Comics
‘Bloodletter’ – A New Antihero Enters the Spawn Universe This Summer
The Spawn Universe expands with brand new five-issue miniseries Bloodletter this summer from Image/Todd McFarlane Productions, Bloody Disgusting has learned.
Helmed by celebrated former editor, Illuminous founder, and writer Joseph P. Illidge (Batman, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet) alongside Tim Seeley (Revival, Hack/Slash) and Christian Rosado (Vampirella, Skull and Bones: Savage Storm), Bloodletter will take readers deep into the unspoken lore of Spawn’s world.
Illidge—known for his industry-defining work across the comics platform—brings a commanding vision to the title’s lead, crafting a protagonist as powerful as she is haunted. Working in lockstep with Seeley, Rosado, colorist DC Alonso (Avengers), and letterers AndWorld Design, the creative team paints a portrait of a woman waging war against human and infernal forces.
Tasha Thornwall is The Bloodletter, mystical mercenary of the world’s secret underground. A former CIA operative forced to live in the shadows after being outed by Al Simmons 10 years ago, when she learns Al Simmons is alive as Spawn she sets out for revenge. The mission to hunt down and kill Spawn begins in this debut miniseries. Spawn fans won’t want to miss uncovering this secret history stitched together with horror, espionage, and sorcery.
“Bloodletter is about our hero, Tasha Thornwall, and how she uses the power of magic and secrets to fight through a world that constantly throws danger from Heaven and Hell at her!” said Illidge. “Working with my fellow brothers-in-arms—Tim and Christian—and using our magical combination of skills to show the fans the secret history of the Spawn Universe is just as wonderful and scary as it sounds. We can’t wait to pull you into Tasha’s world and never let go!”
Seeley adds, “At its core, this story is all about synthesis. For our lead, Tasha, it’s that combination of espionage and street magic that makes her an unkillable survivor in a world where guys like Spawn, Overtkill, and Violator walk. And the comic itself is a synthesis too, of Joe, Christian, and me, something totally new none of us would have concocted on our own.”
“It’s blood, magic, it’s evil questioning itself, it’s also love and redemption,” said Rosado. “Tasha took on a life of her own, and what we do as a team is narrate it, chapter after chapter. In this transgressive and dark world, there’s a new character who is a privilege to draw. Joe, Tim, and I have that mission—to make her struggle known and what she has to tell us.”
Bloodletter #1 will be available at local comic shops on Wednesday, June 18, with the second issue arriving on July 23 and the third issue being unleashed on August 20.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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