SPAWN #333 REVIEW

07 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

Tags

Carlo Barberi, Image Comics, Medieval Spawn, Roy McConville, Sinn, Spane #333, Spawn, Spawn #333 review, TODD McFARLANE

Spawn #333

Review by Paul Bowler.

Schemes and betrayal mount in Spawn #333 following Spawn’s audience with his former mentor, Cogliostro, now known as the all-powerful Sinn! Their clash revealed just how much Sinn’s power has grown. In fact, Spawn got his butt well and truly kicked. Now Al has become totally obsessed with hunting down and stopping Sinn, but Spawn’s allies have all-but abandoned him, and a new even deadlier threat is growing. Recent issues of Spawn have seen Al becoming more and more isolated from his friends after he resolved to go it alone as the power struggle for Throne of Hell escalated. Spawn #333 sees friends and foes alike plotting against Spawn. Writer Rory McConville’s deftly juggles numerous plot strands and characters in this issue, with additional script by Todd McFarlane, and its these powerful-scenes and sinister machinations that form the driving force for much of the narrative. At times there seems a bewildering array of dark skulduggery brewing, each with the sole aim of taking Spawn down and wresting control of the Dead Zones from him.

Even Haunt and Marc are seemingly prepared to betray Spawn, although Marc still feels uncertain about it and wants to try and reason with Spawn first directly. Meanwhile Sinn is conducting his own gruesome recruitment drive, but newcomer Cadiiclus, a former servant of the Clown, may yet proved Sinn with a way to seize the throne and reopen the Dead Zones without Spawn’s power.

This is one hell of a stylish looking issue as well. Carlo Barberi’s finely detailed artwork together with Jay David Ramos’ vivid colors make for a winning combination, and the dark brooding atmosphere they craft makes this a truly riveting issue to read. The characters are all superbly rendered too, no mean feat considering the wealth of different characters featured over the course of this issue, and there is a real sense of growing dread as so many different and opposing factions close in on Spawn.

If you’ve been following recent developments across the Spawn’s Universe of titles then this issue of Spawn delivers on every level, newcomers though might find it all a bit overwhelming. Perhaps the biggest highlight of this issue cones in the furious exchange between Spawn and Marc. Its a dramatic, no-holds-barred diatribe of home truths and shock revelations that might well change their friendship forever. It is this tumultuous turning point, along with its mix of intrigue, plots and all-out action that makes this another cracking good issue, and essential reading for Spawn fans.

Publisher Image Comics

Writer Roy McConville / Todd McFarlane (Additional Script)

Art Carlo Barberi / Colors Jay David Ramos

Lettering Tom Orzechowski

Cover Artists Francesco Mattina & Carlo Barberi

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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

SPAWN’S UNIVERSE #1 Review

23 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Gunslinger Spawn, Image Comics, Jim Cheunng, Medieval Spawn, Omega Spwan, She-Spawn, Spawn, Spawn's World, Spawn's World #1, Spawn's World #1 review, TODD McFARLANE

Spawn’s Universe #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

A bold new era for Spawn and Image Comics begins with Spawn’s Universe #1, an epic 68 page one-shot written by Todd McFarlane, that sees the official introduction to the hotly anticipated expansion of the Spawn Universe. The world and mythology of Spawn is about to be changed forever. Spawn’s Universe #1 answers age old questions, introduce new heroes, new villains, and paves the way for three brand new ongoing Spawn titles: King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, and The Scorched!

From the ominous opening moments through to the action-packed set-pieces, Spawn’s Universe #1 doesn’t hold back, and Todd McFarlane’s tautly plotted script hardly lets up the pace for a moment. Hell’s Throne is empty, and with all the Dead Zone portals in lockdown, Demons and Angels cannot enter or leave the world of man. Those creatures who remain, most of them disguised in human form, are now trapped, and Spawn isn’t pulling any punches in his search for answers from them! With the seismic shock waves spreading around the globe, the narrative becomes interwoven with a thinly veiled social-political commentary as the worlds media debate the crisis, and with Marc’s help Spawn is able to ascertain that Omega Spawn didn’t die after all.

Spawn decides to go on the offensive and strikes back at the demonic factions that have united and now reside on the island where he defeated Omega Spawn. McFarlane uses Spawn’s World #1’s huge scope to send the plot and numerous character into overdrive as Angels and Demons vie for power, new villains Jericho and the Disruptor enter the fray, and Gunslinger Spawn joins forces with Spawn against their mutual enemies!

The three excellent back-up stories by Todd McFarlane in Spawn’s Universe #1 all feed into the narrative of main the storyline. Of them all, Medieval Spawn’s tale is the one that ties-in closest to the central plot of the issue. There is of course plenty of bombastic action as Medieval Spawn confronts a powerful sorcerer, but it’s also a showdown that hints at a far darker connection between past and present than we could’ve possibly imagined. The second story explores the character of She-Spawn and the secret which motivates her to be perhaps the most dedicated Spawn of all. This actually turns out to be the most moving and emotional story of this double-sized issue. Finally we have a brooding interlude with Gunslinger Spawn, a grisly tale which unfolds across four seasons, where the fearsome Gunslinger Spawn must claw his way back from a face-off (quite literally) with his arch enemies. Each of these stories bring something fresh to the table and collectively forge a place of their own in the new Spawn Universe.

McFarlane has assembled some fantastic artistic talent for Spawn Universe #1, with Jim Cheunng (main story), Brett Booth (Gunslinger), Stephen Segovia (Medieval), and Marcio Takara (She-Spawn), with inks by Adelso Corona and Tod McFarlane, and colors by FCO Plascencia, Andrew Dalhouse, and Peter Steigerwald. While I’m not usually a fan of multiple artist on a single issue, artistically their styles differ very slightly, and overall they complement each other really well. The main story is a fantastic showcase for Jim Cheunng, with chilling intrigue brewing from the outset, Spawn at his ruthless best as his quest for information intensifies, and Spawn and Cy-Gor charging into battle on the island are all just a few of the many highlights of the primary story-arc. Stephen Segovia turns in some fittingly titanic battle scenes between Medieval Spawn and a dragon riding sorcerer, while Marcio Takara’s She-Spawn faces an emotive tale of sacrifice and devotion, but its is Brett Booth’s richly atmospheric Gunslinger Spawn that almost totally steals the show out from everyone with a powerful flashback to Gunslinger’s shattering defeat and terrifying rebirth.

Spawn Universe #1 is a momentous historical landmark in the mythology of the Spawn saga. With a plethora of ongoing mysteries, a key piece of Cogliostro’s puzzle falling into place, the fate and roles of friends and foes alike are all caught up the swirling maelstrom of an unholy baptism at sea, and the impact of these events will no doubt reverberate for years to come. With three back-up stories accentuating the action Spawn Universe #1 is both a fan-pleasing extravaganza and the perfect jumping on point for newcomers. The world of Spawn just got a whole lot bigger and it certainly looks like we are in for one Hell of a ride!

Writer Todd McFarlane

Artists Jim Cheunng / Brett Booth / Stephen Segovia / Marcio Takara

Inks Adelso Corona & Tod McFarlane

Colors FCO Plascencia / Andrew Dalhouse / Peter Steigerwald.

Lettering Tom Orzechowski / Andworld Design

Cover Artists J. Scott CaTodmpbell / Brett Booth / Todd McFarlane

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SPAWN #318 Review

27 Thursday May 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Gunslinger Spawn, Image Comics, Medieval Spawn, Omega Spawn, Plague Spawn, She-Spawn, Spawn, Spawn #318, Spawn #318 Review, Spawn's Universe #1, Spawn-Verse, Tod McFarlane

Spawn #318

Review by Paul Bowler

The cusp of a new era beckons with Spawn #318 as Tod McFarlane’s ambitious plan to expand the Spawn universe is set in motion. Everything that McFarlane has established since Spawn #300 has acted as a catalyst of sorts to prepare for this moment, and Spawn #318 diligently prepares the ground work for the debut of the new Spawn Universe with a special one-shot in June before Spawn’s world gets even bigger with the launch of three new monthly titles later in 2021.

Spawn #318 follows on directly from the titanic showdown on the island between Spawn, Medieval Spawn, Plague Spawn, and their dreaded adversary — the hulking Omega Spawn! As the dust settles over that battle Medieval Spawn helps the weakened Spawn return to his hideout so he can recover his strength. While the action is somewhat low-key McFarlane makes up for it with a wealth of strong characterisation as She-Spawn confronts Medieval Spawn, while Spawn tries to assess everything that happened on the island and deduce where all the new Hell Spawn’s originated from. There’s also the burning question of why Medieval Spawn has suddenly allied himself with Spawn after they’d previously been at each others throats to address, and the discovery of Marc’s unsettling blackout while Spawn was busy fighting Omega Spawn on the island adds another compelling mystery into the mix as well.

The art by Carlo Barber brings a stylised revamp to the whole look of Spawn’s world, one that harkens back to the original look of the series, but with a dynamic modern slant. Barber puts the characters front and centre, utilising every nuance of the exposition heavy plot to craft some intense character defining moments, with Jay David Ramos and Andrew Dalhouse colors brining vibrant clarity to each scene, and the result is an issue that’s every bit as engrossing to look at as it is to read.

Although its practically all set-up for what’s to come, Spawn #318’s powerful narrative and compelling story makes it must for fans and a relatively good jumping on point for new readers as well. Its 28 years since Spawn was unleashed on world by Tod McFarlane during that first year of Image Comics formation. The character has been an unparalleled success and is still going strong. So much so that McFarlane’s vision is now finally branching out with the launch of a new shared Spawn universe, kicking off in June with the hotly anticipated one-shot Spawn’s Universe #1, followed by three new ongoing titles, with King Spawn (starting in August) that will be a companion book to the original Spawn series, then in October we have Gunslinger Spawn #1, and finally a super-hero team book The Scorched in December. 2021 is certainly proving to be a big year for Spawn and Image Comics with the debut of the Spawn-Verse, there’s so much to look forward to, and I’m really excited to see how it all develops — especially Gunslinger Spawn with its tales of both a modern day and western era Gunslinger character!

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