r/Spawn • u/Brandon_Storm The Darkness that Knows no Dawn • Oct 27 '15

Spawn: The Dark Ages Book Club - Issues 1 | 2 | 3 - Oct. 25th, 2015 - Oct. 31st, 2015 Discussion

The great unveiling of Spawn: The Dark Ages Book Club!

I'm sure I'm not the only one excited about this one. We travel back in time, to the dark ages (surprise, surprise) in a totally real reality where the historically accurate character Lord Covenant resides. It wouldn't be a Spawn story without revenants out for revenge and some love interwoven therein, so strap in for that!

For those new to Spawn Book Club, let me briefly explain. Each week, we take 3 issues from whatever series we're reading, and then pop into the comments here to discuss them. The following week we do the next 3 issues. Or at least, that's the theory.

Down below you'll find a Google Drive link to the digital copies of the whole series. If you have gaps in your singles, you want to read on the go and all you have is the huge hardcover, or you're just poor/lazy and want to read for free, those are yours for the taking! Please let me know if there's any issues with them.

And of course, watch out for spoilers that may be posted in the comments. I recommend doing the reading first, then chiming in with your opinion.

So, without further adieu...

What we're reading this week:

Issue 1 - The Dark Knight

  • The Black Knight, known as Lord Covenant when he left to fight in the Crusades, has made a painful and gruesome return from the grave. Amidst his confusing return, he immediately unleashes his anger on Baron Rivalen's Captain of Arms, Guy DuBlanc, in revenge for injustices served upon the poor unfortunate peasants. Later, when the Black Knight returns to his crumbling castle, he is met by his time-honored mentor, Cogliostro.

Issue 2 - Forsaken

  • Certain he had earned his place in Heaven for fighting so nobly in the Crusades, the Black Knight has difficulty assimilating his return to earth as Hell's pawn. Since his return he is dismayed to see that his people, the peasants, have endured greater hardships than he can imagine. Meanwhile, Baron Rivalen's wife was dying. Desperate, Rivalen agrees to deliver the Dark Knight to the Three Sisters of Morrigan in exchange for his wife's health.

Issue 3 - Onward

  • In mourning for his wife, Baron Rivalen places his barony in the cruel hands of DuBlanc and the peasants are forced to endure worse atrocities than ever more. Meanwhile, the Hellspawn escapes captivity and torture of the three witch sisters by teleporting himself. As he regains consciousness, he becomes aware of who he was and what his new mission is. He must rally the peasants into a revolt against DuBlanc to secure their freedom from his cruel control. Cog urges him to abandon that mission and begin training with him instead.

How we're reading it:

  • Singles
  • Spawn: The Dark Ages - The Complete Collection
  • Spawn .cbr
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3

u/EvanFlecknell Oct 28 '15

Pretty excited to read through this one at the same time as the subreddit, I got too far ahead with the regular comics. Thanks for the .cbr files to use :)

3

u/Brandon_Storm The Darkness that Knows no Dawn Oct 28 '15

Yeah, this is the run I'm reconvening with the sub in as well. Main series I stopped when I ran out of hardcovers (so like, 110), and CotS was being read while I was traveling.

Now I'm back to the daily grind and ready for that sweet, sweet Spawn love.

2

u/EvanFlecknell Oct 31 '15

I started the dark ages but never finished and I'm tearing through it now, I wish it was as long as the regular series.

1

u/Brandon_Storm The Darkness that Knows no Dawn Nov 02 '15

Alright, back to contributing to Spawn Book Club. Be the change you wish to see in the world, and all that.

Really enjoying this series so far. So far we have a Spawn that is not nearly as whiny as Al was, which is relieving. Mostly because it lends itself to pushing the story forward in a more meaningful way.

The story itself is pretty fun so far. Really straight to the point. Just a little time setting up each character and their motivations, then it's off to the races, which I enjoy.

I also have to say that I love the designs of Spawn and DuBlanc (post face trauma). Holy shit, they look awesome. I'd be lying if I said how cool they look isn't a huge motivator in reading more.

The art itself is kind of all over the place. Some spots are amazing, and some are confusingly bad. Perhaps not bad, but they're such a strange departure from the rest of the art that it stands out like a sore thumb. Kind of strange. Curious to see if the art stays kind of all-over-the-place in the future, or they find a style and stick with it.