I’m trying to not outright spoil one of Marvel Comics stories, even if they are willing to, because I’m not that guy. So, here’s the vague details: Writer Neil Gaiman will once again be doing some work for Marvel Comics this year, and he is bringing with him a character that he created for a different company twenty years ago.

That’s about as much I can say without getting into details, so beware spoilers ahead.

Spawn #228
Writer/Plot Todd McFarlane
Art by Szymon Kudranski
Color by FCO Plascencia
Lettering by Tom Orzechowski
Plot Jon Goff
Cover by Todd McFarlane
Editor: Todd McFarlane
Image Comics
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

Spawn #228 is the first Spawn comic I’ve read since 1997. After giving this issue a read, I’m thinking the next time I pick up an issue will be in 2097.

Writer Todd McFarlane starts off right by giving me a nice character breakdown and summary on what I’ve missed, and actually, these couple of paragraphs REALLY fill me in on what I’ve missed in the past sixteen years. Unfortunately, it seems like I didn’t miss a whole lot. There’s a new Spawn. He has a girlfriend. Or ex-girlfriend. And honestly, that’s about it. This issue tries really, really hard to make itself an enticing mystery, but the thing about mysteries is, on some level, they have to make sense to the reader. He tries to do his own version of a David Lynch type super hero book, but falls way off the mark. Everything he tries to set up, just kind of leaves the reader wondering “why?” and “What’s going on here?” The villain of this issue is the Clown, who shows up and talks to a sleeping woman. That’s about the only forward motion in the book.

Image Comics announced a wealth of 20th anniversary variant covers for the upcoming Spawn #220, including an adorable cover by all-ages friendly cartoonist Chris Giarrusso, which you can view here below.

Spawn #220 marks the return of Spawn creator Todd McFarlane to the series as he takes on writing duties while Szymon Kudranski handles art. The Chris G. variant stands out, but is only one of the many variants to celebrate Image’s anniversary. McFarlane will be providing two himself, including “Savage Spawn,” an homage to Erik Larsen’s first issue of Savage Dragon and “Youngblood Spawn,” which pays tribute to Rob Liefeld’s Youngbloods.

Image Comics reblogged an awesome mash-up piece from Li’l Depressed Boy creator Sina Grace, and S. Steven Struble. The piece combines Li’l Depressed Boy with Image Comics’ original Spawn on the publisher’s official Tumblr on Monday.

There’s a lot to appreciate about this piece, which you can view here below.

Todd McFarlane Productions is signing its seal of approval on the brand new Multiverse Magazine with a bundled special preview of Spawn, Haunt, and much more in the inaugural issue of the comics industry magazine.

2012 marks the 20th anniversary for both Image Comics and Todd McFarlane Productions, and to start the celebration they are offering this special deal for the magazine in February that also coincides with The London Super Comic Con and Image Comics Expo, which will also celebrating the company’s anniversary. Todd McFarlane and his creator-owned series, Spawn, have been a mainstay for Image Comics for the entirety of its 20 year time span, so of course it will be one of the primary focuses of the company’s celebration.