GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32 – New Comic Review

GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32, by Image Comics on 6/5/24, finds Javi trying (and failing) to quietly discover Kemper’s whereabouts, putting him in hot water with Linda.

Credits:

• Writer: Todd McFarlane
• Artist: Carlo Barberi
• Colorist: Ivan Nunes
• Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
• Cover Artist: Von Randal (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: June 5, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $2.99
• Page Count: 29
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32:

Plot Analysis:

Well, that’s an ending you won’t see coming. Todd McFarlane lulls readers into a false sense of security that GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32 is just another average issue with a sedate pace, but when the last act kicks in, Javi’s life takes on a whole new direction.

In GUNSLINGER SPAWN #31, Linda took Javi to see the shaman for mystical medical attention to heal his wounded torso. There, Javi is disturbed to learn that Taylor struck out on his own. Later, Javi explains he needs to deal with the man who hurt his family as we see in flashbacks the savage gunfight that began GunSlinger’s path to revenge.

In GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32, Javi and Linda enter the town bank, posing as a married couple interested in opening several accounts. Javi flashes a suspicious amount of cash and insists on seeing the owner, but his lack of finesse draws the attention of the bank manager and security. Linda and Javi leave before the situation gets worse.

Outside, Linda loses her temper over Javi walking into the bank with cash and weapons, so she storms off. Javi tries to smooth things over with Linda by buying her flowers, and he acknowledges that his fight is not her fight, so they part ways.

Later, Javi settles into a quiet booth of the local bar, hoping to cross paths with someone who knows the bank owner’s whereabouts. Javi’s good looks and reckless displays of cash soon draw the attention of two women willing to tell Javi anything he wants.

Later still, Javi exits a tow truck after hitching a ride to a ranch several miles north of town where the bank owner (Kemper?) supposedly lives. When the truck driver is out of sight, Javi releases his flaming horse and rides within sight distance of the ranch.

Javi prepares to do battle by changing into his GunSlinger gear, but his attempt at a sneak attack is spoiled when unattended guard dogs sniff him out and give chase. The ranch owner hears dogs barking up a storm outside, but they soon go silent.

Inside, the owner receives news from his lieutenants that a strange couple came into the bank, one wearing gunslinger clothes. The owner orders his men to track down Linda’s car. Suddenly, the house goes dark as Gunslinger Spawn enters to do his worst.

Character Development:

Through all the bloody violence and supernatural action, Javi learns a lesson about not taking risks that could get other people hurt. Linda calls Javi to task for not thinking about the danger his actions put her in, and you can see Javi takes the lesson to heart.

Artwork and Presentation:

We’ve observed previously that Carlo Barberi is a Grade-A choice to deliver a visually clean and engaging comic that maintains the classic Spawn aesthetic that McFarlane invented, and this issue is no exception. The linework is crisp, Barberi’s curves flow beautifully, and Ivan Nunes’s colors are the best around.

Art Samples:

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Pacing and Structure:

McFarlane’s pacing and structure are good but not the best. The first half of the comic sets the stage for Linda’s (temporary?) departure from the series, but you don’t learn much from their argument and eventual parting. That said, once Javi sniffs out a lead to find Kemper, the pace picks up considerably, and the ending is a banger, literally.

Depending on what happens in the next issue, the ending could signal a completely new direction for the series.

Thematic Exploration:

McFarlane’s script is admittedly light on depth, but the latter half of the comic focuses squarely on Javi’s quest for revenge. Without spoiling the ending’s details, he largely succeeds.

The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Through the course of the action and reinforced by a brief bit of narration, Javi’s revenge quest is both helped and hindered by the outcome of the Heaven/Hell War in Spawn #350. Javi is cut off from his powers because they come from Hell, but he’s aware that his enemies are in the same boat, which levels the playing field.

Final Thoughts:

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GUNSLINGER SPAWN #32 starts slow by realigning Javi’s status quo with Linda, but once Javi finds his target, the issue picks up speed until it ends on a banger of a cliffhanger that could set a new path for GunSlinger Spawn. Barberi’s art is gorgeous, and McFarlane’s script builds up to a satisfying conclusion, even if it takes a meandering path to get there.

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