GUNSLINGER SPAWN #23, from Image Comics on 8/9/23, finds Dakota confronting her father, Clown, to explain how she befriended dinosaurs and gained a change of heart.
The Details
- Written by: Todd McFarlane
- Art by: Brett Booth, Adelso Corona, Corey King
- Colors by: Ivan Nunes
- Letters by: Tom Orzechowski
- Cover art by: Fede Mele (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $2.99
- Release date: August 9, 2023
Is It Good?
GUNSLINGER SPAWN #23 doesn’t do much to move the plot forward and doesn’t make any obvious connections to the rapidly escalating war between Heaven and Hell involving several characters in this comic, but what it does do is give characters a reason to appreciate Dakota through excellent character-building.
When last we Javi, aka GunSlinger Spawn, he was impaled on one of Violator’s horns while Dakota fought her father. During the fight, Dakota was pushed into a bottomless pit. Now, Dakota pulls a slick move with a whip to bring her father along for the ride, resulting in a quiet moment for a daddy-daughter-alone time.
What’s great about this comic? Todd McFarlane gives the majority of time to Dakota to explain how she went back in time, how she developed a bond with a group of dinosaurs, and how she decided to work against the innate evil in her blood to choose a better path. By and large, this comic is mostly about the character development of Dakota, with a little insight into Cogliostro aka Sinn, and a setup for Clown to enter the fray in the ongoing Heaven/Hell war.
What’s not so great about this comic? Since the comic is largely focused on Dakota’s backstory, leading to Clown’s exit from the fight to focus on other priorities, the climactic battle between cannibalistic Clown minions and a dinosaur army sort of peters out. Effectively, both sides go separate ways because they have better things to do. In other, the build-up to the battle was exciting, but the battle ended with a thud.
How’s the art? Gorgeous. Brett Booth’s pencils, enhanced by Corona and King’s inks, look spectacular. Despite the lackluster end to the battle, there’s still some action to wow readers and the figure work is phenomenal. Regardless of what you feel about McFarlane’s writing prowess, he knows how to pick artists.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GUNSLINGER SPAWN #22 review to find out how Javi wound up impaled on Violator’s horn.
We begin with Dakota tumbling over the lip of the island’s bottomless pit. In a quick move of whip-cracking prowess, she flicks the end of her whip around Clown’s neck and yanks him down with her. When father and daughter reach the bottom, they find the smooth walls prohibit climbing, and the only light comes from the opening from far above and a small, glowing crack in the wall.
The light emits a power, and Clown concludes this is the same pit that held Cogliostro for so long, and the power behind the crack’s light is what allowed the demon to transform into Sinn. While the two consider the next steps, Dakota explains how she went back in time, befriended a herd of dinosaurs, and learned to appreciate life.
We conclude the issue with a parting of ways, a new bargain, and joining a war already in progress.
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Final Thoughts
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GUNSLINGER SPAWN #23 ends the island battle with slightly more than a whimper before sending everyone off to deal with the Heaven/Hell war. However, McFarlane uses the issue to deliver great character development for Dakota, leading to a new bargain and status quo in her relationship with Javi.
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