REVIEW: Gunslinger Spawn #22

One of the newest “heroes” in the Spawn Universe returns in maybe his wildest issue yet, Gunslinger Spawn #22. Javi (aka Gunslinger) is smackdab in the middle of a fight for his life with Clown and his minions. He just doesn’t know why he’s being attacked so relentlessly. Can he figure out what’s going on before the killer clown takes him out for good?

This may be an offshoot of the main Spawn storyline, and doesn’t star everyone’s favorite tortured soul Al Simmons, but Gunslinger Spawn is showing it should not be ignored. First off, it is written by Spawn creator and industry legend Todd McFarlane and he delivers everything fans of the original have come to love and expect. Merciless, brutal, nonstop action blitzes the reader from start to finish. Javi and Clown are joined in the battle by Dakota (Clown’s daughter fighting on Javi’s side now) and Violator who spends much of its time fighting a T-Rex summoned by Dakota. Yes, it’s as crazy as it sounds.

It also looks as cool as it sounds. The Spawn Universe is known for its iconic art. There was nothing that looked like it in the 1990s when Spawn first appeared on the scene. Brett Booth’s art and Ivan Nunes’ coloring in this run fits in perfectly in this long tradition. Gunslinger’s design is Spawn mixed with well…a gunslinger which spices things up a bit. And Clown and Violator look as terrifying as ever. There are cool action scenes and panels at every turn. The artistic highlight is the prehistoric vs demonic rumble. It looks amazing and comes to an extremely brutal end. This is a Spawn comic through and through.

Comics based on side characters in universes dominated by iconic characters sometimes get the short end of the stick. Fortunately for Gunslinger Spawn, he gets plenty of TLC from some of the industry’s most talented creatives. Excellent writing (including a shock ending) and top-notch art combine to make Gunslinger Spawn #22 an issue well worth checking out. Once again proving that it’s dark and hell is hot, the issue moves the story arc forward in some interesting ways. What are Clown and Dakota’s true motives? And finally, how does OG Spawn play into all of this? Interested readers will have to stay tuned.

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

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Todd McFarlane
Art by; Brett Booth
Colors by; Ivan Nunes
Letters by; Tom Orzechowski
Published by; Image Comics

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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.