The Scorched #25 is published by Image Comics, written by John Layman and Todd McFarlane, illustrated by Stephen Segovia, coloured by Jay David Ramos and lettered by AndWorld Design.
Issue #25 is available 17th January 2024 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 Scorched team has its assignments, but this is one mission they may not make it back from.
Review
This issue starts in dramatic fashion as we are taken back in time 500 years ago and see a down trodden Violator as he is left begging his master Malebolgia for forgiveness for allowing the Hellspawn Medieval to get the better of him and in all essence over power him disobeying his orders and bringing shame upon the kingdom of Hell, this cannot and will not be tolerated. The only thing Malebolgia can now do is inflict the only suitable punishment that mirrors the actions and that is sentence him to a life of ridicule that he can only come back from once Malebolgia sees he has repented.
This whole scenario is based around the man once known as John if York now known as the Hellspawn Medieval, a constant thorn in the kingdom’s side but emerging from the shadows is a figure that believes they have what it takes to take this colossal man down.
Fast forward to the present day and we find the Scorched deep in a conflict with an angry Viscerator who is buying for blood and looking at taking down the Scorched, on member of the Scorched in particular as they have a lot of history together, Medieval will certainly have his work cut out keeping this one at bay. Medieval isn’t the only member of the Scorched to have their admirers but the admirer of She-Spawn is particularly dangerous, this cannot be good.
The writing of The Scorched series has always strong and unlike some comics that seem to whimper out after a while but this series of The Scorched has continued to evolve and refresh itself to allow the brand to flourish. John Layman has once again injected a furious energy that explodes on to the pages as it tells the story of The Scorched and how you are beginning to see what could possibly be the anti-hero group that was once capable of beating all that stand against them but now the game is changing, this is definitely a difficult time for the once close unit.
The artwork of the book is incredible once again, Stephen Segovia knocks it out the park with this one with artwork that hammers home the impacting story, it almost allow you to feel each blow and entwine your emotions with theirs, a masterpiece.
Verdict
Another worthy 5⭐ score, one of the best comic series out there right now, it brings everything to the table and isn’t in the mood for questions, the time for the Scorched is beginning to run out, can they find a way in time?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐