King Spawn #1
- WRITER
- Sean Lewis, Todd McFarlane
- Artist
- Javi Fernandez
- Letterer
- AndWorld Design
- Cover Artist
- Puppeteer Lee
- Publisher
- Image Comics
- Price
- 5.99
- Release Date
- 2021-08-25
- Colorist
- FCO Plascencia
When the creator-owned publishing house Image Comics was first established, one of its earliest comic books was Todd McFarlane's Spawn, a title that featured a Hellspawn-turned-vigilante who swore revenge upon his masters. The franchise that was launched in 1992 has now earned another feather in its cap for being one of the longest-running creator-owned comic book series with the release of Spawn #301. From the creative mind of McFarlane, and in association with Image Comics, comes King Spawn, a new comic series by writer Sean Lewis and artist Javi Fernandez. King Spawn expands the 30-years strong Spawn universe.
King Spawn #1 opens with a teacher detonating a bomb in a school in Seattle, Washington. Spawn, who is immediately upon the case and seething with rage, believes that another dreadful attack is imminent. Spawn soon finds a sigil among the rubble, which he deciphers to be a blueprint to a secret terrorist cell of cultists who follow a twisted and perverse ideology. His investigates leads him to believe that the angel Metatron is behind the attack, but, as Spawn is about to rain his fire of vengeance on the angel, he is shocked by what he uncovers.
Award-winning playwright Sean Lewis is a long-time creator at Image Comics, crafting acclaimed titles like Coyotes and Bliss that explored the psyches of fractured souls. Here, Lewis' vision is raw, direct, and violent -- a debut issue with the classic makings of a noir. The story plays out from Spawn's perspective, with sporadic cutaways that blend into the narrative as a virulent Spawn goes on a hunt, knocking down doors in typical Hellspawn fashion. With additional dialogues by McFarlane that fits seamlessly into the plot, King Spawn #1 is an engaging tale that keeps its suspense till the end.
In a short time, artist Javi Fernandez has made his mark in the comic book industry by creating art for multiple DC Comics titles, especially on Nightwing. Fernandez's art instills a dark and gloomy atmosphere that looks exquisite in the book's dynamic wide panels and splash pages. Colorist Fco Plascencia matches Fernandez's energy and colors the panels with equal fervor. His use of muted tints of colors coupled with rough shades of gray and black in the background create a stunning juxtaposition in scenes where the red-caped vigilante takes centerstage.
King Spawn #1 is an exhilarating ride from the beginning to the end, marrying elements of detective noir with the supernatural. The debut issue heavily favors mood and atmosphere over actions and monologues, while weaving a familiar, but, intricate tale. Even before the book hit the shelves, it netted nearly 500,000 orders, which made it the largest monthly title release for Image since 1996. King Spawn #1 will delight longtime fans and impress newer readers who want to delve into the gritty, supernatural world of Spawn.