Issue #1 of "Grimjack" was published by First Comics in August 1984, and ran until issue #81, in April 1991, with all stories written by Ostrander. Artists who worked on the series included Timothy Truman, Sam Grainger, Tom Mandrake, Jim McDermott, Steve Pugh, Tom Sutton, Paul Guinan, Martin Thomas, and Flint Henry. Throughout its run, with the exception of a few full-length issues (as well as #60 with its expanded letter column), "Grimjack" featured a back-up story in the manner of other First Comics series. From issue 2 to 69, the backstory was titled "Munden's Bar", a telling of events at the eponymous bar. The story brought a small amount of fame to the series for its occasional guest stars, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Starting with issue 70 a new back-up feature began, as John Ostrander felt that "Munden's Bar" was getting too far away from his original intent and he suspended it for reworking. In its place was his own serial entitled "Youngblood", drawn by Steve Pugh. "Youngblood" told the story of John Gaunt's troubled childhood, via flashbacks from a point in Gaunt's life prior to his first published appearance in "Starslayer", but after the Demon Wars. It concluded in issue #81. Although one of First Comics' most popular titles, after the company declared bankruptcy, it did not make it into print again until 2005.