GUNSLINGER SPAWN #40, by Image Comics on 2/5/25, concludes Javi’s fight with a protective bear while lost in a blizzard, but his troubles are about to get much worse.
Credits:
- Writer: Todd McFarlane
- Artist: Carlo Barberi
- Colorist: Ivan Nunes
- Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
- Cover Artist: Marco Failla (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: February 5, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $2.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of GUNSLINGER SPAWN #40:
Plot:
The issue picks up in the middle of Javi’s fight with a mother bear protecting her cubs at the end of GunSlinger Spawn #39. Javi uses strength and punches to drive the bear away, conflicted over his natural protectiveness of animals simply following their instincts. The police dog Javi protects momentarily joins the fight, prompting Javi to consider shooting the bear. Instead, Javi attacks the bear with a knife, hoping to drive it away. When the bear renews its attack, it’s suddenly frozen in mid-air by the arrival of Godsend. The angel wants to take the dog with him to understand why animals are protective of Javi and are able to feed off his aura. The issue ends with an eye for an eye.
Artwork and Presentation:
GunSlinger Spawn #40 is an action-heavy issue that requires a dramatic and hard-hitting delivery in the art department. Carlo Barberi succeeds on all levels with detailed, gritty, and sometimes bloody action, cool choreography, and immaculate coloring by Ivan Nunes.
Art Samples:
Character Work:
Writer Todd McFarlane uses GunSlinger Spawn #40 to project mountains of internalized conflict in Javi. He knows the mama bear is just protecting its territory and cubs, but he also wants to survive and protect the dog at the same time. When we say the action should further the story, this issue is a prime example.
Structure:
On the flip side, the plot barely qualifies as a plot. At best, you could say Javi is trying to survive against a string of adversaries, which isn’t much to go on.
Strongest Point(s):
By far, the strongest points of GunSlinger Spawn #40 are the art and dramatic internal conflict Javi tries to work out. Fans who favor a brutal fight will be pleased.
Weakest Point(s):
On the other hand, fans who want a meaty plot to go along with the spectacular action will feel shortchanged. There’s a bigger story at play here with the return of Javi’s powers, but it’s sitting on the back burner. At this rate, the arc won’t progress much for several months, and that’s too long to wait.
Final Thoughts:
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GUNSLINGER SPAWN #40 is heavy on action but light on plot. Todd McFarlane creates a banger of an issue for fans who just want to see Javi fight for his life in close-quarters combat, but readers wondering where this arc is headed will have to wait another month or more.
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