When Spawn first appeared in 1992, the world met Al Simmons, a former government operative who returned to life after making a deal with the forces of Hell to be a Hellspawn, a general in Hell's Army. Eventually, the vigilante called Spawn learned he was not alone as Al was actually this generation's Hellspawn, the latest willing soldier in a malevolent tradition throughout human history.
During the record-breaking Spawn run, readers were introduced to Spawn's predecessors in flashbacks explaining their circumstances, choices, and consequences. Currently, some of these Hellspawn have found their way to the present where they inevitably will cross paths with Spawn and his allies. Whether you're a long time fan or a new arrival, here are some of the most memorable or infamous Hellspawn that ever walked the Earth.
Medieval Spawn
Although his first appearance in Spawn #9 ended with his demise at the hands of Angela, his back story was further explored later in Spawn #14-15. In life, he was Sir John of York, a medieval Knight from the 16th century whose character and reputation was similar to Al Simmons. After making the same deal with Malebolgia, Sir John returned to Earth years later as a Hellspawn who traveled protecting villagers and his remaining loved ones from danger. However, after a battle with the Violator, Medieval Spawn revealed true form and used some of his precious power to defeat the creature. His victory came at the cost of his beloved leaving him, a loss that worked right into Hell's plans. Recently, he unexpectedly found his way to the modern-day world where he battled, and lost, against Spawn.
Mandarin Spawn
Appearing in Spawn #165, he was once a deformed mute named Chenglei who was given as payment to the ruthless governor Zheng Li who ruled and heavily taxed a Shansi province in Japan near the end of the Southern Sung Dynasty. Due to his high intolerance of pain, Chenglei was kept in the governor's palace where he was chained and humiliated for Zheng Li and his court's amusement. On his deathbed, he was visited by the demon Mammon who offered him a deal on Malebolgia's behalf which he accepted. He was reborn as a Hellspawn and returned to get revenge on those who tormented and abused him, killing them all. Sparing the court storyteller who showed him kindness, the Mandarin Spawn cursed Zheng Li and disappeared supposedly to rule a small corner of Hell.
Gunslinger Spawn
With his first appearance in Spawn #118, the Gunslinger Spawn's backstory was fleshed out in Spawn #174-175. He was once Jeremy Winston, a former preacher who was framed for the murder of his family by greedy landowners in Bane, Colorado in 1881. Approached by Mammon with a deal, Jeremy accepted his offer before and was later reborn as a Hellspawn. The Gunslinger Spawn proceeded to rain hell and death upon the men responsible for his family's demise but also upon every man, woman, and child in Bane. The Gunslinger Spawn has also reappeared in the modern-day world and, like Medieval Spawn before him, will be forced to battle Spawn.
War Spawn
Appearing in Spawn #179, he was Captain Thomas Corram who was an English soldier during the First World War. Thomas's life of wealth and comfort was conflicted by his secret relationship with Selma, an African American woman. Selma leaves after having their child Michael and Thomas wouldn't see them until years later when he promises to watch over his son on the front lines. When Michael is killed, Thomas makes a deal with Mammon to become a Hellspawn in exchange for Michael's life. The War Spawn spends eternity fighting a war in Hell while Michael would live and his bloodline would eventually produce his granddaughter Wanda, Al Simmons' future wife.
Whether it was for love, revenge, or to escape judgment, every individual who accepted being a Hellspawn would eventually learn that sometimes death was the better choice. As the current Hellspawn Al Simmons continues to fight the forces of Heaven and Hell, one can only wonder what's the endgame and if not, who will be the next in this infernal tradition.