Spawn #1 Creative Team
Todd McFarlane – Story, Pencils & Inks
Tom Orzechowski – Letters
Steve Oliff – Colour
Wanda Kolomyjec – Editor
Published by Image Comics
Spawn #1 – Review and Breakdown
In the dark, a lone figure, perched high above on a tall building, looks down upon New York City as a lightning bolt crackles behind him. His name is Spawn, although he doesn’t know who or what he is.
Meanwhile, three different news stations report on the recent death of Al Simmons, a Lieutenant Colonel who became famous for saving the President from an assassination attempt. His funeral gets full state honours with the President and Vice President attending as well as several members of the Armed Forces. Although, their coverage quickly turns to the effects it’s had on Al Simmons’ widow, Wanda Blake, who puts on a good front at the funeral – only to need help when it comes to leave.
Obviously distraught over the whole situation – of losing her one true love. One of the news anchors even goes into how Al and Wanda met in the first place – through her closest high school friend, Martin Alexander, who also escorted her to the funeral.
Spawn begins to remember his past. Of his earlier life. Of a time of when he was in love. Of enemies he had. Of his time as a soldier. And of when he was betrayed and was callously murdered.
He begins to remember the woman he was in love with and of the deal he made with the devil to come back to see her once last time. But it all came at a cost. At some kind of agreement he made with the most evil of beings – but he can’t remember what – and it came at a cost.
Yes, Spawn had been returned to the land of the living but he couldn’t remember who he was. His memories had been almost wiped clean. All he can recall is momentary flashes of a life he once lived. Despite this, he knows one thing for certain, he’s going to find the one who betrayed him.
Across town, Detectives Sam and Twitch are on the scene at a murder investigation. The murder victim is gangster Carlo Giamotti. Turns out he was thrown from the forty-fourth floor to his death. But that’s not the thing that killed him, as Twitch tells Sam. What killed him was that someone removed his heart and stuffed into his mouth. Cruel and unusual punishment which leaves Sam thinking – is there an absolute nut job out on the loose targeting career criminals or is it just another vigilante?
Back across town, Spawn descends upon a scene of a woman being assaulted by a gang of thugs who begin to tear her clothing – and we all know what they mean to do here. Do I need to spell it out? Spawn throws one of them through a window and causes in mystic explosion which scares the rest of the gang away. The woman, still in shock, begins to thank him but then – it happens again. Spawn gets another flash of a memory – of the woman he loves. This time – mourning at his funeral. His psyche fractures – as the woman he saved tries to comfort him.
Back on the news, the three stations that covered Al Simmons’ death have now shifted their coverage to the recent murder of Carlo Giamotti. One of the news anchors, from Entertainment Television, even begins to wonder who this new mystery vigilante who dresses like Zorro actually is – criticising his cape whilst praising his ensemble of spikes and chains.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned New York alleyway, Spawn trudges through the alley, confused, rats skittering amongst his feet. He knows the woman he keeps seeing in those short visions of his was his wife – but who exactly is she – and what’s her name? He has no idea of how he came to be here, in this costume, and how he got carried away playing saviour to that woman who was almost assaulted. After all, he’s no hero.
Frustrated, he begins to take off his mask and one of his gloves, only to see a burned clawed hand. He begins to breakdown under the emotional weight of it all as he questions who or what he is.
Clear across town, Sam and Twitch are back at the precinct going over notes. As Sam considers something that truly disturbs him. What if the person who’s been killing off gangsters – like Carlo Giamotti – begins to turn his attention to ordinary citizens? Looking back at the crime scene photos, he asks Twitch, who could’ve done this and just how much power does this person have?
Elsewhere, Sam’s pondering is interrupted by the maniacal cackle of a demon. A demon who promises that Al Simmons’ problems have only just begun.
Significance
- This first issue introduces us to the world of Al Simmons after he is reborn as Spawn.
- Despite largely being a stand alone world, there are three Easter eggs that the Youngblood superhero team. Youngblood was a comic book series created by Rob Liefeld and was published in 1992. At the time, it was considered a flagship title for Image Comics.
- Todd McFarlane establishes Spawn as a gritty comic as early as this first issue. Evidenced by a scene where a woman is almost sexually assaulted.
- Todd McFarlane signed issues of this comic book have been known to fetch a tidy sum. With graded copies featuring McFarlane’s signature known to have sold for between $600-$1200. Sometimes more.
- The first print run of Spawn #1 was an incredible estimated 1.7 million copies.
Collector Information
Spawn #1 is collected in the following editions:
- Spawn Compendium Volume 1
- Spawn: Origins Book 1 (Hardcover)
- Spawn: Origins Book 1 (Paperback)
Read Spawn #1
What did you think of this entry point into the Spawn universe? Let me know in the comments.
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