SPAWN THE MOVIE
The Movie Spawn Collection circa 1997 is one of the more interesting collection in Spawndom, with figures of various sizes and from different sources. And the heads, the heads...of all the series, this is one with the most diverse head collection. The quality of the product however left much to be desired and McFarlane Toys itself acknowledged that the quality was kept low to ensure that the price remains affordable for new collectors.
The movie released in August 1997 was according to imdb.com made on a budget of US$40m and earned respectable income. The movie might be lambasted by critics but it actually got pretty good special effects and it won a special effects prize - awarded by the Sitges Catalonian International Film Festival.
A 42-page movie adaptation graphic novel was released in tandem with the movie.
I sub-divide this collection into 2 groups:
Group A: The Regular Size Group
There are 3 types of regular-sized figures: Spawn, Burnt Spawn and Spiked Spawn.
Group B: The Odd-Sized Group
They are the Playsets, Promotional Figure, Keychain Figure, Pin Figure, Pendant Figure and Bust.
Including the bust, there are 15 unique figures for display collectors.
GROUP A
The regular-sized group consists of 8 unique figures:
May 1997 Cannes Film Festival Exclusive: Spawn
The first regular-size Movie Spawn to appear is that of a promotional figure for the 1997 Cannes Film Festival that was given out free to attendees in May 1997. It has been consistently labelled as 3-inch by sellers although every single ruler and tape that I used measured him at a respectable 6".
The figure is grey-washed.
And contrary to what many eBay sellers claim, this guy is neither unmasked nor burnt!
July 1997 Movie Series Original Masked Version: Spawn
This figure is part of the proper Movie Series figures of July 1997.
I have always assumed that this is how the above grey-washed figure would look like once paint is dabbled on him until one fine January morning in 2010 when Ricky (Hunter R) sent me the images shown abovementioned and below. He had previously examined his figures and noticed that they are not exact replica.
-image courtesy of Hunter R Collection-
This pic clearly illustrates that the knee joints are different. I was, to put it mildly, flabbergasted! -image courtesy of Hunter R Collection-
Dawid Kocyba noticed this knock-off in Olkusz, Poland and I am the lucky collector to receive it.
Another discovery by Dawid of a shrink-down knock-off Movie Spawn figure.
July 1997 Movie Series Original Unmasked Version: Spawn
This version is an exact replicate of the above two versions except for the headsculpt which shows Spawn unmasked.
July 1997 Movie Series Original: Burnt Spawn
This hellboy lookalike was originally penned as 'Grave Digger Spawn' but the name was subsequently changed to that of Burnt Spawn.
Second of the unmasked headsculpt; there would be three of them in the regular-sized group and each has different sculpt.
This version comes with an unintentional variant, that of Burnt Spawn with blue eyes (pic on left) as compared to the fellow with the green eyes (pic on right). Well, some production workers probably ran out of green paint and grab the nearest paint available.
-image courtesy of Blackaris Collection-
Figures from this series were also repackaged into 3-Pack and sold through various outlets including MTCC. The image above shows one of the many 3-Pack versions in the market.
-image courtesy of spawn.com-
The back of this figure produced the usual excellent work one associated with Spawn figures, albeit a feature only display collector would witness.
A shrink-down knock-off found by Dawid in Poland.
Another bootleg and I wonder if it is the same knock-off figure as above.
-image courtesy of Joe Madeira Collection-
Besides appearing at his grave in this cloak, he was also seen at Cyan's birthday party and what do you know, only man's best friend remember him.
September 1997 Movie Series Original Masked Version: Spiked Spawn
This carded masked Spiked Spawn was not part of the original movie series. It was released to select retailers to replenish their stocks and is thus not that uncommon as once thought. And it is not as erroneously believed, a strictly Japanese exclusive.
He is closely related to Movie Spawn except for the obvious spikes.
July 1997 Movie Series Boxset Original: Attack Spawn
A box set titled "Attack Spawn" appeared as part of the Movie Series in July 1997. It was not released months later as widely believed. This erroneous perception arises from the fact that most stores do not carried it, giving the impression that this is a rare issue. This Spiked Spawn is adorned with a beautiful bat wings and multiple hand accessories. In my opinion, this figure is the best regular-size figure in the Movie Spawn Collection.
And there is a lucky collector out there who owns this mold shot prototype! And despite a healthy offer, he declined the sales.
-image courtesy of a rnonymous collection-
January 1998 Movie Series Retail Exclusive Display Case: Spiked Spawn
This Store Exclusive of Movie Spiked Spawn was released in January 1998 in conjunction with the release of the VHS and DVD versions of the movie. The diorama of flying bats would be re-enacted by another figure - Spawn i043 five years later.
And this particular version was selected as the cover boy for the pull-out guide by Lee's Guide.
July 1997 Movie Series Original Unmasked Version: Spiked Spawn
-image courtesy of Jin 119kg Collection-
The unmasked Movie Spiked Spawn (on the left) and the unmasked Movie Spawn (on the right) may be from the same series but they can be differentiated not only by the spikes but also the headsculpts - notice the grim vs the grin? And yes, those eyes are blue!
GROUP B
There are 7 unique figures in this group:
July 1997 Movie Series Playset Original: Spawn Alley Playset
There are 3 playsets in the Movie Series and each contained a 4" Spawn figure, in this case, this is a smaller scale Movie Spawn but check out those oversized boots.
July 1997 Movie Series Playset Variant: Spawn Alley Playset
The Spawn figure contained in this variant version is exactly the same as that in the original version. What differentiates the two is the inclusion of a figure - that of Todd McFarlane who appeared in the movie as an alley bum. This version is absolutely unnecessary if you are display collector. Image from world wide web.
The masked figure is usually well loved although it can be a bit boring but in this case, the Movie Spawn from the Alley Playset (on the left) has slit eyes compared to the other four regular size masked spawns.
July 1997 Movie Series Playset Original: The Final Battle Playset
A miniature Spiked Spawn and the only Spiked Spawn, regular or miniature with spikes on the head!
July 1997 Movie Series Playset Original: The Graveyard Playset
The unmasked head strikes again. Four unmasked figures - four different headsculpts. This series does have the most interesting unmasked headsculpts. The guy shouting NNNOOOOO is the inspiration for this playset.
February 1997 Movie Promotion Exclusive
The very well travelled 2.5" silver-washed Movie promotional figure that first appeared in Feb 1997 Toy Fair in New York. He has since moved from event exclusive at Chicago Comicon to club exclusive at MTCC, he has been everywhere.
Silver-washed he may be but the green eyes are still dab on.
July 1997 Placo Toys Licensed Exclusive: Spawn Keychain
This diecast bronze Spawn is made by Placo Toys and he stands 3".
It is certainly no exaggeration to say that the Movie Series Collection has the most interesting headsculpts among Spawn figures.
July 1997 Alchemy Carta Licensed Exclusive: Spawn Pin
The 2" crucified Spawn made by The Alchemy Carta.
And he comes with a rather small mask almost like a domino.
July 1997 Alchemy Carta Licensed Exclusive: Spawn Pendant
This is an exact replicate of the crucified spawn shown above but instead of a pin, he is carried on a pendant. For a display collector, this x'tra figure is unnecessary. Image from the Blackaris' Collection.
January 1998 Movie Series Retail Exclusive: Spawn Bust
The 13" Spawn Bust is very very VERY low, really very low on my priority of wanted figures! No desire for a 13" bust of an unmasked Spawn in my display cabinet. Images are definitely not mine.
However, I do have a bootleg copy cos' it costs only S$10 and he is currently somewhere in my storeroom.
Saw this colourful custom made in Mexico at where else but eBay in December 2005.
eBay - November 2005. Seller claims that this 17" resin figure might be a maquette/prop or prototype for the 1997 movie.
