What do you think?
Savior: The Complete Collection
From Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn, comes the complete collection of his newest original series, Savior. Co-written by Brian Holguin with beautiful digitally painted pages by Clayton Crain (Carnage, X-Force), this eight issue series has quickly become a fan favorite. Collects SAVIOR #1-8."
- GenresGraphic NovelsComics
136 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2016
About the author
Todd McFarlane
1,944 books468 followersTodd McFarlane is a Canadian comic book artist, writer, toy manufacturer/designer, and media entrepreneur who is best known as the creator of the epic occult fantasy series Spawn.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane became a comic book superstar due to his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. In 1992, he helped form Image Comics, pulling the occult anti-hero character Spawn from his high school portfolio and updating him for the 1990s. Spawn was one of America's most popular heroes in the 1990's and encouraged a trend in creator-owned comic book properties.
In recent years, McFarlane has illustrated comic books less often, focusing on entrepreneurial efforts, such as McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane Entertainment, a film and animation studio.
In September, 2006, it was announced that McFarlane will be the Art Director of the newly formed 38 Studios, formerly Green Monster Games, founded by Curt Schilling.
McFarlane used to be co-owner of National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers but sold his shares to Daryl Katz. He's also a high-profile collector of history-making baseballs.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane became a comic book superstar due to his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. In 1992, he helped form Image Comics, pulling the occult anti-hero character Spawn from his high school portfolio and updating him for the 1990s. Spawn was one of America's most popular heroes in the 1990's and encouraged a trend in creator-owned comic book properties.
In recent years, McFarlane has illustrated comic books less often, focusing on entrepreneurial efforts, such as McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane Entertainment, a film and animation studio.
In September, 2006, it was announced that McFarlane will be the Art Director of the newly formed 38 Studios, formerly Green Monster Games, founded by Curt Schilling.
McFarlane used to be co-owner of National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers but sold his shares to Daryl Katz. He's also a high-profile collector of history-making baseballs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 7, 2019
I'm not sure what The Complete Collection means, because this is not a complete story.
It's a really cool story, though. I mean, I would love to read about what happened next. It just...is this it?
And if so, WTF?!
There's this great set up to something that might be an amazing story, and then...roll credits. Was there more planned? I've been searching and scouring and I've not turned up anything else.
It's been a few years, so I'm assuming it's been put on the back burner or shelved entirely.
Worse, this may have been it all along!
Ok, so there's some kind of cellphone/internet/power outage for a few minutes, and in that time a plane crashes. A naked amnesiac wanders out of the field after potentially healing a little girl who was thrown clear of the plane. There's some Great Value Westboro church group that shows up to protest the funerals (not sure why, they weren't gay or anything else that would piss off the fundamentalist crazies), a famous journalist who was originally from the town covering the story, a small-town cop who's trying to keep everyone safe, a depressed juvenile delinquent looking for something to believe in, a media circus, and this dude himself - who suddenly starts remembering past lives and godlike superpowers. And just when the whole thing starts to maybe come together as what might be a coherent plot in a few more issues - it ends.
The art was lovely, but I had a hard time telling the difference in some of the characters. You've really got to pay attention to what they're wearing and hope someone calls them by name. Other than that, I loved the painted look.
Overall, it was mostly just disappointing because of the abrupt ending. Like reading 3 issues of a 6 issue comic arc. It says it's a fan favorite, but I simply can't imagine how.
It's a really cool story, though. I mean, I would love to read about what happened next. It just...is this it?
And if so, WTF?!
There's this great set up to something that might be an amazing story, and then...roll credits. Was there more planned? I've been searching and scouring and I've not turned up anything else.
It's been a few years, so I'm assuming it's been put on the back burner or shelved entirely.
Worse, this may have been it all along!
Ok, so there's some kind of cellphone/internet/power outage for a few minutes, and in that time a plane crashes. A naked amnesiac wanders out of the field after potentially healing a little girl who was thrown clear of the plane. There's some Great Value Westboro church group that shows up to protest the funerals (not sure why, they weren't gay or anything else that would piss off the fundamentalist crazies), a famous journalist who was originally from the town covering the story, a small-town cop who's trying to keep everyone safe, a depressed juvenile delinquent looking for something to believe in, a media circus, and this dude himself - who suddenly starts remembering past lives and godlike superpowers. And just when the whole thing starts to maybe come together as what might be a coherent plot in a few more issues - it ends.
The art was lovely, but I had a hard time telling the difference in some of the characters. You've really got to pay attention to what they're wearing and hope someone calls them by name. Other than that, I loved the painted look.
Overall, it was mostly just disappointing because of the abrupt ending. Like reading 3 issues of a 6 issue comic arc. It says it's a fan favorite, but I simply can't imagine how.
August 19, 2019
This starts off really great. A plane crashes along an interstate in Kansas. Out of a cornfield comes this stranger with amnesia carrying a little girl. It's alluded to that he may have healing powers but it's never very clear what is actually happening. Unfortunately, after this the story never comes together. There are a lot of great characters but I couldn't tell you what happened in the rest of the story, because pretty much nothing happened until the end. Even though this is the "complete" collection, the book ends midstory. Leaving you wondering, "What the Hell?". It honestly felt like there were pages missing out of this collection.
Clayton Crain's art is very cinematic in the viewpoints of his panels. Even though I liked the art, it was often difficult to tell who was who. Everyone looked kind of the same.
Clayton Crain's art is very cinematic in the viewpoints of his panels. Even though I liked the art, it was often difficult to tell who was who. Everyone looked kind of the same.
April 26, 2016
The story is contemporary or not. The titular character is a decent human being…or is he?
In a tale that manages to conflate the Messiah myth with elements of the Superman, Man of Steel movie, we are given a town in crisis, on the verge of explosion. Religious mania, tragedy, state and governmental intervention and a hint of the inexplicable all come together in an edgy story that is as much about human foibles as it is otherworldly phenomenon.
There are no answers here, no neatly provided solutions. Does a plane fall out of the sky due to faulty equipment? Human malice? Extraterrestrial interference? Or divine providence? Is it something else entirely?
Messrs. Todd McFarlane and Brian Holguin weave a compelling story that shows just how vilely or nobly human beings can behave when we’re confronted with something outside of our ken. Even when actions seem clear cut, the motivations can be murky. They’ve managed to make a story with human beings painted in subtle shades, neither black nor white. A murderer is made to seem sympathetic, even when the fanaticism informing his decision is revealed.
The illustrations carry a blunt power, as if painted with broad strokes. But they capture human expression and form with almost photorealistic intensity. Panels burst with sudden color—streaks of green and red flame dazzle and bewilder the eye—then coolness descends as a rabid mob is beset with an eerie calm. Clayton Crain’s pictures pulse with quiet intensity, building the story even when unaccompanied by text. But he manages to play the tease even as the authors do, shifting the story back and forth through time and giving us glimpses of the hidden figures in John Doe’s life.
This is a forceful story, persuasively told and illustrated. If this is the complete collection, I’m almost sorry, for it leaves the reader with a frustrating mystery on his hands. But, as it is, it is fantastic and can stand on its own two feet.
In a tale that manages to conflate the Messiah myth with elements of the Superman, Man of Steel movie, we are given a town in crisis, on the verge of explosion. Religious mania, tragedy, state and governmental intervention and a hint of the inexplicable all come together in an edgy story that is as much about human foibles as it is otherworldly phenomenon.
There are no answers here, no neatly provided solutions. Does a plane fall out of the sky due to faulty equipment? Human malice? Extraterrestrial interference? Or divine providence? Is it something else entirely?
Messrs. Todd McFarlane and Brian Holguin weave a compelling story that shows just how vilely or nobly human beings can behave when we’re confronted with something outside of our ken. Even when actions seem clear cut, the motivations can be murky. They’ve managed to make a story with human beings painted in subtle shades, neither black nor white. A murderer is made to seem sympathetic, even when the fanaticism informing his decision is revealed.
The illustrations carry a blunt power, as if painted with broad strokes. But they capture human expression and form with almost photorealistic intensity. Panels burst with sudden color—streaks of green and red flame dazzle and bewilder the eye—then coolness descends as a rabid mob is beset with an eerie calm. Clayton Crain’s pictures pulse with quiet intensity, building the story even when unaccompanied by text. But he manages to play the tease even as the authors do, shifting the story back and forth through time and giving us glimpses of the hidden figures in John Doe’s life.
This is a forceful story, persuasively told and illustrated. If this is the complete collection, I’m almost sorry, for it leaves the reader with a frustrating mystery on his hands. But, as it is, it is fantastic and can stand on its own two feet.
August 10, 2016
"Savior" is a graphic novel (collecting 1-8 of the comic book series) that contains beautiful artwork and has a strong premise. Unfortunately, I don't know if the various story threads that were introduced by author Todd MacFarlane and team are ever going to be completed. The book revolves around a mysterious man who emerges from a plane crash site in a small mid-western town. Is he good? Is he bad? Is he like the rest of us who is a mixture of both? He demonstrates to some people that he has otherworldly powers that has various agencies, reporters and other curious characters after him. While the premise certainly bothers from other stories, I really liked the general direction of this series and the possibilities that they could have explored.
June 1, 2016
Awesome, painterly art. Story about a good guy? A bad guy? Either way, some sort of "powerful" guy. I liked it enough that I would definitely check out the next trade. Those cliffhanger endings...
December 13, 2016
This is an interesting comic about the intention and use of extraordinary abilities. The art by Clayton Crain does a brilliant job of focusing on the visual elements of the story.
March 21, 2017
A different ending and it could be potentially 5 stars.
October 20, 2020
Savior is a wierd comic. Not because of anything that actually happens in it, but because of what it is. This is clearly Todd McFarlane doing his version of the Netflix pitches in comic form that seem to prevail Image Comics now, and you know what, once I realized that after the first issue I kind of started to enjoy Savior. It is surprisingly toned back given what you would think a McFarlane comic would be based on his history writing Spawn and Spider-Man. Unfortunately, like a tv show that has been cancelled early but early enough to know it is coming, Savior both ends on a cliffhanger and what feels like a rush job of a finale. I wouldn't be shocked to find out they had skipped four issues of plot and repurposed issue 12 as a new issue 8. It almost reminds me of the 2019 Swamp Thing series, where the awful hatchetjob of a final episode is so bad and unsatisfactory that it retroactively taints everything you've just read.
November 15, 2021
The title grabbed me because of my faith interest/commitment. The artwork pleased me because I enjoy an artist who shows the physical reality or people and places (depth, shadows, etc.) versus "cartoonish" portrayals. The story intrigued me in how it treated present cultural dynamics that have only become more intense five years later. The ending left me wanting a lot more. McFarlane invited feedback in deciding if he would expand the story. I can only hope there are enough like me out there to save this story from a premature end.
January 30, 2022
Incredible art!
Story is okay but nothing to write home about
Story is okay but nothing to write home about
May 5, 2016
[I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.]
The artwork is well done, if a bit repetitive (there's only so much that can be done with scenes that show a perspective as seen through the lens of a television camera) and a tad short of action sequences. The story? Familiar elements handled in a professional manner.
The artwork is well done, if a bit repetitive (there's only so much that can be done with scenes that show a perspective as seen through the lens of a television camera) and a tad short of action sequences. The story? Familiar elements handled in a professional manner.
November 22, 2015
Brilliant, I read the individual issues. I sincerely hope that Todd continues the story.
April 4, 2016
Hope it gets better.
April 17, 2017
Bien dessiné et terriblement intriguant. Manque un peu plus de détail sur le sauveur mais il aurait fallu une suite pour ça.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews