Throughout the '90s, Image Comics was pumping out exciting new series like nobody's business. From The Maxx to Astro City, The Darkness, Savage Dragon and everything in-between. One title came barreling out of 1992 to critical acclaim, and continues to be considered one of the most popular non-Marvel, non-DC franchises of all time. Just how well do you know this famous title?
Spawn was created by comic superstar Todd McFarlane, and first appeared in Spawn #1 in May 1992. That first issue of Spawn was incredibly popular, reaching 1.7 million copies sold. Popularity of the series reached an all-time high prior to the release of the 1997 Spawn feature film. However, following 1997, the franchise's popularity suffered a rollercoaster of ups and downs. In 2011, with the release of issue #200, sales shot back up for Spawn to a remarkable level. Since its creation, Spawn has inspired a feature film, action figures, video games, an animated series, and numerous spinoff titles.
Spawn, a/k/a Lt. Colonel Albert Francis "Al" Simmons, was initially a highly trained Force Recon Marine. After saving the president from an attempted assassination, he was promoted to a high level within the CIA. Once there, Simmons began to question the morality of what his agency was really doing. Eventually, another agent murdered Simmons and his soul wound up in hell. Simmons traded his soul to the evil being, Malebolgia, in order to see his wife again. Unfortunately, upon his return, five years had passed and Simmons had been transformed into a demonic creature. Spawn gradually came to accept his new life, becoming a dark and brutal anti-hero.
His powers include superhuman strength, speed, agility and endurance, gliding, immortality, a healing factor, teleportation, shapeshifting, necroplasmic energy blasts, resurrection, empathy, and multiple demonic powers. Not to mention, he's a highly skilled tactician, martial artist, swordsman, marksman, athlete, and acrobat.
With a list of abilities that long, it's no wonder Spawn made it onto IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes.
