Grognak the Barbarian

Grognak the Barbarian was a multimedia franchise owned by Hubris Comics in the mid-21st century.

Background
The franchise relates the adventures of the main character, Grognak, in an ancient, fantastical world. The series began as a comic book and eventually expanded to other media including video games such as the text adventure Reign of Grelok, the CRPG Grognak & the Ruby Ruins, and the crossover comic series The Unstoppables.

There were at least fourteen issues of the comic book published, ten of which appear in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. The comics indicate a day and month of release, some issues with duplicate numbers from different months. Many of these periodicals were badly damaged or destroyed by the Great War of 2077. An intact copy, with no missing pages, is considered very rare. The price for a copy was $23.

Mentioned-only issues

 * An issue where Mastadonald and Skullpocalypse teamed up to fight Grognak.
 * A limited edition annual edition where Grognak dies and comes back to life, featured in the 2076 Underlane Price Guide as the rarest issue.

Behind the scenes

 * "Grognak the Barbarian" is a reference to Conan the Barbarian.


 * The cover of "In the Lair of the Virgin Eater" resembles the cover of the Conan issue: "Lair of the Ice Worm."
 * The stance Grognak takes on the cover of the comic book is nearly identical to the Barbarian class image from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The axe in his hand is also similar in appearance to the Iron Battle Axe from the same game.
 * The issue "Lost in the Snows of Lust" may be a reference to "The Frost-Giant's Daughter," one of the early Conan the Barbarian stories written by Robert E. Howard.
 * "In the Bosom of the Corsair Queen" and "Jungle of the Bat-Babies" are probably references to the Conan story "Queen of the Black Coast," although the cover of "In the Bosom of the Pirate Queen" appears to be a parody of the covers of erotic romance novels.
 * "Enter Maula: Warmaid of Mars" may be a reference to Edgar Rice Burroughs Martian Circle, especially The Warlord of Mars and Thuvia: Maid of Mars.
 * Several issues mentioned in Fallout 4 might be references to DC Comics storylines, such as Grognak dying then coming back to life, a possible reference to the death of Superman. Also, Mastadonald and Skullpocalypse teaming up to defeat Grognak is a reference to multiple super-villain team-ups in media.
 * The Creation Club item, the Fantasy Hero set, references a 'Battlemage' that was set to appear on a Grognak crossover episode. The actor for said archmage brought a genuine sword, and an iron helmet as props, and references using words of power to use his spells. The items and the quest associated are a shout-out to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.