Spawn #1
- Date: May 1992
- Publisher: Image Comics (but actually published by Malibu Comics)
- Cover Price: $1.95
- Current Price Range: $2.00 - $12.00
- Stats: 22 color pages, plus ads, poster, illustrations and "The Spawning Ground" letters page / soapbox.
- Story, Pencils & Inks: Todd McFarlane
- Other Artists: Tom Orzechowski, Steve Oliff
- Notable Notes: The 1st issue of Spawn and one of the first comics ever published by Image!
Spawn was my Re-introduction to Comics!
In the late 1990's I got back into comics after an 11 year absence, and Spawn was one of the first titles I started reading. I thought it was fun and exciting to learn about Image comics and be part of the "scene." Anyway, after reading a few issues I was quickly turned off by Spawn in general and Todd McFarlane specifically. When I saw this issue in my box of back-issues the other day I figured it was time to give Spawn another try and see if I still felt the same. Yeah, I still do.
Synopsis and Thoughts:
This landmark issue begins with Spawn returning to Earth 5 years after his death. He can only remember bits and pieces of his former life, and is especially having trouble remembering who a certain woman is. Anyway, after being treated to a tiny sliver of history about Al Simmons and Wanda Blake, we find the new anti-hero saving a woman from an attack in the slums of NYC, as well as detectives Sam and Twitch (along with a few news anchors) commenting about a recent string of murders involving the mob. Oh, and then it ends with Spawn removing his mask and freaking out when he sees what a monster he has become while his malefactor laughs it up! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!
So, honestly, this issue only give the briefest glimpse of Al Simmons and his re-incarnation as Spawn. In fact, it brings up more questions than it answers. I guess that is ok, being the 1st issue and all. The story was enough to intrigue me and reel me in for more - had this actually been 1992. I also enjoyed the ads in this issue - you could totally tell that *everyone* was trying to get on the Spawn / McFarlane / Image bandwagon! Anyway, it was fun reading this issue 20 years after its debut. I think it is worth picking up, even if only for its historical value.
My Rating:
Where To Get Your Own Copy:
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(This is a revised version of a post which was originally published on comic-prospector.com on Nov 25th, 2012.)
