Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 20

Spawn Origins Collection #20

by Todd McFarlane (Writer), Brian Holguin (Writer), Angel Medina (Illustrator)

Spawn: Origins Volume 20 features the stories and artwork that helped cement the Spawn legacy. Relive the excitement of this groundbreaking series in this accessibly priced format with exclusive bonus content, including cover galleries, black and white art, classic quotes from Todd McFarlane, and an exclusive digitally painted cover by Clayton Crain. Collects Spawn #117-122.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Action, Superheroes

149 pages, ebook

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Todd McFarlane is a Canadian comic book artist, writer, toy manufacturer/designer, and media entrepreneur who is best known as the creator of the epic occult fantasy series Spawn.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane became a comic book superstar due to his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. In 1992, he helped form Image Comics, pulling the occult anti-hero character Spawn from his high school portfolio and updating him for the 1990s. Spawn was one of America's most popular heroes in the 1990's and encouraged a trend in creator-owned comic book properties.

In recent years, McFarlane has illustrated comic books less often, focusing on entrepreneurial efforts, such as McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane Entertainment, a film and animation studio.

In September, 2006, it was announced that McFarlane will be the Art Director of the newly formed 38 Studios, formerly Green Monster Games, founded by Curt Schilling.

McFarlane used to be co-owner of National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers but sold his shares to Daryl Katz. He's also a high-profile collector of history-making baseballs.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 2 out of 5]

(B-) 71% | Satisfactory
Notes: A pain to read (art misleads), shambles from the start, plot twists are nice but not worth the price of noisy/blobby art.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #117–119 ◦ Issues #120–122

[The Wintermute System · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, a lot happened here, but this was also a really quick volume. I'm loving it, but also not sure where this was going and don't know how I feel about that...

[Timo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok.... I think I'm done with Spawn for awhile. What started as a good and interesting fun turned to be messy art and things dragging way too much without conclusion. And what happened to Spawn's counter that lost points when ever he used his power? Did I miss something?

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eddie, the boy who shot his abusive father almost 100 issues before, triggers the birth of a new Redeemer, bombastic speech included. He wants Spawn dead, but realises only too late that Spawn was trying to help him. Spawn is impaled by the Redeemer at the end of their fight, only to be dragged into hell.

Apparently, hell is supposed to be a chaotic place designed to make its denizens suffer. But why waste all that beautiful color with such shoddy penmanship? The artwork is as confusing as it is ugly. Fortunately, the battle is entertaining.

Spawn is weakened, but slowly regains his strength. He gathers the previous hellspawn to his side and orders the creatures of hell, a domain he has earned in battle, to do the same. The battle turns in his favor, but one more event undoes everything. Cog manipulates Spawn into giving up his crown for an apparition that looks like Wanda. Cog claims the crown as his own and sends Spawn to Earth, this time as Al, in flesh as bones.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what's happening in this book anymore. Spawn starts off in Hell again. When he returns an alternate reality is in place, I think. The narration has shifted to use these boxes with no background color and I couldn't read a lot of them because they were placed in spots that were black like the text color, making them unreadable. I had to rely on Angel Medina's indecipherable art alone and that is an exercise in futility. His art is really busy and oft-kilter with art that looks like it's being reflected in a circus sideshow mirror. The panels don't tell a story at all. Without the narration I was lost.

[Derek Moreland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily some of the best writing this book has ever seen, but its official: I am not a fan of Angel Medina. Dude cannot keep a consistent panel-to-panel character look for anyone.

[Michele Rice Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning, I've loved Spawn. I can hardly wait for the next installment of this incredible graphic novel series.