REVIEW: ‘King Spawn,’ Issue #6

King Spawn #6 is published by Image Comics in association with Todd McFarlane Productions. It’s written by Sean Lewis (with Todd McFarlane providing additional dialogue), illustrated by Javier Fernandez, colored by FCO Plascencia & Ulises Arreola, and lettered by Andworld Design. After the end of the previous issue, Disruptor has been revealed as Jason Wynn-Al Simmons’ former boss and the man responsible for his transformation into Spawn. As Spawn and Wynn engage in a heated battle, Wynn reveals how he and Billy Kincaid escaped Hell-and the true goal of Pslams 137.

Prior to the launch of King Spawn, Lewis and McFarlane said that the title was more symbolic than literal. And while that’s true, it turns out that Pslams 137 and their mysterious benefactors do view Spawn as a king-and have gone to gruesome lengths in order to set up their “ruler’s” new kingdom. And during their battle, Wynn reveals that potentially another person from Simmons’ life may be responsible for his own transformation into the Disruptor, as well as the incursions into the “Dead Zones” from Hell to Earth. This story not only continues to show off Lewis’ understanding of the Spawn universe but also how he uses that understanding to craft new stories in that same universe. The best writers in comics take characters in new directions while staying true to the core of those characters, and Lewis is no different.

Also staying true to the general vibe of Spawn is Fernandez, who delivers perhaps some of the most gruesome action ever seen in a Spawn title. Jaws are dislocated, a character loses an eye in a dark twist on a Biblical verse, and Spawn survives an explosion at ground zero-but his costume is blown off, revealing his smoldering flesh and glowing green blood from his wounds. Fernandez also reminds the reader that Spawn is more than human, as his costume and chains act of their own accord, and deliver a savage beatdown to Wynn.

Rounding out the creative team is Plasencia on colors, and he is joined by Arreola who previously served as a colorist for the latest Spawn title The Scorched. Arreola proves to be a perfect fit with the moody, gothic vibe that Plascencia has brought to the title; a splash page features a massive demon towering over the denizens of Hell, shrouded in shadows and surrounded by raging flames. The coloring also adds a unique flair to the lettering. While the narrative captions are still presented in a dark brown color, Wynn often steps in, with his depicted in black and yellow. And when Spawn gets his second wind against Wynn, his dialogue is depicted in massive font-signifying the pure rage he’s feeling.

King Spawn #6 completes the first arc of the series, bringing back another figure from the hellish antihero’s past and delivering a grisly battle in the process. This series continues to be an impressive addition to the Spawn universe, and I recommend that Spawn fans old and new add it to their reading lists if they haven’t already.

King Spawn #6 is available wherever comics are sold.