WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Once & Future #7 by Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain and Ed Dukeshire, on sale now from BOOM! Studios.
In the world of Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora, Arthurian legends of old and English folklore are true and horrifying. Duncan McGuire, a seemingly regular rugby-playing academic, learns that his gran is actually an extremely proficient monster hunter and is dragged into a world of demons, extra dimensions and magic. Held at gunpoint, Duncan follows his grandmother into a battle with the recently-resurrected King Arthur, who threatens to bring about Britain's darkest hour.
On this journey, Duncan also comes to the realization of his place in this story and his family's role within it. Whether it be his half-brother who serves as Galahad to the mad king, or his lost mother who initiated the whole epoch, Duncan discovers that his grandmother, who raised him, has been preparing him for his own title. He is Percival, the knight who will fight against the evil that threatens this land. With Arthur as the series' initial (and current) main villain, Once & Future #7 introduces a new threat in the form of Beowulf.
Following its first arc, the series picks up as Duncan continues to adjust to his new role as monster hunter. Recently-revealed truths caused a split between hims and his grandmother, so Duncan works with Rose, a "doctor of history," who can give him direction within this world of magic. He gets warning of a disturbance within the heart of London at the British Museum and battles Galahad there; however, Duncan's mother Elaine -- now known as "Nimue" -- simultaneously uses a stolen text to resurrect Beowulf.
A legendary hero of an Old English epic poem of the same name, Beowulf was known for his skills in battle. In fact, many of his feats are similar to a certain barbarian over at Marvel. His ferocity and near-invulnerability ensured the monsters he faced came to fear his name. Whether it was ripping apart the monster Grendel while nude or slaying a dragon, Beowulf's heroics allowed him to become king over the people he saved. Within the Marvel universe, the tales of this hero are actually a reference to one of their most powerful gods. In short, Beowulf is a warrior all should fear.
While Duncan remains busy in his new life, it appears that King Arthur does fear the coming threat of Beowulf. Within his lair, the undead king remarks about the need for preparations against his "old rival." Though they never come into contact in the legends, these two kings and their claims are built upon stories of their deeds. As Arthur's predecessor, Beowulf poses a direct threat to Arthur's claim over Britain. It seems unlikely the two will be allies, as both appear to be bloodthirsty for those who stand in their way.
Looking at this new take on Beowulf, it is possible Once & Future will take inspiration from the 2007 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. Unlike the original poem, which presented Beowulf as wholly heroic, the film adaptation revealed the darker side of the hero as he allowed himself to be seduced by Grendel's mother and gave her a new son. Once & Future already takes a darker approach to Arthurian legend, so a similar approach to Beowulf would not be surprising.
With Beowulf's return, there still remains the question of Nimue's role. She is a servant of Merlin, who is most associated with King Arthur -- her resurrecting Beowulf is an interesting choice. Regardless, Duncan will have plenty of epic clashes in the future with the former heroes of old.