Gilbert, also known as Grills, is a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. He is also a live-action roleplayer who belonged to a roleplaying guild alongside Missy, Orville and Wendy Conrad. He stole the Ronin suit from Kate Bishop's apartment while combatting a fire set off by the Tracksuit Mafia. The next day, he wore the suit to a LARP event in Central Park, where he was confronted by Hawkeye. He agreed to return the suit on the condition that he was allowed to defeat him in LARP combat, earning him the respect of his fellow players. In exchange for more costumes for his roleplaying guild, Grills continued to be a keen ally to Barton and Bishop, aiding them during the Battle at Rockefeller Center.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
FDNY[]
Grills joined the Fire Department of New York City as a firefighter.[1] He also joined a roleplaying guild along with Missy, Orville, and Wendy Conrad.[2]
Meeting Hawkeye[]
Finding the Ronin Suit[]
- "People always like, 'Grills, when you gettin' a new costume? Your costume looks pretty bad'. How about now? You see me? When you see me sneakin' and creepin', it's too late. You're already dead. Ninja style."
- ―Grills[src]
In December 2024, Grills was one of the many firefighters to have been dispatched by the Fire Department of New York City to an apartment when a fire broke out inside. While investigating the remnants of the burnt apartment, Grills eventually discovered a ninja suit left on a chair. He stole the suit out of the building and took it back home.
Grills dressed up in the ninja outfit on video
After returning home, Grills went to social media and filmed a video on his phone to showcase the suit. In the video, he cities the people who kept telling him to find a new costume for New York City Live Action Role Players and how his previous costume looked pretty bad. In the next frame, Grills appeared in the ninja suit that he discovered in the burnt apartment. He flaunted the suit off to the camera, stating that he would be sneaking up on his opponent and kill them “ninja style." Grills then posted the video on the New York City Larpers social media page, where it would be soon watched by Clint Barton: the original owner of the ninja suit.[1]
Meeting Clint Barton[]
Grills shows off his ninja suit at Central Park
- "Just let me kill you. And I'll give you the suit."
- ―Grills to Clint Barton[src]
The following day, Grills went to the next New York City Live Action Role Players session being hosted at Central Park in his newly discovered ninja suit. He showed the suit off to several of his fellow LARP players before going through a dramatic and completely passionate LARP gauntlet, facing off against several other players in his new costume.
Grills has his first encounter with Hawkeye
As he proceeded further down the gauntlet, Grills found himself face-to-face with a man LARPing his way towards him, to which Grills frantically explained that he was a Viking to let the man know that he is on his side, but the man stated that he did not care. Grills then pulled down his mask and came to the realization that the man he was speaking to was Hawkeye, to his surprise. Hawkeye told Grills that he was not present to LARP and is out of patience. He then gave an ultimatum to Grills: either be defeated and stripped of the suit by a fake duel or punching him in the face.
Grills asks Hawkeye to have a duel with him
Understanding Hawkeye's demands, Grills asked to let him kill him in trade for the suit. Hawkeye declines, but Grills insisted that Hawkeye was a superhero and that defeating him in a LARPing duel would make him feel as close to a superhero of his own. The superhero deeply considered this before muttering that he had fought Thanos under his breath. Hawkeye reluctantly agreed to Grills demands and stepped over to him and allowed himself to be executed. Grills, however, stated that they have to do a trial by combat and perform a duel in front of the other LARP players.[1]
Dueling against Hawkeye[]
Grills preparing to duel against Hawkeye
- "You ready?"
"I'm begging you. Kill me." - ―Grills and Clint Barton[src]
Grills and Hawkeye set up their LARPing duel with the help of Missy, who rallied the other New York City Live Action Role Players to watch the duel. Missy then presented Hawkeye with an imaginary ritualistic potion, which he refused to drink, so Missy proceeded to announce that the winner of the duel wins the ninja suit and allowed Grills and Hawkeye to begin.
Grills dueling against Hawkeye in a LARP
As the duel began, Grills stared Hawkeye down as he clashed their foam swords together, with Orville making the sounds for effect. Grills and Hawkeye clashed their swords together, locking each other in a sword push as the Viking player continued mimicking sounds of the swords clashing. As the two swordsmen locked into another stance, Hawkeye asked Grills what he was doing. Grills stated that he was trying to make it look real for the spectators watching them fight, but Hawkeye demanded Grills to just kill him before pushing him away.
Grills emerges victorious in Hawkeye's duel
Grills shrugged this off and readied himself to confront Hawkeye again, colliding his sword with Hawkeye's, who did a small twirl when fighting. The two swordsmen locked themselves again in a sword push, where Grills locked eyes with Hawkeye and asked him if he was ready for his defeat, to which Hawkeye desperately told Grills to kill him. Hearing this, Grills moved his sword underneath Hawkeye and sliced through his stomach, causing Hawkeye to collapse and Grills to cheer and celebrate his victory to the spectators. Missy raised his arm into the air, declaring Grills the winner as Hawkeye looked on.[1]
Returning Clint Barton's Suit[]
Grills returning the ninja suit to Hawkeye
- "Thank you. I owe you one. This has been, like, the best day of my life."
"I can't say the same."
"I mean, come on. You did have fun, right?" - ―Grills and Clint Barton[src]
After the duel, Grills took off the ninja suit and folded it before presenting to Clint Barton, who had been waiting in private for Grills. Barton took the suit as Grills thanked him for participating in a duel with him, stating that he will be telling his friends of their encounter for years to come. Barton told Grills that he can call him by name, which stunned Grills, and asked him if he meant it, which Barton confirmed.
Grills saying his farewells to Clint Barton
He gave Grills his LARPing equipment and swords to take to the front desk of the session, to which Grills tells Barton that the New York City Live Action Role Players will charge him for participating. Grills thanked Barton for their duel and stated that this has been the best day of his life. Barton was less enthusiastic, so Grills asked him if he had a little bit of fun during the session. Barton then reconsidered and said that he was glad that he participated. He bumped fists with Grills, wishing him a Merry Christmas as he began to leave. While Barton made his departure, Grills told Barton his name, who replied that it was nice to meet him.[1]
Assisting Hawkeye[]
Making a Deal[]
Grills includes himself in Kate Bishop's deal
- "Hey, wait a second. What if that's our deal?"
"What deal?"
"We get you the arrows and info, and you get us materials for a new costume." - ―Grills and Clint Barton[src]
A few days later, Grills and his guild were practicing fighting in Central Park, when they were approached by Kate Bishop and her dog Lucky, who was looking for an NYPD officer to assist her and Hawkeye in retrieving their trick arrows from a facility. After Wendy Conrad introduced herself as an officer and agreed to help as Bishop made it worth her time, Grills interrupted saying she needed to make it worth it for all of them.
Grills brings snickerdoodles for his friends
The roleplayers all went to his apartment, along with Bishop and Lucky, where Grills made snickerdoodles for them, offering one to Barton when he arrived. Grills came up with the idea that in return for the retrieval of the arrows, Barton and Bishop could fulfill their end of the deal by supplying the roleplayers with materials to create new costumes for their guild, which Bishop agreed to.[2]
Hosting Hawkeye and Lucky[]
Grills eats pizza with Clint Barton and Lucky
- "Hawkeye's gonna stay in a hotel for Christmas? Man, take my couch. Really, take my bed."
- ―Grills to Clint Barton[src]
Grills continued to watch Lucky while his owners were away. That night, Clint Barton returned to his apartment, ringing the doorbell and asking if he could come up. Grills buzzed Barton in and greeted him at his doorway, but was surprised by how beat up Barton was from his fight. He invited Barton in, and Barton asked if he could watch Lucky for a few more days since his hotel did not allow dogs. Grills agreed to do so, and insisted that Barton stay with him instead of his hotel as well. Barton accepted, and as Grills remembered to tell Barton that Missy had dropped off his and Kate Bishop's outfits, Barton already began to fall asleep.
The next day, Grills prepared breakfast for Barton and Bishop. He also revealed that he had taught Lucky how to dance for a treat, which Bishop tried to replicate to no avail. Grills watched Bishop with concern as he noticed her appearing uneasy at text messages she was receiving.[3]
Battle at Rockefeller Center[]
Grills spies on the Bishop Christmas party
Grills and his guildmates attended the Bishop Christmas Party undercover as caterers to assist Clint Barton and Kate Bishop in finding and protecting Eleanor Bishop from the Tracksuit Mafia. Grills kept watch for Eleanor or any potential threats, until shots were fired into the building. Grills and his team switched their focus to protecting the civilians at the party, and Grills ordered Missy and Wendy Conrad to shut off the lights to hinder the sight of the shooter.
Grills, Missy, and Conrad exited the building and met up with Bishop outside. Bishop tasked the trio with evacuating the civilians while she attempted to get Barton out of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. They tried to manage the chaos as the civilians panickily ran in every direction, to no avail.
Grills and his friends in their LARPing suits
Grills and his allies back inside the building to change into their LARPing outfits, and, now joined by Orville, resumed their efforts to evacuate the civilians, to much more success. Grills tried to evacuate Armand Duquesne VII, but he resisted, forcing Grills to pick him up and carry him away from the building.
After the battle, the first responders arrived on the scene. Grills, Orville, and Missy were questioned by an NYPD officer, to whom they explained that they were there assisting Hawkeye.[4]
Personality[]
- "Yeah, Grills is cool. You can cook, you can LARP, you can put out fires."
- ―Kate Bishop to Grills[src]
Grills relies on LARPing campaigns as an escape from the realities of his everyday life. He yearns to be a real superhero like Hawkeye, but believes LARPing is the closest he will ever come to achieving this dream. Grills is also a firefighter, demonstrating courageousness and a desire to help others. He resorted to stealing the Ronin Suit while on firefighter duty for his LARPing hobby. Grills seems to seek approval from his peers, showing off his new suit on social media and begging Clint Barton to allow him to defeat him in front of all of the other LARPers.
Grills is also selfless, putting the needs of others before his own comfort, evidenced by his career as a firefighter and his willingness to assist Barton in the Battle at Rockefeller Center.
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
- Foam Sword: Grills used a foam sword while roleplaying.
Other Equipment[]
- Ronin's Suit: Grills stole the Ronin suit from Kate Bishop's Apartment to wear while LARPing. He gave the suit back to Hawkeye after Hawkeye let him defeat him in a fight.
Facilities[]
- Grills' Apartment: Grills lived in an apartment in New York City.
- Central Park: Grills regularly attended LARPing campaigns hosted by the NYC LARPers at Central Park.
Relationships[]
Allies[] |
Enemies[] |
Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Hawkeye | Episode 1.02: Hide and Seek- Hawkeye | Episode 1.04: Partners, Am I Right?
- Hawkeye | Episode 1.05: Ronin
- Hawkeye | Episode 1.06: So This Is Christmas?
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Grills was a neighbor of Clint Barton, who was later killed by Kazi Kazimierczak.
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}