So, who decided how Al Simmons, the man who would become the anti-hero known as Spawn, should die? That answer is obvious, creator, writer, and artist Todd McFarlane conceived of the idea for Spawn in his youth. So maybe we should ask why did McFarlane choose to end Simmons life the way he did? Al Simmons was a US Agent who was betrayed by his government and murdered by his fellow agent and friend Bruce Stinson. Simmons makes a deal with the devil to be become a powerful Hellspawn, a warrior for the devil on earth. Simmons' death is particularly harsh as he is burned to death while on a mission in Botswana, he bears those scars in the afterlife and even after his return as a powerful Spawn.

Spawn was the 3rd new title published by McFarlane's fledgeling publishing company Image Comics, with this particular title he deliberately wanted shocking, adult-level brutality designed to push boundaries and hit harder than traditional superhero origins, this was no scientific accident or government experiment, this was meant to be completely different from the norm. When HBO adapted Spawn in an animated series, McFarlane took the same approach, he said in an interview “We wanted to make a statement right at the very beginning… I needed them to get really offended real quick and turn off the TV.” So, who decided Al Simmons would die by fire? That's all Todd McFarlane, the reason why? Simple, shock value.