Spawn251NewWriterOn Tuesday Image Comics released their March 2015 solicitations, which included the solicit for Spawn #251. Spawn #251 follows the return of Al Simmons in the landmark 250th issue, which was written by Todd McFarlane and is set for release on January 14th. Everything still seems to be going as planned for Spawn #250, but as of tonight there seems to be questions about its follow up in February’s Spawn Resurrection #1 and March’s Spawn #251. Why are there questions about the release of these two titles? Well, for that story we have to go back to October of this year, when Todd McFarlane announced that writer Brian Wood (X-Men, DMZ) would be taking over Spawn with Resurrection and then continue the on-going series with artist Jonboy Meyers (Marvel Age: Spider-Man, Justice League of America). In November Image Comics released the February comic solicits that confirmed this and all seemed fine. With this week’s post of the March solicitations there was even a bit of excitement towards the new Spawn creative team. But in the past few hours that excitement has turned to confusion as to the fate of Spawn when Brian Wood approached comic news and gossip site, Bleeding Cool, to inform fans and retailers that he would not be writing Spawn #251. In a letter to Bleeding Cool, Brian Wood stated:

For the sake of readers and retailers who read the current Image solicits (March 2015), I just want to sent out a little PSA and say that I am not the writer of Spawn #251. I’m actually not the writer of the Spawn title after all. I delivered, to spec, the script for February’s Spawn Resurrection #1 special but raised objections to the considerable extent to which my script and the larger plot was being rewritten during production. I was then removed from the job. I’m not trying to complain or spark drama, but I do think that the audience and the retailers laying down money for the book should be aware when there is a creative team change, especially this close to the book’s release. I’m sorry to anyone who was looking forward to my work on Spawn – its a bummer for me too.

Bleeding Cool has a reputation for reporting gossip and rumors, often well before news is made official, so some sites were hesitant to jump on this story immediately (our own included). But then Comic Beat writer Alexander Jones confirmed this story via twitter. So now we know that Brian Wood is no longer writing Spawn and will not be the writer of Spawn #251. There is still a question as to whether or not his script for Spawn Resurrection #1 will be used, and if so will it be used in its original form or rewritten. Furthermore, it is a little odd to think Wood’s script was heavily rewritten when he is such a top tier comic writer and Todd McFarlane went on record through USA Today saying to shake things up and break the status quo, and specifically stating “You will be doing your job if every reader says, ‘This is awesome! I don’t get why Todd didn’t do this years ago.’ Make me be the dumbest guy who’s ever written the book”. Unfortunately when editors ask this they often end up regretting it as seems to be the case in this situation.

The solicits for Spawn Resurrection #1 and Spawn #251 as they were originally posted are still online at Image comics website, stating Wood will be writing the issues and Meyers will be drawing them. We’re not sure who will take over writing the series now, which is quite the question, or whether Meyers will stay on is artist. But for reference when the solicitations are changed to reflect the new creative team adjustments here are the original solicits for Spawn Resurrection #1 and Spawn #251:

 

SPAWN RESURRECTION #1
story: BRIAN WOOD
art / cover A: JONBOY
cover B: TODD McFARLANE

FEBRUARY 4 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99

NEW TEAM! NEW DIRECTION!
The return of Al Simmons, and the start of a brand new era for SPAWN!
No one quite knows where Al’s been all this time, but it’s clear he’s come back a changed man. Wiser, stronger, and with the memories from an experience that’s he’s still struggling to understand. Tucked away in a crime-ridden corner of New York City, he’s beginning to forge new alliances, preparing defenses, and testing out his newly acquired powers… because there’s a battle coming, and it’s something that makes the Heaven/Hell thing seem like a petty squabble. So just who did Al piss off so badly while he was away?
Introducing a bold new direction for SPAWN, as creator TODD McFARLANE hands the reins over to BRIAN WOOD (Star Wars, X-Men, DMZ) and JONBOY (Marvel Adventures, Araña). It all starts right here, and continues next month in SPAWN #251!

 

SPAWN #251
story: BRIAN WOOD
art / cover: JONBOY

MARCH 4 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

Following the re-introduction of Al Simmons in SPAWN: RESURRECTION #1, we dig deeper into Spawn’s time away, the mystery of the word “CHAOS,” and Birch, the veteran warrior who is clearly more than he seems. As the city devolves around him, Spawn is an unlikely beacon of hope in the darkness. This bold new direction continues under writer BRIAN WOOD and artist JONBOY MEYERS.

 

Check back for more news on this creative team switch up as it arises. Until then we must simply ponder what could’ve been for the long running Image Comics series.