King Spawn #27 Review

 

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artists: Javi Fernandez & Kevin Keane

Colorist: Ivan Nunes

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Dan Panosian; Don Aguillo

Publisher: Image

Price: $2.99

Release Date: November 1, 2023

 

Spawn doesn’t want Cogliostro on Hell’s Throne. So he asked the Visage to send him there. She did so after warning that he could never return. What battles will Spawn wage in his new home? Let's leap into King Spawn #27 and find out!

 

Story

Al’s past flashes before his eyes as he falls. Powerless to halt his descent, doubts assault him. Questions probe his memory. Why did Hell choose him? What made Al Simmons worthy of returning from the dead?

 

Rage formed him. He tried to ignore what his father taught him. Ultimately, he became what he hated. The military valued his rage. Jason Wynn wished he could find more killers like Al. But Wanda paid for his talent. Al couldn't protect her from himself.

 

In King Spawn #27, Spawn travels to an area forbidden to symbiotes. Before he can accomplish his goal, he must endure testing. Is he just another lost soul striving to protect others? Or does Al Simmons belong in Hell?

 

Art

Spawn falls through a white abyss. Javi Fernandez & Kevin Keane spin memories like shards of glass, revealing childhood abuse, schoolyard fights, death on the battlefield, and meeting Wanda. Tentacles greet Al's entrance to Hell. A face filled with eyes and teeth looms. Scorpions, spiders, and other insects infest this Valley Of The Shadow. If Al Simmons fears Death in King Spawn #27, he doesn’t show it.

 

Spawn's crimson suit and cape paint a trail of pink like a brush across a virgin canvas. At the heart of the green fires, white stars burn in his eyes. Ivan Nunes uses red to amplify a limited palette for Al's memories. He enhances characters, objects, and backgrounds with highlighting, shading, and texturing. Gray smoke surrounds Spawn in the darkness. Yet the fractured floor reflects light, and the tentacled creature glows with unwelcome vitality.

 

Yellow uppercase letters glow within brown narrative boxes as Todd McFarlane retells Al’s origins in King Spawn #27. Andworld Design helps us hear the impact as Spawn hits Hell’s stone floor. The tentacled monster speaks white letters into cloudy black balloons. Spawn responds with his signature-styled balloons. His words are big, black, and beautiful. Yet the color of a stressed word reminds us of his eyes. Does Spawn’s final utterance suggest a link with Gaia? Or is it just the anger that drives him?

 

Thanks to Image Comics and Todd McFarlane Productions for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Who are we? Where do we belong? Spawn must wrestle with such questions and accept his destiny in King Spawn #27.

 

Rating 9/10

 

For another cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

King Spawn #26 Review

 

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artist: Javi Fernandez

Colorist: Ivan Nunes

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mike Deodato, Jr.; Kael Ngu

Publisher: Image

Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 4, 2023

 

While he argued they joined forces to take down Cogliostro, Clown killed Spawn’s friend Yoko. Now Spawn’s fed up. So, he’s gearing up. Spawn won't be a pawn in Heaven and Hell's game. Who is he going after? Let's leap into King Spawn #26 and find out!

 

Story

Knives. Guns. Modern assault armor. Spawn straps it all on, then flies through the night. He searches for a woman. One who can aid him: the Visage.

 

Al Simmons will never join forces with his wife’s murderer. But Clown was right about one thing. Whoever sits on Hell’s throne can harm Earth. Spawn reigns harm upon his enemies to prevent this. He flies through the shadows of our world like a bat out of Hell. All the while, he seeks a kindly old lady.

 

News personalities muse upon the relationship between caped crusaders and global warming. Do costumed superheroes proliferate alongside extreme weather events? Spawn may not be responsible for the latest heatwave in King Spawn #26. Still, is he willing to expose his secrets and risk all to prevent villains like Cogliostro and Clown from controlling Hell?

 

Clown action figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

Art

Gloved fingers grab grenades, load guns, and wreath Spawn’s chest with bands of bullets. Moonlight casts his shadow upon buildings, thanks to artist Javi Fernandez. Lights gleam in the night from New York City skyscrapers as Spawn perches upon a denuded tree in King Spawn #26. His cape carries him like batwings as the symbiote soldier Al Simmons swoops down upon his enemies.

 

Spawn’s crimson cape gives way before the red neon nightclub sign as Al Simmons enters. Red ceiling lights threaten to turn the splattered blood brown. Al's teeth gleam and his eyes glow green as Ivan Nunes imbues King Spawn #26 with colored film noir appeal.

 

Yellow uppercase letters glow within brown narrative boxes as Todd McFarlane relates Spawn's actions. Giant red sound effects punctuate Spawn's Breaking And Entering. Uppercase black letters inhabit white dialogue balloons as Spawn questions his victims and begs his favor. Andworld Design delivers a fast-paced horror adventure that’s Heaven on the eyes in King Spawn #26

 

Final Thoughts

Do the ends ever justify the means? To prevent a greater evil, Al Simmons lays aside his principles and engages in aggressive negotiations with the blood-soaked King Spawn #26.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

For 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 #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.

Spawn Unwanted Violence #2 Review

 

Spawn Unwanted Violence #2 Review

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artist: Mike Del Mundo

Colorist: Mike Del Mundo & Marco D’Alfanso

Letterer: Andworld Design & Tom Orzechowski

Cover Artist: Mike Del Mundo

Publisher: Image

Price: 4.99

Release Date: February 22, 2023

 

A police horse injures a black girl. Spawn defies police orders to clear the scene. Meanwhile, the Freak hunts for clues to the deaths of children. Will virtue and truth emerge, or will chaos reign on Earth? Let’s dive into Spawn Unwanted Violence #2 and find out!

 

Story

In the first of these two interwoven stories, the Spawn causes the authorities no end of grief. The police wish to clear the scene. Spawn's televised passive resistance sparks protests nationwide. As the forces of Law and Order grow increasingly frustrated, their efforts become more and more extreme. They can't relent. They can't back down. Yet Spawn is an unmovable force. One of their attempts may remind readers of a humorous scene in Kenneth Branaugh’s Thor movie. A later move reminded me of the tragedy underlying the Bruce Willis movie The Siege. When does common sense give way to madness? The reader wonders as this story plays out.

 

Meanwhile, Freak searches for answers. The animated mummy ignores the law as he pilfers secret files and interrogates a government employee. Are agents of Heaven and Hell behind the poisoning and deaths of children? Sadly, no introduction or helpful footnotes help readers understand the scope of Freak's investigation in Spawn Unwanted Violence #2.

 

Art

Upper-and-lower case letters in black narrative boxes guide us through Spawn’s story. The narrator's voice seems intrigued and even amused by how events escalate. Lights spear through the early morning darkness, creating a colorful haze. What's so interesting is how light and color play upon the participants. At times, richly colored panels suggest a comic painted rather than drawn. At others, light suffuses scenes, leaving characters and objects flat. Bold upper-case letters in white dialogue balloons indicate intonation. Shouts make letters grow and turn red. Sound effects—when they arrive—merge with the art. They slice through the panel like a knife or fill the background with large, colorful letters. The mixture of styles and techniques in this issue reminds me of C.O.W.L., another Image series that muses how superheroes and traditional authorities sometimes clash as they attempt to keep the peace in troubled inner-city neighborhoods.

 

Compared with the luminous and atmospheric art of the first plot, we follow more traditional horror art as the Freak pursues his investigation. Darkness surrounds the skeletal detective; little light and limited colors paint rooms and corridors. Scrawls suggest wisps of hair. Are the circles on his skull injuries that never healed? The mummy uses pins and string to connect photographs and documents. Black upper-case letters in yellow dialogue balloons are unevenly spaced and don't quite line up. His posture and movements suggest dogged determination. Yet when—as Anakin Skywalker might say—he opts for aggressive interrogation—his swift movements stun, shock. There are reasons never to venture down dark alleys: the Freak is one.

 

Final Thoughts

At times, the Spawn narrative seemed excessive. The Freak story seemed overly violent, not directly related to Spawn’s actions, and poorly explained. Yet long after I read it, the two strands in Spawn Unwanted Violence #2 played through my mind as they merged, each building upon and emphasizing the other.

 

Clad in the robes of Black Lives Matter, this issue speaks to the mystery of government. We invest power in others for our protection. Yet we are shocked when they chose legalities over common sense and The Rule Of Law over safeguarding people. If only there were easy answers in the constant battle to reforming, maintaining, and preserving fair government for all.

 

Moody, atmospheric, haunting: Spawn Unwanted Violence #2 will live with you long after you read it.

 

Rating: 8.5/10

 

To view the virgin art for this cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch