Spawn
Creation & Design
Spawn was created by Todd McFarlane and first appeared in 1992. The character was designed to be a dark anti-hero, exploring themes of redemption and the battle between good and evil.Early Years
Al Simmons was a highly skilled assassin who was betrayed and killed. He made a deal with the devil to return to Earth, only to find himself in a hellish existence as Spawn.Character Development
Over the years, Spawn has evolved from a vengeful anti-hero to a more complex character grappling with themes of redemption, morality, and the consequences of power.Cultural Reception
Spawn has received critical acclaim for its storytelling and art, becoming one of the best-selling independent comics of all time.Character Details
Real Name:
Al Simmons
Aliases:
Hellspawn, The Violator, The Redeemer
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Hellspawn, The Army of Hell, The Violator
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Regeneration, Teleportation, Necroplasm manipulation
Equipment:
Cape, Chains, Hellspawn armor
Weight:
200lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
black
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Wizard: Official Comic Book Pocket Price Guide #4
Wizard
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
Interior advertisement of "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" a VHS with Spawn on the outer sleeve (December 1991)
Interior advertisement of "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" a VHS with Spawn on the outer sleeve (December 1991)
Up 'N Coming Magazine #15
Styx Publications
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Interior illustration of Spawn in a comic book solicitation catalog and first time the name Spawn is seen in print
Mailing date: February 3, 1992
According to spawnworld.com, only one other image of Spawn is known to exist prior to the mailing of Up 'N Coming #15 and it was in an ad for "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" a VHS with Spawn on the outer sleeve (December 1991), though Spawn was not named or discussed in the video
Value unknown
Interior illustration of Spawn in a comic book solicitation catalog and first time the name Spawn is seen in print
Mailing date: February 3, 1992
According to spawnworld.com, only one other image of Spawn is known to exist prior to the mailing of Up 'N Coming #15 and it was in an ad for "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" a VHS with Spawn on the outer sleeve (December 1991), though Spawn was not named or discussed in the video
Value unknown
Comic Shop News #242
Comic Shop News
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Interior article on the Image publishing company with a cover picture of Spawn #1
Dated February 12, 1992
Interior article on the Image publishing company with a cover picture of Spawn #1
Dated February 12, 1992
Comics Buyer's Guide #953
Dynapubs
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
First printed images of Spawn in a U.S. publication, Mailing date: February 5, 1992
Front page advertisement of Spawn, preceded all comic book advertisements in Malibu comic books that were published between March/April 1992
Interior black and white, textless cover art for Spawn #1
Only two other images of Spawn are known to exist prior to the mailing of Comics Buyer's Guide #953: the sleeve of a VHS tape titled "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" and a comic book solicitation magazine, Up N' Coming #1, Mailing date: February 3, 1992
Value unknown
First printed images of Spawn in a U.S. publication, Mailing date: February 5, 1992
Front page advertisement of Spawn, preceded all comic book advertisements in Malibu comic books that were published between March/April 1992
Interior black and white, textless cover art for Spawn #1
Only two other images of Spawn are known to exist prior to the mailing of Comics Buyer's Guide #953: the sleeve of a VHS tape titled "Stan Lee Presents: The Comic Book Greats" and a comic book solicitation magazine, Up N' Coming #1, Mailing date: February 3, 1992
Value unknown
Previews #3-1992
Diamond
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
First published images of Spawn in full color
Interior pin-up advertisement for Spawn #1 in full color
McFarlane reveals details about Spawn in an interior article
First published images of Spawn in full color
Interior pin-up advertisement for Spawn #1 in full color
McFarlane reveals details about Spawn in an interior article
Torg #2
Malibu
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
First printed image of Spawn in an actual comic book (advertisement)
One of two comics published in March 1992 that included the advertisement, the other being Robotech II: The Sentinels #13
Earlier images of Spawn have been printed in various catalogs and fanzines
First printed image of Spawn in an actual comic book (advertisement)
One of two comics published in March 1992 that included the advertisement, the other being Robotech II: The Sentinels #13
Earlier images of Spawn have been printed in various catalogs and fanzines
Robotech II: The Sentinels Book 2 #13
Eternity
•
1992
•
Vol. 2
First printed image of Spawn in a comic book (advertisement)
One of two comics published in March 1992 that included the advertisement, the other being Torg #2
Earlier images of Spawn have been printed in various catalogs and fanzines among other publications
First printed image of Spawn in a comic book (advertisement)
One of two comics published in March 1992 that included the advertisement, the other being Torg #2
Earlier images of Spawn have been printed in various catalogs and fanzines among other publications
Rust #1
Adventure Publications
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
⚠ Misconception: incorrectly cited as the first published image of Spawn in an advertisement
The same advertisement appeared in multiple comics that went on-sale in April 1992: Re-Animator #2, Rocket Ranger #3, Rust #1, The Southern Squadron: Freedom of Information #4, Torg #3
In March 1992, one month prior to Rust #1, Spawn advertisements were printed in two comic books: Robotech II The Sentinels #13 and Torg #2
Prior to the publication of Robotech II #13 and Torg #2, Spawn appeared in numerous catalogs and fanzines
Character Search "Spawn" for more information on early appearances
⚠ Misconception: incorrectly cited as the first published image of Spawn in an advertisement
The same advertisement appeared in multiple comics that went on-sale in April 1992: Re-Animator #2, Rocket Ranger #3, Rust #1, The Southern Squadron: Freedom of Information #4, Torg #3
In March 1992, one month prior to Rust #1, Spawn advertisements were printed in two comic books: Robotech II The Sentinels #13 and Torg #2
Prior to the publication of Robotech II #13 and Torg #2, Spawn appeared in numerous catalogs and fanzines
Character Search "Spawn" for more information on early appearances
The Southern Squadron: The Freedom of Information Act #4
Eternity
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Re-Animator: Dawn of the Re-Animator #2
Malibu
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Rocket Ranger #3
Malibu
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released in April, prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Variant cover with gold foil
Advertisement of Todd McFarlane's Spawn
Limited to 10,000 copies
Variant cover with gold foil
Advertisement of Todd McFarlane's Spawn
Limited to 10,000 copies
Malibu Sun #13
Malibu
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Cover appearance and interior images of Spawn
Back cover appearance of Spawn
Cover appearance and interior images of Spawn
Back cover appearance of Spawn
Evil Ernie #5
Eternity
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Conclusion of limited series that introduced Lady Death and Evil Ernie
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Conclusion of limited series that introduced Lady Death and Evil Ernie
Interior black and white advertisement for Spawn, released prior to Spawn #1 but after other comics that contained promotional Spawn ads
Error edition, green-colored Spawn on back cover - tap cover and swipe to view
Error edition, green-colored Spawn on back cover - tap cover and swipe to view
Spawn #1
Image
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Spawn
1st appearance of Sam & Twitch
1st appearance of Malebolgia
1st cameo appearance of Jason Wynn
Pin-up of Pitt.
1st appearance of Spawn
1st appearance of Sam & Twitch
1st appearance of Malebolgia
1st cameo appearance of Jason Wynn
Pin-up of Pitt.
Comic Shop News #255
Comic Shop News
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Early cover appearance of Spawn
Comic Shop News is a free publication, printed on newsprint paper, given away at comic book stores
Early cover appearance of Spawn
Comic Shop News is a free publication, printed on newsprint paper, given away at comic book stores
Wizard: Official Comic Book Pocket Price Guide #11
Wizard
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Todd McFarlane
Polybagged with a Spawn trading card
Yawn #1
Parody Press
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Parody of Spawn
Spawn #12
Image
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Death of Al Simmons, in a flashback
Origin of Spawn, where it is discovered that Chapel was his murderer
1st full appearance of Jason Wynn, previously appeared in multiple cameos
Death of Al Simmons, in a flashback
Origin of Spawn, where it is discovered that Chapel was his murderer
1st full appearance of Jason Wynn, previously appeared in multiple cameos
Unreleased 200-page hardcover collection of Spawn #1 - #12
Distributed to employees, family and friends of the McFarlane company
There are eight similar hardcover editions that collect up to issue #96, Curse of Spawn #1- #29 and a mini-series collection which will be added when there is sales data
Unreleased 200-page hardcover collection of Spawn #1 - #12
Distributed to employees, family and friends of the McFarlane company
There are eight similar hardcover editions that collect up to issue #96, Curse of Spawn #1- #29 and a mini-series collection which will be added when there is sales data
Musings #2
Calliope Comics
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Greg Capullo
Spawn #16
Image
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Jason Wynn becomes Anti-Spawn aka the Redeemer, in final panel
1st appearance of Major Vale
First artwork on the Spawn title by Greg Capullo
Jason Wynn becomes Anti-Spawn aka the Redeemer, in final panel
1st appearance of Major Vale
First artwork on the Spawn title by Greg Capullo
Spawn / Batman #1
Image
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by Image, created by Todd McFarlane and Frank Miller
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by Image, created by Todd McFarlane and Frank Miller
Batman / Spawn: War Devil #1
DC
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by DC, the second crossover of the characters
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by DC, the second crossover of the characters
12-page promotional comic book, distributed with the Spawn board game by Pressman
Interior story titled Dead End featuring Spawn, Violator and Overtkill with four additional pages of game instructions
12-page promotional comic book, distributed with the Spawn board game by Pressman
Interior story titled Dead End featuring Spawn, Violator and Overtkill with four additional pages of game instructions
Angela Special #1
Image
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Cut Throat, a pirate version of Spawn
16-page retailer incentive delivered with orders of Spawn #32 (1995)
1st appearance of Cut Throat, a pirate version of Spawn
16-page retailer incentive delivered with orders of Spawn #32 (1995)
Spawn Blood Feud #1
Image
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
Revealed that Spawn's suit is named K7-Leetha
Variant cover art by Brad Gorby
1st cover appearance of Cut Throat, the pirate Spawn
16-page retailer incentive delivered with orders of Spawn #32 (1995)
Variant cover art by Brad Gorby
1st cover appearance of Cut Throat, the pirate Spawn
16-page retailer incentive delivered with orders of Spawn #32 (1995)
Spawn (German) #18
Infinity Verlag
•
1995
German reprint of Spawn #36 and #37
Distributed with the Director's Cut of Spawn on VHS
German reprint of Spawn #36 and #37
Distributed with the Director's Cut of Spawn on VHS
Curse of the Spawn #1
Image
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Daniel Llanso as Spawn, born 400 years in the future, post-Armageddon
1st appearance of Daniel Llanso as Spawn, born 400 years in the future, post-Armageddon
Spawn #55
Image
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Commando Spawn suit, equipped with artillery to preserve Spawn's powers
1st appearance of the Commando Spawn suit, equipped with artillery to preserve Spawn's powers
52-page German reprint of Spawn #1 and #2
Reprint of Spawn #1 in black and white
Comic shops qualified to receive one copy of this variant for every 50 copies purchased of Spawn #65
Reprint of Spawn #1 in black and white
Comic shops qualified to receive one copy of this variant for every 50 copies purchased of Spawn #65
BET (Black Entertainment Television) exclusive giveaway to promote the Spawn film
Reprint of the Spawn Bible (1996)
As of February 2024 there exist only three copies of this exclusive in 9.8
BET (Black Entertainment Television) exclusive giveaway to promote the Spawn film
Reprint of the Spawn Bible (1996)
As of February 2024 there exist only three copies of this exclusive in 9.8
Total Eclipse #1
Image
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
One-shot that features character biographies from Spawn and Eclipse, a defunct publisher whose properties were purchased by McFarlane in 1996
Cover art by Todd McFarlane
One-shot that features character biographies from Spawn and Eclipse, a defunct publisher whose properties were purchased by McFarlane in 1996
Cover art by Todd McFarlane
Curse of the Spawn #22
Image
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Hatchet, the zombie Hellspawn
Spawn #77
Image
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
1st cover appearance of Wings of Redemption Spawn, Al Simmons touched by both darkness and light
1st cover appearance of Wings of Redemption Spawn, Al Simmons touched by both darkness and light
Sonic Super Special #7
Archie
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
Official crossover appearance by Image characters: Spawn, Maxx, Savage Dragon, Shadowhawk and others
Official crossover appearance by Image characters: Spawn, Maxx, Savage Dragon, Shadowhawk and others
Variant cover art by Greg Capullo
Variant cover art by Mike Mignola
Variant cover art by Alex Ross
Variant cover art by Frank Miller
Hellspawn #7
Image
•
2001
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Mike Moran in the Spawn Universe, the alter ego of Miracleman
1st appearance of Raven Spawn, a Malebolgia Death Knight
1st full appearance of Mike Moran in the Spawn Universe, the alter ego of Miracleman
1st appearance of Raven Spawn, a Malebolgia Death Knight
Spawn #119
Image
•
2002
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of a Hellspawn Army
1st cameo appearance of Gunslinger Spawn, first full appearance occurred 6 years later
Cameo appearance of an unknown She-Spawn and a few other distinctly different characters that could be developed at some point in the future
Copies ordered by retailers: 45,953
1st team appearance of a Hellspawn Army
1st cameo appearance of Gunslinger Spawn, first full appearance occurred 6 years later
Cameo appearance of an unknown She-Spawn and a few other distinctly different characters that could be developed at some point in the future
Copies ordered by retailers: 45,953
Spawn #141
Image
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
1st cover appearance of She-Spawn in the U.S.
Spawn #150
Image
•
2005
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Disciple, the final and weakest of twelve heavenly warriors
1st appearance of The Man of Miracles, a powerful being responsible for creating God and Satan in the Spawn mythos
The Man of Miracles was meant to be Miracleman until a lawsuit rescinded McFarlane's ownership of the character
1st appearance of Disciple, the final and weakest of twelve heavenly warriors
1st appearance of The Man of Miracles, a powerful being responsible for creating God and Satan in the Spawn mythos
The Man of Miracles was meant to be Miracleman until a lawsuit rescinded McFarlane's ownership of the character
Variant cover art by Phillip Tan
Variant cover art by Jim Lee
Variant cover art by Todd McFarlane
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!