The Violator Hunter — Projekt Cars’ ‘Spawn’ JEEP Wrangler Build

When a custom car concept comes together as beautifully as Projekt Cars’ Spawn Mustang collaboration with Todd McFarlane, it’s hard to resist the urge to go back to the well. Projekt Cars’ Business Development Director Carlos Molina knows this all too well, as he is the proud owner of one of five Projekt Cars customs assembled in partnership with the Spawnfather. 

Molina’s Jeep Wrangler sports spikes, chains, and mismatched weaponry, evoking imagery from films like Resident Evil, Mad Max, Escape From LA, and others. If it weren’t so clean, the extreme off-road recreational vehicle would fit right into the overgrown, grimy, violent, soft-apocalypse landscape of any collapsed society. 

Like the team’s other Spawn builds, the JEEP is based on the mythos of Todd McFarlane, who introduced the hellish anti-hero in May 1992’s Spawn #1 from Image Comics. In the series, a former mercenary named Al Simmons finds himself in Hell after being murdered. A prince of Hell named Malebolgia sees the violent potential in Simmons and gives him an opportunity to return to Earth. Simmons wants a shot to see his wife Wanda and rectify some of the truly awful things he’d done in life.

When Hellspawn are created, their central nervous system is permanently bonded to a sentient, telepathic neural parasite that clings to their body like a suit. Spawn is paired with Leetha of the 7th House of K. The symbiote (Oops. Wrong franchise.) has the appearance of a ragged black and red suit trimmed in white, complete with cape, chains, and spikes. These implements add to Spawn’s abilities, making him a formidable opponent who can harness the power of Hell’s necroplasm.

As these things tend to go, Simmons’ literal ‘deal with the devil’ turns out much differently than he had hoped. Malebolgia wants Spawn to lead his  infernal army for an apocalyptic battle between Heaven and Hell. When Spawn refuses to do Malebolgia’s bidding, the demon focuses on a different battle, this one for Al’s eternal soul.

With few options, Simmons embraces his new infernal identity in an effort to atone for his past sins and use his newly found powers for good. Despite having superhuman powers imbued by K7-Leetha, every second of Spawn’s existence is plagued by intense pain and suffering. 

And that brings us to the Violator Hunter. This imposing off-road beast debuted at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, next to one of three Spawn Mustangs the marketing group created.

The build began with a four door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Controlled demolition started on the vehicle just moments after it left the dealership. With only 11 miles on the odometer, most of the OEM components were stripped and cutting began, making space for a host of Fab Fours products.

To start, a Grumper combination grill and winch system was added to enhance the front bumper and windshield. Red spikes and eyelets complement the aggressive front end look. A fabricated plate hangs under the grill, displaying the Spawn comics logo, and LED lights glow from beneath the vented DV8 Performance hood.

An Inferno Red powder-coated Sherpa roof rack from Rugged Ridge connects to the front A-pillar, travels up to the roof and connects to the rear bumper. The roof rails also serve as a mounting device for additional cube lighting, and there was a pair of large caliber Gatling guns mounted on either side to aid in clearing a path through Malebolgia’s minions.

The original doors were removed to provide ample ventilation with Rugged Ridge tube doors, which were coated Inferno Red to match the roof rack. They’re equipped with modular door cargo cover textile pockets, perfect for storing small items, unusual rocks, snacks, quarters for tollbooths… and also firearms.

With a name like Violator Hunter, this beast was never intended to be a mall-crawler. Components were chosen to perform in severe off-road conditions in the Texas desert. Due to the 4” long-travel lift, many of the upgraded suspension components are easily seen. The lift kit includes Vertex Adjustable Reservoir shock absorbers and a slew of Steer Smarts offerings: tie rod assembly, bottom drag link, adjustable track bar, with relocation bracket. 

The off-road SUV’s wheel and tire combination is geared toward use in impassable areas, with generously sized RBP Swat 14×22” wheels and Tri-Ace off-road tires in 38×15.50R22. The spare tire got the same treatment, and then was secured with an upgraded Rugged Ridge’s Spartan wheel carrier. 

There are Jeepers that spend a lot of time, money, and labor upgrading exterior components and accessories, and then neglect the engine compartment. That is not the case here.

Peeking under the hood, the first item you’d notice is the custom carbon-fiber engine cover, created by Dinman.  The Violator Hunter sports a Roush exhaust system, with a RIPP downpipe connected to the supercharged unit. The RIPP components consist of a Vortec blower optimized by the Diablosport software, with RIPP brackets and tubing. A Rugged Ridge intake snorkel guarantees that the V6 is supplied with enough cooling air, even when crossing water, while two batteries provide enough spark to keep the ignition system firing.

For the interior, the Projekt Car crew made alterations ideal for hard and dirty applications, mostly. All-weather rubber floor mats, handles on the side headliners, and neoprene-covered armrests reflect the vehicle’s utilitarian purpose. Those details are seemingly at odds with seats covered in luxurious Ferrari Leather emblazoned with the Spawn comics logo, but somehow it all comes together cohesively. 

The cockpit is themed in red and black to follow the anti-hero’s signature look, with numerous decorative panels on the dash. Rounding off the dashboard are several skulls and chains, like those adorning K7-Leetha. It’s easy to imagine the Violator Hunter as an extension of the hellborn parasite, linked to Spawn’s central nervous system, and able to be controlled by his thoughts. Check out the completed build below.