Review: Spawn #313

Todd McFarlane knows how to create great characters, incredible battles and foster amazing artists. He does not, however, know how to use text boxes. Every Spawn comic holds so much greatness that it allows us to forgive its deficits. Rather than telling us about the characters, connecting with the audience or giving a deeper resonance, McFarlane’s text boxes just feel like the narrator is mumbling to themself in the corner.

The issue begins with an extended worry about Cogliostro managing to hold onto power in spite of feigned weakness. Gunslinger is bothered that heaven allows Cog to remain relevant and retain soldiers. A full third of the issue is spent on his review of events and bitterness over the conflicts to come.

We shift to the arrival of She-Spawn who’s real name is Jessica Priest, which is potentially an homage given that Spider-Woman is also named Jessica. The issue might have been better served to be told from Jessica’s perspective as Gunslinger is just so focused on Jessica being a woman that we barely get time for her character. Gunslinger and Jessica discuss the fact that the Spawns across the ages have been brought to this modern time and are trapped in this era. She then gives Gunslinger a motorcycle. Meanwhile, Spawn helps Cy-Gor to recover before traveling with Overt-Kill. They reach an island where they are quickly confronted by a massive hellspawn named Monolith.

It can’t be overstated how great the art is in this book. Every issue consistently brings iconic action, great characters a fantastic action sequences. Todd knows how to foster and hold on to great talent and this book shines each month because of it. The plot and characters are fantastic, they just need a bit more room to talk to each other rather than pages of exposition and internalized angst.

Writing: 3 of 5 stars
Art: 4.6 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.2 of 5 stars

Overall: 3.9 of 5 stars

Writer: Todd McFarlane
Art: Carlo Barberi
Lettering: Tom Orzechowski
Colors: Jay David Ramos
Publisher: Image Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.