SPAWN 5
Much to the anguish of 'articulation lovers' but to the delight of display collectors like us, the evolution towards statuesque figure is complete with Spawn 5 (or Spawn V), one of the two Spawns that appeared as part of Series 17 in August 2000 (the other is Medieval Spawn 2).
For display collectors, there are 3 official figures. There may be 4, read on.
Version 1: August 2000 Series 17 Original
It was decided in 2000 that Spawn be reintroduced thus the tagline “Classic” was attached to Series 17; it was akin to the modern day parlance of “Reborn”. If this figure is a reintroduction of the classic, then what about Spawn 2, 3 and 4?
Version 2: January 2001 Series 17 Repaint
A repaint version of v1 was introduced in January 2001. This is a very much sought after repaint figure due to its limited release and demand remains healthy. If you are a card collector, the difference in the colour of the card is an obvious giveaway - the original is brown and the repaint is blue.
Version 3: September 2002 Retailers Exclusive - Spawn the Evolution
The third version is part of a two-pack set titled “Spawn the Evolution” released in September 2002 featuring repaints of Spawn 1 and Spawn 5. Widely available worldwide, eg. in the US through GameStop, Japan through Takara and unsold copies in MTCC.
1. Version 1 and Version 3
Both figures are exactly alike. Spawn 5 v.3 is a repaint based on the original Spawn 5 v.1.
The original, the very first Spawn 5 has a stance that cannot do without a base - a mound of skulls in brown. His cape is in matt finish. The repaint that emerged two years later is essentially a duplicate of the former: the base with the mound of skulls are however greyer and the paint on the armour and cape is glossier. Very uninteresting repaint but this is a gift, so I am not going to quibble.
I know this sounds repetitive but fellow display collectors, DO rust-proof those chains or it would stain your figure!
In anticipation of lacklustre sale, a signed Todd McFarlane's card was inserted into every 10th box in "Spawn the Evolution". Last check, there is no difference in resale price.
Customs
This figure also attracts a good amount of customs. Two that I saw on the online auction site of eBay: the first with a simple custom of an unmasked head, rather obviously pluck from Spawn 6 v.2 and the other a bright custom repaint with the US flag as the theme for the cape.
Spawn i087
And if you find his pose or stance strangely familiar, you have probably seen it on the cover of #87 published in September 1999.
And this model of Spawn is popular enough that employees were given a wall plaque as a memento.
2. A SUPERSIZE SPAWN 5?
Spawn 5 was originally scheduled to be transformed into a super-size (12" edition) figure in November 2005 but it never materialised, oh well, maybe later..
3. YANKING THE CHAINS
The first time I realised that there might be variants to this figure according to the waist chains is this Nov 2005 picture by "s5551" (member from sgcollect.com). Thanks to "karnis" (member from spawn.com message board) who observed that there is cape chain and waist chain and that the former has no variation, it is strictly metal.
With regards to the original - v.1. According to CustServc at McFarlane Toys, there is no plastic waist chain variant to this version. And I have yet to come across any myself.
As to v.3, curiously, the CustServ at MT said this figure is adorned with a metal chain while practically every collectors I spoke to said their display figure has a plastic chain! Figures from "Spawn the Evolution" are not that difficult to inspect as it is in a box and not sealed in a card.
And now to v.2. For display collector or those buying loose, note that the the left leg has been straightened and the pose is no longer as dramatic. He also got a resculpted base in grey. Unlike v.1, this repainted version can also stands without his base.
And with regards to the chains of v.2, I checked with the 'trusty' experts at McFarlane Toys and they said there is only the metal version. But after 's5551' posted that group pic, I did a search and indeed found myself a plastic version!Well, if metal is official, then the plastic would be an unintentional variant.
Using the image above as a guide - the official metal version has smaller chains while the unintentional plastic variant has larger chains. But do bear in mind that it is pretty difficult to tell metal apart from plastic with card figure. Shaking it helps though :) Good luck in your search.
The Alternate Head for Spawn 5 sculpted by Hunter R. For more of his works, do check out Hellspawn Realisation.
