SPAWN #185

Review Part I - AL SIMMONS R.I.P.
The conclusion to the stellar run by David Hine and Brian Haberlin brought Al Simmons to the road to retribution. As #185 begins, he comes home to the alleys of New York. Moments later the darkest time in Spawn's history gets darker as the Hellspawn takes his own life, removing himself from the proverbial chess board that is the battlefield shared by Heaven and Hell. So ends, for now, the journey of Al Simmons.

At that same moment the mysterious "Patient 47" awakens from his coma, defying what we are later told to be unfavorable odds. During his checkup a doctor requests to see his files, only to be informed that there are none. Patient 47 is a perfect mystery.

The hospital's custodian informs a likewise mysterious man of 47's awakening. This man informs his currently unidentified superior, then takes his own life.

Back in the alleys, the Clown/Violator discovers the remains of Al Simmons.


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Part II - Hail to the King, baby.
The return of Todd McFarlane, joined by Whilce Portacio and Brian Holguin, marks the beginning of a new era in the world of Spawn. And this, friends, is for the better. McFarlane's direction, combined with the dark and unique style employed by Portacio and the considerable scripting prowess of Holguin, will undoubtedly take the mythos of the Hellspawn to new heights while simultaneously providing wayward readers and new readers alike with a jumping-on point worth getting a hold of.

New pieces. New players. A new game. Al Simmons may be gone, but SPAWN is back.

JL
11.6.08