Spawn #374 Review: Malebolgia’s Resurrection Hits High Gear

Spawn #374 (Image Comics, 4/8/26): Writer Todd McFarlane and artist Brett Booth elevate the resurrection of Malebolgia as Al Simmons finally makes landfall on Omega Island for a brutal reckoning. The kinetic energy is high and the art is sharp. Verdict: Worth reading.

• Writer: Todd McFarlane
• Artist: Brett Booth, Adelso Corona, Daniel Henriques, Todd McFarlane
• Colorist: Robert Nugent
• Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
• Cover Artist: Jeff Monk(cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: April 8, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen+
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 24
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Spawn #374:

First Impressions:

We’ve been here before, watching the king of hell crawl back into the sunlight, but there is no denying the weight of this particular reunion. The issue hits the ground running with Spawn’s arrival on Omega Island, and while the dialogue leans into that classic bombast we all know by heart, the sheer visual scale of the confrontation is hard to ignore. It feels like a moment the series has been building toward with genuine patience, trading small-scale street grit for the kind of cosmic horror that defined the early days. Watching Malebolgia loom over the page again feels like a familiar heavy coat you haven’t worn in a decade, uncomfortable but undeniably striking in its return.

Recap:

In Spawn #373, After Sinn managed to carve out a tentative and bloody truce with a weakened Malebolgia, the demon king began his four-hour stabilization process on Omega Island. Spawn and the vampire lord Bludd successfully bypassed the island’s high-tech cloaking shields by hitching a ride alongside a pod of whales. As Malebolgia sent a global energy blast to announce his return to every supernatural player, Al Simmons finally stepped onto the shore prepared for a rematch. The stage is set for a final confrontation where the rules of Hell are about to be rewritten by its original master.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Malebolgia asserts his dominance over Sinn by reminding his former servant that the symbiote belongs to the throne of Hell rather than the host. While Sinn attempts to claim he makes the rules now, the demon king demonstrates his effortless control over the necroplasmic energy that fuels every Hellspawn. This psychological warfare sets the tone for a power dynamic where everyone is fighting for a seat at a table that might already be spoken for.

Simultaneously, Al Simmons carves a path through the island’s defenses to reach the heart of the resurrection site where his greatest enemy waits. The encounter quickly shifts from a tense infiltration to a full-scale physical assault as the environment itself seems to react to Spawn’s presence. By the time the two titans finally face off, the island is saturated with enough dark energy to threaten the balance of the entire world.

How is the story in Spawn #374?

McFarlane leans into the heavy monologues that serve as the backbone of the Spawn mythos, emphasizing the cyclical nature of power and betrayal. The pacing feels intentional, slowing down for Malebolgia’s manipulative taunts before accelerating into the visceral action of Spawn’s arrival. While the Sunday School metaphors might feel a bit on the nose for some, they effectively ground the high-fantasy stakes in the personal animosity between a creator and his rebellious weapon. It functions well as a transition into the next major status quo for the franchise.

How is the art in Spawn #374?

Brett Booth brings a level of hyper-detailed energy that makes every panel feel like it is vibrating with necroplasmic tension. His layouts are jagged and aggressive, pushing the reader’s eye through the smoke and fire of Omega Island with a relentless momentum that mirrors Al’s own determination. The way he renders Malebolgia is particularly impressive, capturing a sense of shifting, liquid malevolence that looks both ancient and freshly dangerous.

Adelso Corona’s inks provide the necessary weight to balance Booth’s thin, energetic lines, ensuring that the shadows of Hell feel appropriately oppressive. Robert Nugent’s colors lean heavily into the sickly greens and oranges of demonic power, creating a high-contrast environment that pops off the page during the more explosive sequences. Together, the visual team delivers a cinematic scale that reminds you why this book remains a visual benchmark for the industry.

Characters

Al Simmons continues to evolve into a more tactical, world-weary version of himself, showing a level of focus that contrasts sharply with the frantic desperation of the newer Hellspawn. Sinn provides a fascinating foil as someone who clearly overplayed his hand, realizing too late that power stolen is never quite as stable as power earned. This issue highlights the tragedy of their respective positions, trapped in a game where Malebolgia is always three steps ahead of their best intentions.

Originality & Concept Execution

While the return of a classic villain is a well-worn trope, the execution here feels fresh by reframing the relationship between the host and the symbiote as a property dispute. The concept of Omega Island as a high-tech fortress for ancient demons merges the supernatural with modern thriller elements in a way that feels unique to the current era of the series. It successfully delivers on the promise of a grand-scale resurrection without falling into the trap of repeating the exact same beats from decades ago.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Booth’s hyper-detailed, jagged panel layouts drive the action.
• Malebolgia’s chilling, authoritative dialogue delivery feels authentically menacing.
• Aggressive use of sickly green color palettes creates atmosphere.

Room for Improvement

• Heavy exposition slows down the early pages significantly.
• Spawn’s initial landing feels slightly rushed in the transition.
• Sunday School metaphors feel somewhat repetitive for long-time readers.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.8/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.2/2

Final Thoughts:

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Spawn #374 stands as a testament to the staying power of high-stakes visual storytelling, delivering a reunion that feels earned despite the decades of history behind it. The creative team masterfully balances the heavy lore of the past with a kinetic energy that makes the current conflict feel immediate and dangerous. While the dialogue occasionally wanders into familiar territory, the sheer craftsmanship on display ensures that every page provides a solid return on your time. This issue successfully bridges the gap between the old guard and the new era, proving that Al Simmons still has plenty of hell to raise.

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