Spawn First Appearance: Spawn #1 and How to Identify It

Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover date May 1992), published by Image Comics. The source puts it this way: "Spawn #1 (1992) – first appearance of Spawn".

• Confirmed as the first-appearance issue: CGC's registry lists a Spawn #1 copy graded CGC 9.8 as the first appearance of Spawn.
• CGC certified-comic record confirms cover date: CGC's certified-comic database record independently confirms the issue date as 5/92.

• Indicia: the small print on the first page or inside cover gives the issue number, date and publisher; reprints usually say so there.
• Cover price and barcode: a price or barcode format that did not exist in the year printed means a later edition.
• Paper and staples: decades-old newsprint is tan at the edges; bright white pages on an old date are a warning sign.
• Restoration: color touch, trimmed edges and married covers are common on expensive keys; a grading service can detect them.

Shoot the front cover flat, straight on, in even light, then the indicia page and the back cover. Include the top edge and staples in one frame. The app reads the title, issue number and cover and matches it against the checks above; the indicia photo settles most reprint questions.