RAT CITY #1, by Image Comics on 4/10/24, finds the events of Spawn #301 rippling across Time & Space to create a new Spawn for a CyberPunk world of the future.
The Details
- Written by: Erica Schultz
- Art by: Ze Carlos
- Colors by: Jay David Ramos, FCO Plascencia, Marcello Iozolli
- Letters by: Erica Schultz
- Cover art by: Ze Carlos
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: April 10, 2024
Is RAT CITY #1 Good?
The issue starts in the year 2107 where a Black Ops team is infiltrating a compound in Azerbaijan. They are tasked to kidnap a warlord who is hoarding humanitarian aid and selling weapons to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, one of their crew is trigger-happy and decides to kill instead of capture. Despite torching the compound, the team eventually gets away, but their caravan is attacked by surface missiles, leaving only two survivors, including Lieutenant Peter Cairn, the main protagonist of this issue.
Months later, Cairn is brought into an experimental pharmaceutical company’s care, where they experiment with prosthetics for wounded soldiers. Cairn receives new cybernetic legs, but after failing to meet the company’s performance standards, he’s let go. Later, while working as a maintenance worker, Cairn is caught in an explosion that damages his legs, but he discovers he can’t remove them and is confronted with a strange, glowing image of Spawn.
If you’re interested in knowing where this series ties into the greater Spawnverse, the explosion Peter Cairn gets caught in is a result of the Necroplasmic Detonation from Spawn issue number 301.
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What did we like about RAT CITY #1?
This issue serves as a great expansion of the Spawnverse, offering a futuristic cyberpunk twist. Peter Cairn is a compelling lead character with an intriguing backstory, and the issue sets up his journey well. Despite not fully delving into his transformation into Spawn, it lays a solid foundation for future issues.
What didn’t we like about RAT CITY #1?
A minor issue we had was the lack of clarification regarding the tie-in with Spawn issue 301. Additionally, the decision to let Cairn keep his advanced prosthetic legs despite not meeting performance standards seemed unrealistic. These were minor issues that didn’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the comic.
How’s the Art?
Ze Carlos’s art captures the cyberpunk aesthetic effectively, with detailed designs and a cohesive visual style. The integration of technology into everyday life feels believable, enhancing the immersive quality of the world. While there were minor inconsistencies in some areas, the overall art quality was impressive.
Final Thoughts
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RAT CITY #1 serves as a promising start for a new version of Spawn in an alternate time and place. The writing is solid, the art is visually appealing, and the concept of a cybernetic Spawn offers a fresh take on the character. It ties to the main Spawn universe while standing on its own, making it an enjoyable read for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
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