Yes, you’ve read the title correctly; this is a review of Spawn Kills Everyone, a new one-shot comic out this week from Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and Image Comics. I really wanted to read this book, so I put my name down for it and waited for the review copy. Alas, Image Comics did not send us a review copy. So I did what any self-respecting comic shop owner who also reviews comics would do in my situation and read the bloody thing as soon as my shop's order came in! I'm so glad I did. Let me open up this review by saying… This book is FUCKING AWESOME. I don’t even think you need to be a Spawn fan to appreciate how good it is. If you like comics (I’m assuming you do), I think you’ll like this book.
Now, as far as the story goes, this one-shot follows a miniature version of Spawn (he's kinda like Bat-Mite, but not lame) tearing his way through a lot of your favorite characters. I should, however, point out that these are normal people in cosplay (way to beat the lawyers, Mr. McFarlane). He’s doing it all in an effort to make a big announcement at a comic convention in San Diego and he’ll stop at nothing to make it. If that means he has to cut down a few innocent convention goers, so be it. It was great fun to read and I'm sure it was great fun to make.
Spawn creator Todd McFarlane writes this issue (he also makes a cameo) and he takes every opportunity to highlight how much more important comic book movies and TV shows are than actual comics through the character, because let's face it, they are.
(That’s sarcasm, kids! I’m glad I caught you there before you scrolled all the way past the review and into the comments section to give me a ruddy good tongue-lashing.)
Everything that bugs me about the comic book industry is front and center in this one-shot. McFarlane is on-point with his satire and I’m glad someone in his position of authority is poking fun at it… Personally, I feel it shouldn’t bug any of us that movies and TV shows about comic characters are making comics more popular. Especially as a retailer, I love it. Though, I also love it when people say to me, “well shit, I didn’t know they made a comic book of that movie!” Sarcasm again. I’m sure you’ve heard someone say that too… Anyway, back to the review.
I thought the book was really funny throughout. The lil' guy's crackin' wise the whole time and although I wasn't sold on the art initially, I really didn't care by (about) page three because I was so into the concept and story already. Basically the art you see on the cover is the art you get throughout the book. I thought the cover might've been McFarlane having a poke at Skottie Young’s variants for Marvel... The Liana Hee variant most definitely is, ha-ha. Honestly, the art was a great fit and I ended up liking it more the further I got into the book. There are some great scenes drawn by artist J.J. Kirby and a lot of bloody violence which is fun to see in his style. This book will stick in my mind the next time I see a "someone kills everyone" style book… You gotta beat the man to be the man, and lil’ Spawn is the man!
Verdict: It was pretty damn hard to write this review because I liked it so much. I didn’t want to ruin it for you before you got the chance to read it. I loved it! When you're in your local comic shop this week, do yourself a favor and pick it up. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it, too. I just hope Todd decides to make some more of these one-shots because I know I would like to see more.
[su_box title="Score: 5/5" style="glass" box_color="#8955ab" radius="6"]
Spawn Kills Everyone #1 Writer: Todd McFarlane Artist: J.J. Kirby Colorist: FCO Plascencia Publisher: Image Comics Price: $2.99 Format: One-Shot; Print/Digital [/su_box]