Spawn

[The Shogun]

Did you read any of the new teams stuff? 200 was quite weak and convulted imo.

Ive loved the new run. The writing, art and tone have been great.
My only complaint is that things are moving at a very slow pace. Hopefully after this arc ends things will pick up.

Yea ive read everything up issue 214. Im really enjoying it much more every since issue 200.

[Dark-Flux]

Yea ive read everything up issue 214. Im really enjoying it much more every since issue 200.

Whoops! I meant Lasraik, my post was just late.

But im glad to see youre enjoying it too :)

[Greg Anderson]

I'll eventually check out the book. I was a massive fan but definitely got a terrible taste in my mouth with how they ended Al. Pretty much voted with my dollars.

[Mikey Ramone]

Getting back to the discussion on trades I'm thinking about collecting Indi comics in monthly and marvel and DC in trades because that way I can give more support to the smaller publishers.

Also, and I'm sure most of you will disagree, I think Todd needs to reboot Spawn (not renumber) and get someone like Rick Remender to write it. What he's doing with Venom is what Spawn should be like. I know he has a contract with Marvel but I'm just dreaming lol.

[vicvega]

alright i'll look for em in the back issues bin at my store

[lasraik]

Whoops! I meant Lasraik, my post was just late.

But im glad to see youre enjoying it too :)

I haven't given it another chance, which issue would you suggest I jump into?

[murch]

I haven't given it another chance, which issue would you suggest I jump into?

Pick up the "New Beginnings" TPB that collects 201-206, and go from there.

[HellsRider]

Preview for issue 216 is up courtesy of spawn.over-blog.com (or at least thats where I found it where it can be read).

Preview (http://spawn.over-blog.com/article-spawn-216-preview-98538116.html)

Interesting thing about the cover art this month at least this comes from BleedingCool. This cover art was originally going to be used for issue 19 where the focus was going to be on the Freak, but it ended up being a different issue entirely (the Houdini/Spawn team-up). Now with Freak back as Malebolgia, I guess its somewhat appropriate though I argue not really. I also don't like the 20th Anniversary in 2012 thing at the top, I get that already from the Image logo don't need to put that at the top again. Issue 216 will be out this Wednesday (February 8th) and will also have a black and white variant.

[Venomous Mask]

Is the Violator limited series worth checking out?

[murch]

Spawn 216 reviewed - 5/5

This is why Spawn should never have left your pull list if it did. If it didn't, this is the payoff.

http://pulllist.comixology.com/reviews/view/2162/Spawn-216

[Greg Anderson]

Well what happened?

[Dark-Flux]

Sounds great, cant wait to read it :)

[MrV]

The one thing keeping me from getting into Spawn is the recycled mythology of Heaven and Hell. I would love to read a supernatural book that does not use those, but instead creates an entirely new or at least a non-Biblical mythology.

Also, I was 5 years old when the movie came out and I loved it (can't believe my mom took me to the movies to watch Spawn, she is a super mom!), but I found Alien, Predator, and Batman more interesting since they had nothing to do with religion.

[Greg Anderson]

The one thing keeping me from getting into Spawn is the recycled mythology of Heaven and Hell. I would love to read a supernatural book that does not use those, but instead creates an entirely new or at least a non-Biblical mythology.


You might be into Witchblade and The Darkness.

[MrV]

You might be into Witchblade and The Darkness.

Never read those, are they good?

[HellsRider]

Well was a month behind on Spawn, so I picked up today issues 215 and 216.

Issue 215 - This felt like a smarter 201. While the interview Jim has is used throughout the entire issue, its interspersed with how everyone else is doing. Meetings between Vatican/Sara, Twitch/Rowand, the CIA with implications on Marc, Clown/Susan, and Freakbolgia coming to a certain dead end on his quest are all furthered and its great. Very interesting to know the implications of what Rowand/Twitch found out. Two things though. I didn't like the fact that the interview pretty much was a retelling of everything we knew already AGAIN. I understand its the start of a new year, but we already had that recapped in 201 and people can pick up Spawn New Beginnings Volume 1 to pick up on it. I kinda wish they had fun with this Downing viral brigade like have a fake press release at the end of the issue about the foundation and the parameters set for it that the media in the story got. Have fun with this aspect of the story. The second thing is Twitch's somewhat uncaring nature for Sam. Rowand asks him about Sam's status and his reply is that its still the same. When we last left Sam, it didn't feel like he was gonna make it. Sam is a very important piece in this story so a bit more attention on him would have been nice though I understand Twitch can't do anything and can only work in uncovering Jim's past; it just seems like they really are set to make Rowand take the place of Sam. We also didn't get any update on Hel. Clown said he will get a new body for her and that was in 209. Unless...well that would be interesting.

Issue 216 - In the words of Rowand from 215, 'NO F'N WAY!' After the ending of 215, it has caused Jim to remember his past and WOW what a past. This not only ties back to Endgame and post-Endgame (ie issue 198), but it ties heavily to the entirety of Spawn. Who Jim really is, what he's done, and who he knows are all covered here and you can feel his impact on the rest of Spawn specifically with two very specific characters. Seriously do not read spoilers about this. Go get it, its the payoff we have been waiting for and now that Jim has remembered and is armed with this knowledge, I wish 217 would be released now!

[capuga]

Double post.

[capuga]

Well was a month behind on Spawn, so I picked up today issues 215 and 216.

Issue 215 - This felt like a smarter 201. While the interview Jim has is used throughout the entire issue, its interspersed with how everyone else is doing. Meetings between Vatican/Sara, Twitch/Rowand, the CIA with implications on Marc, Clown/Susan, and Freakbolgia coming to a certain dead end on his quest are all furthered and its great. Very interesting to know the implications of what Rowand/Twitch found out. Two things though. I didn't like the fact that the interview pretty much was a retelling of everything we knew already AGAIN. I understand its the start of a new year, but we already had that recapped in 201 and people can pick up Spawn New Beginnings Volume 1 to pick up on it. I kinda wish they had fun with this Downing viral brigade like have a fake press release at the end of the issue about the foundation and the parameters set for it that the media in the story got. Have fun with this aspect of the story. The second thing is Twitch's somewhat uncaring nature for Sam. Rowand asks him about Sam's status and his reply is that its still the same. When we last left Sam, it didn't feel like he was gonna make it. Sam is a very important piece in this story so a bit more attention on him would have been nice though I understand Twitch can't do anything and can only work in uncovering Jim's past; it just seems like they really are set to make Rowand take the place of Sam. We also didn't get any update on Hel. Clown said he will get a new body for her and that was in 209. Unless...well that would be interesting.

Issue 216 - In the words of Rowand from 215, 'NO F'N WAY!' After the ending of 215, it has caused Jim to remember his past and WOW what a past. This not only ties back to Endgame and post-Endgame (ie issue 198), but it ties heavily to the entirety of Spawn. Who Jim really is, what he's done, and who he knows are all covered here and you can feel his impact on the rest of Spawn specifically with two very specific characters. Seriously do not read spoilers about this. Go get it, its the payoff we have been waiting for and now that Jim has remembered and is armed with this knowledge, I wish 217 would be released now!

I didn't get the impression that Jim remembered his past. I think that we, the audience, just got a flash back. Of course, I may not have been reading close enough.

[HellsRider]

You might be right as well, guess we won't know till 217.

This is the second time Jim's been incapacitated so to say. The first being in 200 and we learned about his conversation with Al (aka the vaguest conversation ever) and yet Jim didn't remember it. I hope the same doesn't happen here. This could effectively change his character and have a lot of interesting stories. What if he changes the focus of the foundation to what he was doing before in secrecy? He would really be at odds with Marc since the CIA in effect would be on Jim's side and so would Susan as well. He would feel now very differently in terms of the Vatican as well. Their is just so much potential, that I hope they don't cop out again because I don't see the value of us knowing about it and not the main character because whats the point then.

[The Shogun]

My comics dont ship till the end of the month :mad:

[The Shogun]

Hey guys ive been wondering, which issue was it that wanda first learned al was spawn?

[HellsRider]

Hey guys ive been wondering, which issue was it that wanda first learned al was spawn?

Its tough to pinpoint where Wanda first learned Al was Spawn. Granny Blake and Cyan both had connections to Al that they were trying to get across to Wanda though Wanda didn't believe that Al was Spawn. In issue 36, Al implied to Wanda that he was Spawn though she couldn't believe it. Wanda was always seeing Spawn as the creature that kills she saw in issue 28 and only knew that Al was Spawn probably before the Armageddon arc started in issue 158 where the twins remembered they were God & Satan respectively. Man of Miracles mentioned Al Simmons while Wanda was there. It was probably then that she accepted it, though during the Hine & Haberlin run, Wanda saw Spawn and Al as two separate individuals and not the same person...I suppose that she always saw him that way.

[GRANT!]

Its tough to pinpoint where Wanda first learned Al was Spawn. Granny Blake and Cyan both had connections to Al that they were trying to get across to Wanda though Wanda didn't believe that Al was Spawn. In issue 36, Al implied to Wanda that he was Spawn though she couldn't believe it. Wanda was always seeing Spawn as the creature that kills she saw in issue 28 and only knew that Al was Spawn probably before the Armageddon arc started in issue 158 where the twins remembered they were God & Satan respectively. Man of Miracles mentioned Al Simmons while Wanda was there. It was probably then that she accepted it, though during the Hine & Haberlin run, Wanda saw Spawn and Al as two separate individuals and not the same person...I suppose that she always saw him that way.

I think she found out in the Image Hardcover.

[The Shogun]

Its tough to pinpoint where Wanda first learned Al was Spawn. Granny Blake and Cyan both had connections to Al that they were trying to get across to Wanda though Wanda didn't believe that Al was Spawn. In issue 36, Al implied to Wanda that he was Spawn though she couldn't believe it. Wanda was always seeing Spawn as the creature that kills she saw in issue 28 and only knew that Al was Spawn probably before the Armageddon arc started in issue 158 where the twins remembered they were God & Satan respectively. Man of Miracles mentioned Al Simmons while Wanda was there. It was probably then that she accepted it, though during the Hine & Haberlin run, Wanda saw Spawn and Al as two separate individuals and not the same person...I suppose that she always saw him that way.

Yea i just skimmed through and it seems that issue 158 is for sure when she knows. In 157 she still questions whether its really him but in 158 she refers to him as her dead husband.

[Dark-Flux]

Fiiinally got around to reading #216. And i loved it! :D

Definetly one of the better issues in the new run. Thankful that we finally got some answers and i love how they've managed to tie Jim to the mythos.
Hopefully it keeps this pace and doesnt fall back into a rut.

Now wheres my Haunt #21? :(

[HellsRider]

Spawn 217 preview is up and comes from McFarlene's Facebook page. I actually like this month's cover...still wish Szymon did the covers, but I'm accepting a bit more of Golden's cover especially with this one. I still don't see the point of that 20th Anniversary in 2012 banner at the top when I perfectly get that from the Image logo, that seriously needs to go.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424391_349678035076285_160535290657228_1076060_196 7850898_n.jpg

Preview (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349677865076302.84121.160535290657228&type=3)

Spawn 217 comes out tomorrow, March 7th.

[DietSalem]

Spawn was always my favorite comic book when I used to collect, and now that I'm wanting to get back into it 10 years later.. Where and how do you suggest I pick back up? In a perfect world I'd find someone who has 1 and up for sale at an affordable price.. But I doubt that'll happen.

[Dark-Flux]

Spawn was always my favorite comic book when I used to collect, and now that I'm wanting to get back into it 10 years later.. Where and how do you suggest I pick back up? In a perfect world I'd find someone who has 1 and up for sale at an affordable price.. But I doubt that'll happen.

Start on the new teams run at 201.
If youre willing to go back a bit further it might be worth starting with Endgame at 185.

I say new team but it was recently revealed that Will Carlton = Todd McFarlane
Todds also going to be doing the covers pretty soon.


I imagine the 20th Anniversary in 2012 refers to Spawns Anniversary rather than Images.

[HellsRider]

Spawn was always my favorite comic book when I used to collect, and now that I'm wanting to get back into it 10 years later.. Where and how do you suggest I pick back up? In a perfect world I'd find someone who has 1 and up for sale at an affordable price.. But I doubt that'll happen.

Start with Spawn New Beginnings Volume 1. Its a trade paperback that collects the first 6 issues of this new run starting on 201 (its $14.99, but Amazon has it for $10 and change not counting tax and shipping) and the second volume (which will cover 207-212 or so) will come out by the end of the month. If you want to go back a bit further just to have the complete story you can also check out Spawn Endgame Complete Collection that collects 185-196 and thats for $25 though Amazon has it for $16 and change. The issues in between (197-200) haven't been collected though.

I suppose your right Dark-Flux, though its not technically right yet since Spawn began in May of 1992, but I would prefer having that on the inside of the issue behind the cover or not have it at all like 215 was.

[The Shogun]

I STILL havent read 216. It should arrive by Wednesday, cant wait.

[DietSalem]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll be heading to my local comic shop for some D&D related things this weekend, and will be picking up my first comic books that day. =)

[Jack00]

Why is it everytime I read a new issue of spawn I feel like I missed something that happened that would of been cool to see between the new and last issue...
Like right now I can already predict how #218 is gonna start. There will be a struggle between Jim and Mal that we won'T see and we will only be shown the aftermat/moments that occurs a little bit after their encounter.

[BigBell]

Does anyone know when (or even if) the sixth volume of the Spawn Collection books (the 20-issue collected editions) comes out, and if it's already released, where can I pick it up?

[Scott M Davis]

Vol 6 HC is out in April. You should be able to pre-order it now.

[BigBell]

Vol 6 HC is out in April. You should be able to pre-order it now.

Great. Thanks!

[Dark-Flux]

Anybody read 217 then?

I thought it was a pretty good issue. A lot of plot points being touched on, nice to see Malbolgia and Clown again. Hoping that they're done setting everything up now though and that everything will kick off next issue :)

[Scott M Davis]

According to Jon Goff, 218 and 219 are gonna just be wicked reads.

[The Shogun]

I finally got my copy of 216 in the mail. :biggrin: Cant say im a fan of Jim anymore after what he did to a certain person. Im hoping there is more to it than that but i doubt it.

[The Shogun]

Read 217. Hmmm am i the only one who thinks Jim's manager's chick is gonna try to do something to Sarah?

[capuga]

Read 217. Hmmm am i the only one who thinks Jim's manager's chick is gonna try to do something to Sarah?

Possibly. She came off as really unstable in this issue. Real Fatal Attraction vibe going on right now.

[HellsRider]

Spawn 218 preview is up and it comes to us courtesy of Spawn Alley. Not sure what to think of this month's cover. I can't tell who that is supposed to be. Maybe its Jim with the symbiote oozing off or that can be just some seriously thick rain.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTxmqJWNVXo/T3opvEHgwsI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Im9FSqPa-UQ/s1600/capa_218_spawn.jpg

Spawn 218 preview (http://spawnalley.blogspot.com/)

Spawn 218 comes out this Wednesday, April 4th.

[JaggedFel]

I hope 20th Anniversary means the Real Spawn comes back.

[The Shogun]

I hope 20th Anniversary means the Real Spawn comes back.
20th anniversary of image but wishful thinking :biggrin:

[Dark-Flux]

Issue 220 is Spawns 20th anniversary issue.

Al should stay dead for a good while. Theyll probably bring him back at 250 or 300.

[Jack00]

Just finished reading #218, it was good, I know i'm shocked too.

[murch]

This was another absolutely solid issue from Todd, Jon & Szymon. We finally get the payoff in the form of Jim vs. Malebolgia (which is "to be continued") and we get a massive cliffhanger of a DPS to end the issue.

If you had any doubt at all that Kudranski is THE artist for Spawn, do yourself a favour and pick up this issue. The guy is absolutely killing it. Honestly, the DPS at the end is one of the coolest I've seen.

Jon was hinting all week on Twitter at what was to come, but seeing it on the page was pretty cool for a longtime reader (think Spawn circa 2006 - Armageddon).

[HellsRider]

Well picked up both 217 and 218 and I liked them both though liked 218 more.

217 - Dealing with the aftermath of the shooting of Jim Downing. Wouldn't be surprised if the guy that shot Jim was the Elite Guard who wears a hoodie. A lot of plot points are touched on (Marc/CIA, Sara/Vatican, Susan who I hope Hel takes over and Jim kills them both, and the best parts were Clown/Freakbolgia). I also suspect that those individuals whose fingerprints are a part of Jim, were also patients during the experiments, and since Jim was the last he would be the amalgamation of everything done to that point. I'm curious to know Jim's hunches for Twitch's findings. All in all, a good issue that moved the various points forward. Quick question though. On the back of the cover of 217 on the synopsis for 216, it mentions how Jim's past ties him with Wynn, Freak, Tremor, but also Overtkill. I don't recall at any point in 216 a mention of Overtkill. Are we to assume that since Tremor was a part of Tony Twist's mafia, when he was human, that through that connection Jim worked on Overtkill and was a patient too? Can anyone clarify?

218 - This issue was great. First off the art. This has to be Kudranski's strongest issue to date. Unlike the Violator/Spawn battle in 212 where we didn't get much of a fight at all just some snippets, or the Elite Guard/Spawn battle in 206 where we got some fight scenes but not a lot, here we get a full on battle with Jim/Freakbolgia for almost the whole issue and looking to continue into the next. The action is done very well and those that followed Kudranski's work in Penguin Pain & Prejudice and how he did action scenes there, he takes it to another level in this issue. That DPS at the end was not only a nice throwback to the ending of issue 3, but I did not see that coming. The pacing of the story here moved FAR faster here than in the previous issue which makes sense as this issue only touches on Jim/Clown/Freakbolgia (and one other character briefly). So at this point what is Jim? He's inherited Spawn powers from Al, has the healing powers from what I assume are the result of the experiments, and now having that kind of power in the Dead Zone no less. Gonna be very interesting to see the upcoming issues.

[The Shogun]

218 was amazing, i love the beautiful art. It really fits Spawn well. I would love to see that art on The Darkness. Also that splash page at the end :eek:

[murch]

218 was amazing, i love the beautiful art. It really fits Spawn well. I would love to see that art on The Darkness. Also that splash page at the end :eek:

Yeah, Szymon's art would work well on the Darkness, but for purely selfish reasons, I'd rather him stay on Spawn.

Kudranski has been a much more successful venture into realism than Haberlin was from 165-184 (although I enjoyed that run too). He's got me convinced at this point that he's the guy for Spawn moving forward.

[Bill_Nailer]

218 was a very good issue. They are setting up 220 pretty well. The artwork has been great since Kudranski took over. This book has been great since Endgame, and I can't wait to see where Todd is taking it.

[HellsRider]

Well the preview of 219 is up and its from CBR!! The conclusion of Spawn vs Freakbolgia.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/preview/cb8bd5fi12241/prv12241_cov.jpg

Spawn 219 Preview (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=12241)

Spawn 219 is out this Wednesday, May 2nd.

[Kid_Kam]

Can anybody recommend me a good jump on point ? I was thinking issue 200. Which issue was the current spawn introduced? that might be a good place to start.

[HellsRider]

Can anybody recommend me a good jump on point ? I was thinking issue 200. Which issue was the current spawn introduced? that might be a good place to start.

I would say 201 is a perfect jumping on point. The current Spawn, Jim Downing, was introduced in issue 185 which began the Endgame arc that lasted till 196. A lot of planning and stuff happens, but to be quite honest you can pick up on everything in 201 which recaps, to a certain degree, somethings that happened during the Endgame arc and post which is 197-200 well enough. Additionally if your new to Spawn you'll get background material on the world and the previous Spawn, Al Simmons, in the issues after 201 (specifically 209 and 211). Their are currently two trade paperbacks out now that collect the beginning of this new team's run called Spawn New Beginnings Vol 1 and Vol 2. Start with those and if you want a bit more background on what happened with Jim before 201 then pick up the Endgame trade paperbacks too though know that issues 197-200 haven't been collected in a trade, but of those I would say issue 199 is the most important and maybe 200 but you can do without that one imo. Hope that helps.

[Kid_Kam]

I would say 201 is a perfect jumping on point. The current Spawn, Jim Downing, was introduced in issue 185 which began the Endgame arc that lasted till 196. A lot of planning and stuff happens, but to be quite honest you can pick up on everything in 201 which recaps, to a certain degree, somethings that happened during the Endgame arc and post which is 197-200 well enough. Additionally if your new to Spawn you'll get background material on the world and the previous Spawn, Al Simmons, in the issues after 201 (specifically 209 and 211). Their are currently two trade paperbacks out now that collect the beginning of this new team's run called Spawn New Beginnings Vol 1 and Vol 2. Start with those and if you want a bit more background on what happened with Jim before 201 then pick up the Endgame trade paperbacks too though know that issues 197-200 haven't been collected in a trade, but of those I would say issue 199 is the most important and maybe 200 but you can do without that one imo. Hope that helps.
Ok thanks a lot.

[JemJet]

I have tried so hard to like the Soawn comics but they're just not that good. Kudrianski's art is the only reason I picked up #201 after trying out some earlier issues and his art is fantastic. But, McFarlane needs to stop writing this book NOW. His dialogue and plots are just not that good.

[Dark-Flux]

You think so? I think hes doing a lot better than his work on Endgame and am really liking the current direction, both in art and story.

[JemJet]

I think they're MUCH better now but they're just not interesting.

[JemJet]

I agree with you 100% on the art though. It is fantastic.

[HellsRider]

So...anyone get 219?

219 - Eye of the Storm Part 1

After a pretty awesome 218, I'm still trying to think about 219. Art-wise its again a fantastic issue with visuals that we haven't seen before from Kudranski which are pretty cool with both how he handles Heaven-powered Jim and the new look of Spawn. However with the content I'm somewhat conflicted I guess. This issue brings back a plot point from Endgame (specifically issue 191 where the angel accused Jim, at the time in Spawn form, of doing something unforgivable to God). What I originally thought of this was that since Jim was a member of the Legion, as issue 200 suggested, it could be said that he aided Al Simmons in the sealing of God towards the end of the Armageddon arc. However this issue decided to take that in a completely different direction that makes me question - are they piling on the mysteries of Jim Downing and is it starting to get overwhelming and the answer to that is yes.

So now Jim was in fact Director Kramer a researcher working for Jason Wynn to develop the new super soldier which from that birthed Freak and Tremor. When he attempted to become his own patient his soul went to Heaven where he attempted to kill God, failed, and was sent to Hell in exchange for 1000 souls. There he made brief contact with the soul of Al Simmons and I suppose from there Jim somehow got in contact with Al possibly through the Legion so that he can be the new Spawn. Though how all of this happened without Jim being technically dead is what really bothers me. The last couple of pages hint at something that I wonder if he'll be after Jim or the symbiote though I guess it would be the symbiote. Their is an error though with the issue they referenced where the symbiote talked to Freakbolgia stating that it was the symbiote that put the evil in Freak and that it was in issue 73 which is false. It was in fact issue 70, issue 73 was the fight between the Heap and Spawn that lead to the introduction of the Greenworld.

At the end all I can think of was waiting and seeing where this goes because I'm unsure of how to feel about this. Hopefully 220 can shed some more light on this.

[Dark-Flux]

Yeah there were some things that through me this issue too, not least of all the Freak Issue 70/73 reference.

What i didnt quite grasp was how the costume was able to excorsise Malebolgia from Freak. He put "the evil" there back in #70 which killed Freak and sent him to Hell. Doing that apparently made Al/The Costume/Jim (?) the Freaks master (wha?) so he could pull Malebolgia out. mkay?

I would agree that the stuff on Jims past is beginning to pile up. We still dont know just how he became a member of the Legion or how he was put in a coma (unless that was a result of the experiment he performed on himself), let alone how he was able to become a Hellspawn/Legion member despite still being alive.

Nevertheless im still really enjoying the book and am glad things are finally beginning to kick off.

[spectre906]

SPOILER NOTICE (NOT PERTAINING TO STORY THOUGH)

I can't believe nobody mentioned that Will Carlton IS Todd McFarlane! He's been writing this all along. He talks about it in the letters page.

[HellsRider]

Yeah there were some things that through me this issue too, not least of all the Freak Issue 70/73 reference.

What i didnt quite grasp was how the costume was able to excorsise Malebolgia from Freak. He put "the evil" there back in #70 which killed Freak and sent him to Hell. Doing that apparently made Al/The Costume/Jim (?) the Freaks master (wha?) so he could pull Malebolgia out. mkay?

I would agree that the stuff on Jims past is beginning to pile up. We still dont know just how he became a member of the Legion or how he was put in a coma (unless that was a result of the experiment he performed on himself), let alone how he was able to become a Hellspawn/Legion member despite still being alive.

Nevertheless im still really enjoying the book and am glad things are finally beginning to kick off.

Yeah thats the other thing that threw me for a loop. How can the symbiote, and by extension Al and Jim, be the master of Freak if Malebolgia was still alive during that time? Spawn didn't start doing what he felt like doing, thus angering both Heaven and Hell, until issue 87 post the return of Billy Kincaid. How can they say that when they've been constantly referencing issue 100 as the death of Malebolgia so even new readers know that he was still alive before that. I understand taking out the evil in Freak that the symbiote/Al already put there thus it could be taken that their wouldn't be enough evil for Malebolgia to remain in Freak, but wouldn't that just make Malebolgia like Hel now? An evil spirit that needs a vessel to live in? But how could that be if Malebolgia is at 6/7ths of his full power so shouldn't their be no way of taking him out of Freak? Its confusing to say the least lol.

The Legion thing still boggles my mind. From what we know Jim put himself in a coma becoming his own patient for 5 years. Way before this, he was working with Wynn on the super soldier creating Freak, Tremor, and up until Patient 46 (somehow Overtkill too, but I don't see the connection). I guess it could be taken that he "died", but wouldn't that have happened way before Al died? Since Jim had his episode in Heaven and then sent to Hell and briefly saw Al then how could Jim be a Legion member if the criteria was that the people died on or around the time Al died? I have to imagine Jim "died" way before that, but then how could that be if Al turned into Jim back in issue 3? This is so damn confusing lol, wheres Man of Miracles when we need him/her/it lol.

I'm still enjoying things especially on the art front, but I just think they introduced something that requires a really good explanation and not a half-assed one and hopefully 220 can do that.

[Dark-Flux]

SPOILER NOTICE (NOT PERTAINING TO STORY THOUGH)

I can't believe nobody mentioned that Will Carlton IS Todd McFarlane! He's been writing this all along. He talks about it in the letters page.

Thats was revealed a few issues ago. People talked about it then :)

[Darthfury78]

I have tried so hard to like the Soawn comics but they're just not that good. Kudrianski's art is the only reason I picked up #201 after trying out some earlier issues and his art is fantastic. But, McFarlane needs to stop writing this book NOW. His dialogue and plots are just not that good.

You should read his self titled Spider-Man comic in the early 1990's when he wrote the first 15 issues, excluding the issue #15. I only bought the issues for the artwork. But his early stories were not that great. But, it gave him the experience that he needed to start Spawn down the road. Of all the villains that was presented, I wondered why he never used Mystique as his first, as well as to have Silver Sable in a team-up adventure together? Raven could have posed as The Lizard until she was able to capture them both and reveal herself later in the climax of the story.