Changing a character’s status quo is a double-edged sword. Do something too radical, and readers walk. Don’t change anything…and readers walk. There’s been plenty of major status quo shifts for popular characters over the years, from marriage (Superman) to death (Superman again) to a job promotion (Thor becoming the King of Asgard), all with varying degrees of success. King Spawn #31 from Todd McFarlane, Jeremy Haun, Ivan Nunes and Andworld Design is the latest to throw its hat in the ring.
After the events of Spawn #350, a new ruler of Hell has been crowned…and the Dead Zones of Earth have been unlocked, unleashing all manner of supernatural creatures on the Earth. To make matters worse, Spawn has lost his hell-based powers, which means he’s lost a major edge in hs battle against Heaven and Hell. But the Image icon is still in the fight…and anyone who’s read Spawn comics know that Al Simmons fights dirty.
McFarlane has an advantage over other publishers: the Spawn universe is relatively young by comic book standards, meaning that it hasn’t delivered as many status quo shifts. That way, when he takes a big swing – like Spawn killing his former master Malebogia or bringing forth multiple Hellspawn from time and space – it feels genuinely fresh. In this case, Spawn having no powers raises the stakes. He can’t energy blast or teleport, and if he gets wounded he could potentially die. But McFarlane’s quick to give the audience a stark reminder that what makes Al Simmons dangerous isn’t his superpowers. It’s his military training combined with his dogged streak to protect the people he loves – and as one person learns, it’s a dangerous combination.
Another major shift comes with the art team, as Haun takes over for longtime King Spawn artist Javi Fernandez. Where Fernandez’s artwork leaned into the macabre, Haun’s feels a bit more realistic. You can see the wrinkles on a person’s face, the hairs on their beard, and even some of the dirt under the nails. When it comes to Spawn himself, Haun gives him a striking makeover. His signature red cape doesn’t flare out; it’s now wrapped around his body. His chains are less pronunced, hanging closer to his suit. He’s even added a sword, which makes for a cool visual. Nunes’ shadowy colors add to the supernatural vibe, making every shadow feel alive.
King Spawn #31 offers a promising start to a new status quo, which puts the hellish antihero in peril. I will say that without reading Spawn #350, some of the context is lost – not to mention that this doesn’t feel like much of a jumping-on point. But the future is looking promising, particularly with how McFarlane and co. plan to expand the Spawn universe.
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