Short Book Review: Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 1

Todd McFarlane, et.al., Spawn Origins, Volume 1. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2009. ISBN: 9781607060710.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: antiheroes, horror

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

Spawn burst into the comics world in 1992; it feels a longer than that, but it is and continues to be a popular character. This Origins series is made it include six issues in each volume of previously released sold out comics. They add some bonus content to the volume such as cover galleries and behind-the-scenes art. 

This first volume in the series takes us back to the beginning. Government agent Al Simmons is killed by his own men, betrayed. All he wants is to see his wife Wanda, and to do so he makes a deal with devil Malebolgia to go back to Earth. Simmons returns to Earth as the hell warrior Spawn. The catch? It is five years later from his death, Wanda has remarried to his best friend, and Simmons's memories are sketchy to say the least. Spawn struggles to remember, and meanwhile he is part of Malebolgia's larger scheme. 

If you've never read Spawn comics from the beginning, or you only know the film (link to my review), you can pick up this book. The original story is much better than the film. You can better appreciate the liberties the film took. At any rate, the volume is a great read. Al  Simmons has to struggle to keep his humanity and balance that with being Spawn now. There are plots, intrigues, sketchy memories, plus Clown, the Violator, keeping an eye on Spawn. The story draws you in, and you keep reading. It has good pacing. I will be looking for the next volume. 

McFarlane's art is a great reason to read this. The art is colorful, very gothic at times. Looking through the volume for the art is fun. McFarlane has a unique style that I appreciate, and I think fans may appreciate reading these again.

Overall, really liked this one. I do recommend it for libraries. For libraries that may be starting on collecting Spawn, this series may be a relatively affordable option to begin. I'd add it to my own shelves. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: