Gunslinger Spawn #29 is written by Todd McFarlane and published by Image Comics.Artwork is by Carlo Barberi, colours by Ivan Nunes and letters by Tom Orzechowski. Cover art (left) is by Von Randal and Thaddeus Robeck.
Gunslinger Spawn #29 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
The aftermath of SPAWN #350 is upon us. It’s six months later, and no one is safe!
Review
The aftermath of Spawn #350 begins this week with the release of two new issues, Gunslinger Spawn #29 and King Spawn #31. Both serve to pick up the pieces six months after everything went down in hell. After a near 25 year vacancy the Throne of Hell has a new ruler, Nyx aka the original She-Spawn. But with Nyx in place and the various Spawns back on Earth something is amiss. They’re now all mortal.
So we pick up in Gunslinger Spawn with Javier back on Earth and hiding out in a motel. Badly injured. His penance for Al’s action is that he’s lost his ability to heal and is struggling to stay alive. So rather than diving straight in to another hellish adventure, McFarlane has crafted a more personal tale which allows Javier (and us) the chance to catch out breath.
It’s not quite the equivalent of a bottle episode. Javier just about venture outside of his room, if mainly to interact with Linda, his maid and soon be sidekick for whatever it is McFarlane has planned next. But aside from a quick B-storyline featuring another looming threat, we stay in and around the Apple Valley Motel.
We’re not used to seeing any of the Spawns this vulnerable. The events of #350 have allowed each of the creative teams the chance to reassess and present their characters in a new light. It’s an important step in making sure this new found morality has the right impact. Rather than glossing over it and simply finding a way to undo what’s been done. It’s more interesting to see how each of these characters is going to cope with the lack of powers. Having two different series publishing this another great way to drive home those differences to the audience.
McFarlane also has fun with Javier being a character out of time. When Linda – the aforementioned maid – is attacked by a local gang Javier intervenes seemingly rescuing her. But it’s a moment that challenges Javier’s perspectives brilliantly. Here this well spoken characters – he calls her “ma’am” – is immediately pitted against a strong woman who is able to handle herself. It injects some contemporary gender politics in to the story at a time when there’s little other conflict to be had. In fact the only conflict we really get to see is a flashback to how he came across the impressive injuries which left him languishing in this motel room.
Carlo Barberi’s art, teamed with colours by Ivan Nunes, does an impressive job of rendering Javier’s incredible injuries (and his physique!). The style of Gunslinger feels very classic 90’s and immediately took me back to comics of DC’s No Man’s Land era. Beautifully expressive and dynamically coloured. Even an issue which is relatively uneventful feels compelling to read.
There’s not much to signpost where Gunslinger Spawn is going next but with Javier and Linda now on the road it certainly feels like we’re in for something unique.
Verdict
Gunslinger Spawn takes on a different kind of mission in the wake of Spawn #350. With Javier injured and missing his powers, writer Todd McFarlane and artists Carlo Barberi and Ivan Nunes instead throw personal challenges and growth at the warrior.
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