Is this really something fans absolutely need to buy, or can you skip it altogether?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

“DE-PROGRAMMED,” Part Three: “The Life and Death of Jason Wynn” – Conclusion

Since his sudden awakening from a mysterious coma in the pages of SPAWN 185, Jim Downing, the world’s newest Hellspawn, has been searching for his past. At every turn answers were given in the form of more questions, but his time spent looking back has come to an end.

As Jason Wynn weaves his final tale, the great manipulator will set Spawn up for something they both long for – freeing Jim of the burden of his human past, and unwittingly paving the way for a threat far greater than any imagined.

Spawn is a longstanding property that has been on a proverbial roller coaster since its original debut.  It’s dealt with its fair share of growing pains and this latest era is no different but thankfully it still has its breathtaking visuals to block out any pesky minor missteps along the way.

Series creator Todd McFarlane brings this arc and several areas of lore to a resounding finish in this climactic release.  The script brilliantly uses some smart dialogue to fill-in narrative holes as it illuminates plot points that are clearly leading us to wherever all this has all been headed since the start of “Endgame.”  There were some minor bits that came off as rather bloated or even unnecessary but as a whole this was one romp that would make even the devil grin.

The art by Szymon Kudranski is absolutely spectacular.  His use of pencil to create realistic forms layered in darkness instantly sets the right mood as the tale bounces around through some complex conversations.  In an issue where dialogue is paramount, it’s refreshing to see the talent step up to the plate and enhance each line with proper illustrations and exemplary execution.

Spawn #227 is without a doubt an engaging ride that may not be as perfect as it needs to be, but fans will be satisfied with its final results.  Recommended.

4/5