REVIEW: King Spawn #23

Comic’s most cursed “hero” Spawn returns in King Spawn #23. Spawn has just discovered that Cyan’s friend Yoko is still alive and has been turned into a living weapon by the Exodus Foundation. Will it be a rescue mission or an all-out fight? The answer should be easy enough for anyone familiar with the character to figure out.

People, demons, angels, ghosts; someone or something always has it out for Spawn and now it’s the friend of his best friend’s daughter. Yoko is on one and using her freaky powers on Spawn but also a sharp tongue. She drops some epic guilt tripping but with a kernel of truth that happy endings for Spawn or anyone he is connected too isn’t likely. This is immediately followed by a good (and by good we mean terrifying) look into Detective Burke’s past.

Writer Sean Lewis (with an assist from Spawn creator, the legendary Todd McFarlane) nails not just the lead character, but the entire universe. Yoko is a fleshed-out character who is written as more than a simple villain out for revenge. The supernatural is obviously a key staple of Spawn comics but it goes much deeper than that. And in this issue they even include a look at the literal evils of capitalism.

The art is stellar as one would expect from a Spawn comic book. It’s just as big a part of the comic series as the brooding star and Kevin Keane and Ivan Nunes hit the nail on the head. Each page is dripping with fantastic looking characters and designs. It’s dark yet beautiful and all the noir vibes are here. Yoko is beautifully sketched and colored but is still absolutely terrifying. Behemoth is as imposing as ever as well. And Spawn of course, looks incredibly cool as always.

King Spawn #23 is a setup issue and isn’t heavy on the action or over-the-top with the gore. And fair warning, the issue is short. But it is sweet as well thanks to some great writing and amazing art. If anyone knows it’s dark and hell is hot, it’s Spawn. And for all the trouble Spawn finds himself in at the end of the issue, it looks like something even bigger and badder is waiting in the wings Things are heating up for hell’s favorite son.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane
Art by; Kevin Keane
Colors by; Ivan Nunes
Letters by; Andworld Design
Published by; Image Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.