MONOLITH #2, by Image Comics on 6/12/24, recounts Monolith’s history as a hunter of Planet Eaters and his fateful fight against Omega Spawn that blasted him back in Time.
Credits:
- Writer: Sean Lewis, Todd McFarlane
- Artist: Valerio Giangiordano
- Colorist: Ulises Arreola
- Letterer: AndWorld Design
- Cover Artist: Francesco Mattina (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: June 12, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $2.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of MONOLITH #2:
Plot Analysis:
Sean Lewis takes several steps back and a few steps forward to explain how and why Monolith became an unstoppable fighter before his life journey crossed paths with Spawn. Monolith #2 gives you all the bruising battle you could ask for, but is it enough? Read on.
When last we left Big Red in Monolith #1, the galaxy’s last Spawn fought his way out of an orbiting space prison to confront the architect of his homeworld’s destruction, Omega Spawn. During their explosive battle, several of the prisoners escaped, including Gaia. The goddess of the green stopped the fight to remind Monolith that death is not the answer to his problems.
In Monolith #2, we catch up with Monolith on a crawling transport headed for New Dubai, the safest place in the galaxy. Monolith has to work for his passage by mining space rock as the crawler travels across a desolate world. The trip gives Monolith a chance to reflect on his early years and how he was set on a path to revenge.
Monolith remembers watching his home planet be consumed by planet eaters from a nearby moon. Spurred on by revenge, Monolith trained and strengthened his body to unbelievable levels. Eventually, the fighter joined a group of marauders to train and hone his hunting and fighting skills.
Eventually, Monolith grew strong enough to begin hunting planet eaters. The deaths of the giant insects were swift and brutal, sending a message to Omega Spawn that his quest for genocide was over.
Now, the crawler enters the gates of New Dubai, but the city is quickly attacked by the arrival of Omega Spawn on his hunt for Monolith. The fight is brutal and merciless, laying waste to everything around the fighters. However, the humans are not unprepared.
Anticipating the arrival of more planet eaters, the humans designed a weapon to destroy its target at an atomic level. The humans don’t waste an opportunity to destroy Omega Spawn for good, even if it means killing Monolith as collateral damage. The mega-weapon hits its target dead on, but instead of destroying Omega Spawn and Monolith, the fabric of Space & Time yields before the fighters do.
Character Development:
Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane give readers the long-awaited origin story of Monolith, which should be an important moment in the character’s canon. For the most part, Lewis sets it up well, with a pertinent trauma, a clear motivation, and even a training montage to get your action-loving short hairs up.
That said, the flashback leaves out everything related to how Monolith became a Hellspawn. As origin stories go, this is an incomplete and unsatisfying one.
Artwork and Presentation:
Valerio Giangiordano’s shadowy, grim artwork is a perfectly good fit for a story about an interstellar bruiser who punches his way through the galaxy. The big hits are explosive, and the action comes at you with all the energy of a pro wrestling match on a good night.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Sean Lewis’s pacing, similar to Giangiordano’s artwork, is perfectly good. The issue starts with a fast-paced chase, and the scenes are all brief enough to keep the story moving without lingering.
That said, the story structure stumbles on two points. First, it seems odd to have an origin story for the galaxy’s last Hellspawn and not explain how he became a Hellspawn. That’s like explaining how Al Simmons became Spawn in a flashback but stopping at the point where he died.
Second, the transition from issue #1 to issue #2 doesn’t make sense. When we left Monolith, his battle with Omega Spawn was stopped by Gaia, who escaped her prison cell. When we start here, Monolith is on the run. What happened in the in-between? Did we miss an issue? Did Lewis and McFarlane forget where they left off?
Thematic Exploration:
Lewis and McFarlane’s script isn’t particularly deep, so there’s not much to explore. It’s safe to say Monolith’s journey is a basic revenge quest.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
After Omega Spawn and Monolith are zapped with the “mega-gun,” a quick editor’s note indicates their new location in Time & Space puts Monolith near where he first encounters Spawn in issue #313. In effect, this 3-part miniseries could be considered a prequel.
Final Thoughts:
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MONOLITH #2 loads up the big brawling action when Omega Spawn and Monolith put up their dukes for round two. Fans of big bruising brawls and brutal fight art will enjoy the issue for what it is, but the inconsistency between the first and second issue and a missed opportunity in a pivotal flashback will leave a sour taste in your mouth.
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