
In 1973 Grell moved to New York City, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. Grell entered the comics industry as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip in 1972. After the Air Force, Grell enrolled in the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and also worked as a freelance graphics artist. Air Force, including a stint as illustrator in Saigon.

To avoid getting drafted into Army service during the Vietnam War, he enlisted for four years in the U.S. Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. Mike Grell (born September 13, 1947) is an American comic book writer and artist, known for his work on books such as Green Lantern/Green Arrow, The Warlord, and Jon Sable Freelance.
