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{{short description|Comic book superhero}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> | character_name = Spawn | image = Spawn Classic.jpg | converted = | caption = Spawn on the cover of ''Spawn'' #1.<br />Art by [[Todd McFarlane]]. | real_name = Albert Francis "Al" Simmons | species = Hellspawn<br>[[Human]] (formerly) | publisher = [[Image Comics]] | creators = [[Todd McFarlane]] | debut = ''Spawn'' #1 (May 1992) | alliances = {{ubl|[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]|[[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]]|[[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]]|[[Force Reconnaissance]]|The Scorched}} | aliases = Spawn, The One, Hellspawn, Spawny, King Spawn | powers = * [[Immortality]] (to an extent, powers drain when used and full drainage of powers results in a second death) * Ability to draw power by feeding off the sins of others * [[Superhuman strength]], [[Speedster (fiction)|speed]], agility, reflexes, stamina, endurance, and durability * Regenerative healing factor * Necroplasm manipulation * Flight * Intangiblity * Matter manipulation and transmutation * Shapeshifting * Time manipulation * Psychic abilities * Invisibility * Size-shifting * Weather manipulation * Animal empathy * Teleportation * Use of Leetha of the 7th House of K, a sentient cloak that can provide nearly unlimited weaponry and protection *[[CIA]] training * Highly skilled [[Military tactics|tactician]], [[martial artist]], [[swordsman]], [[marksman]], [[Athletics (sport)|athlete]] and [[Acrobatics|acrobat]] | cat = super | subcat = Image Comics | hero = | sortkey = Spawn (comics) }} '''Albert Francis''' "'''Al'''" '''Simmons''', better known as '''Spawn''', is a fictional [[antihero]] appearing in a monthly [[comic book]] of the same name published by American company [[Image Comics]], as well as in a number of films, television series, and video game adaptations set in the [[Image Universe]]. Created by [[Todd McFarlane]], Spawn first appeared in ''Spawn'' #1 (May 1992). Simmons is a mercenary who died and went to Hell for his crimes against humanity. Following a deal with [[Malebolgia]], Simmons is given new life as a hellspawn and the chance to see his wife Wanda once again. The deal is revealed to be a trick, as Simmons is brought back to life five years after his death, unrecognizable to his wife and missing many of his memories. With little other choice, Simmons adopts his new hell inspired identity as Spawn in an effort to atone for his past sins and use his newfound powers for good. The series has spun off several other comic books, including ''[[Angela (comics)|Angela]]'', ''[[Curse of the Spawn]]'', ''[[Sam and Twitch|Sam & Twitch]]'', and the Japanese [[manga]] ''[[Shadows of Spawn]].'' Spawn was adapted into a [[Spawn (1997 film)|1997 feature film]] and portrayed by [[Michael Jai White]], an [[HBO]] [[Todd McFarlane's Spawn|animated series]] lasting from 1997 until 1999, a series of [[action figure]]s from [[McFarlane Toys]], and an upcoming [[King Spawn|reboot film]] starring [[Jamie Foxx]] and [[Jeremy Renner]].<ref name="Nama2011">{{cite book|last=Nama|first=Adilifu|title=Super Black: American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c72oE4bM7YgC&pg=PA136|date=October 1, 2011|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-74252-9|page=136}}</ref> The character appears in annual compilations, mini-series specials written by guest authors and artists, and numerous crossover storylines in other comic books, including ''[[Savage Dragon]]'', ''[[Invincible (character)|Invincible]]'', and three [[DC Comics]] crossovers with [[Batman]]. ==Publication history== [[File:PrototypeSpawnByMcFarlane.jpg|thumb|right|The Spawn prototype, designed by a teenaged McFarlane in 1977]] [[Todd McFarlane]]'s hobby of drawing began at an early age, and he created the character Spawn when he was 16, spending "countless hours" perfecting the appearance of each component of the character's visual design.<ref name=ArtOfTodd>McFarlane, Todd (November 2012). ''The Art of Todd McFarlane: The Devil's in the Details''. Todd McFarlane Productions/Image Comics.</ref> ''Spawn'' saw considerable popularity upon its initial release in the 1990s. Comic book collecting had a marked upswing at the time, fueled by the [[The speculator boom|speculator boom]] looking for the next hot book that would jump in value after its release.<ref>[[Miller, John Jackson]]. [http://blog.comichron.com/2010/11/x-men-1-one-piece-and-world-records.html "X-Men #1, One Piece, and world records"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119091128/http://blog.comichron.com/2010/11/x-men-1-one-piece-and-world-records.html |date=November 19, 2010 }}, The Comics Chronicles, November 16, 2010.</ref> McFarlane had enjoyed superstar status among comic fans with his work on ''[[Spider-Man]]'', which had featured McFarlane's name prominently as both writer and artist. McFarlane's subsequent break with [[Marvel Comics]] and the formation of Image Comics was seen by many as a sea-change event, changing the way in which comics were produced. ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'', in May 2008, rated "The Launch of Image Comics" as #1 in the list of events that rocked the comic industry from 1991 to 2008.<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Rossen| first = Jake| title = 50 Events That Rocked Comics| journal = Wizard Magazine #200| date = May 2008}}</ref> The first issue of ''Spawn'' was very popular, selling 1.7 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spawn.com/info/todd/bio.long.aspx |title=Todd McFarlane β Complete Biography |publisher=Spawn.com |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921213405/http://spawn.com/info/todd/bio.long.aspx |archive-date=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> During ''Spawn''{{'}}s second year of publication, ''Wizard'' noted that "The top dog at Image is undoubtedly Todd McFarlane's ''Spawn'', which, without the added marketing push of fancy covers, poly bagged issues, or card inserts has become the best-selling comic on a consistent basis that is currently being published."<ref>{{cite news | date = June 1993 | title = Wizard Market Watch | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | issue = 22 | pages = 134β5}}</ref> Sales slumped around the time of ''Spawn'' #25, but by ''Spawn'' #45 it was again a consistently strong seller.<ref name="WizScorching">{{cite news | last = Pearson | first= Lars | date = August 1997 | title = Spawn's Scorching | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | issue = 72 | page = 141}}</ref> The popularity of the franchise peaked with the 1997 [[Spawn (1997 film)|''Spawn'' feature film]], the pre-release publicity for which helped make ''Spawn'' the top-selling comic book for May 1997;<ref name="WizScorching"/> in addition, the spin-off ''Curse of the Spawn'' #9 came in at fifth best-selling in that same month.<ref>{{cite news | date = August 1997 | title = Wizard Top 100 | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | issue = 72 | page = 142}}</ref> However, the film was only a mild commercial success and failed to start a film franchise based on the character. A 2008 issue, ''Spawn'' #174, ranked 99th best-selling comic of the month with retail orders of 22,667.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12096.html| title = Top 300 Comics ActualβJanuary 2008| publisher = icv2.com| access-date = March 7, 2008| archive-date = February 28, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080228094153/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12096.html| url-status = live}}</ref> In October 2008, issue #185, which marked both a new creative direction and Todd McFarlane's return to the book, sold out at the distribution level and received a second printing.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.newsarama.com/comics/081030-mcfarlane-portacio-spawn.html| title = McFarlane-Portacio Spawn Sells Out| publisher =[[Newsarama]]| access-date = December 29, 2009}}</ref> By issue #191 in May 2009, with estimated sales of 19,803 copies, ''Spawn'' had dropped below Top 100 titles sold monthly to comic shops as reported by [[Diamond Comic Distributors]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2009/2009-04.html| title = Comic Book Sales Figures for April 2009| publisher = [[Newsarama]]| access-date = December 29, 2009| archive-date = July 9, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170709223655/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2009/2009-04.html| url-status = live}}</ref> As of September 2010, Spawn was ranked at #115 in the top 300 sales figures chart reported by Diamond Comic Distributors.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2010/2010-09.html| title = Monthly Comics Book SalesβSeptember 2010| publisher = comichron.com| access-date = June 20, 2019| archive-date = February 21, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220221153415/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2010/2010-09.html| url-status = live}}</ref> On the day of its release in 2011, issue #200 sold out. This issue featured work by Greg Capullo, David Finch, Michael Golden, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Danny Miki, and Ashley Wood. A second printing was released the next month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/spawn-200-sells-out-in-one-day/|title=Spawn #200 Sells Out in One Day|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=January 13, 2011|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129115008/https://www.cbr.com/spawn-200-sells-out-in-one-day/|url-status=live}}</ref> It received a negative review from ''[[IGN]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/13/spawn-200-review| title = Spawn #200 β Review| website = [[IGN]]| date = January 12, 2011| access-date = June 13, 2020| archive-date = August 15, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024901/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/13/spawn-200-review| url-status = live}}</ref> ''Spawn''<nowiki/>'s sales continued to decline despite a series of homage covers designed to renew interest, ultimately hitting its lowest sales number of under 12,000 retail orders in ''Spawn'' #243.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zawlacki |first=Jake |title=Searching for Legitimacy: Spawn, McFarlane, and the Homage Cover β ImageTexT |url=https://imagetextjournal.com/searching-for-legitimacy-spawn-mcfarlane-and-the-homage-cover/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019002813/https://imagetextjournal.com/searching-for-legitimacy-spawn-mcfarlane-and-the-homage-cover/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Spawn'' began a resurgence in popularity as the title approached its 300th issue, with the title once again becoming a fixture in Diamond's Top 100. The 300th issue made Spawn the longest-running independent comic book series of all time.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2019/2019-09.html| title = Monthly Comics Book SalesβMay 2018| publisher = comichron.com| access-date = June 20, 2019| archive-date = February 23, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220223053940/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2019/2019-09.html| url-status = live}}</ref> In 2021, McFarlane expanded his Spawn Universe with 3 new ongoing titles and a one-shot titled ''Spawn Universe No. 1'' which sold 211,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=June 8, 2021 |title='Spawn's Universe' Sets Sales Milestone for Image Comics |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawns-universe-image-comics-todd-mcfarlane-1234964291/ |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522021626/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawns-universe-image-comics-todd-mcfarlane-1234964291/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first spinoff, titled ''King Spawn'', was released in August 2021 having pre-order sales of 497,000 copies and total sales of 520,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 11, 2021 |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |title='King Spawn' No. 1 Sells Nearly 500,000 Copies |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/king-spawn-todd-mcfarlane-image-comics-1234995938/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210141716/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/king-spawn-todd-mcfarlane-image-comics-1234995938/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Pitts |first1=Lan |last2=Doran |first2=Michael |date=August 11, 2021 |title=Todd McFarlane on why King Spawn #1 sales are so high and what Spawn can do that Marvel and DC can't |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/todd-mcfarlane-on-why-king-spawn-1-sales-are-so-high-and-what-spawn-can-do-that-marvel-and-dc-cant/ |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522021629/https://www.gamesradar.com/todd-mcfarlane-on-why-king-spawn-1-sales-are-so-high-and-what-spawn-can-do-that-marvel-and-dc-cant/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2021 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Gunslinger Spawn Sales Mark the Biggest Superhero Launch in 25 Years |url=https://www.cbr.com/gunslinger-spawn-biggest-superhero-launch-in-25-years/ |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522021626/https://www.cbr.com/gunslinger-spawn-biggest-superhero-launch-in-25-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next title, released in October 2021, ''Gunslinger Spawn'' sold 385,000 copies, which made it the biggest launch for a new ongoing superhero title in 25 years.<ref name=":0" /> The final new series, ''The Scorched'', was released in January 2022 and sold more than 270,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE SCORCHED #1 SETS ANOTHER RECORD AS SPAWN FRANCHISE ENDS 2021 WITH 4TH SALES-SHATTERING RECORD |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/the-scorched-1-sets-another-record-as-spawn-franchise-ends-2021-with-4th-sales-shattering-record |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Image Comics |language=en |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522021637/https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/the-scorched-1-sets-another-record-as-spawn-franchise-ends-2021-with-4th-sales-shattering-record |url-status=live }}</ref> McFarlane also stated in an interview that he wants Spawn to outlive him the same way characters like ''Spider-Man'', ''Batman'', ''[[Superman]]'', and even [[The Walt Disney Company|''Disney'']] have endured past their creators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-reboot-todd-mcfarlane-update/|title=Todd McFarlane Gives Optimistic Update on Spawn Movie Reboot|website=[[Screen Rant]]|first=Brennan|last=Klein|date=April 17, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2023|archive-date=January 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105075156/https://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-reboot-todd-mcfarlane-update/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Fictional character biography== {{Multiple issues| {{Tone|date=January 2015|section}} {{Long plot|section|date=July 2021}} }} ===Origin=== Born in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], '''Albert Francis''' "'''Al'''" '''Simmons''' is the second oldest of three siblings. His father, Bernard Simmons, is a traveling salesman, and his mother, Esther Simmons, is a devil worshipper. Al Simmons eventually becomes a highly decorated officer in the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]], attaining the rank of [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] while serving with [[United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance|Force Recon]]. He later joins the [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]], becomes a high-ranking official, and is recruited by the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. Simmons later joins the U.S. Security Group, an umbrella agency encompassing the CIA, [[NSA]], and [[United States National Security Council|NSC]], commanded by Director [[Jason Wynn]], and becomes a capable assassin. During a mission in Botswana, Wynn grows tired of Simmons' increasing sense of morality. As a result of this, Simmons' friend and partner Bruce Stinson (codename [[Chapel (comics)|Chapel]]) is secretly hired to kill him. Simmons is burned to death and sent to [[Hell]].<ref name="Nelson2012">{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Victoria|title=Gothicka: Vampire Heroes, Human Gods, and the New Supernatural|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KeTmjxcT0g8C&pg=PT103|date=May 8, 2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge, MA|isbn=978-0-674-06540-6|pages=103β104}}</ref><ref name=booker>{{cite book|editor=M. Keith Booker|title=Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2J7DpUItEMC&pg=PA583|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-35746-6|pages=583β585|year=2010}}</ref><ref name="Boyd2008">{{cite book|last=Boyd|first=Todd|author-link=Todd Boyd|title=African Americans and Popular Culture [3 volumes]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Evxm9Wd6P6EC&pg=RA2-PA174|date=October 30, 2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-06408-1|page=174}}</ref> Making a deal with the devil [[Malebolgia]], Simmons agrees to become a Hellspawn. After swearing to serve Malebolgia, he is allowed to see his wife Wanda one last time. Malebolgia returns Simmons to the living realm with a severely burned body, and a demonic guardian named the [[Violator (comics)|Violator]].<ref name="DuncanSmith2013">{{cite book|last1=Duncan|first1=Randy|last2=Smith|first2=Matthew J.|title=Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2GNaoeiY51EC&pg=PA503|date=January 2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-39923-7|page=503}}</ref> Simmons, now a Hellspawn, returns to Earth with a lack of understanding of his previous identity. He wanders in a state of confusion with only vague memories of his former life, including his own name, his marriage to Wanda and the fact that he was once deceased. Spawn occasionally experiences painful flashbacks and eventually remembers his deal with Malebolgia. Using CIA files, he tracks down his wife and finds her married to his former best friend Terry, with whom she has a daughter named Cyan.<ref name=booker/> He realizes five years have passed since his death. Spawn runs into a fellow Hellspawn, who informs him that his powers are fueled by Necroplasm and that once they are depleted, he will return to Hell. Not wanting to return to Hell, Spawn attempts to find a new purpose in life while using as little power as possible. Spawn is thrust into several antihero adventures, taking down street gangs and organized crime in [[New York City]]. Battling against various criminals, Spawn finds a new purpose in stopping evil. ===Early history=== In his early battles, Spawn faces street thugs and gangs, becoming a dark, sadistic antihero, and brutally murders the pedophile and child murderer [[Billy Kincaid]]. Spawn gains the attention of police detectives Sam Burke and Twitch Williams, and becomes "King of Rat City", a gathering of alleys populated by the city's homeless. There he meets [[Cogliostro]], who knows much about Spawn and becomes his mentor. Spawn is hunted by the warrior angel [[Angela (comics)|Angela]], who hunts Hellspawns for sport,<ref name=booker/> and battles the cyborg mob enforcer [[Overt-Kill]]. He fights the angelic warrior [[Anti-Spawn]], also known as the Redeemer, who is really [[Jason Wynn]].<ref name=booker/> ====First metamorphosis==== Following a conflict with the Redeemer, Spawn's costume undergoes a significant upgrade. The upgraded suit features a new cape and chains, which are able to change shape. Additionally, the boots and gloves are replaced with spikes. After this transformation, the suit starts feeding off souls. After this, Tony Twist sends a reprogrammed [[Overt-Kill]] after Terry, and Spawn is forced to reveal his identity while saving his friend. A well-placed shot from Twitch Williams brings down Overt-Kill. Spawn is part of Angela's trial and later travels to the South and encounters the KKK and an abusive father of two boys. After returning to New York, he is attacked by a new Redeemer, causing his costume to evolve once more. After another encounter with the Curse, the suit sends him to Hell. Malebolgia later sends him back with full control of the suit. Spawn wears a living symbiotic costume, Leetha of the 7th House of K (also known as K7-Leetha). While wearing it, the host assumes a dominant role over the suit. His shroud, spikes, chains and skulls are all part of an organism bonded to his central nervous system that protects Spawn even if he is unconscious.<ref name=booker/> ===War of Heaven and Hell=== ====Battle for life==== As Spawn struggles to find a way to regain control, he notices that the attacks are coming from both Heaven and Hell. Due to increasing attacks, Spawn begins to lose himself to evil. With help from the Heap, an emissary of the Greenworld, Spawn manages to regain his goal. Greenworld, a dimension whose power is equal to both Heaven and Hell, gives new powers to Spawn to better understand the world and its people.<ref name=booker/> These powers seem to give him control of all of the elements in the world. Spawn is later attacked by [[Urizen]]. After recovering, Spawn learns the Greenworld has imbued him with a gift, which he uses to contain Urizen by splitting the ground and imprisoning him inside the earth.<ref name="booker" /> After his battle, Spawn learns Malebolgia had caused Urizen's release in an attempt to start Armageddon and conquer the forces of Heaven. Spawn and Angela journey to Hell to stop him. During the battle, Angela mortally wounds Malebolgia, who kills her in retaliation. Consumed with anger, Spawn takes Malebolgia's head.<ref name=booker/> ====King of Hell==== Upon killing Malebolgia, Spawn learns Hell's throne is rightfully his when it is offered to him by the demon Mammon. After initially refusing, Spawn deliberates with Cogliostro and decides to turn Hell into a new paradise. During this act, Cogliostrio reveals he is [[Cain]], who was the first person to go to Hell, having murdered his brother in envy. His true goal had always been to take over Hell using a Hellspawn. Having betrayed Spawn, Cogliostrio takes the throne but restores his former student's human form as a parting gift.<ref name=booker/> On Earth, Spawn meets Nyx, a young Wiccan that helps him regain his suit. Using trickery, Mammon usurps Nyx's control over Spawn's union with his suit and removing all of Al's memories. Amnesiac, Spawn wanders the Earth. He releases a group of angels called the Forgotten and stays neutral in the war between Heaven and Hell. He discovers Mammon is a member of the Fallen who was sent to Hell. ====Spawn in Armageddon==== Spawn regains his memories thanks to the power of the Greenworld. His suit evolves once more and seems one with his body. However, as time progresses, he begins to hate himself. Having been rejected by Heaven and Hell, he now lives in an abandoned warehouse as maggots and other insects crawl inside his body. He returns to the Dead Zone, although a Hellspawn would not be welcomed there. Upon entering, Spawn is confronted by the Disciple, who tears his brain out, throws his heart into the Greenworld, and his body into Hell. Mammon captures and tortures Spawn to learn his secrets.<ref name=booker/> When Spawn's heart falls to the Greenworld, a soul is freed. Chris meets with his mother and travels to Hell along with Sam Burke and Twitch Williams to rescue Spawn from Mammon. Spawn escapes and returns to Earth, where signs of Armageddon begin to appear. Looking for a way to stop it, Spawn discovers Wanda's twin children are responsible. He stops them from killing their entire family but cannot destroy them. Zera reveals Jake is God and Katie is Satan. Due to their hatred of each other and constant fighting, the Mother removed their powers and positions and sent them to Earth. She tells him he cannot stop Armageddon. However, he has the potential to gain the power of a god and preserve the human race. He has to eat a piece of [[Forbidden fruit|Forbidden Fruit]] from the [[Garden of Eden]] to gain such power. She tells Spawn he must fight against The Disciple. It is revealed there are 12 Disciples, each one representing one of Jesus. Spawn's power is also weakened because demons cannot enter the Garden. However, with guidance from Cyan, he defeats every Disciple but Judas, who Cyan tells Spawn not to kill. Judas then stabs Spawn in the heart but the Mother gives Spawn a piece of the fruit and resurrects him. He gains an angelic form and greater power. Spawn returns to Earth, which has been destroyed by [[Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen]]; angels and demons are waiting to fight their final battle. After defeating Zera, Spawn finds dead warriors of Heaven, one of whom is Granny Blake, who is betrayed by her faith. Spawn battles the forces of Satan and God, destroying the forces of Heaven, Hell and humanity. He is then killed by the two, who then fight alone on Earth. Spawn comes back and resurrects everyone with the knowledge of what happened. He leaves God and Satan to fight in their own little world and closes the doors to Heaven, Hell, and Earth. He asks to be turned into a human by the Mother but later asks to once again become a Hellspawn after remembering that, prior to his first death as Al Simmons, he had beaten Wanda and caused her to miscarry their child. This causes him to conclude he has always been a monster and does not deserve to be human again. ===Back in the mortal world=== ====New Clown==== After a series of odd murders, Spawn finds the Clown has come back, possessing the body of mortal Barney Saunders, who is having an affair with a woman named Wilma Barbara. Spawn destroys and remakes the world. Saunders is rescued by the Clown so he can use his body. He then brings out the dark urges inside the tenants of an apartment building and uses this to form a doorway to Hell and bring back his brothers. However, before he can form a portal, Wilma shows up and his love for her allows Saunders to take back control. Intending to close the portal, he goes through it, and takes Wilma with him due to being angry over her leaving him in the chute. Zera reappears as a [[Brain in a vat|head in a jar]]. Spawn is summoned by a voodoo priestess named Mambo Suzanne. Zera attempts to take over Nyx's body and fights Spawn. However, she is killed when Suzanne throws Zera's head into the street. Nyx is freed and she and Spawn become friends again. Ab and Zab create a hell where visitors are forced to view their deepest fears, which are eaten by demons called sin-eaters. While confronting Ab and Zab, Spawn is faced with his own sin against Wanda and his unborn child. Unable to break free from the guilt, Spawn is parasitized by a sin eater. When Nyx interferes, he breaks the sin eater's illusion. Spawn breaks all the other's illusions and comes across Al Simmons' brother Richard. Spawn decides to allow Richard to feel his sins. Mammon, as Mr. Malefick, had put an influence on Al and Richard Simmons. Only Marc Simmons saved himself from Mammon but was unable to help the others. Richard calls his brothers to help him save the drug dealer's life. Al, instead of calling an ambulance, pulls the knife from Weasel's body and kills him with it. Mammon appears, sending the brothers home while he hides the drug dealer's body. Nyx and Spawn kill the last sin eater and Spawn discovers Richard cannot remember their parents due to a spell placed by Mammon. Wanting to know more about them, Spawn finds their home under a spell placed by Mammon. His mother planned with Mammon to create the strongest Hellspawn. Al is then given a journal by his father that reveals his ancestor came across a Hellspawn in the past known as the Gunslinger Spawn. ====Morana==== There, Spawn speaks with Wanda, who cannot forgive Al for the death of their child. However, she still loves the man inside Spawn. Trying to take out Cyan's knife, Spawn somehow suppresses the suit. Cyan and Nyx appear, and K7-Leetha appears and takes over Nyx. Now controlled by the K7, Nyx tries to kill Cyan and Wanda but is halted by Mammon. The entire group goes to a castle, where Mammon explains his plan to make a perfect Hellspawn. He wants the Rapture to occur so Satan, God, and Malebolgia will be gone. He reveals his perfect Hellspawn is Al and Wanda's miscarried child, Morana. After washing herself in virgin's blood, Morana bonds with the uniform and gets ready to consume her parents' souls. Cyan taps into her powers and goes to the future. She talks with an old woman who gives her a message for Al. Returning, she has Spawn summon the last twelve members of the Legion, who are beaten by Morana. Mammon insults Al and disowns Morana. Cyan tells Nyx a spell to trap Mammon and Morana. It works, both demons are sealed away, and the others return home. Al jumps into another dimension to be reborn as a weapon against both heaven and hell. ====Endgame==== Spawn is soon ready to enter the human dimension. Making his way to the alleys, he blows his head off. Meanwhile, Jim Downing, an amnesiac man healing at a hospital, wakes up. He seems to know Spawn. A janitor tries to make money off Jim's story and calls a lawyer, who later commits suicide. A thug is paid to capture Jim and attacks him with a flaming skull. In the ensuing fight, the hospital is set on fire and Jim transforms into Spawn. After killing his attacker, Jim escapes the burning building in human form, eventually being taken in by firefighters. After being taken to another hospital, he leaves, reunites with his previous nurse Sara, and begins to transform. He calls Sara but leaves before she can see him. Meanwhile, a reporter begins to ask questions about the incident at the hospital. Wandering the city, Jim is attacked and kills his assailants. This draws the attention of Sam and Twitch, who recognize the chaos as Spawn's doings. After reuniting with Sara and telling him about his transformation, Jim wanders off again and meets Wanda Blake, Al Simmons' ex-wife. She recognizes Jim as the form Al took when he originally returned to earth. On Wanda's advice, Jim travels to Rat City and finds Spawn's throne and is met by an angel. Jim beats the angel in a fight and leaves. He finds out that a man working for Gilbert Sanchez has been asking questions about him. The angel Spawn beat is later attacked by Clown, who removes her wings. When Spawn returns, she is powerless and insane and finds Freak and Violator. Despite Freak's warnings, Clown begins to deceive Jim and informs him his suit is a living being and then vanishes. Clown is arrested by Sam and Twitch and meets the leader of a vampire group to attempt to form a unity between the leader, Clown, and Spawn. Mob members kill Gilbert Sanchez for his information on the new Spawn. Spawn attempts to learn more about Jim but is assaulted and uses his powers on his attacker. Jim later finds the man who had been asking Sara questions. He tracks him to his family's home, which is bombed, killing everyone inside but Spawn. Spawn finds more mob members, questions them further and kills them. ====Resurrection==== In Resurrection, Spawn is revived and is later told by God in dog form that Wanda has died and is now trapped in Hell, where Al must rescue her. He fights Satan and saves his wife. God and Satan are no longer twins because McFarlane lost the right to use the [[Man of Miracles (comics)|Man of Miracles]] character due to a copyright dispute with Marvel. Man of Miracles is [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] out of existence, and God and Satan are based on the Abrahamic story of Creation. After saving Wanda from Satan, she goes to Heaven and Spawn continues to protect the people in Wanda's memory from the forces of both Heaven and Hell, as well as any supernatural threats. ==Characters== {{Main|List of Spawn characters}} ==List of comics, spin-offs and crossovers== '''''[[Violator (comics)|Violator]]'' (1994)''' :A three-issue miniseries written by Alan Moore with art by [[Bart Sears]]. The series focused on the conflict between Violator/Clown and Tony Twist and also featured Spawn. '''''[[Angela (comics)|Angela]]'' (1994β1995)''' :From 1994 to 1995, a three-issue ''Angela'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] was published, written by [[Neil Gaiman]] and illustrated by [[Greg Capullo]]. The series along with Angela's one-shot were later reprinted in a [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] ({{ISBN|1-887279-09-1}}), which, as of 2005, is out-of-print.<ref name="WagnerGolden2008">{{cite book|last1=Wagner|first1=Hank|last2=Golden|first2=Christopher|author-link2=Christopher Golden|last3=Bissette|first3=Stephen R.|author-link3=Stephen R. Bissette|title=Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tFIuyrWnjGYC&pg=PA239|date=October 28, 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4299-6178-3|pages=239β252}}</ref> '''''Angela & [[Aria (Image Comics)|Aria]]''''' :A crossover between Angela and [[Aria (Image Comics)|Aria]]. '''''Angela & [[Glory (character)|Glory]]''''' :A crossover between Angela and [[Glory (character)|Glory]]. '''''Celestine''''' :About Celestine. the angel from the Violator vs [[Badrock]] series in a two-shot series. '''''Violator vs [[Badrock]]'' (1995)''' :A four-issue miniseries released in 1995 written by [[Alan Moore]]. Drawn by Brian Denham. Ink by Jonathan Sibal and Danny Miki. '''''Spawn: Blood Feud'' (1995)''' :A four-issue miniseries released in 1995 written by [[Alan Moore]]. Drawn by [[Tony Daniel]]. Inked by Kevin Conrad. '''''Spawn the Impaler'' (1996)''' :A three-issue miniseries released in October 1996, inspired by the story of the Wallachian voivode [[Vlad ΘepeΘ]]. Written by [[Mike Grell]] with art by Rob Prior. '''''Medieval Spawn / [[Witchblade]]'' (1996)''' :A three-issue miniseries was written by [[Garth Ennis]]. [[Medieval Spawn]] and the wielder of the [[Witchblade]] team up against Lord Cardinale, wielder of [[The Darkness (character)#Darkness|the Darkness]]. '''''[[Curse of the Spawn]]'' (1996β1999)''' :The first long-term monthly spinoff series. Consisted of a number of story arcs centered on supporting characters from the main series, such as a future Hellspawn during the Apocalypse or Sam & Twitch. Aimed at an older demographic than the main series and is significantly darker in tone, with more disturbing visuals and themes. 29 issues. '''''Spawn: The Dark Ages'' (1999β2001)''' :This series focused on Lord Covenant, a 12th-century knight killed in a holy crusade far from his homeland, who returns to Earth as a Hellspawn. As a plague of violence and turmoil cover the English countryside, the Dark Knight must choose whether to align himself with the innocent inhabitants of the once-thriving kingdom or with the malevolent forces of evil and corruption. The series ran for 28 issues. Issues 15β28 featured writer [[Steve Niles]] and artist [[Nat Jones]]. '''''Spawn: Fan Edition''''' :A three issue mini-series centered around the Norse hellspawn Nordak. '''''Spawn: Blood and Shadows'' (1999)''' :A Spawn prestige-format one-shot released in 1999. Written by [[Paul Jenkins (writer)|Paul Jenkins]] with art by [[Ashley Wood]]. '''''Cy-Gor'' (1999)''' :A six-issue spinoff miniseries. '''''Spawn: The Undead'' (1999β2000)''' :This series concentrates on Al Simmons. Unlike the original Spawn series, it was a self-contained, single-issue story. Written by [[Paul Jenkins (writer)|Paul Jenkins]] it lasted 9 issues. '''''[[Sam & Twitch]]'' (1999β2004)''' :A spin-off series following the criminal investigations of detectives Sam Burke and Twitch Williams. 26 issues. '''''Case Files: Sam & Twitch'' (2003β2006)''' :Continuation of Sam & Twitch. 25 issues. '''''Sam & Twitch: The Writer'' (2010)''' :A four-issue miniseries. '''''[[Haunt (comics)|Haunt]]'' (2009)''' A story of two brothers (one a ghost, the other a human) who fuse together to become Haunt, a character that appears in other Spawn stories. '''''[[Hellspawn (comic book)|Hellspawn]]'' (2000β2003)''' :A relatively avant-garde spin-off comic inspired by ''Spawn''. Darker and more atmospheric than ''Spawn'', ''Hellspawn'' frequently dealt with the disturbing subject matter. It originally featured writer [[Brian Michael Bendis]] and artist [[Ashley Wood]]. It ran 16 issues. '''''Spawn: Simony'' (2003)''' :One-shot. Published in 2003 by [[Semic Comics|Semic]], McFarlane allowed the creators (Jean-FranΓ§ois Porchero and {{ill|Alex Nikolavitch|fr|Alex Nikolavitch}}) to create an original Spawn tale without using [[Image comics]]. This has Spawn fight against Necro Cop. '''''[[Shadows of Spawn]]'' (2005β2006)''' :Three graphic novel compilations of the Spawn [[manga]]. '''''Spawn Toys''''' :A nine-issue series of one-shots packed in with early ''Spawn'' toys. '''''Spawn: Architects of Fear'' (2011)''' :A prestige format one-shot released in February 2008. Written by Arthur Claire with artwork by Aleksi Briclot. '''''Spawn: Blood and Salvation''''' :A prestige-format one-shot that concludes the story of Daniel Llanso, the Hellspawn featured in the first four issues of ''[[Curse of the Spawn]]''. '''''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' (1994)''' :Intercompany crossover was written by Frank Miller with the art of Todd McFarlane. Considered part of Spawn and Miller's [[The Dark Knight Returns|Dark Knight]] universe canon. [[File:Spawn&Batman.JPG|thumb|150px|Cover of ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' [[Polish language|Polish]] edition. Art by Kiko Taganashi and [[Todd McFarlane]].]] '''''[[Batman/Spawn: War Devil]]''''' :Continuation of ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' crossover, written by [[Doug Moench]], [[Chuck Dixon]], and [[Alan Grant (writer)|Alan Grant]] and drawn by [[Klaus Janson]]. '''''The Adventures of Spawn''''' :At the 2006 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], it was announced that a new take on the Spawn mythos was in the works. This new Spawn story is known as ''The Adventures of Spawn'' and as stated by Jon Goff, a moderator on the Spawn.com Message Board and McFarlane employee, it is a re-imagining of the Spawn story that is essentially a "What if?" universe that hearkens back to classic kid-friendly Saturday morning cartoons. The story takes place in a [[webcomic]] format and has been tied into the action figure world through McFarlane Toys' Spawn Series 30. '''''Misery''''' :A future series announced by McFarlane about Cyan Fitzgerald and her titular alter-ego.<ref>{{cite web|last=Terror|first=Jude|date=February 21, 2018|title=Misery, a New Series from Todd McFarlane Channeling the #MeToo Movement|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/misery-todd-mcfarlane-metoo-movement/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204133/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/misery-todd-mcfarlane-metoo-movement/|url-status=live}}</ref> '''''Spawn/Witchblade''''' :A four-issue mini-series centered in medieval times focusing on the Medieval Spawn and the wielder of the Witchblade of that time. A sequel to the 1993 series. '''''Sam and Twitch True Detectives''''' :An eight-part mini-series focusing on Sam and Twitch which would tie in with the upcoming film.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 10, 2021|title='Spawn' Spin-Off 'Sam and Twitch' Is Getting a TV Series From 'Mare of Easttown' Producers & Todd McFarlane|url=https://collider.com/spawn-spinoff-series-sam-and-twitch-tv-adaptation-todd-mcfarlane/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|language=en-US|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205918/https://collider.com/spawn-spinoff-series-sam-and-twitch-tv-adaptation-todd-mcfarlane/|url-status=live}}</ref> '''''Spawn: Resurrection''''' :A one-shot that takes place around the same time as Spawn 250 explaining how Al returned. '''''Spawn Kills Everyone''''' :A one-shot focusing on a [[chibi (slang)|chibi]] Spawn killing everyone. '''''Spawn Kills Everyone Too!''''' :A four-part mini-series sequel to the one-shot ''Spawn Kills Everyone''. === Spawn's Universe === Starting in June 2021, a one-shot titled Spawn's Universe #1 was released. With it came the announcements and introductions to three new Spawn monthly titles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spawn's Universe: #1 |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawns-universe-1 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Image Comics |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329170734/https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawns-universe-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> With the release of this one-shot, lead to three new titles being released that same year; ''King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn'' and ''The Scorched.'' The first issue for each of these four titles had a positive reception, with each title selling well over 200,000 units each. '''''Spawn's Universe''''' :In June 2021 an oversized one-shot special, written by Todd McFarlane and features art by Stephen Segovia, Jim Cheung and Marcio Takara. This special sets up three other ongoing monthly titles which followed. '''''King Spawn''''' :''King Spawn'' was the first ongoing story from the Spawn universe, since the mainline series was released in 1992. Released in August 2021, the series is written by Sean Lewis with art primarily by Javier FernΓ‘ndez. The story follows Spawn as he faces old and new foes while becoming king. '''''Gunslinger Spawn''''' :''Gunslinger Spawn'' was the second new-ongoing series was released in October 2021, written by Todd McFarlane and illustrated by [[Brett Booth]]. This series focuses on the adventures of Gunslinger Spawn's after becoming trapped in modern times. Following the events of Spawn #350, Gunslinger Spawn artist, Brett Booth, and main-line Spawn series artist, Carlo Barberi, switched art duties, with Barberi being the primary artist on Gunslinger Spawn following #29 and Booth taking over Spawn art duties with Spawn #350.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPAWN #350 NEW DIRECTION SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH UPCOMING KING SPAWN, THE SCORCHED & GUNSLINGER SERIES' STORYLINES |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/spawn-350-new-direction-sends-shockwaves-through-upcoming-king-spawn-the-scorched-gunslinger-series-storylines |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Image Comics |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329170734/https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/spawn-350-new-direction-sends-shockwaves-through-upcoming-king-spawn-the-scorched-gunslinger-series-storylines |url-status=live }}</ref> '''''The Scorched''''' :The third ongoing series launched as a part of the Spawn Universe is ''The Scorched''. The series was released in January 2022, and is written by Sean Lewis with art by Stephen Segovia. The story focuses on a team of rotating roster of heroes, with the core group consisting of She-Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, Medieval Spawn, and Redeemer. '''''Batman/Spawn''''' :In December 2022, a third intercompany crossover between Batman and Spawn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Batman and Spawn Face Off in Batman Spawn |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/09/13/batman-and-spawn-face-off-in-batman-spawn |access-date=September 20, 2022 |website=DC |language=en |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173203/https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/09/13/batman-and-spawn-face-off-in-batman-spawn |url-status=live }}</ref> Though the series could have been released as a mini-series it was ultimately released as a one-shot special. The one-shot was written by Todd McFarlane and artist [[Greg Capullo]]. '''''Spawn: Unwanted Violence''''' :A two issue miniseries released in JanuaryβFebruary 2023, was written by McFarlane and illustrated by [[Mike del Mundo]]. The story focused on a conflict between Spawn and The Freak. === The New U === Following the events of Spawn #350, a new line-up of titles was announced in February 2024. "The New U" is set to build up on the foundations of Spawn's Universe and launch a new era of Spawn titles. Each title in The New U will have drastically different tones and genres. Ranging from Horror, Drama, Crime, Science-Fiction and Comedy. Each title in The New U retains a price point of $2.99 or $3.99 for first issues, with the rest in the series continuing to be $2.99.<ref name=":2"/> The first title to be released in the New U is the miniseries ''Sam and Twitch: Case Files'', a crime/noir detective series following the titular characters Sam & Twitch. Next under the label is ''Rat City'', a sci-fi ongoing series set 100 years in the future releases in April 2024. ''Monolith'' a three part mini-series, releases in May the same year. More titles in the New U are set to be released in 2024. In June and July, three four-issue miniseries; ''Misery, Medieval Spawn'', and ''Spawn Kills every Spawn''. In August, a six-issue ''Violater'' mini-series and a Knights vs. Samurai are set to be released. In September ''Deadly Tales'', a new ongoing title will launch, and in October, a bi-monthly series ''No Home Here'' launches. Other titles announced are ''Focus, Spawn: The Dark Ages, She-Spawn, Bloodletter'', and ''Spawn 77''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=TODD MCFARLANE ROLLS OUT "THE NEW U," UNVEILS SAM & TWITCH: CASE FILES #1 VARIANT COVER |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/todd-mcfarlane-rolls-out-the-new-u-unveils-sam-twitch-case-files-1-variant-cover |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Image Comics |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329170734/https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/todd-mcfarlane-rolls-out-the-new-u-unveils-sam-twitch-case-files-1-variant-cover |url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Sam and Twitch: Case Files''''' :In March 2024, an miniseries title focusing on Sam and Twitch came out, created by McFarlane and co-plotted by Jon Goff, with art by Syzmon Kudranski.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Rich Johnston {{!}} |date=October 19, 2023 |title=Todd McFarlane Launches Ten More Spawn Titles For 2024 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/todd-mcfarlane-launches-ten-more-spawn-titles-for-2024/ |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203064838/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/todd-mcfarlane-launches-ten-more-spawn-titles-for-2024/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Rat City''''' :A new ongoing series, ''Rat City'', written by [[Erica Schultz]] and illustrated by Ze Carlos, was released April 2024. The series follows Peter Cairn, known as 'The devient' set a hundred years in the future. Peter Cairn is the cybernetic Spawn of the future, who was transformed through the actions of Al Simmons in Spawn #350.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Todd McFarlane Productions' Spawn Universe Expands with New Science-Fiction Series Rat City Next Month |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/todd-mcfarlane-productions-spawn-universe-expands-with-new-science-fiction-series-rat-city-next-month |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Image Comics |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329170734/https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/todd-mcfarlane-productions-spawn-universe-expands-with-new-science-fiction-series-rat-city-next-month |url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Monolith''''' :''Monolith'' is a three-issue mini-series abouth the origins of the hell Spawn Monolith. Releasing in May 2024, the series is written by Sean Lewis with art by Valerio Giangiordano.<ref name=":2" /> '''''Misery''''' :A series focusing on the title character helping innocents who've been victimized by evil. Written by McFarlane and illustrated by Kudranski.<ref name=":1" /> '''''Medieval Spawn''''' :A mini-series focusing on Medieval Spawn's origins and how he ended up in the current times.<ref name="gamesradar.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles/ | title=Spawn gets a whole new comic line consisting of no fewer than 15 titles | date=March 4, 2024 | access-date=March 9, 2024 | archive-date=August 10, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810002936/https://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles/ | url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Spawn Kills Every Spawn''''' :A series about Spawn killing other versions of himself. Written and drawn by John Layman and Rob Duenes.<ref name="johnston" /> '''''Violator: Origin''''' :A series focusing on the title character by [[Kyle Hotz]].<ref name=":1" /> '''''Knights vs. Samurai''''' :An ongoing series centered around knights against Samurai.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles/ | title=Spawn gets a whole new comic line consisting of no fewer than 15 titles | date=March 4, 2024 | access-date=March 10, 2024 | archive-date=March 10, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310010509/https://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles/ | url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Deadly Tales of The Gunslinger''''' :A Gunslinger series about his days in the American Civil War. Written by [[Jimmy Palmiotti]] and illustrated by Patric Reynolds.<ref name="johnston" /> '''''The Curse of Sherlee Johnson''''' :Originally called No Home Here,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bing.com/search?q=spawn+the+curse+of+sheree+johnsen&cvid=4d5d290d59f5493a8de24f53aac77702&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhA0gEINTM1MWowajSoAgiwAgE&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS | title=Spawn the curse of sheree johnsen }}</ref> story about Kincaid's final victim from issue 5. Written and drawn by Jonathan Glapion.<ref name="johnston">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=Todd McFarlane Announces 5 New Spawn Comics at San Diego Comic-Con |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/todd-mcfarlane-announces-5-new-spawn-comics-at-san-diego-comic-con/ |website=bleedingcool.com |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721193557/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/todd-mcfarlane-announces-5-new-spawn-comics-at-san-diego-comic-con/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later renamed the Curse of Sherlee Johnson. '''''Focus''''' :A series focusing on the young speedster who gained his abilities from being experimented on and first appeared in Gunslinger Spawn. Written by McFarlane and illustrated by Marco Failla.<ref name=":1" /> '''''Spawn: The Dark Ages (vol. 2)''''' :Set 700 years in the past, this is a 5th-century, post-Roman, rugged melodrama, with the last gasp of the old Celtic beliefs, and Britain being attacked from all sides. Written and drawn by [[Liam Sharp]].<ref name=":1" /> '''''She-Spawn''''' :An ongoing series about Jessica Priest as She-Spawn.<ref name="gamesradar.com"/> '''''Spawn '77''''' :An upcoming series.<ref name="gamesradar.com"/> '''''Bloodletter''''' :An upcoming series.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles | title=Spawn gets a whole new comic line consisting of no fewer than 15 titles | date=March 4, 2024 | access-date=March 10, 2024 | archive-date=March 10, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310010509/https://www.gamesradar.com/spawn-gets-a-whole-new-comic-line-consisting-of-no-fewer-than-15-titles/ | url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Freak''''' :An upcoming series centered around Freak.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Collier |date=2024-07-25 |title=SDCC '24: Todd McFarlane talks all things Spawn comics and new movie β’ AIPT |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2024/07/25/sdcc-24-todd-mcfarlane-spawn/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=aiptcomics.com |language=en-us |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803023147/https://aiptcomics.com/2024/07/25/sdcc-24-todd-mcfarlane-spawn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '''''Black Ritual: The Book of NYX''''' :Originally called Cultus Noctis: The Book of Nyx <ref>{{cite web | url=https://graphicpolicy.com/2025/02/09/the-spawn-universe-expands-in-april-with-black-ritual-the-book-of-nyx-and-medieval-spawn/ | title=The Spawn Universe expands in April with Black Ritual: The Book of NYX and Medieval Spawn | date=February 9, 2025 }}</ref> it is upcoming book about Nyx between the time she took on the she-spawn mantle and becoming the queen of hell <ref>{{cite web | url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57991/four-new-spawn-universe-titles | title=Four New Spawn Universe Titles }}</ref> ==Legal disputes== ===Dispute with Neil Gaiman=== In 1993, McFarlane contracted [[Neil Gaiman]] to write ''Spawn'' #9. While doing so, Gaiman introduced the characters [[Cogliostro]], [[Angela (comics)|Angela]], and [[Medieval Spawn]]. All three characters were designed and co-created by [[Todd McFarlane]] and continued to be featured in the series after Gaiman's involvement, and some had tie-ins with McFarlane's toy company. Cogliostro had a prominent role in [[Spawn (1997 film)|the live-action movie]] in 1997. McFarlane had agreed that Gaiman was a co-creator of the characters and paid him royalties for reprints, graphic novels, and action figures.<ref name="gaim1">{{cite web| url = http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0307.php| title = Points of Articulation: KIMOTA! Neil Gaiman vs. Todd McFarlane| date = July 17, 2003| publisher = OAFEnet| access-date = March 9, 2009| archive-date = March 14, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090314015626/http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0307.php| url-status = live}}</ref> After a few years, he ceased the payment of royalties and gave Gaiman notice that he owned all rights to the characters, citing the copyright notice from #9 and claimed that Gaiman's work had been work-for-hire and that McFarlane was the sole owner.<ref name="gaim2">{{cite web| url = http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0307.php| title = Points of Articulation: KIMOTA! Neil Gaiman vs. Todd McFarlane, part 2| date = September 1, 2004| publisher = OAFEnet| access-date = March 9, 2009| archive-date = March 14, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090314015626/http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0307.php| url-status = live}}</ref> In 2002, Gaiman filed suit against McFarlane and, in response, McFarlane counter-sued. Gaiman had partnered with [[Marvel Comics]] to form Marvels and Miracles, LLC, which bankrolled the lawsuit.<ref name="gaim1"/> The main goal was to determine the issue of ownership for another character Gaiman felt he had a stake in, Miracleman, which at the time McFarlane was believed to hold a sizable stake in after his buyout of the assets of [[Eclipse Comics]]. This issue was thrown out. Instead, the court chose to rule on the breach of contract issue, the rights of ownership and the copyrightability of the characters from ''Spawn'' #9. Several arguments were presented by McFarlane and all were rejected, leading to a sizable judgment against McFarlane and [[Image Comics]].<ref name="gaim1"/> The matter went to appeal and the judgment was upheld in a 2004 decision.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Gaiman v. McFarlane |vol=360 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=644 |court=[[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit|7th Cir.]] |date=2004-02-24 |url=https://casetext.com/case/gaiman-v-mcfarlane |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728155031/https://casetext.com/case/gaiman-v-mcfarlane/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WagnerGolden2008"/><ref name="gaim2"/> Gaiman's rights as co-creator and co-owner of Cogliostro, Angela, and Medieval Spawn were acknowledged.<ref name="gaim2"/> The court's view was that Gaiman and McFarlane's collaboration led to each contributing half of the work.<ref name="gaim2"/> Gaiman wrote the story while McFarlane illustrated the character; because of this, each held a 50% stake in the characters. Issue 9 was reprinted for the first time since the lawsuit was filed in the hardcover edition of ''Spawn Origins: Volume 1''. In a reprint collection of the first twelve issues of ''Spawn'', the contentious issue (along with [[Dave Sim]]'s #10, featuring copyrighted character [[Cerebus]]) was excluded, but both issues have been reprinted in the hardcover and deluxe editions of ''Spawn Origins Collection: Volume 1'', and the black and white 2012 (and the later 2021 color edition) softcover [[omnibus edition|omnibus]] ''Spawn Compendium'' 1, collecting ''Spawn'' issues #1β50. In 2012, McFarlane and Gaiman settled their dispute,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/gaiman-mcfarlane-settle-suit-on-medieval-spawn-angela/|title=Gaiman & McFarlane Settle Suit on Medieval Spawn, Angela|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=January 30, 2012|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118172703/https://www.cbr.com/gaiman-mcfarlane-settle-suit-on-medieval-spawn-angela/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Gaiman was given full ownership of the character Angela.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/17269-todd-mcfarlane-reacts-to-the-marvel-angela-situation.html |title=TODD MCFARLANE Reacts to the Marvel/ANGELA Situation |website=[[Newsarama]] |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419200545/http://www.newsarama.com/17269-todd-mcfarlane-reacts-to-the-marvel-angela-situation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gaiman, in turn, sold all rights to the character to Marvel Comics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Rich|title=Marvel Owns Angela β But No, Karen Gillan Won't Be Playing Her In Guardians Of The Galaxy|date=June 19, 2013|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/06/19/marvel-owns-angela-but-no-karen-gillan-wont-be-playing-her-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy/|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=June 19, 2013|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307000352/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/06/19/marvel-owns-angela-but-no-karen-gillan-wont-be-playing-her-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Tony Twist lawsuit=== [[Todd McFarlane]] created a mob enforcer character named "Antonio 'Tony Twist' Twistelli", who McFarlane acknowledged was named after hockey player [[Tony Twist]]. Twist won a $15 million verdict in 2004 when a jury found Todd McFarlane Productions had profited from Twist's likeness.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/todd-mcfarlane-productions-files-for-bankruptcy-1.513940| title = Todd McFarlane Productions files for bankruptcy| access-date = July 13, 2007| author = CBC Arts| author-link = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation| date = December 20, 2004| publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]| archive-date = June 22, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080622191456/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2004/12/20/todd041219.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The verdict was upheld after two appeals in June 2006, but the two later settled out of court for $5 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2006/06/19/daily18.html |title=Appeals court upholds $15M verdict for Twist |website=Stlouis.bizjournals.com |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810002935/https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2006/06/19/daily18.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Creative teams== {{col-begin}} {{col-1-of-2}} '''Writers''' * [[Todd McFarlane]] (#'s 1β7, 12β15, 21β150, 185βcurrent)<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060608spawnannouncement.html |title=[EXCLUSIVE!] McFARLANE REUNITES WITH 'SPAWN' |access-date=January 12, 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607150307/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/060608spawnannouncement.html |archive-date=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> (wrote #'s 201β219 under pseudonym Will Carlton<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicbuzz.com/the-pro-logs-todd-mcfarlane |title=The Pro Logs Extra: Will Carlton |publisher=ComicBuzz |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511065523/http://comicbuzz.com/the-pro-logs-todd-mcfarlane |archive-date=May 11, 2012 }}</ref>) * [[Brian Holguin]] (#'s 71β150, 185β190)<ref name="autogenerated1"/> * [[David Hine]] (#'s 150β184) * Jonathan David Goff (#'s 200β241, 297, 303β305)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=11511 |title=Jonathan David Goff |publisher=Comic Book DB |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809215517/http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=11511 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Paul Jenkins (writer)|Paul Jenkins]] (#'s 251β254)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=157 |title=Paul Jenkins |publisher=Comic Book DB |date=December 6, 1965 |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015071233/http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=157 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Erik Larsen]] (#'s 259β266) * Darragh Savage (#'s 276β282) * Rory McConville (#'s 327βcurrent) '''Artists''' * [[Todd McFarlane]] (#'s 1β15, 21β24, 26β34, 50, 195β196, 200, 300) * [[Greg Capullo]] (#'s 16β20, 26β37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49β75, 78β100, 193, 200, 300β301) * [[Angel Medina (artist)|Angel Medina]] (#'s 101β139, 142β150) * [[Philip Tan (artist)|Philip Tan]] (#'s 150β164, 306β307) * [[Brian Haberlin]] (#'s 166β173, 176β178, 180β184) * [[Whilce Portacio]] (#'s 185β192, 194β195, 197)<ref name="autogenerated1"/> * [[Erik Larsen]] (#'s 199, 258β266) (contributed uncredited inking work on #27<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11783 |title=Spawn (1992) #27 |publisher=Comic Book DB |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231205152/http://www.comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11783 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) * Szymon Kudranski (#'s 201β250, 256β257, 267β275, 283, 291β292) * Jonboy Meyers (#'s 251β256) * [[Jason Shawn Alexander]] (#'s 276β282, 284β290, 293β305) * Carlo Barberi (#'s 311β350) * Brett Booth (#'s 351 onwards) {{col-2-of-2}} '''Guest writers''' * [[Alan Moore]] (#'s 8, 37) (also wrote ''Spawn: Blood Feud'' prelude back-up story in #32)<ref name="comicbookdb.com">{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11788 |title=Spawn (1992) #32 |publisher=Comic Book DB |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101074350/http://www.comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11788 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Neil Gaiman]] (#9) (also wrote a scene in #26 uncredited<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maggiethompson.com/2010_06_01_archive.html |title=June 2010 |website=MaggieThompson.com |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223092748/http://www.maggiethompson.com/2010_06_01_archive.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) * [[Dave Sim]] (# 10) * [[Frank Miller]] (#11) * [[Grant Morrison]] (#'s 16β18) * Andrew Grossenberg (#'s 19β20) * [[Tom Orzechowski]] (#'s 19β20) * Julia Simmons (#38) * [[Steve Niles]] (#'s 105β106) * [[Robert Kirkman]] (#200) * [[Scott Snyder]] (#300) '''Guest artists''' * [[Marc Silvestri]] (#'s 25, 200) * [[Tony Daniel]] (#'s 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) (also drew ''Spawn: Blood Feud'' prelude back-up story in #32)<ref name="comicbookdb.com"/> * [[Dwayne Turner]] (#'s 76β77) * [[Nat Jones]] (#'s 139β141) * [[Lan Medina]] (#165) * Bing Cansino (#'s 174β175) * Mike Mayhew (#179) * [[Rob Liefeld]] (#196) (contributed uncredited inking work on #11 along with [[Jim Lee]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11597 |title=Spawn (1992) #11 |publisher=Comic Book DB |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101072851/http://www.comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=11597 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) * [[Khary Randolph]] (#198) * [[Robert Kirkman]] (#200) * [[Michael Golden (comics)|Michael Golden]] (#200) * [[J. Scott Campbell]] (#300) * [[Jerome OpeΓ±a]] (#'s 300β301) * [[Clayton Crain]] (#301) * Ken Lashley (#'s 308β309) * Jim Muniz (#310) {{col-end}} == Collected editions == Many issues of ''Spawn'' have been gathered together in various [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]] collections since the mid-nineties. The original US and UK trade releases contain issue 9, but not 10 ([[Cerebus the Aardvark|Cerebus]]' appearance). Each containing four to five issues, the original ''Spawn'' trade paperbacks started in 1995 under a different trade cover design, going up to three volumes only. After the [[Spawn (1997 film)|live-action]] 1997 movie, a new trade cover design was created, with Brent Ashe providing new covers for Books 1β7, and [[Ashley Wood]] for Books 8β12. These reissues were retitled with [[subtitle (titling)|subtitle]]s. The sequential trades stopped after Book 12, but several new volumes appeared in 2006β2008, collecting various [[story arc]]s. Beginning in 2009, a new series of volumes was released, collecting the "Endgame" storyline. From 2015 to 2020, with "Resurrection", "Satan Saga Wars", "Hell on Earth", "Dark Horror", "Enemy of the State", and "Vengeance" volumes, the trade paperbacks have started in sequential order again collecting issues #251β297. After a two-year gap, the line resumed with three volumes released in 2022: "Spawn: Record Breaker" (May 2022), ''Spawn: Aftermath'' (July 2022) and ''Spawn: Omega'' (September 2022), between them collecting ''Spawn'' issues #298-314. * Book 1, "Beginnings", 1β5 * Book 2, "Dark Discoveries", 6β9, 11 * Book 3, "Book 3", 12β15 * Book 4, "Book 4", 16β20 * Book 5, "Death and Rebirth", 21β25 * Book 6, "Pathway to Judgement", 26β30 * Book 7, "Deadman's Touch", 31β34 * Book 8, "Betrayal of Blood", 35β38 * Book 9, "Urban Jungle", 39β42 * Book 10, "Vengeance of the Dead", 43β47 * Book 11, "Crossroads", 48β50 (50 is double-sized) * Book 12, "Immortality", 51β54 * ''Spawn: Capital Collection'' (January 1993) β contains issues 1β3 (note: this was a limited edition hardcover exclusively available from [[Capital City Distribution]], and only 1200 copies were made) * ''Spawn: The Armageddon Collection Part 1'' β contains issues 150β155 * ''Spawn: The Armageddon Collection Part 2'' β contains issues 156β164 * ''Spawn: The Complete Armageddon Collection'' β contains issues 150β164 * ''Spawn: New Flesh Collection'' (December 2007) β contains issues 166β169, plus a short story from Image Holiday Special 2005 <br /> (note: Issue #165 wasn't included because it features the story of Mandarin Spawn) * ''Spawn: Neo Noir'' β contains issues 170β175 * ''Spawn: EndGame Volume 1'' (June 2009) β contains issues 185β190, with some altered artwork * ''Spawn: EndGame Volume 2'' (April 2010) β contains issues 191β196, with some altered artwork * ''Spawn: EndGame Collection'' (January 2011) β combines Endgame Vol 1 and 2 (issues 185β196 with some altered artwork) * ''Spawn: New Beginnings Volume 1'' (July 2011) β contains issues 201β206. * ''Spawn: New Beginnings Volume 2'' (March 2012) β contains issues 207β212. * ''Spawn: Resurrection'' (November 2015) β contains ''Spawn: Resurrection'' #1 and issues 251β255. * ''Spawn: Satan Saga Wars'' (June 21, 2016) β collects SPAWN #256β262 * ''Spawn: Hell on Earth'' (September 20, 2017) β collects SPAWN #263β275 * ''Spawn: Dark Horror'' (April 23, 2019) β collects SPAWN #276β283 * ''Spawn: Enemy of the State'' (August 21, 2019) β collects SPAWN #284-290 * ''Spawn: Vengeance'' (May 27, 2020) β collects SPAWN #291-297 * ''Spawn: The Record Breaker'' (May 11, 2022) β collects SPAWN #298-301 * ''Spawn: Aftermath'' (July 13, 2022) β collects SPAWN #302-307 * ''Spawn: Omega'' (September 28, 2022) β collects SPAWN #308-314 * ''Spawn: Shadows'' (February 7, 2024) β collects SPAWN #316-323 * ''Spawn: Bad Business'' (August 27, 2024) - collects SPAWN #324-330 * ''Spawn: Sinn's War'' (February 19, 2025) - collects SPAWN #331-336 === ''Spawn Collection'' === In 2005, the entire ''Spawn'' series began to appear in massive trade paperback releases under the title ''Spawn Collection'' β each volume containing approximately twenty issues, except for the first one, which contains ten. Released after the Gaiman lawsuit, these editions do not contain either Issue 9 (featuring the first appearance of Angela and Cogliostro, both created by Neil Gaiman) or Issue 10 (featuring [[Dave Sim]]'s [[Cerebus]]). ''Spawn Collection'' Volumes 1 and 2 were published in both hardcover and trade paperback formats, while Volume 3 onward were only released as trade paperbacks. As of 2009, ''Spawn Collection Volume 1'' is currently out of print, with its fourth printing released in June 2007. In 2009 it was announced that the ''Spawn Collection'' would end with Volume 6, to be replaced by a new TBP format that includes soft- and hardcover versions, reprinting the entire ''Spawn'' series from the early issues once again (''Spawn Origins Collection'', see below). * ''Spawn Collection Volume 1'' β contains issues 1β8, 11β12 (December 2005) * ''Spawn Collection Volume 2'' β contains issues 13β33 (July 2006) * ''Spawn Collection Volume 3'' β contains issues 34β54 (March 2007) * ''Spawn Collection Volume 4'' β contains issues 55β75 (September 2007) * ''Spawn Collection Volume 5'' β contains issues 76β95 (April 2008) * ''Spawn Collection Volume 6'' β contains issues 96β116 (August 2008) ''Spawn Collection Volume 1'' was ranked 17 in the top 100 graphic novels for December 2005 period, with pre-order sales of 3,227.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8068.html| title = Top 100 Graphic Novels ActualβDecember 2005| publisher = icv2.com| access-date = March 6, 2008| archive-date = March 14, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080314130431/http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8068.html| url-status = live}}</ref> === ''Spawn Compendium'' === In 2012, in celebration of Image Comics' then 20 years as a publisher and ''Spawn'' being one of their longest running titles, ''Spawn Compendium'' was released, reprinting ''Spawn'' issues #1β50 at 1136 pages in black and white, though this volume does not collect the individual issues' covers. The book went to a second printing in March 2016. A new edition of this volume, collected now in full color, was released in February 2021 with a different front cover art (from ''Spawn'' #95, and back cover art from ''Spawn'' #70). As with the previous edition, this book does not collect the individual issues' covers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-compendium-vol-1-tp-new-edition |title=Spawn Compendium, Vol. 1 TP (New Edition) |website=[[Image Comics]] |access-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202070140/https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-compendium-vol-1-tp-new-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequent volumes have been released since collecting every 50 issues per tome. {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! style="width:25%;" | Title ! style="width:35%;" | Material collected ! style="width:5%;" | Pages ! style="width:15%;" | Publication date ! style="width:20%;" | ISBN |- | ''Spawn Compendium 1'' | ''Spawn'' #1β50 in black and white | 1136 | 2012 | {{ISBNT|978-1-60706-499-2}} |- | ''Spawn Compendium 1 Color'' | ''Spawn'' #1β50 | 1136 | March 2, 2021 | {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-1935-6}} |- | ''Spawn Compendium 2'' | ''Spawn'' #51β100 | 1084 | December 28, 2021 | {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-2095-6}} |- | ''Spawn Compendium 3'' | ''Spawn'' #101-150 | 1136 | August 16, 2022 | {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-2300-1}} |- |''Spawn Compendium 4'' |''Spawn'' #151-200 |1136 |December 20, 2022 |{{ISBNT|978-1-5343-2358-2}} |- |''Spawn Compendium 5'' |''Spawn'' #201-250 |1080 |September 12, 2023 |{{ISBNT|978-1-5343-2694-1}} |- |''Spawn Compendium 6'' |''Spawn'' #251-301, Resurrection 1 |1144 |August 20, 2024 |{{ISBNT|978-1-5343-2733-7}} |- |''Spawn Compendium 7'' |''Spawn'' #302-350 |1096 |September 9, 2025 |{{ISBNT|978-1-5343-3497-7}} |} === ''Spawn Origins Collection'' === In 2009, a line of newly redesigned and reformatted trade paperbacks was announced, replacing the ''Spawn Collection'' line (see above) and once again collecting the early issues of ''Spawn''. These new trades feature new cover art by [[Greg Capullo]], recreating classic ''Spawn'' covers. In addition to the 6 issue trade paperbacks, this line features three oversized 12β13 issue hardcovers, and two large 25-issue limited slipcased deluxe editions (which come in both a standard edition and a signed and numbered edition limited to 500 copies). The 12-issue hardcover edition of Volume One was the first to reprint both Issues 9 and 10, and the 25-issue deluxe editions did as well. ''Spawn Origins Collection'' Volume 20 trade paperback was the final volume released in 2014, collecting issues #117β122. In May 2019, a new edition of ''Spawn Origins Collection'' Volume 1 TPB (6th printing) was published at the low cover price of US$9.99.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-origins-vol-1|title=Spawn Origins, Vol. 1|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127035504/https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-origins-vol-1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 978-1534313897|title = Spawn: Origins Volume 1 (New Printing)|last1 = McFarlane|first1 = Todd|date = May 7, 2019| publisher=Image Comics }}</ref> The book went back to press again for a seventh printing a few months later in September 2019. After an eight-year gap, the line resumed in April 2022 with ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 21'' collecting issues #123β128. ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 22'' collecting issues #129β134 was published in September 2022. * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 1'' β collects issues #1β6 (May 2009) (sixth printing released in May 2019 at US$9.99 cover price) (seventh printing released in September 2019) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 2'' β collects issues #7β9, 11β14 (July 2009) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 3'' β collects issues #15β20 (December 2009) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 4'' β collects issues #21β26 (January 2010) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 5'' β collects issues #27β32 (May 2010) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 6'' β collects issues #33β38 (July 2010) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 7'' β collects issues #39β44 (September 2010) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 8'' β collects issues #45β50 (November 2010) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 9'' β collects issues #51β56 (February 2011) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 10'' β collects issues #57β62 (March 2011) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 11'' β collects issues #63β68 (June 2011) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 12'' β collects issues #69β74 (September 2011) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 13'' β collects issues #75β80 (January 2012) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 14'' β collects issues #81β86 (March 2012) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 15'' β collects issues #87β92 (June 2012) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 16'' β collects issues #93β98 (September 2012) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 17'' β collects issues #99β104 (February 2013) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 18'' β collects issues #105β110 (May 2013) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 19'' β collects issues #111β116 (September 2013) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 20'' β collects issues #117β122 (February 2014) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 21'' β collects issues #123β128 (April 2022) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 22'' β collects issues #129β134 (September 2022) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 23'' β collects issues #135β140 (October 2022) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 24'' β collects issues #141β146 (January 2023) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 25'' β collects issues #147β153 (June 2023) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 26'' β collects issues #154β160 (August 2023) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 27'' β collects issues #161β166 (September 2023) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 28'' β collects issues #167β172 (February 2024) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 29'' β collects issues #173β178 (August 2024) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 30'' β collects issues #179β184 (February 2025) * ''Spawn Origins Collection Volume 31'' β collects issues #185β190 (September 2025) === Deluxe edition === The Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Editions are wider and taller than normal deluxe editions. Each book comes with a slipcase for the book. {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" !Title !Material collected !Pages !Publication date |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 1'' |Spawn #1β25 |704 |First printing: June 9, 2010<br>Latest printing: December 27, 2022 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 2'' |Spawn #26β50 |712 |First printing: December 8, 2010<br>Latest printing: December 27, 2022 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 3'' |Spawn #51β75 |710 |First printing: November 21, 2012<br>Latest printing: December 27, 2022 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 4'' |Spawn #76β100 |710 |First printing: November 27, 2013<br>Latest printing: December 27, 2022 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 5'' |Spawn #101β125 |715 |December 28, 2022 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 6'' |Spawn #126β150 |720 |July 4, 2023 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 7'' |Spawn #151β175 |680 |June 4, 2024 |- |''Spawn Origins Collection: Deluxe Edition Volume 8'' |Spawn #176β200 |680 |May 20, 2024 |} === Hardcover edition === {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! style="width:25%;"| Title ! style="width:35%;"| Material collected ! style="width:5%;"| Pages ! style="width:15%;"| Publication date ! style="width:20%;"| ISBN |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 1'' | ''Spawn'' #1β12 | 300 | March 30, 2010 | {{ISBNT|978-1607061533}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 2'' | ''Spawn'' #13β25 | 328 | November 2, 2010 | {{ISBNT|978-1607062288}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 3'' | ''Spawn'' #26β37 | 328 | March 8, 2011 | {{ISBNT|978-1607062370}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 4'' | ''Spawn'' #38β50 | 325 | September 27, 2011 | {{ISBNT|978-1607064374}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 5'' | ''Spawn'' #51β62 | 325 | January 3, 2012 | {{ISBNT|978-1607062431}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 6'' | ''Spawn'' #63β75 | 325 | May 1, 2012 | {{ISBNT|978-1607065302}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 7'' | ''Spawn'' #76β87 | 320 | September 18, 2012 | {{ISBNT|978-1607065869}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 8'' | ''Spawn'' #88β100 | 368 | April 9, 2013 | {{ISBNT|978-1607066750}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 9'' | ''Spawn'' #101β112 | 384 | September 10, 2013 | {{ISBNT|978-1607067764}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 10''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-origins-collection-book-10-hc |title=Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 10 HC {{pipe}} Releases |publisher=Image Comics |access-date=January 12, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110030021/https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/spawn-origins-collection-book-10-hc |url-status=live }}</ref> | ''Spawn'' #113β125 | 352 | October 11, 2016 | {{ISBNT|978-1632159069}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 11'' | ''Spawn'' #126β138 | 352 | November 30, 2022 | {{ISBNT|978-1534324015}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 12'' | ''Spawn'' #139β151 | 368 | April 19, 2023 | {{ISBNT|978-1534399761}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 13'' | ''Spawn'' #152β163 | 312 | October 24, 2023 | {{ISBNT|978-1534398139}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 14'' | ''Spawn'' #164β176 | 320 | July 23, 2024 | {{ISBNT| 978-1534397002}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 15'' | ''Spawn'' #177β188 | 296 | December 31, 2024 | {{ISBNT| 978-1534387829}} |- | ''Spawn: Origins Collection, Book 16'' | ''Spawn'' #189β200 | 312 | June 25, 2025 | {{ISBNT| 978-1534326460}} |} ===UK releases=== These releases were originally published in fifteen 5β6-issue volumes in the UK by [[Titan Books]], with titles named by religious themes. The following books contained original series issues 1β82, with the exception of the previously mentioned Issue 10. * ''Creation'' β contains issues 1β5 * ''Evolution'' β contains issues 6β9 and 11 * ''Revelation'' β contains issues 12β15 * ''Escalation'' β contains issues 16β20 * ''Confrontation'' β contains issues 21β25 * ''Retribution'' β contains issues 26β30 * ''Transformation'' β contains issues 31β36 * ''Abduction'' β contains issues 37β42 * ''Sanction'' β contains issues 43β48 * ''Damnation'' β contains issues 49β53 * ''Corruption'' β contains issues 54β58 * ''Devastation'' β contains issues 59β64 * ''Termination'' β contains issues 65β70 * ''Resurrection'' β contains issues 71β76 * ''Ascension'' β contains issues 77β82 === Spawn Universe Spin-off Collections === ==== King Spawn ==== {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! style="width:25%;" | Title ! style="width:35%;" | Material collected ! style="width:5%;" | Pages ! style="width:15%;" | Publication date |- | ''King Spawn Volume 1'' | ''King Spawn #1 - 6'' | 168 | May 31, 2022 |- | ''King Spawn Volume 2'' | ''King Spawn #7 - 12'' | 144 | March 28, 2023 |- | ''King Spawn Volume 3'' | ''King Spawn #13 - 18'' | 144 | October 3, 2023 |- |''King Spawn Volume 4'' |''King Spawn #19 - 24'' |144 |March 5, 2024 |- |''King Spawn Volume 5'' |''King Spawn #25 - 30'' |144 |September 24, 2024 |- |''King Spawn Volume 6'' |''King Spawn #31 - 36'' |144 |April 1, 2025 |} ==== Gunslinger Spawn ==== {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! style="width:25%;" | Title ! style="width:35%;" | Material collected ! style="width:5%;" | Pages ! style="width:15%;" | Publication date |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 1'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #1 - 6'' | 170 | August 2, 2022 |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 2'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #7 - 12'' | 144 | May 23, 2023 |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 3'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #13 - 18'' | 144 | December 5, 2023 |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 4'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #19 - 24'' | 144 | May 21, 2024 |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 5'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #25 - 30'' | 144 | November 19, 2024 |- | ''Gunslinger Spawn Volume 6'' | ''Gunslinger Spawn #31 - 36'' | 144 | June 3, 2025 |} ==== The Scorched ==== {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! style="width:25%;" | Title ! style="width:35%;" | Material collected ! style="width:5%;" | Pages ! style="width:15%;" | Publication date |- | ''The Scorched Volume 1'' | ''The Scorched #1 - 6'' | 160 | November 9, 2022 |- | ''The Scorched Volume 2'' | ''The Scorched #7 - 12'' | 144 | July 18, 2023 |- | ''The Scorched Volume 3'' | ''The Scorched #13 - 18'' | 144 | January 9, 2023 |- | ''The Scorched Volume 4'' | ''The Scorched #19 - 26'' | 144 | July 23, 2024 |- | ''The Scorched Volume 5'' | ''The Scorched #27 - 32'' | 144 | March 4, 2025 |- | ''The Scorched Volume 6'' | ''The Scorched #33 - 38'' | 144 | September 23, 2025 |} ==Related collected editions== ===Spin-off trade paperback collections=== Several ''Spawn''-related mini-series has been collected in trade paperback editions. * ''Angela'' (later retitled ''Spawn: Angela's Hunt'') β collects Neil Gaiman's ''Angela'' issues 1β3 and the 1995 one-shot. * ''Spawn: Bloodfeud'' β collects ''Spawn: Bloodfeud'' 1β4 {{ISBN|1840231173}} * ''Hellspawn: The Ashley Wood Collection'' β collects Hellspawn issues 1β10, replaces pages from issue 10 originally drawn by Ben Templesmith with new art by Ashley Wood<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spawnworld.com/books/collected/tpb_hellspawn.htm |title=Hellspawn Collection {{pipe}} Spawn Comic Books |publisher=SpawnWorld |access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> * ''Spawn: The Undead'' β collects ''Spawn: The Undead'' issues 1β9 * ''Medieval Spawn / Witchblade'' β collects ''Medieval Spawn / Witchblade'' 1β3 {{ISBN|188727944X}} * ''Sam & Twitch Book 1: Udaku'' β collects 1β8 of the ''Sam and Twitch'' spin-off. * ''Sam & Twitch: The Brian Michael Bendis Collection 1'' β collects issues 1β9 * ''Sam & Twitch: The Brian Michael Bendis Collection 2'' β collects issues 10β19 * ''Sam & Twitch: The Writer'' {{ISBN|1607062275}} * ''Violator vs. Badrock'' β collects Alan Moore's crossover miniseries issues 1β4 * ''Shadows of Spawn Collection'' β collects the Spawn manga {{ISBN|1582406588}} * ''Spawn: Book of the Dead'' {{ISBN|160706149X}} Released in both hardcover and softcover editions * ''Alan Moore: Wild Worlds'' β collects ''[[Spawn/WildC.A.T.S.]]'' 1β4 {{ISBN|1401213790}} ===One-shot editions=== * ''Spawn: Blood and Shadows'' {{ISBN|1582401098}} * ''Spawn: Blood and Salvation'' {{ISBN|1582401144}} * ''Spawn: Simony'' {{ISBN|1582403651}} * ''Spawn: Architects of Fear'' {{ISBN|1582408386}} * ''Spawn: The Movie'' {{ISBN|1887279814}} * ''Spawn: The Book Of Souls'' ASIN: B0039ODNQW * ''Spawn: Bible'' ASIN: B001M0G3NK * ''Spawn [[Coloring Book|Adult Coloring Book]]'' * ''Spawn: Godslayer'' * ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' {{ISBN|1582400199}} * ''[[Batman/Spawn: War Devil]]'' {{ISBN|1563891441}} * ''Spawn & Batman: Inner Demons'' (Unreleased) * ''Spawn/[[Savage Dragon]]'': Newsstand edition of Savage Dragon issue 30 * ''Angela Special'' * ''Angela/[[Glory (comics)|Glory]]'' * ''Glory/Angela'' * ''Glory/Celestine'' * ''Aria-Angela Blank & Noir'' ===Spin-off hardcover collection=== A few ''Spawn''-related mini-series have been collected in HC editions. * ''Spawn: The Dark Ages Complete Collection'' β collects issues 1β28 {{ISBN|1607066866}} * ''Hellspawn: Complete Collection'' β collects issues 1β16 {{ISBN|1607061554}} * ''Sam & Twitch: Complete Collection Volume 1'' β collects issues 1β12 {{ISBN|1607062402}} * ''Sam& Twitch : Complete Collection Volume 2'' β collects issues 13β24 {{ISBN|1607062429}} * ''Batman/Spawn: The Classic Collection'' β collects ''[[Batman/Spawn: War Devil]] and'' ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' {{ISBN|1779521502}} ====''Curse of the Spawn''==== Most of the ''[[Curse of the Spawn]]'' β spin-off series has been collected in trade paperback editions. * ''Curse of the Spawn: Book 1: Sacrifice of the Soul'' β issues 1β4 * ''Curse of the Spawn: Book 2: Blood and Sutures'' β issues 5β8 * ''Curse of the Spawn: Book 3: Shades of Grey'' β issues 9β11, 29 * ''Curse of the Spawn: Book 4: Lost Values'' β issues 12β14, 22 * ''The Best of Curse of the Spawn'' β contains issues 1β8, 12β16 and 20β29 without the coloring ==In other media== ===Television=== * Spawn made his animated debut in the [[HBO]] animated series ''[[Todd McFarlane's Spawn]]'' in which Spawn is voiced by [[Keith David]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web|title=Spawn Voice <nowiki>|</nowiki> Behind The Voice Actors|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spawn/Spawn/|website=behindthevoiceactors.com|date=December 18, 2019|postscript=. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.|access-date=December 18, 2019|archive-date=August 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831023329/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spawn/Spawn/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series won two [[Emmy Award|Emmy]]s (one in 1998 and another in 1999) and two [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|Golden Reel Award]]s (1998/1999).<ref name="Awards">{{cite web| title = Awards for "Spawn"| website = Internet Movie Database| url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118475/awards| access-date = August 23, 2007| archive-date = December 6, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206122852/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118475/awards| url-status = live}}</ref> * In 2011, Spawn starred in the ''[[Death Battle|Death Battle!]]'' episode "Kratos vs. Spawn", in which he faced off against [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] from the [[God of War (franchise)|''God of War'' franchise]], defeating him in the series' titular [[Duel|duel to the death]],<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARq_2duhIGU|title=''Kratos vs. Spawn {{!}}'' DEATH BATTLE!|date=April 12, 2011|author=[[Rooster Teeth]]|access-date=April 12, 2011|via=[[YouTube]]|work=[[Death Battle|Death Battle!]]}}</ref> complimented by ''[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]'' as "cute".<ref>{{cite web|title=The 9 Best Superhero Fight Fan Videos on YouTube|first=Eric|last=Francisco|publisher=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/23357-youtube-superhero-fights-batman-deadpool|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519071051/https://www.inverse.com/article/23357-youtube-superhero-fights-batman-deadpool|url-status=live}}</ref> ** In 2025, Spawn returned to fight against [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]], who he would also defeat. * In 2019, McFarlane revealed that there will be two animated shows based on the character, one for kids and the other for adults.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/todd-mcfarlane-spawn-animation-kids-adults|title=Todd McFarlane Reported Working on Two Animated 'Spawn' Shows for Kids and Adults|first=Josh|last=Weiss|website=[[Syfy Wire]]|date=September 3, 2019|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512155351/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/todd-mcfarlane-spawn-animation-kids-adults|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Film=== * In 1997, a [[Spawn (1997 film)|film adaptation]] featured [[Michael Jai White]] as Spawn.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-12-ca-17749-story.html |title=As Once-Dead Heroes Go, He's Tough to Beat β latimes |website=Articles.latimes.com |date=February 11, 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042540/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-12/entertainment/ca-17749_1_comic-book |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, White became the first [[African American]] to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, and received generally negative reviews.<ref name = "jetmag_spawn">{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=szsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35 |title=Michael Jai White is first Black comic superhero to star on the movie screen in 'Spawn.' |date=September 22, 1997 |work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet Magazine]] |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=September 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810002900/https://books.google.com/books?id=szsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> * In early 2015, McFarlane announced a new Spawn film adaptation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2vl0ug/todd_mcfarlane_hereunedited_and_uncensored_ama/ |title=Todd McFarlane here....Unedited and Uncensored! AMA! : IAmA |website=Reddit.com |date=February 11, 2015 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403231754/https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2vl0ug/todd_mcfarlane_hereunedited_and_uncensored_ama/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2016 McFarlane confirmed he had completed the script for the film with a larger-than-normal page count because he was "putting in details for [him]self" in conjunction with his hopes to direct.<ref>{{cite web|title = Todd McFarlane gives Spawn film reboot update {{!}} EW.com|url = https://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/15/todd-mcfarlane-spawn-reboot-update|website = Ew.com|access-date = February 16, 2016}}</ref> In July 2017, it was confirmed that McFarlane would direct the film, which is being produced under [[Jason Blum]]'s production company [[Blumhouse Productions|Blumhouse]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407|title=New 'Spawn' Movie in the Works From Todd McFarlane, Blumhouse|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 21, 2017|first=Borys |last=Kit|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180210205348/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407}}</ref> In May 2018, it was reported that [[Jamie Foxx]] would portray the title character.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hernandez|first1=Antonio|title=Jamie Foxx Set For 'Spawn,' Creator Todd McFarlane's Dark Blumhouse Adaptation|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/spawn-jamie-foxx-todd-mcfarlane-jason-blum-blumhouse-movie-1202399090/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 29, 2018|date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=May 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530001000/http://deadline.com/2018/05/spawn-jamie-foxx-todd-mcfarlane-jason-blum-blumhouse-movie-1202399090/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2018, the working title was revealed to be ''Tony Dynamite''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-reboot-working-title-production-start-2019/|title=Spawn Working Title Revealed, Shooting Begins in Early 2019|website=movieweb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=August 8, 2018|archive-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809060910/https://movieweb.com/spawn-reboot-working-title-production-start-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2019, the film restarted development due to the financial success of the R-rated comic book film ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-joker-spawn-reboot-20191101/|title=Todd McFarlane Says 'Joker' Has Created More Interest From Hollywood In His R-Rated 'Spawn' Reboot|website=The Playlist|first=Charles|last=Barfield|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102170044/https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-joker-spawn-reboot-20191101/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-movie-happening-joker-box-office-success/|title=Spawn Reboot May Finally Get Going Thanks to Joker Success|website=[[MovieWeb]]|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=October 31, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215081730/https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-movie-happening-joker-box-office-success/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, it was revealed that ''[[Broken City]]'' screenwriter [[Brian Tucker (screenwriter)|Brian Tucker]] had been hired to rewrite McFarlane's screenplay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 13, 2021|title='Spawn' Movie Gets 'Broken City' Scribe as New Writer (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en-US|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813225611/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, McFarlane announced that [[Scott Silver]], [[Malcolm Spellman]], and Matthew Mixon had been hired to rewrite the screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |date=October 5, 2022 |title='Spawn' Movie Finds New Writers with 'Joker,' 'Captain America 4' Scribes (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/ |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005181248/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, Jason Blum announced that he is aiming for a 2025 release date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Spawn Movie in Very, Very Active Development, Predicted 2025 Release According to Blumhouse Head Jason Blum (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-predicted-2025-release-blumhouse-jason-blum-exclusive/ |website=[[Comicbook]] |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628193945/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-predicted-2025-release-blumhouse-jason-blum-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 22, 2024, McFarlane announced on his Twitter page that the script was completed, and that the film would be retitled ''King Spawn''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFarlane |first=Todd |date=2024-07-22 |title=#spawnmovie #movie #entertainment #spawn #comics #toddmcfarlane @blumhouse |url=https://x.com/Todd_McFarlane/status/1815416589648609683 |website=[[Twitter]] |access-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729113213/https://x.com/Todd_McFarlane/status/1815416589648609683 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=2024-07-25 |title='Spawn' Movie on the Hunt for a Director |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-director-todd-mcfarlane-1235958221/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> * Spawn appears in ''[[Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]'' (2018). He also appears as an avatar fighting the forces of IOI on Planet Doom during the final battle.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cbr.com/ready-player-one-comic-book-easter-eggs/|title = Ready Player One's Comic Book Easter Eggs|first = Brandon|last = Staley|date = March 3, 2018|access-date = April 8, 2018|work = [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-date = May 23, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200523171150/https://www.cbr.com/ready-player-one-comic-book-easter-eggs/|url-status = live}}</ref> ===Video games=== {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 200 | image1 =| alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = MK11 Official Spawn Gameplay Trailer.webm|thumb|| alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Spawn as a playable character in ''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]''.}} Spawn has starred in several video games: * ''[[Todd McFarlane's Spawn: The Video Game]]'' (1995) ([[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]) * ''[[Spawn: The Eternal]]'' (1997) ([[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]) * ''Spawn: The Ultimate'' (1997) (PlayStation, only released in Japan) * ''[[Spawn (1999 video game)|Spawn]]'' (1999) ([[Game Boy Color]]) voiced by Scott Keck. * ''[[Spawn: In the Demon's Hand]]'' (1999, 2000; [[Dreamcast]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]]) voiced by [[Maurice Dean Wint]].<ref name="btva"/> * ''[[Spawn: Armageddon]]'' (2003; [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[GameCube]]) voiced by [[Kevin Michael Richardson]].<ref name="btva"/> * ''[[Soulcalibur II]]'' (2003; Xbox) voiced by [[Akio Otsuka]] in the Japanese version and by [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] in the English dub.<ref name="btva"/> * ''[[Soul Calibur II HD Online|Soulcalibur II HD Online]]'' (2013): ([[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]]) * ''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]'' (2019; [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]) with Keith David reprising his role.<ref>{{cite tweet | title= It's official! I will be the voice of #Spawn in #MK11.| date= August 26, 2019| access-date=December 20, 2019 | first=Keith |last=David | number=1166129284047458305 | user=ImKeithDavid}}</ref> In his ending, he sends [[Kronika (Mortal Kombat)|Kronika]] and [[Malebolgia|Malebogia]] to [[hell]] for [[eternity]] and, with [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]]'s and [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]]'s assistance, makes a new goal to purge the eight Hells left. * ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II]]'' (2023) with Keith David reprising his role. Spawn headlines the [[battle pass]] of Season 6, with multiple other in-game operators receiving skins themed around characters related to Spawn.<ref name="Season6Operators">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Call of Duty |title=Announcing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone Season 06: The Haunting |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2023/09/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-II-warzone-season-06-haunting-multiplayer-modes-zombies |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=www.callofduty.com |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921203936/https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2023/09/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-II-warzone-season-06-haunting-multiplayer-modes-zombies |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Merchandising=== * At the time of the release of the [[Spawn (1997 film)|live action film]], Spawn appeared in several commercials for [[Taco Bell]]. * In 1994, [[McFarlane Toys]] released the first line of Spawn toys produced, in later years the series would include alternate timeframes and different takes on the classic characters with toyline series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mcfarlane.com/search/?s=Spawn|title=Search Results for: Spawn|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227012608/https://mcfarlane.com/search/?s=spawn|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Music=== ''[[The Dark Saga]]'' by [[Iced Earth]] is a concept album based upon the ''Spawn'' story.<ref name="Iced Earth">{{cite web|url=http://www.icedearth.com/discography/disc_ds.htm|title=The Dark Saga|access-date=July 13, 2007|publisher=Iced Earth|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723123322/http://www.icedearth.com/discography/disc_ds.htm|archive-date=July 23, 2007}}</ref> The cover of the album, by [[Greg Capullo]] and [[Todd McFarlane]], depicts Spawn himself, though due to legal issues, Iced Earth could not use the names of the characters in the songs.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} ==Reception== Spawn was ranked 60th on ''[[Wizard magazine|Wizard]]'' magazine's list of the Top 200 Comic Book Characters of All Time, 50th on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine's list of The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters, and 36th on ''IGN''{{'}}s 2011 Top 100 Comic Book Heroes.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/05/05/igns-top-100-comic-book-heroes-40-21 "IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes: (40β21)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019232930/https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/05/05/igns-top-100-comic-book-heroes-40-21 |date=October 19, 2020 }}. [[IGN]]. May 5, 2011</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == {{wikiquote|Spawn (comics)}} * {{official website|http://www.spawn.com}} * {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=89|title=Spawn}} {{Spawn}} {{Todd McFarlane}} {{Image Comics}} {{Invincible}} {{Soul series}} {{Mortal Kombat}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Spawn (Comics)}} [[Category:Spawn (comics)| ]] [[Category:Spawn characters]] [[Category:1992 comics debuts]] [[Category:Action figures]] [[Category:African-American characters in comics]] [[Category:African-American characters in films]] [[Category:African-American characters in television]] [[Category:African-American superheroes]] [[Category:American comics adapted into films]] [[Category:Comics characters who use magic]] [[Category:Characters created by Todd McFarlane]] [[Category:Comic martial artists]] [[Category:Comics adapted into animated series]] [[Category:Comics adapted into television series]] [[Category:Comics adapted into video games]] [[Category:Comics by Todd McFarlane]] [[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1992]] [[Category:Comics characters who can teleport]] [[Category:Fictional immortals in comics]] [[Category:Comics set in New York City]] [[Category:Dark fantasy comics]] [[Category:Demon characters in comics]] [[Category:Fictional demons]] [[Category:Demons in film]] [[Category:Demons in television]] [[Category:Fictional assassins in comics]] [[Category:Fictional axefighters]] [[Category:Fictional Central Intelligence Agency personnel]] [[Category:Fictional characters from Michigan]] [[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]] [[Category:Fictional characters who have made pacts with devils]] [[Category:Fictional characters with death or rebirth abilities]] [[Category:Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities]] [[Category:Fictional characters with post-traumatic stress disorder]] [[Category:Fictional demon hunters]] [[Category:Fictional gods]] [[Category:Fictional lieutenant colonels]] [[Category:Fictional mercenaries in comics]] [[Category:Fictional military personnel in comics]] [[Category:Fictional murdered people]] [[Category:Fictional resurrected characters]] [[Category:Fictional spies in comics]] [[Category:Fictional suicides]] [[Category:Fictional swordfighters in comics]] [[Category:Fictional telepaths]] [[Category:Fictional United States Marine Corps personnel]] [[Category:Horror comics]] [[Category:Image Comics shapeshifters]] [[Category:Image Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]] [[Category:Image Comics characters with accelerated healing]] [[Category:Image Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]] [[Category:Image Comics characters with superhuman strength]] [[Category:Image Comics male superheroes]] [[Category:Image Comics titles]] [[Category:Mythology in comics]] [[Category:Science fantasy comics]] [[Category:Superhero horror comics]] [[Category:Superheroes with alter egos]] [[Category:Telekinetic characters in video games]] [[Category:Undead superheroes]] [[Category:Vigilante characters in comics]] [[Category:Works based on the Faust legend]] [[Category:Hell in popular culture]]
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