10 Best Non-Marvel/DC Superheroes

10. Spawn

Created by artist/writer Todd McFarlane, Spawn, aka Al Simmons, made his first appearance in 1992's Spawn #1 published by Image Comics. Simmons was a high level government assassin who discovered and objected to his government's shadowy activities and was killed as a result. He went to hell because of his participation in the government's questionable activities but while there he made a deal to sell his soul to come back and see his beloved wife Wanda again. As Spawn, Simmons has superhuman strength and speed, can fly, has a healing factor, and basically has a ton of assorted superpowers that make him stand out. But it's his dark, iconic look that makes him instantly memorable and cool. That massive, amorphous cape and look that blends Batman and Spider-Man in one is terrific, and the supernatural battles between good and evil make for some great stories. Spawn himself is an anti-hero but a compelling one whose adventures have spawned (sorry) numerous media offshoots like a hugely successful toy line and a much less successful movie starring Black Dynamite himself, Michael Jai White. The character remains one of Image's most enduring successes.