one-shot issue that sets up the expanded Spawn Universe titles. The Scorched An ongoing series that focuses on a team of rotating roster of heroes, with the core group consisting of She-Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, Medieval Spawn, and Redeemer. King Spawn An ongoing story starting Spawn against old and new foes and becoming king. It is considered to be the Detective Comics or Action Comics equivalent of the Spawn franchise. Gunslinger Spawn A series that focuses on Gunslinger Spawn's adventures. Batman/Spawn A third crossover one-shot of Batman and Spawn written by McFarlane and drawn by Greg Capullo. Released December 13, 2022. Spawn: Unwanted Violence A two issue miniseries written by McFarlane and illustrated by Mike del Mundo focusing on Spawn and Freak. Legal disputes Dispute with Neil Gaiman In 1993, McFarlane contracted Neil Gaiman to write Spawn #9. While doing so, Gaiman introduced the characters Cogliostro, Angela, and Medieval Spawn. All three characters were designed and co-created by Todd McFarlane and continued to be featured in the series after Gaiman's involvement, and some had tie-ins with McFarlane's toy company. Cogliostro had a prominent role in the live-action movie in 1997. McFarlane had agreed that Gaiman was a co-creator of the characters and paid him royalties for reprints, graphic novels, and action figures. After a few years, he ceased the payment of royalties and gave Gaiman notice that he owned all rights to the characters, citing the copyright notice from #9 and claimed that Gaiman's work had been work-for-hire and that McFarlane was the sole owner. In 2002, Gaiman filed suit against McFarlane and, in response, McFarlane counter-sued. Gaiman had partnered with Marvel Comics to form Marvels and Miracles, LLC, which bankrolled the lawsuit. The main goal was to determine the issue of ownership for another character Gaiman felt he had a stake in, Miracleman, which at the time McFarlane was believed to hold a sizable stake in after his buyout of the assets of Eclipse Comics. This issue was thrown out. Instead, the court chose to rule on the breach of contract issue, the rights of ownership and the copyrightability of the characters from Spawn #9. Several arguments were presented by McFarlane and all were rejected, leading to a sizable judgment against McFarlane and Image Comics. The matter went to appeal and the judgment was upheld in a 2003 decision. Gaiman's rights as co-creator and co-owner of Cogliostro, Angela, and Medieval