The issue is still present in current grml version. Looks like it requires 
executing of consolechars until einfo & CO are working as expected. Frank, do 
you have any ideas what could be the reason why einfo & CO from /etc/grml/lsb-
functions does not work out of the box before executing consolechars? 
Especially since the characters from initramfs are just fine. :)

regards,
-mika-