Toe-to-toe with the Dragon-Slayer!

The Dragon-Slayer and Kevin face down in Issue #5. Although Matt has already admitted the archetypal Hero basis for The D-S is the Germanic hero Seigfried (from Die Nibelungen),  it's fairly apparant from the symbol on his chest that this Hero also represents comic-dom's Batman.

The Dragon-Slayer

The Batman

The battle itself could represent Matt Wagner's "battle" to create his first Batman-Grendel story. Let's line things up:

• The D-S's wealth is a fairly obvious allusion to Bruce Wayne's or D.C. comic's wealth.

• The D-S's speech regarding the loneliness and darkness of true power is reminiscent of the blacker, Frank Miller-ish  "Dark Knight."

• The battle takes place in the Financial District, possibly an allusion to the high-dollar licensing rights issues involved in a D.C./Comico crossover.

• Kirby and Joe stand nearby during this battle. In the late 80's (when Batman v. Grendel was in negotiation and being written/drawn by Matt), Joe Matt and Bernie Mireault were both working with Matt Wagner on Grendel --thus placing them in his "immediate" presence.