, and their being partners didn't end well for Roscoe (meaning what?). Grimjack thinks they're on speaking terms. Roscoe smokes, and hacks, and curses the cigs for the hacking. He's missing an eye. Roscoe doesn't think much of Munden's.
Page 20 - Gordon doesn't think much of cops (why?). Gordon does care about Bob. Gordon expects Gaunt will make Roscoe bleed. Roscoe likes Gordon, in spite of telling him to piss off. So Roscoe, like Gaunt has a tendency to be rude regardless of his feelings. He calls Gaunt "Jawn", and isn't interested in why Gaunt took/stole the Manx Cat. Not going to let him skate on the charges because they were partners.
Page 21 - Gaunt cares about his reputation. He will assault a cop if he thinks he needs to. Would rather handle things himself, than turn it over to the police.
Page 22 - Cares enough about Roscoe not to fight cops if they might die. Feels he owes Roscoe (for what?).
Page 23 - Gaunt's been in jail before (why, where?). Knows how to ensure he won't be bothered, how to make people afraid of him. Knows how to kill someone with no weapons (assuming police confiscated all of his before putting him in the cell).
Page 24 - Gaunt's been in front of judges before. Has a walking, talking weasel for a lawyer. The bar is collateral for his bail, and though he didn't want it, he doesn't want to lose it now (related to his acting like the gatorlizard was his when Goethe talked down about it?). The "Justice" statue in this place is a serpentine, one eyed thing, with a little hangman on one end of its scale, and a dollar sign on the other. The dollar sign is heavier, so life is cheap.
Page 25 - Johnny Aristo is a walking talking dog. Very rich, not above using that to influence legal system. GrimJack doesn't let on to others if something matters to him. Is willing to go to jail, as long as he thinks it's worth his time.
Page 26 - GrimJack knows the value of a good threat.
I had fun with that. First time in awhile I've done a page-by-page breakdown (I think the last one was either New Avengers Annual #1, or Annihilation: Silver Surfer #3). I guess the acid test would still be to have someone totally unfamiliar with the book read it, and get their reactions, so I'm going to have to try that.
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