Cogliostro ( ), also simply Cog, is a character appearing in Todd McFarlane's Spawn comic book series published by Image Comics. Cogliostro was created in 1993 by author Neil Gaiman and artist Todd McFarlane and introduced in Spawn issue #9. Originally depicted as a supporting character, he becomes an antagonist as the series progresses, eventually becoming the supervillain Sinn, one of the main antagonists of the series. His true identity is Cain the first murderer and the first Hellspawn.
Fictional character biography
Meeting Al Simmons
Cogliostro first appears as a homeless man, but he seems to know more about Spawn's situation than Spawn himself. Cog informs Spawn that his powers draw on a limited energy source, and that using it up will condemn him to eternal torment in Hell. He is the angel on Spawn's right shoulder, opposite to the Violator, who exhorts Spawn to revel in death and destruction not just in the name of Hell, but also for its own sake.
Eventually, Cogliostro reveals that he is also a former Hellspawn, having forsaken Malebolgia long ago, and refuses to use his remaining powers, as he has one "tick" of necroplasmic power left, and any use of his Hell-granted powers will end his Earthly existence. Still, that single bit of power has extended his lifespan to centuries, and he does not want the newest Spawn to fall to the darkness that created both of them.
In 1993 McFarlane contracted Neil Gaiman (as well as other recognized authors like Frank Miller and Dave Sim) to write one issue of his Spawn series. While doing so, Gaiman introduced the characters Cogliostro, Angela, and Medieval Spawn. All three characters were based on characters created by Todd McFarlane and were co-created with Todd McFarlane who designed them. These all continued to be featured in the series after Gaiman's involvement and had many tie-ins with McFarlane's toy company. Cogliostro had a prominent role in the live-action movie in 1997.
McFarlane had initially agreed that Gaiman retained co-creator rights on the characters but later claimed that Gaiman's work had been work-for-hire and that McFarlane owned all of Gaiman's creations entirely, pointing to the legal indicia in Spawn #9 and the lack of legal contract stating otherwise. McFarlane had also refused to pay Gaiman for the volumes of Gaiman's work he republished and kept in print. In 2002, Gaiman filed suit and won a sizeable judgment against McFarlane and Image Comics and the rights due any creator. All 3 characters became co-owned 50/50 by both men.
Angela was later sold to Marvel Comics whereas Cogliostro and Medieval Spawn are still used in the Spawn comics.
In other media
Television
- The late Richard Dysart provided his voice in the animated series, where he has a very different background than in the comics, becoming more like the character of Lord Covenant from the comics. Cogliostro was a knight during the age of chivalry, becoming a hellspawn known as the Black Knight. Ultimately, however, he found his servitude to Malebolgia to be in violation of his honor; leading him to take up black magic to free himself, thereby becoming Merlin of the Arthurian legend. From then on, he sought to save at least one hellspawn in order to redeem himself, a goal he seems to be approaching towards the end of Spawn 3: The Ultimate Battle, with Al Simmons pledging himself to his teachings.
Film
- The late Nicol Williamson portrayed Cogliostro in the 1997 film adaptation, where he was the black knight (Sir John Of York) from the fifteenth century who became a Hellspawn after his death; but at some point successfully freed his soul from the demons' control and now fights on the side of Heaven. He becomes Al's teacher and instructs him in how to use his necroplasm armor. This version lacks his symbiotic armor, but appears to possess some supernatural abilities, such as a sharp blade that automatically extends from his right arm.
Video games
- Cogliostro is a playable character in the video game Spawn: In the Demon's Hand voiced by Phillip Sheperd.