 "Spawn" is notable for being one of only two Image books that debuted during the company's 1992 launch, along with Erik Larsen's "Savage Dragon", that continued to be published into the 2020s.During Image's early years of operation, the company was subject to much industry criticism over aspects of its business practices, including late-shipped books, and its creators' emphasis of art over writing.One of these critics was McFarlane's former "Hulk" collaborator, writer Peter David.