The Scorched #22 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mike Deodato, Jr.; Kael Ngu

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2023

 

Spawn, She-Spawn, and the team confront Terminus. The Senator wields the Spear Of Longinus, stolen from the military base. His kin are on the way. Can the Scorched defend Earth against the Planet Eaters? Let's burn into The Scorched #22 and find out!

 

Story

Death refined Jessica Priest. It galvanized her in the pit. Redeemer, Monolith, and Medieval left her as she fought the virus. What gave her the will to survive was her daughter.

 

Motherhood—protecting a child she hadn’t raised--fueled her fight against Urizen in The Scorched #17. Seeing that Jessica’s daughter might become an orphan, Gaia spared She-Spawn. She also gave She-Spawn a new team. But then, Gaia is the mother of all. Who better to defend her planet than another mother?

 

Terminus was an emissary of the Planet Eaters. But power corrupted him. Nor can Gaia trust Spawn after he teamed up with Urizen in the last issue.

 

Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane tantalize us with prophecies and potential futures in The Scorched #22. Did Gaia send the Planet Eaters to destroy Earth? Or was finding a champion to turn back the Planet Eaters always the plan? Perhaps Gaia changed her mind? If a woman can do that, why not a god?

 

Art

After a one-issue break to recharge his spawn batteries, Stephen Segovia returns to The Scorched. He delivers the ultimate battle between She-Spawn and Senator Terminus. The others fight, but only Spawn diverts the action from the contenders. The arrival of a space fleet signals a lull in the battle. But this window closes quickly. Terminus wields his sacred spear, yet his arm doesn’t transform like in earlier issues. Something Spawn sees startles him. Incredibly, one member of Jessica’s new team dwarfs even Monolith.

 

Combatants fight against a purple sky. Yet a yellow glow surrounds She-Spawn. Blood—both red and green—flies. Spaceships and weapons cut through the air, leaving a trail of colored light. Redeemer's sword shoots a yellow energy beam at Terminus’ blood beasts. Yet the most intense light—yellow and green—sparks from She-Spawn’s eyes. Her hair and suit match Spawn’s cape and another woman’s dress. These are a sample of the bold and rich colors Ulises Arreola wows readers within The Scorched #22.

 

Yellow words in brown narrative boxes guide readers through this titanic title fight, courtesy of Andworld Design. Black and red uppercase words dominate white narrative boxes with stylized arrows. Jessica and Terminus's dialogue balloons resemble those of ordinary humans--even though both are far more. Minimal sound effects accentuate the intense action. Their absence goes unnoticed amid this issue’s thundering action.

 

Final Thoughts

Still suffering from the virus that nearly killed her, She-Spawn battles the Planet Eaters and combats greed and blindness in The Scorched #22.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Scorched #21 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Dexter Soy & Carlo Barberi

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Fede Mele; Francesco Mattina

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: August 30, 2023

 

The fire burned the forest surrounding little Annie and her grandmother. Through the blackened trees strides Jessica Priest, aka She-Spawn. She vowed she would never see her daughter again, but that was before she died. What are her intentions for her daughter and mother? Let's burn into Scorched #21 and find out!

 

Story

Jessica's got a new team. She now works on Gaia's behalf. After all the disasters that have shaken the Earth, She-Spawn knows the worst is yet to come. For the first time, Jessica apologizes to her mother for making her raise Annie. Jessica warns her a war is coming. What does her mother think when she realizes She-Spawn in Jessica? Does this lessen her dissatisfaction with her daughter? And how about Annie? The little girl may not recognize the woman she believes is her aunt, but at least Jessica got to hold her before assuming the mantle Gaia's given her.

 

The Scorched investigate computer searches at the devastated military base in New Mexico. As they learn that Senator Terminus hunted for records of relics and saints, powerful enemies return to claim they've switched sides and want to protect Earth against the Planet Eaters. Can the Scorched trust them?

 

Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane beat the war drums loud and fast in Scorched #21. New coalitions emerge to take on Terminus. We learn more about the Planet Eaters and the Blood Beasts' role in Earth's destruction. Perhaps one commentator is correct: ordinary humans are helpless—little more than dust blown by the wind—as these otherworldly, supernatural forces battle for the fate of our planet. 

 

She-Spawn action figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

Art

While Carlo Barberi shows us how the news media interpret recent events, Dexter Soy brings us the battle of the century. Dexter's art looks less fluid than Stephen Segovia's, and Redeemer's and Medieval’s armor is less defined. Still, Terminus shows incredible detail. Mandarin's detailed and polished armor gleams. He exudes a resilience to fight the Scorched should they choose not to join him. Giants like Monolith and Urizen stand in proper proportion, and Spawn's team looks dynamic. Writers Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane rely on big panels and double-page spreads to convey their epic tale, and Dexter Soy’s cover-worthy pages deliver.

 

Ulises Arreola ups the stakes in this apocalyptic tale with rich, vibrant coloring. Highlights and shadows play across faces and bodies. Even the ground exudes color where spawns don't fear to tread. Flames leap from their mouths and eyes, revealing the unholy fire that drives them. If any comic released this week can match the coloring in Scorched #21, show it to me. I want to see it!

 

Yellow words in brown narrative boxes guide us through Scorched #21, courtesy of Andworld Design. Black and red uppercase words possess white narrative boxes with stylized arrows. One TV commentator's speech reveals how colorful and compelling the news media can be. Intriguingly, Jessica's dialogue balloons resemble that of ordinary humans--even though she died and was reborn--and her eyes burn as hot as Spawn's. 

 

Curious about Scorched? Read the first issue free at the Image website.

 

Final Thoughts

Heroes and villains transform and form new alliances in Scorched #21, a powerful meditation on greed and power.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To view another cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

 

Scorched #19 Review

 

Scorched #19 Review

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Chris Stevens; Kevin Keane

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: June 28, 2023

 

She-Spawn lies dead. Spawn blames Monolith for her death. Once again, the teammates are at each other’s throats. Can they rally to defeat Gaia’s attempt to extinguish all life on Earth? Let's descend into The Scorched #19 and find out!

 

Story

She-Spawn’s death hits hard. In many ways, she was the heart of this team. She was also at its genesis. Some members—such as Gunslinger—have already departed. Even with Spawn’s leadership, can the Scorched continue without her?

 

Monolith claimed the Planet Eaters were on their way. Scorched #19 asks: what if they're already here and can take human form? What if they tread the corridors of power? They may not awe like Mandarin Spawn or invoke fear like Urizen. How might such sleeper agents help bring about the apocalypse?

 

After the slaughter, devastation, and world-shaking events of previous issues, Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane introduce a new villain. Senator Terminus wields power and charisma and channels blood magic more effectively than the Sycorax. Can the Scorched defend us as ably as the tenth Doctor and Prime Minister Harriet Jones? Those who've survived the plagues, wars, and ravaging zombie hordes in recent issues can only hope.

 

 

Art

The stately Senator contrasts with his cowering minions while Spawn rages at Jessica's (She-Spawn's) death. Medieval gazes upon Spawn as a knight regards his squire. Where is the dragon he flew to this cabin in the woods? Jessica's daughter glimpsed the confrontation outside. Yet her eyes glow at her grandmother's call, and she hurries to join her before the television. Why would these two innocents yearn to watch Senator Terminus' speech when they could gaze out at nature's beauty?

 

Beyond their glowing eyes, skulls, and chains, bold reds unite Spawn and Medieval in Scorched #19. Orange-red Monolith and gold-and-blue Redeemer contrast with the greens and purples of the forest. Jessica's mother and daughter clothe and adorn their home in soft pinks and lavenders. Thankfully, the ninth Doctor isn't watching, or he'd shout, "Mauve Alert!"

 

Terminus dominates shadowy rooms. Blood—as rich and red as Spawn's attire—assumes a life of its own. In unguarded moments the Senator's eyes glow red, revealing something ominous. When he steps onto the stage, lights shine upon his face and body, and streaks of light shine past him. Those standing nearest him look purple in the shadows. The thousands seated around the stadium sparkle like reflecting glass on a shingle beach.

 

As we grapple with She-Spawn’s death, Andworld Design soothes with big uppercase letters in Scorched #19. Monolith is new to the group. Do his sketchy balloon outlines, and huddling italicized letters, suggest he also mourns? The lightning bolt arrows of Spawn’s balloons make his feelings clear. The blood that pumps through our veins—that sustains and energizes us—also speaks. Its white words, surrounded by a white outline in a dark balloon, remind us how it rules—rather than serves—us. Can anyone live without blood?

 

Final Thoughts

Human or alien, living or spawn, Scorched #19 reminds us that mourning and loss are traits we all share. Meditations on those drawn to power, and Terry Pratchett's definition of evil, highlight this pause amid the raging apocalypse.

 

Rating 9/10

 

To see another cover--both trade dress and virgin options--see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

The Scorched #18 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Victor Bogdanovic; Paul Renaud

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: May 31, 2023

 

Gaia decided to extinguish all life on Earth. Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin spread a pandemic. A plague of locusts transforms humans into zombies. Can the Scorched prevent the Apocalypse? Let's descend into The Scorched #18 and find out!

 

Story

Like Covid-19, the zombie virus evolved. It takes on bestial form and targets the spawns. As the Scorched fight off the attack, Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin leap into the fray. Yet these are mere opening bouts. The headline fight between Monolith and Urizen awaits.

 

Like a ringside announcer, the narrator waxes enthusiastic. He responds to each combatant's utterances. Sometimes his wordplay stumbles. "What does he mean?" the reader cries. Once, he contradicts the previous issue's assertion regarding which cosmic force marked the Earth for destruction. Yet his words—and each character's dialogue—sing along to The Scorched #18's theme song. Is it a swansong to our planet or merely to some of the hellspawn? Whatever track DJs Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane are spinning on the Image turntable, it’s Something Epic!

 

Art

Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin opened a portal in the previous issue. She-Spawn leaped into this vortex of multicolored energy, intent upon defending the Earth against whatever they summoned. This onslaught splits light into spectrums. Intense colors fall from the heavens—courtesy of Ulises Arreola—and illumine our heroes. Some—like She-Spawn—radiate light. Others—especially Monolith Spawn—change color. The red giant turns orange in the glare. The god Urizen crunches through the electric blue permafrost, exhaling green fire. Even white becomes a color as patches, smears, and lines convey highlights, and an ancient symbol burns in She-Spawn's eyes.

 

Can She-Spawn defend against skinless virus demons that grasp her in their claws and spew particles into her nose and mouth? As Mandarin attacks Medieval with his two-bladed weapon, he looks made of sticks. Monolith towered over the Scorched teammates on Omega Island. Yet Urizen dwarfs him in The Scorched #18. Highly detailed characters and costumes lose definition as they face cataclysmic threats. Yet Stephen Segovia’s intense action scenes harmonize with Lewis and McFarlane’s riffs on the Book Of Revelations.

 

{Attention! We interrupt this review to alert all Fantasy fans. Lovers of books by writers J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Paolini, and Naomi Novik will see panels that make their eyes glow greener than spawns! We now return you to this review!}

 

Andworld Design treats readers of all ages to big uppercase letters in The Scorched #18. While Monolith’s italicized lettering may tax, for the most part, Andworld Design provides adequate spacing between letters using an easy-to-read font. Yellow words in brown narration boxes relay the enthusiastic referee’s commentary. Colored letters, colored balloon outlines, and the shape of linking arrows signal character identities and emotions. Sound effects amplify the drumbeats of destruction as the Four Horsemen crash into our planet’s Hellish Defenders.

 

Final Thoughts

Heroes and villains fight amid the destruction and plague threatening Humanity in The Scorched #18. Will they survive to defend Earth against the planet eaters that consumed Monolith's world? Tune in Next Issue. Same great publisher. Same great series. Same great local comic shop!

 

Rating 8.4/10

 

To view another cover options see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

The Scorched #17 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mark Brooks; Francesco Tomaselli

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: April 26, 2023

 

As Space Shuttle Frontier returns to Earth, the flight crew notices fire in the skies over Europe. They report: "There's a shape to it." What happens when Frontier enters Earth’s atmosphere? What’s causing this atmospheric disturbance? Let’s descend into Scorched #17 and find out!

 

Story

On Omega Island, Monolith tells She-Spawn, Medieval, and Redeemer that Gaia has marked Earth for destruction. She-Spawn cries out when Frontier hits one of several lines of fire. Monolith tells her that this is just the beginning. Unlike them, he has seen this happen to other worlds. He doesn't want it to happen again.

 

Like Monolith, Urizen also views events on a cosmic scale. He sends Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin—these children who had thought to order him about—to spread a pandemic. Then, they hit the survivors with a monstrous plague. Forget about Gaia—can anyone on Earth survive with Urizen spearheading the apocalypse?

 

Either Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane introduced characters and events more clearly this time or my growing familiarity with this series is granting me keener insight. Perhaps fewer team members—and the lack of pages devoted to infighting between the Scorched and Urizen’s group—also helped me better understand the story, the players, and the stakes in Scorched #17.

 

Art

Stephen Segovia’s heroes and villains remain bigger and bolder than life in The Scorched #17. The exception was Mandarin Spawn, who seemed thinner and less threatening. Has servitude under Urizen drained him? Among his fellows, Necro seemed the most powerful. His red eyes, and the electricity sparking across his metal features, never reminded me more of The Terminator.

 

After the damaged thermal tiles that caused the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, I shared She-Spawn's heartbreak at Frontier's destruction. Segovia made that moment all too real. While Medieval and Redeemer seem immensely cool--and Monolith dominates every panel, single-page, and double-page spread--she's the most relatable of the Scorched.

 

I also liked the hungry space monsters Gaia created and how they compare with the plague Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin unleash on the pandemic survivors.

 

Shadows and highlights play across Monolith’s boulder-like muscles. Ulises Arreola enhances lines and inking to increase the depth and texture of our heroes' suits. The intricate embossing of Medieval Spawn's plate armor stands out. Lights dot apartment blocks in cities aflame, reminding us that people still cling to life. Perhaps Arreola could have added more nuance to the interior walls glimpsed beyond Urizen, but Segovia left them blank.

 

While many comics feature small lettering that shrinks to express feelings and intonations, Andworld Design treats readers of all ages (and eyesight capabilities) to big uppercase letters. He provides adequate spacing between letters, words, and lines of text. Yellow words in brown narration boxes lead us through these cataclysmic events. Colored letters, colored balloon outlines, and the shape of each linking arrow suggest each character's emotions. Amid all the destruction, Andworld Design reserves sound effects for an otherwise quiet scene showing who Urizen worships.

 

Final Thoughts

Scorched #17 hits readers hard with memories of the 2003 Columbia disaster, our recent Covid-19 experience and tribulations prophesied in St. John’s Book Of Revelation. Audacious and energizing, this team book will remind you how Image revolutionized comics in the '90s.

 

Rating 9.3/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

The Scorched #16 Review

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mark Spears; Von Randal

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: March 22, 2023

 

Necro and Margaret Love have teamed up with Mandarin. They pound away at the mountainside to free the imprisoned Urizen. They were looking for a teammate. But can they control this fierce demon spawn? Or will he rule them? Let’s descend into Scorched #16 and find out!

 

Story

When Urizen gives Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin orders, Mandarin orders his forces to attack. The fight doesn't go Mandarin's way. Urizen regards them as children. The war between Heaven and Hell is bigger than Necro, Margaret Love, and Mandarin had realized.

 

Meanwhile, at the Black Fortress, the fellowship of the Scorched is breaking. Gunslinger has departed; Soul Crusher and Reaper have their tasks to perform. Like the demons, the group realizes how unhappy Gaia is with everything. Rather than allow this war between Heaven and Hell to continue, she'll kill everyone on Earth. Medieval, Redeemer, and She-Spawn must repair some things that our hero Spawn has done before Gaia can end the war once and forever.

 

Art

All the main characters emerge bigger and bolder than life in The Scorched #16. Everyone seems so expressive in body language and facial expression. Stephen Segovia lavishes great care upon each character's costume and armor. I wonder if McFarlane's toy line measures up to the beauty and intricacy of Segovia's art.

 

Ulises Arreola elevates Segovia’s drawings. Giant Urizen breathes green fire as his hairy gray arms sweep through Mandarin's hordes. He breaks bodies and spills blood as he charges from the cave that imprisoned him. The armor catches every variation in lighting as the Scorched stand before a window in the Black Fortress. She-Spawn and Medieval’s eyes burn with green fire. Their red, blue, and black spiky armor looks rich and bold on the misty white and blue snowfield that slopes toward a lavender hillside.

 

Andworld Design makes each character’s dialogue balloons expressive. Urizen’s words are red and black, his balloons outlined in red. Uppercase letters start big and grow darker and bigger with inflection. Gray encircles Medieval Spawn's balloons. In place of an arrow, Redeemer's balloons get a cross. Yellow words in brown narration boxes lead us through these titanic events. Brash sound effects help us feel Urizen’s mighty blows.

 

Final Thoughts

The Spawn Universe has been spinning stories for decades. Dipping your feet into a team book like The Scorched #16 won't be easy. As a newcomer, I won't even pretend to understand half of what this issue holds. If you're fascinated by Saint John's Book Of Revelation and stories about great clashes between powerful mythological forces, you might check out this series. You don't need to understand everything about a long-form story like this to enjoy it. After all, the less you know, the more you can discover.

 

Rating 7.5/10

 

To view both covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.