SPAWN #343, from Image Comics on 7/5/23, continues Heaven’s invasion of Hell when Spawn learns that Sinn is back and the situation in Hell is about to get much worse.
The Details
- Written by: Rory McConville, Todd McFarlane
- Art by: Carlo Barberi
- Colors by: Jay David Ramos
- Letters by: Tom Orzechowski
- Cover art by: Chris Stevens (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $2.99
- Release date: July 5th, 2023
Is It Good?
SPAWN #343 ups the stakes and the dire revelations to ensure Heaven’s invasion of Hell is going to get a lot messier for all involved parties. Oddly enough, the battles are the least interesting thing in this dialog-heavy comic because the implications of Sinn’s return and a surprise reveal about Cataclysm spell big storytelling potential for the future.
When last we left Spawn, Heaven tricked Spawn into opening the Dead Zones, leading to a full-scale invasion of Hell began. Now, Spawn scrambles to stop rogue denizens of Hell from causing havoc on Earth when an unwelcome-but-necessary visit from Nyx and Vindicator brings bad news about Sinn’s movements. Elsewhere, Cataclysm’s struggles to fight back Heaven’s forces lead his shrewd generals to figure out a secret that could end Cataclysm’s rule.
Again, the high point of this issue is the volume of reveals with big implications. As if Heaven’s invasion wasn’t enough, old alliances will break, new alliances will be formed, and leaders may or may not survive.
This issue doesn’t quite reach Game of Thrones-levels of complexity, but you get enough twists, turns, and shocking truths to get your “surprise meter” turned up several notches. You can forgive a lot about the technical execution of a comic if it can surprise you.
To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with the technical execution at all. On the contrary, this is a well-crafted comic from start to finish. You get just enough action to get your blood pumping, the dialog scenes are dramatically worded and drawn, and the art delivery is top-tier. Barberi and Ramos are producing high-caliber art in this series, which is quite a feat in a dialog-centric issue.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Spawn tracking down another demon using the invasion as cover to hunt and kill humans on Earth. Spawn makes quick work of the latest opportunist when Nyx emerges from the shadows with a lecture and a warning – clean up this mess. Before Spawn can consider asking for help, Vindicator joins the party to warn that Sinn has been in Hell for months gathering support, and he’s using the invasion as an opportunity to claim the throne.
Elsewhere, Cataclysm receives the damage report from his generals. With enough time and soldiers, Hell may be able to push Heaven’s invasion back, but Sinn’s influence is fracturing support in Hell. If Cataclysm uses the power of the throne, he could end the invasion almost immediately. Unfortunately, the throne may not be an option.
We conclude the issue by putting two and two together, a secret revealed, and a green plan.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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SPAWN #343 is an action-light, dialog-heavy issue, but you don’t notice because the art is stellar, and the reveals have big story implications for the future. If the creative team can pay off the spark of drama lit in this issue, this arc will be a winner.
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