The three essential Spawn runs are theOriginal McFarlane (#1-100)which creates an independent empire, theCapullo era (#26-50)for its artistic peak, and therelaunch Rory McConville (#300+)which revitalized the franchise with phenomenal commercial success.
Spawn is the best-selling independent comic in history. When Todd McFarlane left Marvel in 1992 to create Image Comics, he launched a character who would become a cultural icon — and a case study for collectors. With over 360 issues, Spawn holds the record for the longest continuous indie series.
This guide ranks the best segments of this river saga. Ratings for #1 remain stratospheric, but the entire series offers collecting opportunities for all budgets. Here are the runs that deserve your attention and investment.
Top 1 — Todd McFarlane: The Founding Era (Spawn #1-100, 1992-2000)
Writer/Draughtsman:Todd McFarlane (with guest writers: Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller, Dave Sim) |Numbers:#1-100
Genesis. McFarlane creates Al Simmons, the betrayed soldier turned Hellspawn, and builds a universe of demons, angels and dark alleys. The guest writers (#8-11 Moore, #9 Gaiman who creates Angela) elevate the material. #1 sold 1.7 million copies — a record for an indie.
Key numbers:#1 (1.7M copies, $20-100 standard, $200+ variants), #9 (first Angela by Gaiman, $30-100), #100 (milestone). Full run #1-100: $300-900.
Top 2 — Greg Capullo: The artistic peak (Spawn #26-50, 1994-1996)
Screenwriter:Todd McFarlane |Designer:Greg Capullo |Numbers:#26-50
Capullo takes the drawing and takes Spawn to a new visual level. Its dynamic style, grotesque monsters, and bold page compositions defined the Spawn aesthetic for a generation. It was during his tenure that the series reached its peak of popularity and narrative quality.
Key numbers:#26 (first full Capullo, $8-25), #36 (anti-Spawn), #50 (anniversary, $10-30). Complete segment: $80-200.
Top 3 — Rory McConville & the Relaunch (#300+, 2019-present)
Screenwriter:Rory McConville / Todd McFarlane |Designers:Jason Shawn Alexander, Javi Fernandez |Numbers:#300+
#300 restarts everything with a McFarlane/Capullo reunion that breaks sales records. McConville then takes the day-to-day writing and modernizes Spawn for a new audience. The universe expands with King Spawn and Gunslinger Spawn. The first recent prints are already in demand.
Key numbers:#300 (McFarlane/Capullo, modern age record, $20-80), #301 (beats Cerebus' record), #311 (first Gunslinger Spawn). Recent issues: $5-20.
Top 4 — Gunslinger Spawn (#1-30, 2021-2023)
Screenwriter:Todd McFarlane |Designer:Brett Booth |Numbers:#1-30
The supernatural western from the Spawn universe. Javier, the Gunslinger Spawn of the Wild West, gets his own series that mixes horror and western with a fast-paced pace. Booth delivers spectacular artwork. The most successful spin-off of the franchise, with an impressive #1 sales.
Key numbers:#1 (spin-off launch, $5-20), #14 (crossover). Full run: $40-100.
Top 5 — King Spawn (#1-30, 2021-2023)
Screenwriter:Sean Lewis / Todd McFarlane |Designer:Javi Fernandez |Numbers:#1-30
Al Simmons in full power mode. King Spawn explores a Spawn who embraces his role as King of Hell with cosmic stakes. The title completes the Spawn Universe trilogy with the main title and Gunslinger, providing three entry points into the franchise.
Key numbers:#1 ($5-15), #6 (first Plague Spawn). Full run: $35-90.
Top 6 — The Guest Writers (Spawn #8-11, 16-18, 1993)
Screenwriters:Alan Moore (#8), Neil Gaiman (#9), Dave Sim (#10), Frank Miller (#11) |Designer:Todd McFarlane
Four comic book legends each write an issue of Spawn. Moore creates Violator in human form, Gaiman invents Angela and Medieval Spawn, Sim offers an experimental episode, Miller delivers pure darkness. These individual issues are among the most valuable in the series.
Key numbers:#8 (Moore, $10-30), #9 (Gaiman/Angela, $30-100), #10 (Sim, $5-15), #11 (Miller, $8-20). Set of 4: $50-160.
Top 7 — The David Hine era (Spawn #150-184, 2005-2008)
Screenwriter:David Hine |Designer:Philip Tan |Numbers:#150-184
A new Spawn — Jim Downing — takes over for Al Simmons in an underrated run. Hine brings a more psychological horror approach and Tan offers mind-blowing visuals. This is the “hidden” segment of the series, still very affordable and of high quality.
Key numbers:#150 (new Spawn, $5-15), #174-175 (Clown arc). Full run: $40-100.
Discover our guides onSpawn key numbersand thehistory of the Image Comics franchise.
More than 360 issues to follow — not counting spin-offs. Our application manages the entire Spawn franchise and identifies your missing ones in each series.
Try the collection app