Tags
Gunslinger Spawn, Haunt, Image Comics, King Soawn, King's Spawn #1, Nightmare Spawn, TODD McFARLANE
King Spawn #1 Review
Review by Paul Bowler.
King Spawn #1 is a historic comic book event for Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – namely that this hotly anticipated issue marks the launch of the first new ongoing Spawn since the character originally debuted in 1992. Nearly three decades in the making, Image Comics King Spawn #1 continues to expand on events from SPAWN’s UNIVERSE #1 as the forces of Hell, Heaven, and the Heroes all begin to assert their power and influence on Earth.
Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane have crafted something of a horror noir themed anthology with King Spawn #1, which features a lead story and numerous back-up stories to make this giant sized issue extra special.
The main storyline is a dark, sombre affair, which opens with a shocking attack, and the grim tone and bloodletting hardly lets up from there. Its a story more akin to a supernatural detective thriller really, with Spawn investigating a gruesome trail of murderous carnage, and utilising the resources of his allies to hunt down a mysterious killer via a list that holds the name of every Shadow Player – the Demons and Angels hiding in human skins on Earth – but it seems there even darker forces waiting in the wings. This gripping opening story is beautifully illustrated by Javi Fernandez with colors by FCO Plascencia. From the ominous rainswept graveyard scene to a vengeful Spawn’s grim quest around the city to uncover answers to the heinous series of murders, Fernandez and FCO dynamically render this atmospheric saga in exquisite detail, with striking visuals, dynamic page layouts, and rich colors throughout. The cliffhanger sets up some intriguing possibilities that will no doubt shape and influence the new Spawn Universe in the months ahead.
Haunt, the first back-up story, is drawn by Stephen Segovia. Its a good little story that serves as a reminder of Haunt’s abilities, along with the dynamic with his ghostly brother, and it sets up a mission Haunt must undertake to save himself after he’s fallen in love. Marcio Takara handles the art for Nightmare, a decidedly bloody and gory interlude with Nightmare Spawn, a great looking character with a truly monstrous personality. Then we have The Hero illustrated by Philip Tan, its a nerve jangling tale of terror with a surprise twist in the tale, and it will be interesting to see where this character goes next. Finally we have Gunslinger, drawn by Brett Booth which of course focuses on Gunslinger Spawn. Its a great tale about the fate that befell the Gunslinger, how revenge consumed him, and where that same fate has inexplicably placed him now.
Rounding off this amazing first issue of King Spawn is an interview with Sean Lewis by Todd McFarlane that provides even greater insight into this new era for Spawn. The hype and anticipation around King Spawn has been phenomenal and its sure to be a huge hit. I’m pleased to say that this issue more than lived up to the hype, and its also a fairly good jumping on point for new readers as well. This reviews a tad late as I’ve been off for most of August enjoying a summer break with my family. I’ve been really looking forward to getting King Spawn #1, so I thought it’d be a good issue for me to cover and get back into my reviewing groove again. I even treated myself to a couple of the variants as well, and I’m really excited to see what the Spawn Universe will bring — especially Gunslinger Spawn in October!
Publisher Image Comics
Script / Plot Sean Lewis / Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue) King Spawn
Art Javi Fernandez (King Spawn), Stephen Segovia (Haunt),
Marcio Takara (Nightmare), Philip Tan (The Hero), Brett Booth (Gunslinger).
Inkers Adelso Corona & Danniel Henriques / Colors FCO Plascencia (King Spawn)
Additional Colors Andrew Dalhouse, Marcelo Maiolo,
Peter Steigerwald, Dave McCaig
Lettering Andworld Design (King Spawn), Tom Orzechowski
Cover Artists Todd McFarlane, Puppeteer Lee, David Finch, Sean Gordon Murphy, Brett Booth (inked by McFarlane), Greg Capullo (inked by McFarlane), Donny Cates (inked by McFarlane).
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
Gotta say, I did not enjoy this issue very much. Thought it was just the same old rehash that has been going on forever in the main book. I wanted something different or maybe I was just expecting something different. Anyways, no more King Spawn or anything Spawn for me. Just not my jam. Glad you enjoyed it though.
Spawn isn’t for everyone I’m sure. I’ve always been a fan of the character but there have been times when I’ve taken a break. King Spawn #1 was all set up and exposition in places, but I think the more exciting aspect is that it heralds a new wave of titles and characters to expand the Spawn Universe and that really does have me excited – especially Gunslinger Spawn.
Great covers!
There was a great selection of covers for this debit issue of King Spawn, treated myself to a couple of the variants along with the main cover. 🙂
Wow that is a long time since the last ongoing. I wonder if it is to promote that new Spawn film that’s supposed to be in development. The art on the covers definitely looks awesome and the descriptions sound very interesting. Hoping this one gets good sales so we can see more of Spawn!
It wound’t surprise me at all if this new Spawn ongoing and the other new Spawn titles hint that something big it in the works for the rumoured Spawn movie in development. The covers for this issue were really impressive and I managed to get a couple of the variants as well. 🙂
Interesting, and the artwork looks incredible. Would you recommend it to someone who’s not quite familiar with the Spawn universe?
King Spawn was a great start to this new series. The artwork is always impressive in the Spawn books, especially some of the covers. I’ve been a big Spawn fan for year, but I’d say this issue is a pretty good jumping on point for new readers as well.