Spirit World #1

Writer: Alyssa Wong Artist: Haining Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: May 10, 2023 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 11 User Reviews: 15
8.7Critic Rating
7.6User Rating

From the pages of Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate, a new Chinese hero emerges who's able to travel to and from the Spirit World, the realm of the dead, and that of the living. Their name is Xanthe, and their superpower is being able to burn items folded from joss paper and immediately turn them into real objects, based on the East Asian practice of burning joss paper at graveyards in order to send resources to ancestors in the Spirit World...except Xanthe can retrieve those items in the world of the living! Their weapon of choice is a large broadsword (because who doesn't love a big sword when you can choose to use a big sword?!). Xanthe is a maste more

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - William J. Jackson May 23, 2023

    I loved Spirit World #1. I love the Chinese language, food, and lore, and this book hit the spots. Xanthe is another gray-area hero like City Boy. Every piece of this is excellent. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield May 9, 2023

    We've introduced a completely new world to the DCU, based on an obscure Jack Kirby concept the legend never got the chance to explore, and this creative team is the perfect choice for it. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Graphic Policy - Alfie Erin May 10, 2023

    Spirit World #1 is an exciting first issue with amazing art and a somewhat rocky narrative. Luckily the issue ends on an interesting hook which Im excited to see play out as this series unfolds. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Comicbook Dispatch - kcscribbles May 9, 2023

    Final ThoughtsSpirit World #1 is a great first issue for Xanthe Zhou, one of the most fascinating recent characters to debut at DC. We get to see more of Xanthes powers in action, have some great scenes between Constantine and them and get to see Batgirl in an epic fight for her life. Recommended. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Crusaders - Thomas Huls May 17, 2023

    The artwork in this issue is incredible. Done by Haining and colored by Sebastian Cheng. The details of the art including the visuals of the Collective will leave you in awe. I strongly encourage you to pick up this first issue of Spirit World as I don't think you will be disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Watch - Priya Saxena May 10, 2023

    Spirit World #1 is an exciting blend of action, horror, and magic that will leave readers eager to see more of Xanthe and the Spirit World they inhabit. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - Andrew Isidoro May 9, 2023

    An excellent start to this new series. Alyssa Wong's writing is sharp and captivating, and the art by Haining and colors by Sebastian Cheng are simply stunning. The action is intense, the characters are well-developed and have their unique personalities, and the world-building is fantastic. The issue leaves readers on the edge of their seats with its multiple cliffhangers and promises of more excitement to come in the subsequent issues. Fans of supernatural adventure comics will find much to enjoy and it's definitely worth checking out. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson May 12, 2023

    A beautiful story that feels like a second issue, because it might as well be one after the Dark Fate one-shot that started the story. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Batman-News - Aaron Ray Jr. May 9, 2023

    At times, Spirit World feels like an indie comic or manga. Other times, Spirit World feels very familiar like a television show someone told you about, but finally got around to. I urge Alyssa Wong to take advantage of the world building the world of Spirit World. Readers will likely follow this tale so long as there remains a good bit of curiosity about the lore. The sole negative aspect is the divisiveness of the specific material. Nearly every aspect of the book fits into a specific niche that many may interpret as pandering to an agenda. Though with patience, I'm hoping readers can find something cool about this new if not all that original character. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Tim Adams May 10, 2023

    Even if you haven't kept up with all the latest happenings in the various "Lazarus Planet" one-shots, Spirit World #1 is easy enough to pick up and understand. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez May 8, 2023

    Spirit World #1 is a serviceable beginning to the story of a new hero, filled with mysticism, magic, monsters, and a little bit of heart. The art's decent enough, and the story moves along well, but a painfully awkward creative choice may have hurt the character's journey before it's even begun. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Sir_Pandaborg May 22, 2023

    I will be the first to admit, when I knew Constantine would be in this book it became a must read at least for the first issue. But while I came for John Constantine, I stayed for Xanthe Zhou. I have fallen head over heels for a very interesting concept for magic and a wonderfully fun character. For me, this is a must read.

  • 8.5
    Amazing Psycamorean May 17, 2023

    I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I even liked Constantine despite him being constrained into his New 52/Rebirth characterization. The people complaining about the asian and nonbinary representation just hate themselves.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/xJz6buvNFZ
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  • 8.0
    thecimmerian May 10, 2023

    Happy to see Constantine in this comic and to see Cassandra written more in character than she is in that atrocious Batgirls book. I dig magic and supernatural stuff so I liked this. If you don't then you really won't care for it. I doubt it will be something I read regularly but it was fun and that's all I really need from a book.

  • 7.0
    Simon DelMonte May 16, 2023

    Reasonably entertaining but I bet I forget it in an hour.

  • 7.0
    wakizashireviews May 14, 2023

    This was a pleasant surprise because I can't stand Wong's dreary Deadpool. I'll admit it was Constantine being in the story that got me to read it. I like the world building and the bright manga-esque art. Plus Wong didn't write Constantine as a complete idiot or out of character. It's not as good as the classic Hellblazer Constantine, but it ain't half bad. Intrigued enough to pick up issue 2.

  • 6.0
    tron May 12, 2023

    I wonder who Alyssa Wong called a racist at DC to get a job over there. Did CB Cebulski start work for the competition? This is mediocre with proper pronoun use to show her enlightened mind and a run of the mill stereotypical Eastern style story and art style. Not bad, not good.

    + LikeComments (3)
  • 10
    Spin-0-sa May 12, 2023

  • 8.0
    Ronin Dec 29, 2023

  • 8.0
    ResearchReader Jun 17, 2023

  • 7.5
    Quissim Jul 2, 2023

  • 7.5
    wesshamu May 20, 2023

  • 7.5
    ed1138 May 9, 2023

  • 7.0
    Drasek83 May 18, 2023

  • 7.0
    becky May 10, 2023

  • 5.5
    Fraidy Cat May 10, 2023

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