KING SPAWN #42 – Review

KING SPAWN #42, by Image Comics on 2/19/25, attracts the attention of Al Simmons when a mysterious group kidnaps boys after slaughtering their families.

Credits:

• Writer: Rory McConville, Todd McFarlane
• Artist: Yildiray Çinar
• Colorist: Ivan Nunes
• Letterer: AndWorld Design
• Cover Artist: Francesco Tomaselli (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: February 19, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $2.99
• Page Count: 29
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of KING SPAWN #42:

Plot:

Spawn responds to police reports that five families were murdered in their homes. In each case, the boy of the family was kidnapped. Perplexed by his inability to detect evil, Spawn enlists a tracking demon for help. Meanwhile, F.B.I. Agent Lynch contacts Spawn through Terry Fitzgerald for help because the string of murders echoes a similar event twenty-five years ago. The issue ends with Spawn saving the next kidnapping victim and a Russian mobster paying for his failure with his life at the hands of Revenant and Wraith.

Artwork and Presentation:

Yildiray Çinar’s artwork is gruesomely delightful. Spawnverse titles aren’t shy about blood and violence, but they rarely reach the level of gore in this issue, which is a big plus for a salacious crime. That said, Ivan Nunes, who happens to be one of our favorite colorists, made some weirdly awkward highlight choices in the color application.

Art Samples:

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Character Work:

Rory McConville takes Spawn in a slightly refreshing direction when his demeanor changes slightly, depending on who he’s interacting with. When speaking on the phone with Terry, his demeanor is familiar yet forceful. When meeting Agent Lynch for the first time, Spawn is guarded and menacing. The differences are subtle but noticeable.

Structure:

Rory McConville’s tale of violence, with Todd McFarlane’s script assistance, is a tried and true mystery thriller. The setup and stakes are clear, and the breadcrumbs are intriguing.

Strongest Point(s):

Rory McConville’s murder mystery feels like a return to form. Despite Spawn’s supernatural abilities, his roots belong in street-level threats and crime, so this issue hits the nostalgia sweet spot for readers old enough to remember Spawn’s early days.

Weakest Point(s):

Besides the coloring oddities mentioned above, the arc seems strangely disconnected from the rest of the Spawnverse titles. By now, every Spawn-related title incorporates the return of the character’s powers, and up to recently, King Spawn was loosely connected in the same way. This issue reads as if the title is going off to do its own thing.

Final Thoughts:

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KING SPAWN #42 begins a rock-solid murder mystery with a supernatural twist. Rory McConville and Todd McFarlane craft an intriguing story about generational killings and kidnappings, and the art team’s output is generally good.

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