King Spawn #27 is published by Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and illustrated by Javi Fernandez.
Issue #27 is available 1st November 2023 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.
Synopsis
The Dead Zones are open and the march toward the Throne of Hell has begun. Who can Al trust to stand by his side and not be tempted to take its power?
Review
This issue takes a bit of a different step, as we see Spawn descend into the alternate realm to find his way to the Hell Throne we take a look into what made the monster of a man, we go back to his childhood to understand why Al is full of pent up rage and how this effected him throughout his life. Meeting Wanda changed Al for the better and marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to him but he just couldn’t keep his inner demons hidden within for that was the way his father taught him so it was the only way he knew.
When Hell wanted to recruit a human they needed someone who had a heart full of rage and someone who had something to lose making Wanda a target, this made Al vulnerable and when they took Wanda out they knew they had a hold on Al his vengeance would over power him to turn him into the monster he is today. After what seemed like an eternity descending through the darkness Spawn finally reaches the end, the end is not where he wants to be he needs to get to that throne, unfolding events could very well make that journey alot quicker.
Normally when a comic takes a bit of a different turn mid way through the story arc I get a bit confused as to the direction the story is going but this issue uses this moment to perfectly explain the reasons behind Al Simmons/Spawn and the reason he is the way he is. Todd McFarlane uses his unique style to keep the main story flowing but also gives you another vein to allow you to understand the story behind Al and why is he so full of furious vengeance, I’m loving the journey to Hell’s Throne but now Todd has added more strength to the story by making it more personal to Al in a genius stroke of writing.
The artwork from Javi Fernandez is always top end and this issue definitely is up there with the best of his work the different sequences are effortlessly drawn it just seems to elegantly flow as you descend with Spawn into the darkened realm. You can almost feel the pain from Al coming through the artwork thanks to it’s dark tones and deep colours that make the book just pop Infront of your eyes. Special mention has to go to Dan Panosian who has provided one of the best covers (pictured above) I have seen in comics.
Verdict
The journey to Hell’s Throne has captivated me beyond belief, each issue generates more and more interest for me and I am now at that point that the book is a definite day one read. The collected issues are available now if you haven’t caught up but if you have you definitely need to, at the moment the Spawn multiverse are producing the best work in comics and I am pleased to be able to experience.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐