PILOT SPAWN
The third appearance of Al Simmon Spawn after Spawn 1 and Commando Spawn 1. Apparently, Al Simmons in his former human form had "learned how to fly some of the world's most advance, top secret space craft" including using a jet pack armed with missile which enable him to continue his fight "without depleting his finite powers" (info from back of card).
Pilot Spawn is one of the two Spawns that are the main stars of Series 2 that was released in February 1995 and there are altogether five versions of him:
February 1995 Series 2 Original: Pilot Spawn
The Badges of v1
The production floor in the factory was a bit slack where quality control is concerned and it results, much to the delight of collectors several noticeable variants as determined by the type of badges.
Silver Badge
"The first version of this figure shipped with no decal on the chest and with grey or black hoses leading to the back-pack." (see End Cap dated December 1996) No decal? Probably poor workers dozing off from long working hours and failing to glue the paper badge on!
Red Badge
Once correction is made, the common v1 figure with that of a "Red Badge" version, a white skull embossed on a red field began to flood the market.
Silver Skull Badge
There is also the "Silver Skull Badge", that of a skull motif imprinted on the silver shield.
Other variants include a skull "wearing a hat" whatever that mean (see End Cap December 1996) and I have also noticed on the web a figure with a more stylised skull motif on a red field.
Variants other than the badges
Beside the badges, there are the following variants: the red-tipped portion of the missile that is left unpainted; hoses that are grey instead of black; incorrect position of hose in the bubble; card with lightning background instead of blue stripes background; card that read "McFarlane Toys" instead of "Todd Toys"...etc.
May 1995 Series 2 Repaint: Pilot Spawn
The second version of Pilot Spawn is that of the Repaint and because it is dressed in a white suit, some collectors decide to promote him from a humble pilot to "Astronaut Spawn". Released as part of Series 2 Repaints in May 1995, it bores the same original skull badge on a red field and black jet backpack.
My figure is that of a Repaint made for the Chinese market. Spawn is translated in Chinese as "Zai Sheng Xia", in transliteration, Reborn or Born-Again Hero. Isn't that a fantastic name, those alley bum pals would surely appreciate this moniker re-branding. And Pilot Spawn in Chinese is "Fei Tian Zai Sheng Xia" or Flying Reborn Hero.
August 1995 Series 3 Playset Original: Spawn Air Cycle
In chronological order, this is the third Pilot Spawn courtesy of Series 3 playset 'Spawn Air Cycle' in August 1995.
He is easily recognised for his lack of a jet-pack. And unlike the original, he has a green instead of red porch around his right thigh and his badge bears the logo of Spawn.
Instead of a jetpack, he got an aircycle instead.
September 1997 Retail Exclusive: Pilot Spawn
One of the three Store Exclusive's gold-washed figures retailed by KB Toys in the US. Some claimed that this figure appeared as early as July 1997.
Yes, some of you are going to have a fit when you see these two versions, apparently painted as a lark during lull period by a line worker, one washed in pewter and the other repainted black and green. :)
And in late 1997, he was turned into a bootleg copy. Pink missle on jetpack, nice. Image courtesy of Joe Madeira, do check out his site.
July 1995 Pressma Toys Exclusive: Spawn the Game
The Pilot Spawn silver-washed miniature figure is one of four Spawns found in 'Spawn: The Game' released by Pressman Toys in mid-1995.
Am so fortunate to acquire the protoype figures:
