Batman/Spawn # 1 2022 VF+

Batman/Spawn # 1 (2022) is a one-shot crossover comic that pits the two dark vigilantes against each other, manipulated by a sinister shared foe, before they team up to fight a new, powerful threat. Written by Todd McFarlane and drawn by Greg Capullo, the story is considered a standalone adventure separate from current continuity. 

The plot of the issue revolves around manipulation and a shared quest for justice: 

• The Lure: Spawn (Al Simmons) is enticed by a mysterious voice promising a way to retrieve his wife Wanda's soul by killing Batman. Simultaneously, Batman is drawn to Crime Alley on the anniversary of his parents' deaths by cryptic clues and a pearl that belonged to his mother, which the Court of Owls claims holds a secret.
• The Confrontation: The two heroes clash in Crime Alley, initially believing each other to be the enemy. Their initial fight is intense, with Batman (a man with no powers) holding his own against the Hellspawn.
• The Puppeteers: They soon realize they are pawns in a larger game orchestrated by the Court of Owls, who seek to use both heroes for their own nefarious purpose.
• The Alliance: Batman and Spawn must overcome their differences and differing methods (Batman's no-kill rule versus Spawn's lethal force) to face a new, powerful Talon, an assassin created by the Court.
• The Resolution: The final confrontation takes place in an area of Arkham Asylum that acts as a "Dead Zone," neutralizing Spawn's powers. Spawn ultimately manages to defeat the Talon by using scare tactics to convince the Arkham inmates to tear him apart, while Batman deals with the Court of Owls' leader. The issue ends with a cliffhanger, hinting at a larger threat. 

• Writer: Todd McFarlane
• Artist: Greg Capullo
• Publisher: DC Comics and Image Comics
• Release Date: December 13, 2022 

The comic is primarily a visual spectacle, praised for Capullo's stunning art, though some reviewers noted the complex plot was secondary to the excitement of the two iconic characters reuniting.