Spawn #300 – Review

To be honest, I gave up on Spawn sometime around issue #21. Even then, I wasn’t particularly into Spawn.  It was the type of hero that I really didn’t care for. I was also drawn into the full potential of comics being introduced to alternative and independent comics. However, when there’s a big book hyped by its publisher, I feel the need to review it.

Spawn #300

Writers: Todd McFarlane, Scott Snyder
Artists: Greg Capullo, Todd McFarlane, J. Scott Campbell, Jason Shawn Alexander, and Jerome Opeña

Solicitation:

SPAWN MAKES HISTORY! With this 300th issue, SPAWN becomes the longest-running independent series in comic book history. To celebrate, legendary artists TODD McFARLANE and GREG CAPULLO return with ALL-NEW interior pencils, with additional art provided by JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER, J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, and JEROME OPEÑA, a cavalcade of celebratory covers, and additional writing by SCOTT SNYDER!

Review:

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Spawn still doesn’t hold a lot of interest for me, but it’s apparent that genuine love went into this comic. Chapters 1 & 2 are almost flawlessly tied together. I wish I had some resolution to the bizarre phenomena that opens the comic, but I like the the large battle in Chapter 2. I really love the way it culminates with a new look for Spawn. I even like how it gets foreshadowed a little with the earlier review of Spawn’s major looks. These first two chapters are the best part of the book.

The third chapter with Redeemer is almost forgettable. It works, but given that it’s a flashback with n o context for a new reader, it serves little more than to introduce a new character. Thge fourth chapter looks pretty. After reading it, I feel like it’s better enjoyed by long time readers of Spawn rather than a new reader.

Speaking of introducing new characters, the final chapter is almost unreadable. J.Scott Campbell doesn’t do the story justice. Honestly, when the point is to introduce this particular character, I don’t think it helps to have an artist so rooted in his particular style to illustrate it. I really didn’t care for it, and his rendition of a “bad girl” style character is not something I ever want to see again.

So, overall, it’s probably 2/3 good comics here. I really liked the first chunk, but like with most giant-size special issues, the additional material just feels tacked on.

Final rating: 6.6 (out of 10)