SHE-SPAWN #4 (MCFARLANE COMICS/IMAGE COMICS)
The weight of Jessica Priest’s latest mission might finally break her!
After saving a young Al Simmons from a crazed cult, the pair have been on the run. It’s also led to some careful conversations.
Their recent run-in with the Terror Angels has gone sideways. Is this really the end for Jessica?
SHE-SPAWN #4 by Gail Simone, Ig Guara, Robert Nugent & Andworld Design (IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE COMICS) delivers its’ pen-ultimate issue.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the latest.
SHE-SPAWN #4 by Gail Simone, Ig Guara, Robert Nugent & Andworld Design (IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Simone dives heavily in Jessica’s broken past with massive findings in this chaotic issue. Opening with the Terror Angels knocking on the door, hope is fading fast for Al’s survival. The dialogue shows his youthful confidence trying to help. It serves as a great break from the heavy action. Another player also serves up a distraction to move the story into a much deeper space. Chilling words wrap up one character’s time while allowing Jessica a moment of clarity.
Readers watch as Al presses her for information. The result is a tragic look at her life via her memories. Her narration doesn’t pull punches. It is very blunt and not hiding anything away from the young boy. Simone exposes layers to Jessica, connecting with the audience on the pain she carries. The words strike a few chords as she progresses into a pivotal point on her character. It leads to a strong finishing act. Jessica’s soul pouring out on her pleas result in a surprising reaction. This pushes their trek into more uncharted territory with emotional damage following each step. Arguably, the best issue of the series thus far.
Guara and Nugent don’t hesitate to bring the action early for this chapter. A bold two page spread shows Jessica on the receiving end of trouble. Nugent’s coloring excels in this space. There are some panels with genuine worry on both Jessica and Al’s faces. This lets their ally crash the scene in dramatic fashion. Another strong full page shot begins their escape. It also camouflages a transformation to a tragic end. The build works to let the ending shot haunt from another excellent full page.
At this stage, the art locks in the raw emotions of a broken soul. Al’s frustration with the truth forces Jessica to divulge into a spiral of her past. Panels don’t hide the gritty and violent world Jessica lives in. One in particular catches her in a breaking moment. This moves her into a space where the “reunion” with older Al is on full display. The younger version is attempting to process all of this info. His puzzled looks kickstart the final panels. The art team concludes this portion with some therapeutic looks as Jessica’s road is only getting more intense. Where it leads now will be something to watch out for (including those milkshakes)!
FINAL GRADE: 9.2
Jessica Priest attempts to exorcise some of her own personal demons in the series best issue to date. Simone breaks down and rebuilds a broken soul with phenomenal writing. Guara and Nugent go for broke with some exceptional imagery. Jessica’s road to redemption remains a must-read series!
Let me know your thoughts on SHE-SPAWN #4 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
