Spawn #4

Spawn #4 was published by Image Comics in 1992 as part of the initial launch of the Spawn series, created by Todd McFarlane. Following the historic breakaway of several high-profile artists from Marvel and DC to form Image Comics, Spawn served as one of the flagship titles intended to showcase creator-owned characters in a grittier, more stylized aesthetic. The issue continued the dark, gothic narrative of Al Simmons, a murdered government agent who returns from hell as a reluctant soldier, marking a significant moment in the independent comic book movement of the 1990s.

The visual identity of the series was defined by McFarlane’s highly detailed, kinetic penciling, which emphasized dramatic anatomy and elaborate, flowing capes. Spawn #4 specifically leans into the horror-superhero fusion that became the character's trademark. Upon release, the series was received with immense commercial enthusiasm, contributing to the speculative boom of the era and solidifying the character as a pop-culture icon of the decade.