REVIEW: Spawn No.321

As if the events in last week’s “King Spawn” were not enough, whereas that book focused on Spawn’s Universe at large, Spawn No. 321 serves as a more intricate look as to the ramifications of the huge events happening around Spawn’s life and his closest constituents.

Todd Macfarlane handles the script of his titular character bringing Spawn to his most paranoid state yet. It appears the effects of losing his ex-wife are still as relevant as ever, as they get re-opened with the mystery of the identity behind Medieval Spawn looming amongst all the other happenings in and around this record-breaking indie title. Spawn ends up imploding at his home base, pushing away those closest to him in the process. Of course, the efforts are in a means for protection , similar to the lengths She-Spawn has went to in regards to her estranged daughter. And I don’t even want to know what happened with Spawn’s “Microchip” – who gets quite the upgrade at the end of the issue.

No.321 focuses on Spawn’s patchwork broken family. Yeah there isn’t any tournament style fighting here as in previous issues, but that’s where the crowning jewel in No.321 lies : the gruff reality of the situations that Spawn not only creates, but in turn seeks out. After the family drama at Spawn’s hideout, Spawn decides to go on some recon and places his aggression on a lead for a case that he is solving. It’s a dead end, but then his presence eventually makes present that his suspect is guilty of human trafficking.

Apparently Spawn’s suspect kidnapped, raped, and has been housing a female victim for several years, and Spawn just happened to stumble on this atrocity when he was about to close the door he just happened to kick in. This, along with the grief from his relationship with his closest associates and the thought that someone could have trafficked & abused his ex-wife in such a fashion triggers one of the best out-of-control meltdown scenes in comic book history, which serves as a palpable reminder that Marvel should have reconsidered putting MacFarlane on the script while he was penciling “The Incredible Hulk” in the late 80’s.
There’s a tenderness here in No.321 that provides a welcome break from all the fast paced action from this title in recent months, but this break is no vacation.
Spawn No.321 is as gritty as it gets : the love is tough as relationships are broken.

Love. People get misused for the word in Spawn’s Universe. Ghosts are carried with heavy baggage for the word in Spawn’s Universe. And in No.321, reader’s are given a welcome peek as well as a preview for what’s to come. And if you can stomach it, the future looks bright, at least in entertainment value, as Spawn continues to descend deeper into darkness. Not because of any stereotypes surrounding him being a demon, but because of the ties to humanity that he holds on to as the chains that accompany his oh-so-90’s costume.

SCORE: Score : 5/5

(W) Todd McFarlane (A) Carlo Barberi (CA) Bjorn Barends