KING SPAWN #16 REVIEW

02 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

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

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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

KING SPAWN #10 REVIEW

18 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Horror, Image Comics, Javi Fernandez, King Span #10, King Spawn, King Spawn #10 Review, NCB, Sean Lewis, Spawn, TODD McFARLANE

King Spawn #10

Review by Paul Bowler

King Spawn #10 crams in a hell of a lot of plot and exposition into one issue, and the end result is a maelstrom of far-reaching events and revelations with perhaps even wider ramifications yet to come. Sean Lewis and Tod McFarlane weave a mesmerising.tale here, one that finds Terry Fitzgerald seeking out answers to the possibility that Al’s wife, Wanda, has returned form the dead. Knowing that Spawn could be considering the Exodus Foundations offer, Terry breaks into their headquarters in New York to uncover the truth.

To say that King Spawn has rapidly become my favourite book in the expanded Spawn’s Universe is something of an understatement. While the core Spawn title has got slightly bogged down of late, with Gunslinger Spawn and The Scorched both respectively carving out their own niches, King Spawn seems to have become something of a flagship title in driving the overarching narrative. Spawn and Terry are both hell bent on fighting their mutual enemies and getting Wanda back. However, the temptation of the God Throne has made the Dead Zones and Wanda’s fate little more than bargaining chips in a wider game. Begging the question, will Spawn’s self-conflicted acquisition to the his enemies in this issue set in motion the very events he’s fought so hard to prevent?

The stunning black, white and red artwork for this issue by Javi Fernandez is quite literally to die for! Fernandez’s super-sharp renderings of the unfolding drama are stylishly realised. Black and white tones beautifully accentuate every scene while the rich red hues almost bleed into key points of the story when emotions and violence boil over. Terry’s clandestine mission takes the character into dark territory, Spawn’s brooding presence is more often felt than seen initially, but the all-consuming rage we wittiness when Spawn finally inherits the throne is as awe-inspiring as it is terrifying. Javi Fernandez has done a truly phenomenal job with this issue and Spawn fans are sure to be blown away by the striking visuals.

Image Comics King Spawn continues to go from strength to strength. Every issue so far has been clearly been building toward the tumultuous events in King Spawn #10, the scope of storytelling and epic artwork is breathtaking. Lewis and McFarlane are doing fantastic work with the character with this new series. Spawn has gone on a completely new and unexpected direction since King Spawn began, and I can’t wait to see where this wild ride will take Spawn next.

Publisher Image Comics

Script / Plot Sean Lewis / Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue)

Art Javi Fernandez.

Lettering Andworld Design / Cover Javi Fernandez

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