GUNSLINGER SPAWN #39 – Review

GUNSLINGER SPAWN #39, by Image Comics on 1/15/25, finds Javi fleeing from the authorities with the help of his returned powers and a helpful dog. Sadly, he’ll encounter another animal not on his side.

Credits:

• Writer: Todd McFarlane
• Artist: Carlo Barberi
• Colorist: Ivan Nunes
• Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
• Cover Artist: Javi Fernandez (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: January 15, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $2.99
• Page Count: 28
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of GUNSLINGER SPAWN #39:

Plot:

Pick up from the end of GunSlinger Spawn #38, Javi quickly incapacitates the guards in the middle of a field after his powers mysteriously return. He sends the pack of searcher dogs in one direction, holding one pack to follow in the opposite direction. That night, Javi and his canine companion run into an epic snowstorm, forcing them to take refuge in a small cave. Unfortunately, the cave happens to contain two bear cubs, and their mom isn’t happy about the intruders.

Artwork and Presentation:

Carlo Barberi is in top form in GunSlinger Spawn #38. Given the amount of violence, Barberi washes the pages in copious amounts of blood to play up how much punishment Javi chooses to endure from a momma bear. It’s rough stuff, but it looks great.

Art Samples:

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Character Work:

Writer Todd McFarlane’s presentation of Javi is a bit odd. He acts with speed once his powers return to avoid capture, but we never see or hear Javi take stock of the extent of his powers or question why they returned. It would have made more sense if Javi gave his powers a little test drive once he had a quiet moment to spare.

Structure:

Structurally, McFarlane’s script is uneven. It’s great to see Javi get his powers back, but there’s no inkling of where he’s headed or why, so you’re missing the basics, such as a goal and stakes. Arguably, you could say Javi needs to escape and survive, but he accomplishes both around the midpoint. What comes next?

Strongest Point(s):

Who doesn’t appreciate a man who goes out of his way to protect his dog? For all intents, Javi’s choice to endure the brutal mauling by a bear to protect the dog who saved him is the stuff heroes are made of.

Weakest Point(s):

Plot-wise, not much happens in this issue, and the things that do happen seem pointless in the grand scheme of things. Either Todd McFarlane is treading water to stall for time while this title lines up with something else in the works, or he’s temporarily out of ideas.

Final Thoughts:

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GUNSLINGER SPAWN #39 makes a big move by returning Javi’s powers but steps back the same amount when he promptly does nothing of consequence with them. Todd McFarlane gives readers a reason to like Javi as a character who protects dogs, but that’s not much to go on. If nothing else, Carlo Barberi’s artwork looks great.

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