Comic Reviews by Walt

Endgame part one

Writers: Todd McFarlane, Brian Holguin
Pencils: Whilce Portacio
Digital Inks: Todd McFarlane
Color: Jin Han
Lettering: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Todd McFarlane
Cover: Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Greg Capullo

Thankfully, there’s a “recap” on the inside cover of this issue, explaining recent events leading to where this issue opens. Having followed this title only on an extra-textual “meta” level and not actually reading any issues of this in probably a decade, something like that is definitely good for providing just a little bit of context.

We open on a man deciding that it’s time to do something, and after witnessing some energy manipulation/show, he sets off some sort of green energy flash that lights the sky above the city. Meanwhile, a comatose patient–apparently of some importance–finally wakes, which triggers a flurry of activity and possible conspiracy (Someone is angry at not knowing in advance the man would wake). Finally, we have a clown/demon tracking Al Simmons and the discovery of what that green energy display did.

This is a fairly unique spot for me to be in as a reader. I’ve been aware of Spawn since its earliest issues, but have never particularly “gotten” it. I’ve read the first issue, the 25th issue, an annual, and the first issue of what I believe was the first Violater mini-series (not sure if there’ve been multiple), and I’ve seen the live-action film. So for most intents and purposes, I’m a new-reader for this 16-year-old well-known/recognizeable title & character. The issue’s number gives a sense of history (how many titles in comics these days have actually hit the 185 mark and seem on-target to make 200+?) Yet, this seems to be a breaking-point issue, a potential “bridge” and fresh start.

Spawn creator Todd McFarlane is back on the writing end as a co-writer, which is largely what spurred me to pick this issue up. After so many years of knowing the character’s creator to not be on the book and now returning, I thought it’d be interesting to see what he’d do with the character. Looking at the issue itself, I’m not impressed with the writing. It’s not bad….but it’s not good. We get a lot of vagueries, and not being familiar with details, I don’t know if it’s from lack of previously-read issues, or setup of mysteries to be revealed in coming months. I was able to determine from the end of the issue that the man at the beginning of the issue is Al Simmons–Spawn–the title character…but I in no way recognized him as such with confidence from the start.

The art was not bad–I have no real point of comparison for it in terms of this title. I think it fit, and from a visual standpoint never felt lost. Something about the tone put me in mind of reading a Vertigo title–perhaps for the grittiness and fact that the story was dealing with people interacting with people with no superheroes nor super-powered entities to be found in much of the issue.

My thoughts on the end of the issue might be able to be expressed through that character’s own dialogue re-applied to McFarlane. There’s potential here, and depending on what the follow-up is, there might be just enough of a hook to keep me checking this title out. That follow-up will also determine a retrospective view of this issue, as I’m hoping that this might be a good jump-on point for new(er) readers and those deciding to check the title out.

This issue is priced at $2.95, making it one of the cheaper comics out there in an age of $2.99, $3.50, and $3.99+. If only for remaining at this lower price point, and the potential that this is a decent jumping-in point…this issue is above average, given my average expectation is the title’s too convoluted and long-running to be accessible. I think this is as good a point as any to check the title out if you’re so inclined.

Story: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, Image, Spawn | Tagged: Brian Holguin, Comic Reviews 2008, Endgame, Image Comics, McFarlane, Spawn, Spawn: Endgame, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio |