The origin
Al Simmons was the American government's most effective assassin until his own superiors had him killed. He wakes up in Hell, and Malebolgia, a demon lord recruiting for a coming war against Heaven, offers him a deal. Command my army, and I will let you see your wife Wanda one more time. Simmons agrees. He is returned to Earth five years later than he expected, burned beyond recognition, bonded to a living symbiotic costume, with Wanda remarried to his best friend. He is a Hellspawn, and every use of his power burns down a finite counter towards his return to Hell.
What makes Spawn different
Spawn matters twice over. In-story, he is one of very few heroes who is genuinely damned, working for the wrong side, and whose power actively kills him the more he uses it. Out of story, he is the reason creators own their characters. McFarlane walked away from Marvel at the peak of his fame, co-founded Image, and Spawn #1 sold roughly 1.7 million copies. It went on to become the longest-running creator-owned superhero comic in history. Al Simmons is also one of the most prominent black protagonists the medium has produced.
Where to start reading
The full reading order
Spawn #1-6essential
McFarlane writing and drawing. Introduces Al Simmons, Malebolgia and the Violator. Collected as Spawn Origins Volume 1. Issue 1 is a genuine key and one of the defining books of the 90s.
Spawn #8 by Alan Mooreessential
McFarlane handed his book to the best writers alive for a stretch. Moore's issue introduces Medieval Spawn and Cogliostro.
Spawn #9 by Neil Gaimanessential
Introduces Angela. Later the subject of a long legal fight between Gaiman and McFarlane over ownership, which Gaiman largely won. A significant key issue, and worth knowing the history.
Spawn #10 by Dave Simdeep cut
A furious argument about creators' rights disguised as a comic. Strange and brilliant.
Spawn #11 by Frank Millerrecommended
Miller writes, McFarlane draws. Exactly as brutal as that combination suggests.
Spawn #16-18 by Grant Morrisonrecommended
Morrison's turn. Rounds out one of the most stacked guest-writer runs in comics history.
Greg Capullo joinsessential
Long before Batman, Capullo drew Spawn for over a hundred issues and defined the look people picture. The art peaks here.
Spawn-Batmandeep cut
Frank Miller and Todd McFarlane. Fits after issue 20. Exactly the 90s crossover it sounds like, and great fun.
Spawn #300recommended
A milestone with covers by McFarlane, Capullo, Alexander, Opena and more. Sparked a genuine sales revival.
Spawn #301recommended
The issue that broke the Guinness world record for longest-running creator-owned superhero comic, passing Cerebus.
King Spawndeep cut
The line expanded into a shared Spawn Universe. A clean modern jumping-on point if the 90s art is not for you.
Chasing any of these Spawn issues?
Whether you are hunting a key, thinking about selling a collection, or just want to talk comics, I am always happy to hear from you.