I Saw Spawn: A Twisted Christmas Tale #1: Ho, Ho….Oh

I Saw Spawn: A Twisted Christmas Tale #1 is the sophomore installment from Chris Killian and Andrew Sanders that introduced Santa Claus into the Spawn Universe.

The issue opens with a refresher of events that happened in I Saw Santa through the artwork and not an exposition dump, and is handled in a manner that shows Santa might have a touch of PTSD. The interactions between Santa and Mrs. Claus, here and throghout the book feel natural and realas she tells him that he is obsessing over whether or not things are really over and done. Of course Santa can’t catch a break as he is informed that there has been more murders, this time his nightmares have followed him to his home turf.

Killian and Sanders deftly introduce some much needed humor into the story with The Sheriff Of The North Pole, an elf who has learned how to do police work from watching Westerns, and it works without derailing the story or the tension that has been building. Readers are introduced to more holiday characters, mainly Krampus, who is not to happy after being imprisoned for a long time. The exchange between the two sets up the second half of the issue which, while almost expected, is executed nicely and sets up the story for next issue.

Killian and Sanders hit their stride, giving readers plenty of story while leaving things hanging precariously dark. The pacing of the issue, when compared to I Saw Santa shows that the two are more comfortable and have begun to find a footing for telling the story. It is also nice to see Spawn finally having to get involved and having him in Rat City, reminding readers that this story is part of the larger Spawn universe.

Hristov’s artwork and character designs along with colors by Dan and Dave Kemp, and lettering by Andworld Design help to complete tbe larger work being presented.