Jacob Marsh just spent $1,248. 69 at a hardware/home improvement store. Next he’s going to the pharmacy to pick-up some painkillers. Then it’s down to there liquor store on the corner for the strongest thing they’ve got. It’s going to be a long night for him in King Spawn #36. The long and winding story of one of the longest-lived characters in indie comics history continues with writer/creator Todd McFarlane and the art team of Jason Shawn Alexander and Yildiray Cinar. Color comes to the page courtesy of Ivan Nunes. Much of the plot surrounding the issue is actually pretty dull. Spawn himself, he’s? He’s actually pretty interesting.

There’s a needle and suture that’s going into the back of Al Simmons. He’s going to get stitched-up by Jacob Marsh. Marsh knows that he doesn’t have access to terribly good painkillers, so he’s offering Al the strongest alcohol that was available at Liquor’s Quicker (a 24-hour establishment.) It doesn’t matter WHAT Simmons is given. It’s going to hurt like hell. Good thing Jacob has also given him something that’s going to be a bit more elegant than a quick stitch. He’s given him a chance at survival. 

McFarlane still hasn’t been able to do a hell of a lot with the aspects of the story that aren’t directly connected to Simmons. The good news is that  MOST of the issue is squarely focussed on Simmons as he gets stitched-up and heads out for a showdown with some very formidable enemies. The overall pacing of the issue feels more or less perfect with there right amount gf emphasis on all of the moments leading-up to the big conflict at issue’s end. It’s not terribly deep and it’s not like it’s particularly new territory for Al Simmons, but it’s generally a fun issue on a visual level. .

Alexander and Cinar tackle tense drama and jarring physical aggression with an arsenal of different graphic effects that feel diverse enough to keep the story fresh throughout the issue. It’s not terribly original stuff, but it LOOKS good enough to maintain an appeal straight through the final splash. It’s all solidly well-executed. The issue DOES drag a bit in those moments that don’t feature Al or Jacob, but those moments are relatively few and far between in another largely entertaining trip through the pages with Spawn.

There’s still plenty of room to get things moving for Simmons. It’s not like McFarlane doesn’t have a hell of a lot of momentum going into the next issue and beyond. It’s just unfortunate that he feels the need to spend so much time away from the strongest couple of characters in the series to try to set-up conflict that’s going to come into the foreground in the next few issues. The 36th issue of the series could have made for a really tight first half of a solidly better issue if McFarlane hadn’t felt the need to muck about so much with the supporting cast.

Grade: B