REVIEW: ‘King Spawn,’ Issue #13

King Spawn #13 is written by Sean Lewis (with Todd McFarlane providing additional dialogue), illustrated by Thomas Nachlik, colored by FCO Plascencia with Sheila Saldana, and lettered by Andworld Design. Image Comics publishes it. The series was upended in the last issue when Spawn finally took the Godthrone and became the “king” the Court of Priests intended for him to be. However, the hellish anti-hero intends to rule his own way – banishing the Court’s leader Azrael to Heaven (and subsequent death) and planning to use his newfound power to resurrect his wife, Wanda. But certain forces stand in his way.

This issue sees Nachlik stepping in for longtime series artist Javi Fernandez, bringing a grittier vibe to the proceedings. There’s more texture to Nachlik’s drawings, especially in the folds of Spawn’s cape and the shape of his costume’s armored parts. And he doesn’t shy away from the horror, especially when it comes to the appearance of Raven Spawn. True to his name, Raven Spawn can transform into and even summon an unkindness of ravens, which pull apart their victims in a bloody frenzy. And I mean bloody; there’s a sequence where the ravens literally dig into a man’s body and burst through his stomach. Don’t eat anything before you read this.

Both Plascencia and Saldana add to the horror vibe by drenching most of the art in shadows. A demon trudging through a dark forest has an unsettling vibe as his reddish skin is the only thing standing out in the dark. And entire panels are filled with jet-black ravens flapping and cawing in what looks like an unhinged homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds. Topping it all off is Andworld Design’s lettering, especially the design he gives Raven Spawn’s words. In lieu of a traditional speech bubble, the jet-black Hellspawn’s words look as though they’re twisted and formed from the very air around him, which is extremely unsettling.

As far as the story goes, Lewis and McFarlane have essentially begun a new arc with this issue. Now that Spawn’s assumed the Godthrone, he intends to bring back his wife by any means necessary, even if he has to battle the people he calls allies. In a monologue, Spawn compares it to playing a game of chess; he just has to be ahead of his opponents. And while the art team keeps up this metaphor with panels that take the form of chess pieces and even has a character playing chess, the overall story feels like it’s setting up pieces. Those who have been following along will more than likely be invested, while newcomers to the book may be confused. Hopefully, all of this setup will bear fruit in future issues.

King Spawn #13 shifts the story into a new gear as the hellish anti-hero comes to terms with his new powers. Having made new enemies, Spawn, it’s possibly safe to say, will be in for some of the biggest battles of his life. But the promise of those battles is what’s made this title such an appealing read; if Spawn truly is a King now, he’ll have to defend his crown.

King Spawn #13 is available wherever comics are sold.