When I first learned about this one-shot comic book featuring two of my favorite heroes, I was ecstatic. It’s hard to imagine two comic book characters more perfectly suited for a crossover than The Dark Knight and Hellspawn. However, after reading and assessing the brand new tale, the story is nowhere near up to par with the excellent visuals and fast paced action that take place within the pages. Lets dive into the pros and cons, and figure out what score Batman/Spawn received on the Cent Scale.

The story begins with a retelling of both characters origins. While not a terrible creative decision by any means, one has to ask, do we really have to see batman’s origin again? Everyone knows Batman’s story. Wealthy Parents, Crime Alley, Pearls, Gunshot, etc. It’s common knowledge in pop culture, and even those who are generally unfamiliar with the world of comics, could most likely recite Batman’s origin with ease. What makes this creative decision even more bizarre is how Spawns origin is glossed over. While a deep dive into the characters history isn’t necessary, he is a much lesser known character when compared to the icon that is Batman, so a little more attention to him from the get go would have been a nice touch.

After the origin retellings are over, the reader is essentially thrown right into the mix of everything. Very little context is given as to why these characters are in each others universes and why they fight immediately when seeing one another. This brings up probably the biggest con of the entire issue, the writing. Todd MacFarlane, creator of Spawn and writer of Batman/Spawn just seems to be winging it as far as coming up with a cohesive reason for these two characters to cross paths. Things kind of just happen in this story, and the reader is given little to no context as to why the plot goes where it does. It’s as if McFarlane was solely banking on the artwork of the book to carry it over the finish line, and it shows. It should be mentioned that this is not an attempt to knock McFarlane’s writing ability; I very much enjoy his work on Spawn and Spiderman, to name a few. This project however just did not work to his strengths as a writer.

There has to be something that makes this crossover worthwhile right? I’m glad you asked random audience reader. Visually, the art is next level. With colors and frames popping off the page, it’s clear as to why the story would be put on the back burner when you have an artist like Greg Capullo. Someone with his artistic caliber is perfect for these two characters. Capullo does an excellent job of illustrating the intimidating physical prowess of both heroes without making them look like brutes. Additionally, the action contained within each panel is frenetic and exciting, especially in the first standoff between Batman and Spawn. The fights are choreographed well and are easy for the reader to follow. Many comics often suffer from indistinct fight scenes, fortunately Capullo’s art is both concise and easy to follow when the action picks up.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we have more issues to talk about before letting this story off the hook. About halfway through the plot I had to take a step back and ask myself if I truly knew what was going on. I even retreaded a couple of pages that I had already read just to see if there was any information I may have missed. But no, as previously stated, things kind of just happen in this story, actions and decisions happen so abruptly in fact, that the reader has no time to actually reflect on what any of it means.

Easily the weakest element of the entire one shot are the main villains. One, a random leader of the Court of Owls, and the other a talon (an undead solider for the Court of Owls). The icing on the cake of the sporadic plotting is the fact that a pearl in Batman’s mother’s necklace holds the soul of Wanda Blake, Spawns lover. If that mouthful of a sentence is as confusing as it sounds, you’re not alone. Even if you’re familiar with both of these characters and their supporting casts, this plotline being the reason for Batman and Spawn to crossover into each other’s worlds is just baffling, and leaves plot holes left and right when you actually think of all the inconsistencies of why this isn’t very plausible. Long story short it’s confusing and makes little to no sense. Which in turn dampens the affect of such characters coming face to face. How can we as an audience care about such a monumental crossover, if the reasoning for both characters meeting is nonsensical and half baked.

Here lies the problem with Batman/Spawn, beautiful striking art can only get you so far if you don’t have the story to back it up. It sucks too because I adore both of these characters and their own respective worlds, so it’s a shame that this is the finished product of an idea that was so promising. Ironically enough, there is a tease for a possible second issue, but even then it only creates more questions and helps to make the muddled story even more convoluted.

All in all, there’s just nothing to write home about in Batman/Spawn. Yes the art and fights are gorgeous and catch the readers eye, but that doesn’t help fix the complicated story that confuses more than it entertains. Which is why I am going to give Batman/ Spawn this particular Cent Score.

Cent Scale: 2 Cents

If being just bearable is something you’re in to, go right ahead and check this out.

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