GRU
Real Name: Gru
Identity/Class: Alternate
reality/extradimensional (Earth-82544) normal human
Occupation: Ambassador, negotiator
Group Membership: Court of King Rana
Affiliations: Groo, King Rana
Enemies: King Sapo and his
troops
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Mobile
First Appearance: Sergio Aragonés Groo the
Wanderer II#22 (December, 1986)
Powers/Abilities: Gru was an amiable and competent
negotiator between powerful rivals, always seeking peaceful resolution.
However, he has no fighting skills and is a bit naive.
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 155 lbs.
Eyes: Dark gray
Hair: Black
History:
(Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22 (fb) - BTS) -
Apparently unaware of the infamy of the bumbling, wandering master
swordsman Groo (renown for his stupidity and unmatched fighting
prowess), ambassador Gru was dispatched by King Rana to negotiate peace
with the rival kingdom ruled by King Sapo.
(Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22) - Groo refused
to pay the entry toll to King Sapo's realm and easily fought his way
past the border guard. By chance, ambassador Gru soon followed and
declared his diplomatic standing excused from the toll. But confusion
from the same pronounciation of the names Groo and Gru had begun. Gru
was soundly beaten up and stumbled away. Gru dined at a tavern and took
later lodgings, but similar situations arose where Gru was punished for
Groo's earlier belligerence. The next morning, feeling unsafe, Gru
hurried on his mission so he could leave what he perceived was dangerous
territory, but bumped into Groo, who sought employment as a bodyguard.
Unaware of each other's same-sounding name, they traveled together. Groo
was satisfied when villagers fled in fear from his name, while Gru was
confused why others would run uttering his name (actually Groo's),
Meanwhile, word had reached King Sapo that Groo was in his domain and
the king sent his troops to eliminate him. Aggressively calling for
Groo, Gru mistakenly thought they were there for him and naively
approached them peacefully; instead the troops attacked him. Groo jumped
into the fray to protect the ambassador, who fled for safety. Gru
approached Sapo's castle and announced himself only as ambassador; he
was warmly welcomed, which baffled Gru given past treatment. Gru
overheard that his bodyguard had been captured and that Sapo intended to
execute Groo. Name confusion again led Gru to the wrong conclusion and
he sent a carrier pigeon with an urgent message to Rana to send troops.
Gru secretly freed Groo from the dungeon and the duo escaped. Afterward,
Gru and Groo realized their names sounded alike and Gru grasped how his
actions were about to lead to war. Daft Groo was even more befuddled.
Gru ran to stop Sapo's troops, who instead bashed him upon hearing his
name (thinking he was Groo), while Rana's troops marched to war against
Sapo's castle. Groo wandered off oblivious and bewildered.
Comments: Created by Sergio Aragonés & Mark Evanier.
Groo the Wanderer first appeared in Eclipse Comics, then Pacific Comics, before a long run in Epic/Marvel, then jumping elsewhere. Creator Sergio Aragonés says that Groo exists in his own world (in the fun Groo vs. Conan miniseries -- look for it, it's great, but published by Dark Horse), so he probably should have his own Earth-#.
This profile was completed 02/09/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the
Appendix 25th anniversary 's celebratory event to represent
Groo.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS :
Gru has no known connections to:
King Rana sent Gru as an emissary to negotiate peace
between the two small rival kingdoms rued by Rana and King Sapo.
However, confusion between the exact name pronunciation of the peaceful
but naive Gru and the chaotic wandering swordmaster Groo led Gru to
think Sapo wanted to execute him instead of the swordsman. Considering
it an act of war, Gru sent an urgent message to Rana calling for troops.
Enraged, Rana dispatched his army and invaded Sapo's realm, although Gru
had since discovered his error and was unable to avert war.
--Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22
King Sapo wanted to end rivalry with neighboring kingdom
ruled by King Rana, whose emissary Gru was encountering considerable
difficulty because of confusion from the exact name pronunciation of his
name and the chaotic wandering swordsman Groo. Everyone in Sapo's
kingdom feared Groo and Sapo sent troops to capture the mercenary. When
Gru announced himself only as ambassador, he was welcomed into Sapo's
castle, but Gru overheard Sapo saying he wanted to kill Groo, and
confusion resumed. Panicked, Gru sent message to Rana for troops and
they invaded Sapo's realm, although Gru had since discovered his error
and was unable to avert war.
--Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22
images: (without ads)
Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22, p12, pan3 (main image)
p15, pan2 (headshot)
p19, pan1 (King Rana)
p10, pan4 (King Sapo)
Appearances:
Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer II#22 (December, 1986) - Sergio
Aragonés (writer/artist), Mark Evanier(writer), Archie
Goodwin (editor)
First posted: 09/10/2026
Last updated:
02/09/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099
Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you
should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com.
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix!