Summary
Way back in the ’90s, comic book creators from both Marvel and DC Comics were unhappy with the state of the industry, specifically the way the big two publishers handled characters created by writers and artists. They chose to form their own publishing house where the creators would retain all rights to the characters they created. That publisher was Image Comics, and it quickly became the third best-known comic book publisher in the world, thanks to the creative minds behind the titles. Jim Lee, known for his work onX-Menwith Marvel; Todd McFarlane, who revolutionized artwork in everything he touched, especiallySpider-Man; and Jim Valentino, a renowned writer/artist who worked onGuardians of the Galaxy, were just a few of the talented minds behind founding Image Comics.
Spawncame from the wonderful mind of Todd McFarlane and served as the publisher’s flagship title. It followed a former special forces operative, Al Simmons, who died in the line of duty and found himself face-to-face with evil. Al sold his soul to a demon for the chance to see his wife again, but the deal didn’t work out the way Al had hoped. The demon Malebolgia returned Simmons to Earth unrecognizable to anyone who would have known him five years after his death. However, the deal didn’t go as planned for Malebolgia either, as Simmons opted to use his newfound gifts as a hellspawn to do good and repent for his sins against humanity. Facing off against agents of Hell and Heaven,Simmons became known asSpawn.
Blumhouse’s Spawn Movie is still in Development
Thanks to Image Comics being creator-owned, the publisher allows its writers and artists to do as they please with their creations. Todd McFarlane saw an opportunity and tookSpawnto Los Angeles to give him the Hollywood treatment. At the time, comic book films were few as far between. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t do well enough to spawn a sequel. That all changed after the success ofIron Manand the rest of the MCU. Marvel created an opportunity for many publishers to adapt their comic book titles into major motion pictures.
In 2015, McFarlane announced that he was working on a script for a newSpawnadaptation. Despite his claims that this new film would be drastically different than what fans expected, focusing more on the NYPD homicide detectives Sam and Twitch, with Spawn more like a shadow in the background, the internet buzzed with excitement. McFarlane claimed he finished the screenplay in 2016, then in 2017 fans learnedBlumhouse would produce. Then the rewrites happened, and it seemed less and less likely that a newSpawnwould ever make it to the big screen. Thanks to an interview withComicBook.com, Jason Blum made it clear that the new film is in development, saying:
What needs to happen is that my fellow friends the writers and the studios need to figure out their differences and get back to writing, but we’ve got a great group of folks putting it together, and my hope is that that movie – my prediction is maybe we’ll actually see a Spawn movie in ‘25.
Spawn’s Popularity in the 90s, Explained
When Image launchedSpawn, its first issue sold nearly two million copies, becoming an instant hit. It was a dark and gritty title unlike anything coming from the Big Two publishers before it.Hellblazerhad been aroundsince 1988, but it didn’t have the name recognition of Todd McFarlane behind it. Few comic titles pushed the envelope with what was acceptable in mainstream comics. With the star power behind the titles coming out of Image Comics, it was easy for fans to consider it a mainstream publisher.Spawnpresented a morally grey character who wasn’t afraid of blurring the lines between good and evil, while the other big publishers put out titles where it was very clear which side characters were on.Spawnpaved the way for the grim and edgy era of ’90s comics.
Simmons allied himself with demons from Hell and fought against agents of Heaven. He was the ultimate anti-hero at the time who offered a fresh perspective of heroism. The character also received the animation treatment with an animated series that ran for three seasons, broadening the character’s audience and showing that animation is a viable medium for more mature themes.
Is it too late for a new Spawn Movie?
Audiences are beginning to feel the toll of superhero movies as they oversaturate the market. Fans are vocally unhappy with the direction Marvel’s cinematic universe is going, while uncertainty looms overJames Gunn and his rebooted DC cinematic universe. However, other comic book adaptations are well-regarded and have fans excited for upcoming installments.Invincibleis in its second season, with fans eagerly awaiting its return after a short hiatus.The Boysis another series that has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, along with a successful spin-off inGen Vand another one on the way.
Spawnhas the notable advantage of being unlike other superhero projects because it focuses on an antihero. He strives to do what’s right, but he doesn’t have the same regard for life that Superman or the Avengers do. His villains range from grotesque-looking demons birthed in Hell to plain human serial child killers to the heavenly Host. Just as the comic gave fans something fresh to read, a newSpawnmovie could prove refreshing for thecinematic landscape of superheroes.
