Spawn (1992–Present): Todd McFarlane's Hellspawn Saga Explained
Spawn (1992–Present): Todd McFarlane's Hellspawn Saga Explained
Over 380 issues, a record-setting independent run and a hero who answers to Hell. Here is our guide to Spawn, the flagship of Image Comics.
There is a certain kind of comic book that arrives and changes what the shelf looks like. In May 1992, Spawn #1 was one of them. Todd McFarlane, then one of the hottest artists in the business, had left Marvel and co-founded Image Comics, and the first book he put his name to was a dark, moody, cape-flapping story about a murdered soldier who makes a deal with the devil.
More than thirty years later, Spawn is still going. We have a good run of the series on our shelves at Siomic Comics, so we sat down with it to put together this guide to the story, the creators, the key issues and the screen versions.
Spawn at a glance
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Launch: May 1992, created and drawn by Todd McFarlane
- Run: Ongoing, with more than 380 issues (the 300th arrived in 2019)
- Main writers: Todd McFarlane, Brian Holguin, David Hine, Scott Snyder, Rory McConville, Matthew Rosenberg
- Notable artists: Todd McFarlane, Greg Capullo, Brian Haberlin, Szymon Kudranski, Jason Shawn Alexander, Stephen Segovia
- Guest creators: Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Dave Sim, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison
- First appearances: Spawn, Malebolgia and Sam & Twitch (#1), Violator/Clown (#2), Angela, Cogliostro and Medieval Spawn (#9)
- Why it matters: The longest-running independent comic book series, with a first issue that sold around 1.7 million copies
The man who walked out of Marvel
To understand Spawn, you have to remember the early 90s. Todd McFarlane was a superstar artist thanks to his Spider-Man work, and he was one of the creators who left Marvel to found Image Comics, a publisher where artists owned their own characters. Spawn #1 (May 1992) was the book that showed what that freedom could do. It sold roughly 1.7 million copies, which is an enormous number for an independent comic, and it made Image a real force in the market.
The story starts with Al Simmons, a government assassin who is killed and sent to Hell. To see his wife again he strikes a deal with the demon Malebolgia, and returns to Earth as a Hellspawn: scarred, powerful and with no memory of what he agreed to. It is a simple premise, executed with a mix of horror, superhero action and a moody sense of style that still stands out.
Who Spawn brought into the world
The first issues are full of debuts, and many of them are still central to the Spawn universe. #1 introduces Spawn himself, Malebolgia, a cameo of Jason Wynn and, importantly, Sam & Twitch, the detective duo who went on to have their own series. #2 brings in the Clown, who later becomes the Violator.
Spawn (Al Simmons)
The hero, or antihero, of the series: a soldier turned Hellspawn trying to find his place between Heaven and Hell.
Violator / the Clown
The demonic jester first seen in #2, one of the best-known villains in 90s comics.
Sam & Twitch
Two detectives who debut in #1, later given their own series and a place in the Spawn world.
Cogliostro & Angela
Both introduced in #9, the issue that brought in some of the most important characters in the series.
Medieval Spawn
Sir John of York, another Hellspawn, first appears in #9 and returns in #14.
Jason Wynn
The shady government figure who turns up in cameo in #1, shows up fully in #12, and later becomes Anti-Spawn.
The guest-writer experiment
One of the most talked-about features of the early series is the team of guest writers McFarlane brought in. #9, written by Neil Gaiman, introduced Angela and Cogliostro. #10 is the Cerebus crossover with Dave Sim. Alan Moore, Frank Miller and Grant Morrison were all involved with the series or its spin-offs too, and Morrison is credited around #16. For a young independent publisher it was an astonishing roster, and it is part of why the early issues are so sought after.
Key issues and first appearances
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | May 1992 | First appearance of Spawn (Al Simmons), Malebolgia, and Sam & Twitch |
| #2 | June 1992 | First appearance of the Clown (Violator) |
| #4 | September 1992 | First cover appearance of Violator |
| #5 | October 1992 | First appearance of Billy Kincaid |
| #6 | November 1992 | First appearance of Overt-Kill and Tony Twist |
| #9 | 1993 | First appearance of Angela, Cogliostro and Medieval Spawn |
| #10 | May 1993 | Cerebus crossover |
| #12 | July 1993 | Death of Al Simmons, origin of Spawn and first full appearance of Jason Wynn |
| #16–17 | 1993–94 | First cameo and then first full appearance of Anti-Spawn |
| #37 | November 1995 | First full appearance of Freak |
| #55 | November 1996 | Debut of the Commando Spawn suit |
| #100 | November 2000 | Milestone issue, with the death of Angela |
| #174 | January 2008 | First full appearance of Gunslinger Spawn |
The long run: from Holguin to Hine to Snyder
McFarlane wrote and drew the early stretch, then shared writing duties with Brian Holguin, who took over much of the book from around #114 to #149. David Hine wrote from about #151 to #179, and in this period the series features Gunslinger Spawn from #174. Later eras bring in new talent, with Robert Kirkman co-writing the 200th issue in 2010 and Scott Snyder on the 300th in 2019, a milestone that made Spawn the longest-running independent comic book series. More recent chapters have been written with Rory McConville and, more recently, Matthew Rosenberg.
The creators behind the comic
Todd McFarlane
Creator, artist and a writer on much of the run, McFarlane's style defined the series' visual identity.
Greg Capullo
Provided covers for long stretches of the series, including a big run from around #103 to #148, and drew the first artwork he published on a Spawn title in #16.
Brian Holguin & David Hine
Two of the series' major long-term writers, taking the book into more supernatural and psychological territory.
Szymon Kudranski & Jason Shawn Alexander
Artists whose moody styles shaped the series from the 2000s onwards.
Scott Snyder, Rory McConville & Matthew Rosenberg
Recent writers who have added new voices to the book.
Brian Haberlin
Colourist on stretches of the early series, and later artist.
Curiosities collectors should know
A record-setting run
Reaching issue #300 in 2019 made Spawn the longest-running independent comic book series.
Famous covers
Todd McFarlane painted the covers of the early run himself, and Greg Capullo joined on covers from the mid-90s.
Lots of reprints
Several of the early issues have been reprinted in recent years, so you may see later-dated copies of classic issues.
An action-figure phenomenon
McFarlane Toys released the first Spawn action figures in 1994, and the toys' detail helped define a generation of collectible figures.
A series that never stopped
Even with changes in creative teams, Spawn has kept publishing for more than thirty years.
Record sales
The first issue sold around 1.7 million copies, one of the biggest debuts for an independent title.
Spawn beyond the comics
- Spawn (1997): the live-action film starred Michael Jai White as Spawn. It did modestly well but did not become a franchise.
- Todd McFarlane's Spawn (1997–1999): the HBO animated series won two Emmy Awards and is still remembered fondly for its dark tone.
- New film: a reboot with Jamie Foxx has been in development, with McFarlane directing and Blumhouse producing.
- Games and crossovers: Spawn has appeared in games such as Mortal Kombat 11 and Soulcalibur II, and in the film Ready Player One.
Why Spawn still matters
Spawn proved that a creator-owned book could be a hit on the same scale as the big two, and it helped make Image the third pillar of the American comics industry. It also helped bring dark, supernatural superhero storytelling into the mainstream. Today it is a world of its own, with spin-offs including Angela, Curse of the Spawn, Hellspawn, Sam & Twitch and Spawn: The Dark Ages.
Where to start reading Spawn
- #1 to #12 for the origin, Violator, Angela and the first guest-writer issues.
- #16 to #17 for Anti-Spawn and Greg Capullo's first Spawn artwork.
- #100 for the milestone and the death of Angela.
- #174 for Gunslinger Spawn.
- #300 onwards if you want to jump into the modern era.
Spawn covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#2
#5
#6
#9
#10
#12
#100
#174
#300Browse our Spawn back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#11
Spawn #11: Home Story
First appearance of Bobby and Bootsy, from the run of early guest-writer issues.
View our copy -
#13
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#16
Spawn #16
The first cameo of Anti-Spawn and the first published Spawn artwork by Greg Capullo.
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#55
Spawn #55: Sabotage
The debut of Spawn's Commando suit, from the series' busy mid-90s.
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#72
Spawn #72: Bloodless
The first appearance of Eddie Beckett, who becomes The Heap in the next issue.
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#124
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#262
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#284
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Spawn comics.
Frequently asked questions about Spawn
When did Spawn start?
Spawn #1 is cover-dated May 1992 and was published by Image Comics.
Who created Spawn?
Todd McFarlane created Spawn and drew the early issues.
What is the first appearance of Angela?
Angela first appears in Spawn #9, together with Cogliostro and Medieval Spawn.
When did Violator first appear?
The Clown, who becomes Violator, first appears in Spawn #2, with Violator's first cover appearance in #4.
How many issues of Spawn are there?
The series is still being published and has gone past issue #380.
Is Spawn the longest-running independent comic?
Yes. Issue #300 in 2019 made it the longest-running independent comic book series.
Where should I start reading Spawn?
Start with #1 to #12 for the original story, or jump to #300 and beyond for the modern era.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Spawn comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Spawn and all related characters are trademarks of Todd McFarlane Productions. Cover images are shown for reference.