Review: Spawn #319
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Todd McFarlane
Artist: Carlo Barberi
Letters: Tom Orzechowski
Colors:
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
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Summary
Spawn #319 – This story will continues the seeds planted by Spawn Universe #1 , then continues into even more NEW titles later in the coming months.
This is where you want any new SPAWN readers to jump on board, as 2021 will be the beginning of a new and GIANT chapter in the expansion of the “Spawn-Verse.”
Spawn, in his quest to conquer the recent spillover of both demons and angels that are locked on Earth as well as find out where there are more of his kind, confronts the vampire Gino. Â
Eventually, Detective Sam Burke is called in from the earlier days of Spawn. Meanwhile, Cygor has an allergic reaction that sets the stage for his escape, but a new presence arrives…The Soul Crusher!
Positives
Carlo Barberi ‘s night scenes and architecture drawings in his backgrounds are so appreciated. Having looked at a LOT of comics in my history, the attention to detail in the surroundings makes all the difference. From an Italian cafe to a wine cellar to a police detective’s sloppy department to a shipyard, Barberi’s backgrounds are the stuff that makes a great comic and probably a better movie. 
Positives 2.0
Spawn #319 – Back to his roots. Todd McFarlane pulls no punches. Spawn is an anti-hero and he is no Superman. He recognizes his mission and simultaneously when we think he is going to save the couple imprisoned, by the vampire, that’s a negative! He’s better than Santa Claus as Spawn knows all the evil you have been up to. I love the fact that Spawn reunites with Sam and hopefully, Twitch as well. This well know detective duo is from the early early issues of Spawn in 1992. McFarlane, while I thought his writing was suffering a bit in issues since #300, has now kicked it back in gear. I was not expecting the vampire story, nor Sam, nor the introduction of a new villain (?). Looks like the Spawn Universe is on full steam ahead!
Accolades for World Record Setting
Each issue of Spawn sets a new World Record for independent comics. That’s history every time you buy an issue! Speaking of Record Breaking…. 2021 is the year of Spawn. Spawn’s Universe #1 kicked things off. last week.  The first title will release in August with a book called King Spawn #1. This will mark the first time in twenty-eight years that anyone can buy a monthly issue #1 Spawn book. This will give McFarlane hope of reaching a new generation of readers that missed out on the initial launch of the Spawn back in 1992. October will bring Gunslinger Spawn #1. Finally, there will be a new #1 team book, which will band five characters together to fight against forces too big for any of them to take on alone. That book is titled The Scorched. Spawn, Redeemer, Gunslinger, Medieval Spawn and She-Spawn begin the group’s adventures, but McFarlane promises a rotating cast of heroes over the coming months to keep the roster of heroes fresh. Â
Negatives
None as Spawn’s major creator mastermind, the Todd Father, is back on track. Dialogue and script got a bit sloppy last issue, but his story line is shaping up very well and I can’t helped by getting sucked in (no pun intended) when Spawn battles a vampire!
Verdict
Spawn #319 – Cygor apparently has a soft spot in Spawn’s heart. Does he even have a heart? This is probably the best art and script combined we have seen since issue #300. This is also a great jumping off point for any new Spawn readers as you don’t have to know EVERY Spawn detail to get this storyline!
