Spike : Asylum

Writer: Brian Lynch
Artist: Franco Urru
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release Date: January

We’re into the home stretch now with issue five of IDW’s latest Spike-starring miniseries; Asylum. For those of you that haven’t been keeping up, and therefore probably aren’t going to buy part five of a five part miniseries, Spike has been tricked into getting admitted to a demon rehab centre, the giant slug-thing that was keeping everybody in the centre in line is dead, as is Spike’s friend the flying telepathic fish. The Doctor responsible is organising a mass breakout, but Spike can’t kill him because the rehab appears to have worked and he’s now human, with a sword stuck in his gut. Spike: Asylum #5

Yes, I know. It had that effect on me too. Never mind.

Anyway, issue five continues in much the same vein. It’s Spike and a few others against the massed hordes, who are all out to get them. The ensuing battle is bloody, and more than a little confusing at times. Our hero makes it out, which should come as no surprise, as after all this is a licensed comic, and one that often seems to be an ongoing in miniseries’ clothing. On the other hand, we know these things going in, and we read to find out how rather than if a big name character is going to make it.

This is Lynch’s first entry into the Angel tie-in range, and on the strength of this he should definitely come back for more. As noted in the review for issue one, he has a definite handle on the character, and writes him (and the other series regular that appears, Lorne) without going over-the-top into parody - something which could quite easily happen with either of those two.

Urru’s art isn’t quite as impressive as it was in the first issue, with some of the pages appearing a little rushed and somewhat unclear. This is not aided by the colouring, which is somewhat murky in places. His likenesses remain effective however. A clearer, cleaner style may have been a better match for the script.

If you’ve been following this since issue one, issue five is a great capper to the story. If not, then you should definitely consider looking out for the trade.