Superman #41: Kingdom Of Zod Part Four Review

 

Superman #41: Kingdom Of Zod Part Four Review

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Penciller: Eddy Barrows

Inker: Eber Ferreira

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artist: Guillem March

Variant Cover Artists: Mike Choi, Vincenzo Riccardi & Christian Ward

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Mark Spears

Editors: Jillian Grant & Paul Kaminski

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: August 26, 2026

 

When Superman disappeared after the Omega Tournament, Superboy-Prime stood up and did the right thing. At least, he tried. Still, C.K. knows he's no replacement for Superman.

 

C.K. loves the DC Comics Prime Universe more than "the real world" because it has a Superman. Yet, along with villains like Manchester Black, the DC Comics Prime Universe also has General Zod. So, when Supergirl comes calling, Superboy-Prime and the Super Force travel to El Caldero to prevent Zod from destroying Superman's world.

 

Can C.K.'s heritage in "the real world" help him withstand Zod's weaponized Kryptonite? And after the trip through time that drained him, can Superman summon the strength to battle one of his greatest enemies? Let’s leap into Superman #41 and see!

 

Story

On the Watchtower, Red Tornado and the Atom watch as El Calderan Kryptonite spreads its deadly effects across the Earth. While they wonder how Zod has weaponized the Kryptonite to attack Humanity, a Kryptonian leads the Justice League's efforts to contain it. Still, Red Tornado and the Atom realize that if Steel's scientific team cannot produce an antidote, their best hope is for Kara's team to force Zod to defuse his biochemical weapon. But since both teams arrived in El Caldero, the Watchtower has been unable to observe events in Zod's kingdom.

 

Even though they don't realize that Superman is in El Caldero, Red Tornado and the Atom recognize the validity of a two-pronged approach to resolving the Green-K disaster. Yet as he battles Superman, Zod insists these two approaches to problem-solving will always conflict. As he traveled toward Earth aboard the prison frigate, weakened after the destruction of New Kandor, Zod imagined Jor-El taunting him. The scientist insisted that the General’s insatiable need to conquer his enemies had left him with nothing once again. So while battling Jor-El’s son and pursuing his plans for Earth, Zod insists on seeing anyone who opposes him as his enemy.

 

Joshua Williamson's story contrasts the characters' desire to conquer and rebuild with working to preserve what they have. Just as Red Tornado takes comfort in his belief that Superman isn't in El Caldero, love and caring play a role. Yet while Zod attempts to have everything his way, Superman's act of kindness to Young Clark could prove equally destructive to Earth in Superman #41.

 

Art

As Zod recovers, he imagines himself confronting Jor-El. While the scientist addresses him with his hands behind his back, Zod hurls off his cloak, extends his arms, and leaps toward Jor-El. When Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira show Zod fighting Kal-El in El Caldero surrounded by Kryptonite crystals, smoke plumes rise amid the towers that his Green-K has funded. As the two men in armor fight, Kal-El's face shows through his visor, while the lights glowing on Zod's mask evoke another being responsible for Krypton's destruction. Yet when Zod and Kal-El remove their facial coverings, their dark hair and beards emphasize their shared heritage.

 

While Zod wore a red cloak in his nightmare, Jor-El wore a green tunic. As Ulises Arreola colors their battle in the overwhelmingly green El Caldero, Superman wears indigo mech armor, while Zod protects himself in black and violet. Still, when Kal-El makes Zod as mad as Jor-El did, the two opponents appear as red silhouettes in a black panel. Orange accompanies Zod's desire to obtain more than he has, while Young Clark and Kara's blue costumes symbolize hope for the world.

 

The characters’ black uppercase dialogue appears in white balloons and colored narrative boxes. Despite losing her ability to recharge beneath a yellow sun, Lois Lane’s off-camera dialogue appears in a yellow box adorned with the Superwoman symbol. Eradicator retells history with white uppercase dialogue in black boxes, while Eradicatrix addresses the current situation with white letters in black balloons. Ariana Maher’s sound effects enhance the battles and drama in the vibrantly colored Superman #41. Yet shrunken letters in cloudlike balloons with wavering arrows suggest that some people confuse caring for others with weakness. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Eduardo Castilho hailed Superman as a friend when he gave El Caldero the ability to become an economic powerhouse. Yet he labeled Superman an enemy when Superman wanted the Sun Crystal. But after Castilho cast out his greatest protector, Zod emerged to claim El Caldero for himself.

 

Now, as General Zod uses what Castilho built to reshape the Earth to his liking, someone else sees what Zod has achieved and senses an opportunity for an even greater prize in Superman #41.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see Superman #41: Kingdom Of Zod Part Four Preview. 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Superman #40. 

For what happened before that, see my review of Superman #39. 

For what happened even before that, see my preview of Superman #38. 

For what happened even more before that, see my preview of Superman #37.

For how C.K.'s redemption arc began, see my preview of Superman #36. 

 

For General Zod's rise to power, see Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review. 

For the mission to El Caldero, see Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review. 

For the battle in El Caldero, see Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review. 

For how Superman takes the fight to Zod, see Superman Unlimited #16 Review.

 

 

Absolute Superman #21 Review

 

Absolute Superman #21 Review

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Breakdowns: Zander Cannon

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Becca Carey

Cover Artist: Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola

Variant Cover Artists: Jerome Opeña, Gabriel Hernández Walta & Marguerite Sauvage

Editors: Ash Padilla & Chris Conroy

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

They battled across the planet. Hawkman defied Talia al Ghul to fight alongside Superman. John Henry proved he deserved a better life than working in a slaughterhouse. Yet as King Shazam unleashed storms and natural disasters, Superman simultaneously protected people from the once and (perhaps) future king's fury.

 

As Ra's al Ghul knew, King Shazam refused to listen to reason. But will Superman? Or will Kal-El take Hawkman and John Henry's advice and kill King Shazam? Let's leap into Absolute Superman #21 and see!

 

Story

After Superman took Hawkman’s mace and John Henry’s hammer, and hurled Teth-Adam to the moon, the story returns to those tense moments before Teth-Adam returned to the shuttered Lazarus Corp building. Kal-El called Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen to warn them that they would arrive soon. Their friend realizes he must step up his attacks like never before. But in case he doesn't survive this final battle, Kal-El gives Lois and Jimmy a final request.

 

While the primary battle takes place on the moon, Absolute Superman #21 weaves Lois, Jimmy, and Talia al Ghul’s battle into the narrative. Amid all the fighting, it also shows how far Hawkman has come. Yet these are battles between people who have lost everything. Like Kal-El, even if they survive this conflict, they must chart a path to their new normal.

 

In Jason Aaron’s story, Teth-Adam and Kal-El have much in common. Both lost their parents and their worlds. Yet while the young boy sought to protect his people, Kal-El used his powers to help and protect strangers.

 

Perhaps Teth-Adam has suffered more than Kal-El. He was tantalized with the power to protect people from aggressors. As King Shazam, he transformed his world. Then, he endured the trauma of 3,000 years of imprisonment. He may have killed Ra's al Ghul. Yet, Teth-Adam also believes that safety can only be achieved through strength. But in Absolute Superman #21, Kal-El cannot accept that holding power over anyone will ever lead to peace.

 

Art

The twisted metal framework of the damaged building frames Lois standing on the shattered floor. Immobilized, Talia sits and watches. Jimmy charges down a flight of stairs as he implores Kal-El to save himself. Yet in space, Kal-El holds a hammer and mace. A storm of energy swirls around him, obscuring his features as it transforms his appearance.

 

Aided by Zander Cannon’s breakdowns, Rafa Sandoval stretches the action across pages as Kal-El's armor covers him with spikes. The thorned warrior glows amid the energy storm. Yet Teth-Adam’s features also change. Freed from the Father Box, Teth-Adam has grown younger. But while battling to build his perfect world, cracks race across his skin as he and Kal pound regolith into rubble.

 

Ulises Arreola frames the first page in orange as the red dust of Krypton merges with yellow energy. Lois bears orange on her shoulder, while indigo and green surround Jimmy. The green links Jimmy with Talia, as they once fought together in the Omega Men. Orangish red and yellow rage on the moon as the combatants’ hands and feet glow, and the symbols they wear with pride burn in their chests. Yet the blue void surrounding the fighters darkens, until a storm of power swirls amid Kal-El’s darkest night in Absolute Superman #21.

 

Becca Carey fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase text. The letters shrink for lowered voices and grow bold for intonation. Rage-fueled yells swell letters and deform balloons. Two characters speak into black fields, while large white letters indicate time and location. Yet Lois’ narrative fills beige boxes, guiding readers through the tragic events. Vibrant sound effects enhance the battle of two supermen wielding weapons fit for the gods as they shake the heavens. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Like Sol, Kal-El’s fallen friend, most people believe that the Earth is hopelessly flawed. Perhaps if they had the power, they could make it more balanced. Yet Kal-El saw the Klerics of the Science League destroy Krypton by rigidly controlling every aspect of their world. So, as he strives to protect his adoptive planet, Kal-El fights not to install a perfect system, but to protect imperfect people in Absolute Superman #21.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Absolute Superman #21. 

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Absolute Superman #20.

For what happened before that, see my review of Absolute Superman #19. 

For what happened even before that, see my preview of Absolute Superman #18.  

For more on Hawkman, see my previews of Absolute Superman #16 & Absolute Evil #1. 

 

Absolute Superman #19 Review

 

Absolute Superman #19 Review

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Becca Carey

Cover Artist: Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola

Variant Cover Artists: Chuma Hill, Haining & Jeff Dèkal

Editors: Ash Padilla & Chris Conroy

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: May 6, 2026

 

After the Peacemakers killed Lois Lane's father, Talia Al Ghul revealed that she was Primus, the leader of the Omega Men terrorists. Then Jimmy Olsen's former boss said that the only truth was that everything was a lie. Yet 3000 years ago, a woman who also channeled Omega energy prophesied an age of heroes.

 

While Talia’s father wavers in his commitment to burn the world in his refining fire, Superman and other heroes are arising to protect the planet. But who tore through the Peacemakers like tissue paper with his mighty hammer? And how have time, power, and imprisonment affected King Shazam? Let's leap into Absolute Superman #19 and see!

 

Story

His magnetized hammer absorbed everything the Peacemakers could fire at him. But that’s no surprise. John Henry Irons invented the technology that gave them their name. After Lazarus Corps bound him to a contract, they paid John a pittance to work in a slaughterhouse. That’s something King Shazam can relate to. Freed from the Father Box, he remembers his family dying while they worked as slaves. Three thousand years later, King Shazam discovers that nothing has changed.

 

While the story begins months ago, Absolute Superman #19 swiftly returns to the present. Despite planning to kill Ra's Al Ghul for years, John Henry Irons gets caught up in King Shazam’s awakening. Because of the power he accumulated in his extended life, Ra's Al Ghul believed he was a god. But now, Ra's, Talia, and John Henry Irons find themselves before a living maelstrom of anger and rage. John recognizes that, once again, his world has changed.

 

While John Henry Iron’s planned revenge transforms into a rescue attempt, the biggest confrontation is between Superman and King Shazam. The Red Lands shaped them both. Neither approves of slavery nor of power-hungry leaders slaying their citizens through war. In Jason Aaron's story, both would gladly turn Earth into a paradise if the masters of this world would let them.

 

Kal-El has finally found peace after saving Smallville. But King Shazam is angry and overwhelmed by the same screams Superman constantly rushes off to address. And unlike Kal-El, when he pondered the ethics of killing evildoers, King Shazam doesn’t have a lifelong friend like Sol to help him see reason in Absolute Superman #19.

 

Art

Mounds of meat weigh down a conveyor belt as John Henry Irons works beneath the machinery that should drive it. Then he climbs from the blood-covered floor and exchanges a crescent wrench and screwdriver for a sledgehammer. His determined expression never relents. Nor does John look around as he trudges past hanging sides of beef and the butchers who greet him as a friend. Then the man who built a device to stun people without injuring them lifts his sledgehammer, as a cow, locked in a kill box, silently regards him.

 

Red dust swirls around Kal-El as a black storm rages around King Shazam in Absolute Superman #19. Kal-El bears the red-and-gold symbol of the Kryptonian working class on his chest, while a yellow lightning bolt granted by Brainiac glows on King Shazam’s chest. As Kal-El’s forearms glow yellow and white, lightning crackles from King Shazam’s glowing chest and forearms. Dense beards frame Ra’s and King Shazam’s faces as the two former kings of this world regard each other. But unlike Ra’s Al Ghul, King Shazam’s features gradually shed their age after escaping the Father Box.

 

As Ulises Arreola casts bright colors into the dark settings of Rafa Sandoval’s action-packed art, Becca Carey fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase text. The letters shrink for lowered voices and grow bold for intonation. Raised voices swell letters and deform balloons, while large white letters indicate time and location. White letters in red boxes evoke Sol’s counsel as John Henry Irons shares his thoughts. The white letters in black boxes reveal King Shazam’s off-panel dialogue. Sound effects accompany a raging storm, King Shazam’s fury, and explosions as gods battle in the heavens. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Despite how people try to embrace him, Kal-El shies away from forming ties with them. While he has grown up in this world, Kal-El cannot forget his parents and Krypton. He may resemble the Humans he tries to help, but he doesn’t share their culture. An orphan twice over, Kal-El has no family on Earth. Nor does he eat or sleep like them. Yet as an age of heroes dawns, this son of Kryptonian soil must decide if he will forever be a stranger, or if he will finally sink roots into his adoptive planet in Absolute Superman #19.

 

Rating 9.7/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Absolute Superman #19.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Absolute Superman #18. 

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 #20 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: J. H. Williams III; Von Randal

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: July 26, 2023

 

Monolith saw She-Spawn as a Red Shirt: valued for her contributions but ultimately expendable. Enraged, Spawn wrests leadership of the group from his grasp. Yet the Planet-Eaters Monolith fears command supernatural forces, and one wields influence over the masses. Can Spawn and his team defeat these alien invaders living among us? Let's burn into Scorched #20 and find out!

 

Story

Senator Terminus tells the disenfranchised that they matter. He argues the government wants to keep them ignorant, and they must retake their nation. His followers gather outside a New Mexico military base, demanding secrets about alien visitations. Is the Roswell Incident on their minds as they toss their placards and climb the fences? Did they not watch Doctor Who: Dreamland?

 

Disguised, Senator Terminus walks among them. As the crowd assaults the guards, grabs weapons, and fires on their protectors, Terminus enters the base. Like Satan, he’s mixed truth with lies. The government’s hidden the truth about aliens from its citizens, but the aliens didn’t arrive in 1947. They’ve lived among us for hundreds, even thousands of years.

 

While Indiana Jones sought the Spear of Destiny, and the B.P.R.D. briefly possessed it, superheroes have long sought the lance that pierced Jesus’ side. Mantra wielded it in the 90s before Magdalena made it her own. Did Professor Broom give it to the Men In Black, who placed it under the military's protection? If so, Agents J and K chose unwisely. For Terminus knows it's there. His forebear, Saint Longinus--just one more emissary of the Planet-Eaters that humans persecuted, tortured, and killed--used the spear to ease Christ's suffering. Now, as the Planet-Eaters' judgment falls, Terminus reclaims the holy relic as he brings his plans to fruition.

 

Art

Perhaps fewer protestors storm the New Mexico base than filled Arrowhead Stadium in the previous issue. Still, a panel showing the crowd extends across two pages of Scorched #20. Hefting rifles, the armored soldiers look capable of defending Earth in Johnny Rico’s mobile infantry. Senator Terminus exudes power as he stalks through the fighting, dressed in a sleeveless shirt and hooded cape. He crushes a fascist-looking guard with one hand. But watch closely: that’s not all he can do with his hands!

 

The Scorched convey power as they leap into the base. Their eyes blaze with yellow-and-green fire as they descend upon the melee. Redeemer reigns down fire, enveloping a tank in a roiling orange and yellow cloud. Yet Medieval stuns with concussive force, hurling waves of yellow fire in all directions when he lands.

 

Transparent letters, outlined in white and black, help us feel his knockout blast. Yellow words inside a brown narrative box accompany the arc of fire hurled Spawn’s way. Such narrative guides us through Scorched #20, while black uppercase font conveys Human speech, Spawns get stylized dialogue balloons, and sentient blood speaks with white letters in black fields. Words heap fire on this red-hot series, and like Terminus' followers, we devour our twenty pages and howl for more!

 

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

 

Final Thoughts

While Scorched #20 explores what drives populist uprisings, it strips away centuries of history to reveal the truth underlying the pillars of Human civilization and our relationship with otherworldly beings.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To preview other covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

Read Scorched #1 free at the Image website.

 

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.