Posted in: Comics, Image, Review | Tagged: Brian Haberlin, Brian Holguin, david wohl, fantasy, geirrod vandyke, image comics, marc silvestri, Medieval Spawn, medieval spawn and witchblade, michael turner, spawn, Todd MacFarlane, witchblade

Medieval Spawn and Witchblade #2 Review: Better Pacing and More Charisma

The story turns its attention to the previous wielder of the fabled Witchblade and how she fell. We meet Sea Hawk, a seeker of artifacts of power. He learns of Starling, a young girl of magic blood who could wield the weapon should she find it. Sea Hawk decides to take Starling under his wing, but the Dark Queen who has been tormenting the people of Valon learns of Starling and the activities of Sea Hawk. The Dark Queen wants the Witchblade and sends a demon to kill Starling and Sea Hawk.

Medieval Spawn and Witchblade #2 is, thankfully, a far more engaging read than the initial installment. The plot moves far more quickly, and the characters on display are more entertaining.

Sea Hawk is a self-serving yet mostly well-meaning old wizard, and Starling is a young thief just struggling to survive. The Dark Queen isn't expanded upon very much, but the creatures she summons look cool. Spawn doesn't show up until the final few pages, but, by then, you're ready to see the consummate badass kill some demons.

The characters still feel largely like archetypes. You've read stories with the likes of Sea Hawk, Starling, and the others numerous times. That doesn't mean that these characters aren't likable; it just means that you can probably call some of the plot beats upon meeting these figures.

Brian Haberlin's art still looks quite good, but its flaws are more noticeable in more the brighter scenes of this comic. The 3-D rendered look jumps into the uncanny valley a few times, and there isn't enough stylism present to set it apart from others who use the same method. Some scenes, like the above fight with the previous Witchblade, do have some shading and detailing to give some personality though. The demons and Spawn himself still look quite good though. Geirrod VanDyke brings some solid color work that gives the visuals something of a unique feel, but it doesn't make up for how standard the much of the linework looks. Again, though, it's not bad art.

Medieval Spawn and Witchblade #2 is a vast improvement on the first issue. The pacing is a lot quicker, the characters displayed are more interesting, and there is more action to keep things lively. The art is a little too standard for its own good, but it still looks decent enough. This one earns a recommendation. Feel free to check it out.

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