"I'm so excited for the new Madame Xanadu arc, the series is very well-written and I too enjoy that the series isn't convoluted by too much established continuity.  I also need to look into Grendel...but I have no idea what its about. "

My first real introductions to Grendel were the Batman/ Grendel crossovers.  I had heard of it before then, but had never checked it out.  I loved how well Grendel worked in the Bat-verse.  I have checked out a little of the regular Grendel stuff since then, but have yet to read everything. 
 
Madame Xanadu I really had no interest in, but now that I've heard Mr. Wagner telling what it's about, I'll have to pick up a trade at some point, and give it a read.