Tags
FCO Plascencia, Fernandez, Image Comics, King Spawn, King Spawn #16, King Spawn#16 review, Sean Lewis, Spawn, TODD McFARLANE
King Spawn #16
Review by Paul Bowler
Al Simmons grand design to bring Wanda back is revealed in at last in King Spawn #16 as the Deadzones become a key move in Spawn’s opening gambit. The pieces are all in place. Both friend and foe alike now face the insurmountable challenge ahead as ambition and power in the quest to claim the throne of Hell heats up! This issue of King Spawn has been touted as a great jumping on point for new readers. Indeed, it is exactly that, and the finely orchestrated narrative writer Sean Lewis has established with this series, arguably the jewel in the crown of the Spawn’s Universe of titles, ultimately comes to fruition with King Spawn #16 in a way that is both satisfying for long-term readers and easily accessible for newcomers. Multiple forces have conspired on all sides to influence Spawn: Raven said he was a pawn in his own game, the Clown deemed him a failure, a court of religious zealots call him a King, and even the goddess Gaia claimed he could bring his believed wife, Wanda, back from the dead. Even as his closest friends fell by the wayside, some even betraying him, Spawn’s actions have become more, and more ruthless as his obsession with the throne of Hell consumed him.
Now he has opened the Deadzones just enough to allow himself and his enemies a peek inside at the havoc he has wrought beyond the veil of reality itself. Sean Lewis juggles a cavalcade of plot threads and dark machinations here which have been carefully set out over the last fifteen issues. Its fascinating to learn the cosmic fury and cataclysm Spawn has unleashed since he closed the Deadzones – effectively cutting Heaven and Hell off from those they have tormented and manipulated since time began; while also trapping their minions who didn’t have time to escape back to their own realms here on Earth.
We get a startling insight into the lofty Angels that have become subservient in order to make sacrifices to themselves, demons who are suffering a twisted energy crisis of mass proportions as they no longer have fresh souls to fuel the fires of their depravity, and the dark cabals of man who impotently prostrate their faith to the forces which no longer hold sway over them. Amidst this potent smelting pot of treachery and betrayal, Al’s best friend, Terry, must make a fateful choice, while Spawn assembles those he’s chosen to do his bidding, sending them on a suicide mission with the prize of success the very throne of Hell itself.
From the moment you cast your gaze over this issues ominous looking cover by artists Puppeteer Lee and Francesco Mattina, you know you are in for something really special from this issue of King Spawn. The interior artwork by Javi Fernandez is quite literally mind-blowing. The epic scope and scale is staggering, as we peel back the veil and observe events cascading between realities, with glimpse into Heaven, Hell and the infinite beyond as Fernandez channels some classic Kirby inspired cosmic visuals. The result is one hell of a mind-trip through the worlds and times of Spawn, past and present, with each moment carefully framed and grounded in its own reality with Javi Fernandez’s distinct visual style. There’s even a subtle moment of reflection for one character that throws an unexpected curve ball into the mix. This powerful moment, darkly punctuated with shadow over a drink in a seedy backstreet bar is perhaps even more shocking than any of the eyeball popping visual spectacles of multiple realities we spiral through over the course of this issue. The color by FCO Plascencia and Color Flats by Sheila Saldana provide a sublime contrast to Fernandez’s art, balancing exuberant tone with wrath filled shadows as the voyage through the intermixed realities of Spawn’s Universe is set out with fervent detail and clarity.
King Spawn #16 is without doubt a standout issue, monumental in scope, visually stunning, and one that elevates the saga of Spawn to a whole new level. The creative team are really firing on all cylinders with this one, and with a surprise arrival of a new Monster-God providing a fittingly epic cliff-hanger, King Spawn is sure to become a must read from here on in. If you like your Spawn unflinchingly brutal, in-your-face dark and gritty, then King Spawn is the comic for you.
Publisher Image Comics
Script / Plot Sean Lewis / (Additional Script Todd McFarlane)
Art Javi Fernandez / Color FCO Plascencia / Color Flats Sheila Saldana
Lettering Andworld Design / Cover Artists Puppeteer Lee / Francesco Mattina
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 
Did Spawn shut the gates of hell and heaven first, or did Supernatural do it first? Just wondering which creative team was on the ball first 🙂
I have no idea. Must admit I’ve never seen the Supernatural TV show, so can’t really compare it with the Spawn comics.
Awesome review of a fantastic issue! I’m working on my review. I LOVE the art in this issue, some truly stunning pages.
King Spawn is such a great comic series. It’s a really forged its own path and identity, the art is fantastic as well. How cool was that cover?! Cheers glad you enjoyed the review. I always have a blast writing about the Spawn comics.
Stunning cover art by Puppeteer Lee!
Loved your review, sound like a good one!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. Spawn is a really exciting character to write about.
The creation of Image Comics in general and Spawn in particular feels like one of those watershed moments in my youth/teenage comic-reading years. I followed Spawn in the ’90s but then stepped away, as I did from all the comics I read, when I took my seventeen-year break (as turning sixteen meant I needed gas money and comics feel by the wayside for a while). I’ve not even thought of checking back in with Spawn since I returned to reading comics seven years ago or so. And this post makes me wonder why I haven’t! OF COURSE his world would’ve continued, too! This was equally nostalgic as it was intriguing to read and see where this character is at the present.
I’ve been a lifelong Spawn fans as well. Aside from a few breaks as well over the years for much the same reasons as you. The creation of Image Comics changed the landscape of comic books forever, and Spawn has certainly stood the test of time. There’s a whole new Spawn’s Universe of comics now as well: including King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn and the team book Scorched. We are almost spoilt for choice at the moment. A good jumping on point is around Spawn #300 really as that would bring you up to speed, and there are plenty of collected editions as well with more scheduled for early 2023 I believe.
Thank you! I always appreciate knowing where the jumping on point would be. It’s funny, I know a lot of people who are hesitant to begin reading comics cite not knowing where to start – and I get that. I do. But growing up loving them and buying them at random from the spinning rack at the grocery store, I just grew up being used to jumping in. There’s always a point to dive it! The trick is knowing who to ask ;D. So I really appreciate the help and I think I may go poking around some of those titles you mentioned the next time I’m at the comic store.
We’ve got Spawn and Batman teaming up this year and now you have me imagining a crossover between the Spawn Universe and the Spider-Verse…
I know what you mean. I get asked a lot by people I know for recommendations of what comics to read. I loved the old shops and spinner racks back in the day, you never quite new what you’d get, but I think comics were easier to dive into then – now there are so many spin offs and reboots it can be very daunting to newcomers. Hope my suggestions lead to some comics you enjoy as much as I have. Yes, I’m really looking forward to the Spawn Batman crossover as well. As for a Spawn Universe and Spider-Verse crossover, WOW, that’d be cool! 🙂
Oh, I absolutely agree comics were easier to jump into back then! I’ve read multiple times how Stan Lee’s maxim was always, “Every comic is somebody’s first comic” and this was to guide all Marvel’s writers. Not every comic accomplished this, of course. But I think it worked far more often then than now. I think comics – and even many comic book movies and TV shows! – would benefit from keeping that advice in mind. What’s funny is there’s still a little part of me, a little nostalgic part, that still looks for the spinner rack when I’m in the grocery store or the drug store. It was such a conditioned response and fun part of my childhood! I kind of hope I never shake that habit :).
You are a wonderful writer, a great tempo to your pieces.
Thank you very much! 🙂
I’m really digging the idea behind this new series. I just know I was intrigued the moment the first issue was announced. The covert art alone is epic! I do like what you’ve had to say about this issue in particular and am willing to give it a shot. I’ve tried Spawn: Origins, but wasn’t impressed by what McFarlane had going on hahaha Great write-up, Paul.
I really like how King Spawn complements the main Spawn book. It often run on parallel lines yet still has its one separate identity and often focuses on darker plot lines. The art on this book and the covers have been stunning. Highly recommend. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review 🙂