Medieval Spawn #1 Review
Coming of Abraxis
Medieval Spawn returns to an all-new adventure filled with mystery, mayhem, and sorcery. Free from the clutches of Malebolgia, John charts his path and fights for whoever he pleases. In Medieval Spawn #1, he stumbles upon a boy nearly frozen to death in the harshness of a snowstorm while in pursuit of a man called Fitzroy. Medieval Spawn, accompanied by his fellow companions, seeks refuge in a nearby cave with the boy, who tells them his village has been ransacked by monsters. The conversation brings both parties together as the same man who Medieval Spawn is looking for is indeed the same man who tore the young boy’s home from him. As a battle ensues, there is a question of who this god, called Abraxis?
Written by Rory McConville (King Spawn), Medieval Spawn #1 brings back Image Comics’ most interesting and gritty character of the Spawn universe. While fans know who he is, they know what later happens to him in the years to come. However, this tale focuses on a story that fans have yet to uncover. Gifted with the powers given to him, John is on a quest to recover stolen artifacts. The intriguing aspect of this adventure is not all hack and slash, but rather also an introduction to someone who might pose a threat to John as time moves on. While the story is well-paced, we gain a perspective of a Spawn that has some compassion for the company he keeps. Is he violent? Yes, but not so much to want to use his allies as bait to lure monsters in for the kill. McConville is on to something unique about this story unfolding and how he keeps the reader wanting to know about the mysteries surrounding the boy and Abraxis. The constant tease in the captions where Medieval Spawn alludes to an unfavorable future makes a reader want to know more about what’s going to happen. The cliffhanger McConville places at the end of the comic book worked just as it should to draw in more interest.
Considering this interest, Marco Itri (Voltron) provides excellent illustrations for Medieval Spawn #1. His quality of character detail allows the characters to stand out on their own within the comic book. The level of panel flow allows for the story to course seamlessly from front to back without the need for a break to digest information. If anything, there are times when the armor on the characters is detailed that it may require stopping for a moment to admire the appreciation of adding those details to make the art feel epic. Itri took his time to flesh out what needed to be seen and how it matters within the story. He did a great job of providing art that makes a difference in how a story should be enjoyed when reading it. Readers should expect more from Itri in the next issues, as his current work on Zombicide showcases his skills in artistic resolve.
Furthermore, the comic book wouldn’t be as awesome to look at without Ulises Arreola (Absolute Superman, Green Lantern Corps). The coloring work done by Arreola is vividly pleasing to the eyes throughout the comic book. Arreola breathed life into a gritty comic book filled with mystery and death. The creatures that Medieval Spawn and his band face are downright scary-looking. Thanks to Arreola, those creatures just may haunt a reader’s dreams at night. Overall, he contributed to a world with colors that define a scene and moment. If Arreola were absent from this story, the same impact wouldn’t be as enthralling as it is now.
As for the lettering within the comic book, readers can rest assured that the sound effects, captions, and dialogue were handled with discretion in the best way possible. Andworld Design (Batgirl, Canto) services did a fantastic job of providing quality lettering work. Not once were the action and scenes out of sync as the story unfolded. The captions and dialogue bubbles were placed in parts of the comic book that provided ample space for experiencing the comic book as a whole in collaboration with the other creators.
Speaking of individuals with relative creative prowess, Francesco Mattina (DCeased, Army of Darkness Forever, Batman / Spawn) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn, Hellcop, Rat City) collectively combined their visions to produce an incredibly stunning cover for Medieval Spawn #1. It’s hellishly entertaining to look at, and it draws in potential regulars of Spawn fans and the current fans who enjoy the stories so far. The cool part of this cover is the pose that Medieval Spawn stands in. The raw nature that seems to emanate from the cover gives readers the curiosity to delve into the comic book and see what it’s about. McFarlane and Mattina outdid themselves on this work of art.
Final Thoughts?
Ultimately, Medieval Spawn #1 is a fantastic read. It’s not a slow-paced tale that makes a sudden turn in on itself. It’s straightforward and gets to the point. Most readers may come to understand that this older Spawn might be different compared to Al Simmons and is not to be underestimated. Be sure to pick up this series at a local comic book store or where comic books are sold.
Comic Details
Writer: Rory McConville
Artist: Marco Itri
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Andworld Design
Cover Artist: Francesco Mattina, Todd McFarlane
Editor: Thomas Healy
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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