Spawn Aftermath is published by Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and illustrated by Ken Lashley, Jason Shawn Alexander and Philip Tan.
Spawn Aftermath is available from 13th July 2022 either directly from Image Comics online or from your local comic book store, digital copies will be available to download from the usual content providers. Collects together issues #302-307 of the ongoing Spawn series.
Synopsis
The effects of Spawn’s “explosive” conversation are still being felt. New Spawns are starting to appear, and Al sees a horrific version of a possible future!
Review
I’m taking a slight step back in time today. We’re going back to late 2019/early 2020 for Image Comics’ latest Spawn collection. Spawn Aftermath pulls together issues #302 to #307 from the ongoing series. The Aftermath arc takes us on a dark ride (even by Spawn standards) in a step back to understand the mess that is Al Simmons.
In an emotionally charged journey we follow Al as he explores the darkest regions of hell to get the understanding he needs into his symbiotic tenant, we go deeper into the pain and anguish that Al has suffered but also the suffering he has dealt.
We also take a look at the story of She-Spawn or Jessica Priest and Medieval Spawn, we find out that the other Spawns have been given this new found power unwittingly and basically unknown to them as Spawn wanted to spread his power before what he thought would be his impending downfall. We get to see the plot of Spawn taking over the throne of hell unfold but like most Spawn plans it doesn’t necessarily go to plan, the fate of humanity is in the balance.
As soon as you see the name Todd McFarlane as the writer of a Spawn Universe book you just know it’s going to be good, the writing of Spawn Aftermath is on another level each chapter was intense and vibrant making you want to read the next straight away. Giving each of the already well known characters a different type of depth and adding to their individual story and building on the vast Spawn universe. I throughly enjoyed reading book and found the off shoot story a heart racing read.
The illustrations of Spawn Aftermath were of the norm that you would expect from a Spawn story, an intensely dark tone with blood aplenty. The art team of Ken Lashley, Jason Shawn Alexander and Philip Tan worked well together combining their immense talent to create a dark symphony that wouldn’t look out of place on the big screen.
This story although it is an off shoot story it doesn’t ditract from the main story arcs, if anything it adds more depth to the multiverse as a whole.
Verdict
Another great read from Tom and the team, I’ve said it before and I’ll say again I find it mind blowing that a series can be so many issues in and still feel fresh and that is down to the creative team involved, the best in the business. Aftermath is a must-read for any Spawn fan.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
