SPAWN / Al Simmons

First Appearance: Spawn #1

Al was born to loving middle class parents who lived in a quiet neighborhood outside of Pittsburgh. He grew up like any other kid, going to school, and playing a few sports. However, his competitive nature set him apart. He was always driven to win and accepted no less than total victory in everything he did, whether it was on the ball field, or just having a conversation. He would never start a debate unless he could get his point across. To Al, there was no point in starting anything if there was no way he could win.

Al went from High School straight to College where he was first noticed and then recruited to the CIA. As part of his new job, he joined the military, rapidly going up through the ranks, and gaining a place on a special elite unit set to guard the president. While on duty with this unit, he saved the President from an assassin's bullet for which he was rewarded a huge promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. His combat skills and aptitude for quick learning brought him to the attention of Jason Wynn who became his personal mentor, drawing him publicly into the intelligence community. Jason Wynn was a master of manipulation, and led Al Simmons into believing, at least at first, that everything they did had a purpose and was for the good of American Security. The missions became bloodier with fewer rational explanations, some even causing civil wars. What was once a strong friendship, or so it appeared to naive Al, rapidly deteriorated as Simmons began to question his commander Wynn and his motives. This continuous butting of heads would not be tolerated by the likes of Jason Wynn, nor would it go unpunished. It was a mission just like the eight previous, where Al was going to kill in the name of his government when he was turned on by two of his fellow agents, Chapel and Priest, ironic names at best. The two agents opened fire on Al with laser weapons, burning him beyond recognition. Al had been set up by Jason Wynn because he'd become a thorn in the man's side.

Al Simmons was buried with great media fanfare because he'd been their darling ever since his televised rescue of the president many months before. He was a hero, his coffin draped in an American flag which was given to his widow Wanda Blake while the country watched. Stories ran for days of the lad buried in Arlington National Cemetery who'd risked and lost his life, all in the name of his country.

But existence didn't end for Al when he was burned by his treacherous comrades. At the moment of his death, he made a pact that he'd later barely recall. Al had always had an Achilles' heel, ill-afforded to a killer in his position. Al loved his wife beyond bearing and the deal hinged upon this. Though he was an atheist at the time of his death, Al would do anything to see his wife again and the Malebolgia took him at his word. In a split-second, or so it seemed, he was returned to earth. Al Simmons had now become an officer in training, one of Malebolgia's hand-picked HellSpawn for this century, bound to a symbiotic uniform and infused with hell-born energy. Al was able to follow orders, had killer instinct, and was willing to make the bargain; all of the Malebolgia's requirements.