The Gentle Madness of Spawn Collection: THE ART OF SPAWN COLLECTION

The Art of Spawn Collection consists of 19 figures from 6 series, namely:

Series 24 "The Classic Comic Covers"
Series 25 "The Classic Comic Covers II"
Series 26 "The Art of Spawn"
Series 27 "The Art of Spawn II"
Supersize Edition 4
Supersize Edition 5

1) Series 24

This series proves to be a phenomenal success when introduced in October 2003, rejuvenating the collection of Spawn figures. It is an all-Spawn cast and aside from Hellspawn and Covenant the Black Knight, there are 8 figures that are part of the Art of Spawn Collection:

i.39 v.1

i.39 v.2

i.43

i.64

i.88 v.1

i.88 v.2

i.98

i.109

2) Series 25

A sequel was launched in February 2004. No longer an All-Spawn lineup, it features 3 Spawns, 2 of which are Hellspawns and only 1 Spawn figure:

i.95

3) Series 26

In September 2004, the cumbersome title "The Classic Comic Covers" was given a rebranding exercise and emerged as the more appropriate "The Art of Spawn". 4 were in the Series, 3 of which from the Spawn comic series:

i.7

i.8

i.57

4) Supersize Edition 4

The same month, McFarlane Toys relaunched their long dormat Super Size Edition, with Series 4 featuring i.43 and Wings of Redemption Spawn.

i.43 sv

5) Series 27

The current instalment of the Art of Spawn is released in March 2005 and it contains 4 Spawns:

i.85

i.86

i.119

i.131

6) Supersize Edition 5

The supersize series proves popular enough and in November 2005, the 5th edition containing i.95 sv and i.119 sv were released:

i.95 sv

i.119 sv

How to name the Art of Spawn?
Initially, they were titled rater simply - in series 24, a Spawn, for eg, Spawn i.39 means the figure is from the comic cover of issue no. 39. By Series 26 however, some bright sparks decided to rename it - thus what should be Spawn i.7 becomes Spawn issue 7 cover art. Rebranding it to "The Art of Spawn" was brilliant, renaming it as "Spawn issue something something cover art" is silly. The reason apparently is due to the introduction of figures based not only on cover art but interior art. Anyway, they can just as easily named them Spawn cai.7 (cover art issue 7) and Spawn iai.119 (interior art issue 119) and should there ever one day be a crash, let's said two interior arts from i.119 then it can always be titled i.119p.14 and i.119p.13, haha.

Instead of listing the following figures chronologically according to the date of release series, I would instead produce them according to the appearance of the issues:

Spawn i.7 - Series 26: September 2004

Based on the cover art illustrated by Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 7 "Payback II", January 1993.

The arsenal that Spawn carries is always remarkable.

Prototypes from the red chihuahua gang collection.

Spawn i.8 - Series 26: September 2004

Based on the cover art illustrated by Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 8 "In Heaven", March 1993.

Stripped of his cape, many collectors have remarked the similarities of this figure with Spider-Man and well, why not, McFarlane is famous for his works on Spider-Man.

Prototype from the red chihuahua gang collection.

There are two versions of Spawn i.39

Spawn i.39 v.1 - Series 24: October 2003

Based on the cover art illustrated by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 39 "Noel", December 1995.

Collectors have unofficially christened this the "Santa Claus Spawn" for obvious reason. With its authentic shoelaced-face and beautiful sculpted cape, it is regarded as one of the best sculpt toy among ALL toy makers in 2003. It however failed to generate much of an interest among buyers until the appearance of a masked version (v.2). Despite the lackadaisical sale, fans voted it as the Best Representation of a Comic in 2003 in the Best McFarlane Figures Poll.

Spawn i.39 v.2 - Series 24 Store Exclusive: December 2003

Introduced as a Store Exclusive for retailers who do not approved of the unmasked version launched two months earlier. This is not authenticated but this figure apparently made its initial appearance in France during the launch of a French exclusive Spawn spinoff comic and later in the US at selected retailers.

Spawn i.43 - Series 24: October 2003

Based on the cover art illustrated by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 43 "Evil", February 1996.

It came in a close second in the popularity yardstick behind Hellspawn i.1 (see Art of Hellspawn). A very good adaptation of the cover but no articulation to speak of and the cape takes the dexterity of child labourer to fix but when it comes to display, nothing beats the i.43 for its breathtaking cape and pose.

LEAPING INTO THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY - To celebrate the Year of the Monkey, which figure best illustrates this leaping movement other than the Gold Spawn i.43, that it was the Year of the Golden Monkey is so appropriate, no? Another Red Army Production.

A prototype from the red chihuahua gang collection

Spawn i.43 sv - Super Size Edition 4: September 2004

The incredible and stunning supersize Spawn i.43, it towers way above the 12" as claimed.

Spawn i.57 - Series 26: September 2004

Based on the cover art illustrated by Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 57 "The Beast", January 1997.

As Guns N Roses point it out so succinctly, what we have here is a failure to communicate, the monkey only wants a barbie doll!

Alas, Spawn with his so serious demeanour failed to comprehend.

Spawn i.64 - Series 24: October 2003

Based on the cover art illustrated by Chance Wolf, Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 64 "Checkmate", August 1997.

This figure comes with various nicknames over the Net; you can find "Commando Spawn", "Swat Spawn" and the most ridiculous of all, "Diver Spawn"! If it really needs a nickname, it should be "Techno-Security Spawn" as he is wearing the uniform of the Techno-Security Force, the private security division of Jason Wynn. Spawn incidentally (or was it incidental) dons helmet no. 666. This was one of the poorest received Series 24 figures (and it takes 3 persons to draw the cover!). But check out the back, it may not come with those wonderful cape but it still display careful sculpting.

Spawn i.85 - Series 27: March 2005

Based on the cover art illustrated by Danny Miki and Greg Capullo of Spawn issue no. 85 "Endgame", July 1999.

Spawn i.86 - Series 27: March 2005

Based on the cover art illustrated by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 86 "Abdication", August 1999 .

Prototype from the Red Chihuahua Gang

There are two versions to Spawn i.88

Spawn i.88 v.1 - Series 24: October 2003

Spawn i.88 v.2 - Series 24 Store Exclusive: December 2004

Based on the cover art illustrated by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 88 "Seasons of Change", October 1999.

Toy critics unanimously thought this is the best figure of Series 24, Spawn.com viewers have this figure in a tie with Spawn i.98 as 2003's Best Pose figure. Apparently two female viewers who saw my collection thought so too, they love the cape and that the cape hides the face is a bonus!

With such a huge cape, one would think that it is covering something fishy and well, of course it does, not something fish though for it hides an extraordinarily unorthodox McFarlane articulated Spawn. The grin is infectious, a definite improvement over previous unmasked Spawn, especially those raw albino head version (see Spawn VI v.2). And I like the lean and mean body instead of the Endomorphic Spawns.

Infectious grin or not, a masked version has to be introduced in order for it to be acceptable in certain stores.

Spawn i.88 bears remarkable resemblance to the Image 10th Anniversary Spawn and Spawn i.98 (on the left and right of the picture) except that the limb is shortened to a realistic scale. Unlike i.88 whose limb measured 3.5”, both Image and i.98 have limbs that reach 3.9". Besides the height, i.88 armour is also repainted brown instead of red.

The first appearance of a cat in the Spawn Figures Universe, in fact, there are two in Series 24.

A very limited release found in a local toy fair. Pic from the red chihuahua gang collection.

Spawn i.95 - Series 27: February 2004

Based on the cover art by Greg Capullo of Spawn issue no. 95 "Crack in the Foundation",May 2000.

It is back to statuesque Spawn with Series 25, there is not many way to pose this guy but those cape is really eye candy. The cape is a work of art and it should be displayed separately.

Spawn i.95 stands slightly above 7” and with those pointy cape, easily clear 8.5”. We know that there are murmurs out there that this figure is but a repaint of Spawn VI v.1 (figure on left in right and central pic) and yes there are similarities but hellfire, Spawn is supposed to look like Spawn! Anyway, fair’s fair, he may be from the same mould but he is a Spawn of his own right. Firstly, his spikes and ammo belts are painted a brighter shade of red and secondly, look at the pic on the far left, he has articulation on his waist, allowing him to make a twist for the photographer unlike the stick-like Spawn VI v.1 and thirdly, don’t he look uncomfortable with the big bad-ass gun of Spawn VI v.1, in fact, McFarlane Toys pre-empt the possibilities of putting a gun onto i.95 by having a clenched right hand.

Incidentally, Spawn issue no. 5, for those who read the comics is also the issue that saw the introduction of the ancient and powerful dark god, Urizen.

Prototype from the red chihuahua gang collection

Spawn i.95 - Super Size Edition 5: November 2005

Was so eager to remove the figure that I forgot to take a pic of the box! Anyway, pic is from spawntoys.com

Spawn i.98 - Series 24 MTCC Exclusive: October 2003

Based on the cover art illustrated by Danny Miki, Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane of Spawn issue no. 98 "The Trouble with Angels”, August 2000.

Released as a MTCC Exclusive in late October 2003, this figure was one of most eagerly anticipated and fastest selling exclusive ever, something like 25,000 figures gone in 6 days!

Initial promo of Spawn i.98 comes with Mask! Anyway, fearing that collectors might rename this a 10th Anniversary Spawn Repaint, McFarlane Toys decide to pluck the head off Spawn i.88, do a few touch-ups and viola, new Spawn!

But well, true to the spirit of diehard collector, I just got to do have the original figure.

Like the tamed gargoyle, I prefer the masked Spawn.

Spawn i.109 - Series 24: October 2003

Based on the cover art illustrated by Greg Capullo of Spawn issue no. 109 "The Kingdom Part III",June 2001.

"Wall Climbing Spawn", "Crawling Spawn", "Cat-Killer Spawn", "Heloise Kuhn Spawn", just know that he is Spawn i.109 sharing a cape that is very similar to that of i.98.

Notice how Spawn swoops down to take vengeance for a pigeon dismembered by a cat, together with the black cat of i.88, that makes it two cats in a single series!

Prototype from the red chihuahua gang collection

Spawn i.119 - Series 27: March 2005

Based on art pencilled by Angel Medina found inside Spawn issue no. 119 "A Season in Hell Part III", August 2002.

"Gunslinger Spawn" was immensely popular despite some protests that the hat is neither that of a cowboy (read Stetson) hat nor a Sombrero. It got the high crown but where is the wide brim of a Sombrero?