The ORIGINAL Spawn, Al Simmons, returns to Earth to kick ass in the first trade paper; SPAWN RESURRECTION, VOL. 1. Collects SPAWN RESURRECTION #1 & SPAWN #251-255.
Todd 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.
I haven't picked up a Spawn book since the 90's and it's still just as terrible now as it was back then, especially now that Paul Jenkins has gotten his overwrought hands on it. Every issue is the same. Spawn meets a different character, they talk for forever as they try and sway Spawn, and then Spawn quickly says no and kicks their butt. The difference now is that Spawn is back on Earth and Wanda is in Hell. Who cares? Spawn doesn't seem to be in any hurry to save her. They also did away with the one interesting thing about Spawn, that he had a limited amount of power and when it was up, he would go to Hell.
Now they've added Paul Jenkins to the mix, who's ruined many a Marvel comic with his awful introspective writing. How many times can you write about inner turmoil? Jonboy's art is OK. Very much anime inspired, but it lacks any depth or weight. It makes his action scenes really hard to follow.
Picking up King Spawn I figured I'd try to catch up a bit with reading when AL comes back as Spawn and...it's not half bad. Some good stuff with Al fighting for his ex wife, dealing with daddy issues, and trying to find who killed Wanda. I liked it but as always the flaws are evident. Todd overwrites scenes and the flow of the pacing is really odd at times. The art is different than the original series I was reading but still enjoyable. I'll read few more on Hoopla.
Pretty good! So apparently for a while this comic was running with a different guy as Spawn, but now this volume Al Simmons the original Spawn is Back! So the story is Wanda, Al's ex wife is killed, and now Spawn is back to avenge his wife!(Seriously you would have thought, he'd be over by now!) Hahaha but seriously that's just the basic not spoiler free plot description, but the story quickly advances to something less cheesy then that! But ya overall good story, and let me just take A minute to praise the artwork, because damn the art is amazing!!! But overall a great read and I look forward to getting vol 2!
Pretty good! So apparently for a while this comic was running with a different guy as Spawn, but now this volume Al Simmons the original Spawn is Back! So the story is Wanda, Al's ex wife is killed, and now Spawn is back to avenge his wife!(Seriously you would have thought, he'd be over her by now!) Hahaha but seriously that's just the basic spoiler free plot description, but the story quickly advances to something less cheesy then that! But ya overall good story, and let me just take A minute to praise the artwork, because damn the art is amazing!!! But overall a great read and I look forward to getting vol 2!
Not having read any Spawn for a long time, this was an interesting return to a much-loved series. It seems to start straight after Spawn’s crucifixion and involves his quest for revenge for the death of loved ones (trying not to give too much away!). God and his envoy, Mike, lead Al to his next destination and quest. Belial is after Al and will try to get to him any way that he can. Archangel Gabriel also appears.
It’s well-written and engaging and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so there’s more to come. The artwork is worth a look and I look forward to reading more in the future.
I've enoyed spawn since issue #1 came out when I was in high school. As time goes by and things change I stopped reading. I thought this might be a good place to pick up and get back on track, and I think it works for that, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed in the story. It was just kinda meh. There were a few parts that were really good (finding out who the tag along is that keeps pestering Al) and the scenes with Al's Dad were pretty emotional, but all in all it was just kind of ho-hum. I'll pick up the next couple of issues after the resurrection just for curiosity and to see if it gets better.
After Al Simmons was replaced by Jim Downing in Issue #185, I felt like the series went downhill. With Al's return in Spawn, I felt like the series became good and fun again. Spawn: Resurrection felt like classic Spawn, but with a modern spin. The story does have some plot holes if you are a long time reader, but the story is still pretty interesting. You get to see Al Simmons back in action as he battles his way against monsters from Hell and trying to find the soul of Wanda. I do like some social commentary that it has with the Channel 12 news panels of the mass panic of human society.
If you are new to Spawn and don't want to read over 200+ issues, this is not a bad place to start.
The resurrection of the true Spawn a hero by classical definition and staple of independent comics. I am so glad I chose to return to reading Spawn after a prolonged absence as I felt some of the stories meandered a bit and became tired. I plan on going back and reading Spawn armageddon at some stage too but it seems to be quite difficult to get a hold of these days.
Entertaining enough, sure, but not worth the time. Granted, I have read only the first few comics of the character before this, but this TPB honestly pissed me off. He seemed like a jackass. The whole comic seemed like it was trying too hard. There should be an effortless level of badassery, forcing it is what makes a problem. This Spawn simply does not have the right level of badassery.
A somewhat disjointed story, but the artwork by Jonboy Meyers more than makes up for its shortcomings. Plus it's cool to see Al Simmons back as Spawn. All in all a fun read, and great catching back up with some familiar characters I grew up loving.
This came to me by way of a Goodreads Giveaway contest. I am I won.
As in true comic book fashion, this is the story of good versus evil with lots of action, moral dilemmas and the battle between sides. I especially enjoyed the background information provided so that the main character's reasons for his actions become very clear. The fight for his dead wife's soul is even more riveting when the reader finds out that Al Simmons has been dead for quite a while before he returns as Spawn and his wife has moved on, gotten remarried and has a few kids before the incident that takes her life occurs. Still he fights fiercely to retrieve her soul and send it to the rightful resting place. I only wish a conclusion on was reached on that issue. Cliffhangers are often irritating.
Sequel to Spawn’s Death. Not having read any Spawn for a long time, this was an interesting return to a much-loved series. It seems to start straight after Spawn’s crucifixion and involves his quest for revenge for the death of loved ones (trying not to give too much away!). God and his envoy, Mike, lead Al to his next destination and quest. Belial is after Al and will try to get to him any way that he can. Archangel Gabriel also appears. Well-written and engaging and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so there’s more to come. The artwork is worth a look and I look forward to reading more in the future.
It's actually as bad as people say it is. An unfocused story that moves at snail's pace and uneven art. The character designs are cool but the the action sequences are a total mess. And the dialogues are just abysmal. This is a shame really, because Spawn is a great character at it's core.
Although there is a great cliffhanger at the end, and the artwork is excellent, this volume seemed to move a bit slowly probably because it did cover a lot of background info for those unfamiliar with the Spawn character.