Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Todd McFarlane
Artist: Todd McFarlane
Status: Ongoing
Latest issue: #306
With some pretty exciting news recently dropping concerning one of Image Comics favourite sons, Spawn, I decided to combine a small comic review of the latest arc with said new developments. I will admit that I come to the series very late, as it recently released issue #306 somewhat early to my knowledge, and so I at the very least decided to begin from the latest arc, which would be from issue #282 and beyond.
Al Simmons returns home with his niece, Cyan. And needless to say, the two survived what sounded like a very intense adventure a few issues back, leaving Cyan with powers that she does not yet fully understand or control, and yet she seems to demonstrate a somewhat carefree attitude towards the potential implications of her abilities and who they could attract. Luckily for her, Al decides to be proactive and get to these interested parties before they get to those that he loves.
Of course, Al is still very much obsessed over the details of who took his wife's life, and he goes on to put into action a plan that will lure out his hidden enemies and get him the answers that he wants. Using a secluded house in the middle of nowhere, Al begins his plan by kidnapping a famous rapper who happens to be possessed by a demon, or at the very least, made a deal with one. The whole ordeal was meant to result in a series of foreseeable events that would get Simmons into the areas that he wanted to be, speaking to the people he wanted answers from, and securing the resources that would aid his larger mission.
It feels good to really get into a series who's hero was really the key figure in introducing me to anti-heroes, and the works from Image Comics as a whole. Ol' Al Simmons has a special place in my heart, as I'm sure he has with all fans, and whenever her speaks in the comic, I still hear Michael Jai White's gruff voice from the 1997 film, this along with fond recollections of John Leguizamo playing the role of the sadistic, yet very entertaining clown/violator, who happens to also make his appearance down the road too. The comic's artwork is as haunting and grimy as ever, truly lending itself to the dark tone that cloaks the series like Spawn's living costume cloaks his entire body.
Readers re-introducing themselves to the general of Hell's armies, will see a far more calculating and intelligent figure who has no doubt had ample time to truly learn more about his impressive abilities. No longer a man acting as a simple pawn to the darkness, but continuing to harness it by using his humanity and all that comes unique to that part of him. Spawn works like a man possessed when it comes to tracking down his enemies, knowing full well that representatives from both heaven and hell plot together and conspire against him. The series moves a long at an excellent pace, truly keeping its cards close to the chest like the divine and demonic entities who at all costs are more interested in manipulating the world behind the scenes.
Simmons calls upon all his experience, both from living and dead resources, to pull the curtain back. And even assembles one of the most horrific(in a good way) team of allies to assist in his cunning plan/s. I enjoyed the overall pacing of the comic that finely compliments the mystery of the overall story, each character as unpredictable as the last, readers never fully being able to trust what they see. Everything feels more advanced and mature with this series that I no doubt will be doing some serious doubling back in the future. But for now, get started on this exciting arc, and join Al on a very memorable, dark and twisted adventure. I wish you all happy reading :).
News:
Other than the release of issue #306, today also marks a very special day for Spawn. Video game fans will be excited to know that Spawn will be the last downloadable character in Mortal Kombat 11's Kombat Pack. Spawn is available to download today, the 17th March 2020, for those who purchase the Kombat Pack. The fighter will be available to purchase separately one week later. A pretty cool action figure has also been released for the occasion. Check out both the gameplay and action figure below.
