by Joe Shickman, Reporter

NYC has always been a destination for tourists from all over the world, but now Spawn and Terry are noticing a rise in visitors from someplace a bit more sinister…

Previously on King Spawn:
Spawn discovers the Exodus Foundation’s vault of brains. Meanwhile Sam has been taken hostage in an effort to keep Spawn at bay.

Official Synopsis
Spawn trades the bowels of hell for a descent into the depths of corporate greed as he investigates what the Exodus Foundation has in their vault of brains. (Spoiler… it’s brains!) With Sam at his side, Spawn takes poetic vengeance on those involved in the heinous atrocities inflicted upon thousands in secret, but is shocked to discover the familiar face of one of the victims, linking their fate to his family and his own past failures. While Spawn and Sam investigate, Terry and Cyan must face their own demons, both within and beyond.

Creative Team:
Script/Plot: Sean Lewis, and Todd McFarlane (Additional Script)
Art: Javi Fernandez
Color: Ivan Nunes
Lettering: Andword Design
Cover Artists: Viktor Bogdanovic & Kevin Keane

The opening page quite effectively throws the macabre action all around the reader as Javi Fernandez expertly uses perspective to draw you in, with Spawn hurling several dripping brains right off the page toward you. Sean Lewis immediately channels Todd McFarlane’s iconic juxtaposition between humor and disgust as Spawn calls on a pack of ravenous dogs to “Get it!” as though playfully engaging in a game of fetch. As the brains find their targets, followed quickly by the carnivorous canines, what follows elicits a visceral reaction harkening back to the very first time readers see Al Simmons’ disfigured features in the first issue of Spawn. With each passing panel, the reader is led along with Spawn and Sam deeper into the Exodus Foundation facility, perfectly paralleled by Ivan Nunes’ use of subtle muted colors broken by blinding light, foreshadowing something far darker at the end of their disturbing journey. 

King Spawn # 22 was my first time checking back in with this beloved character in a while, and it did not disappoint. I was pleased to find that same Spawn feel I’ve loved since Image Comics launched the title in 1992 was in evidence, coupled with a riveting story that made me excited for the next issue and want to go back to read all that I’ve missed. 

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives the 22nd issue of King Spawn 4 out of 5 skulls.