SPAWN i086
March 2005 Series 27 Boxset Original: Spawn vs Al Simmons Deluxe Boxed Set (issue 86 cover art)
Series 27 released in March 2005 is also titled as 'The Art of Spawn 2', ie, the figures in this series are inspired by art found inside Spawn comics. This is the 4th series that is recognised as being based on the art, prior to this, there is the Art of Spawn 1, Comic Cover Art 1 and Comic Cover Art 2.
This is a lovely display set with very strong support base to hold the figures up.
The art that inspired this two-figure set is that of the cover of Spawn issue #86, titled 'Endgame', illustrated by Todd McFarlane and released in August 1999.
The cover is metaphorical of course, Al Simmons never did battled Spawn. Spawn is instead confronted by the ghost of his former human-self who engaged him not so such much in a bloody battle but a heart-to-heart talk.
Sequential wise, this is the 5th Al Simmons figure. He is also listed in the index under Al Simmons 1 to 5.
Spawn collectors know that articulation-wise, it is practically non-existent. Unlike the statuesque Spawn i086, Simmons 5 surprises with some slight articulation on the head, shoulder (middle of shoulder), between waist and feet.
The sculpt of the face is authentic as compared to the previous comical elements in previous editions but still I find the look, for a better word - surprisingly strange...
Note the weapons carried by Simmons just in case you are buying this figure on the flea market. What caught my attention is the strap on his holster (right image) - the clever attention to detail is admirable, the strap is plastic, allowing the revolver to be securely "caught".
A back view of Simmons 5 and a clearer view of the other weapons that he carried.
For me the highlight of a Spawn figure is always the cape and in Spawn i086, the fluttering cape is really outstanding.
The cape is pretty heavy, I guess it has to be in order to stay in that position.
His stance is that of parrying the thrust of Simmons.
As with the majority of the collectors, my preference is for the masked Spawn but the unmasked Spawn does give the sculptor more leeway in design.
A Spawn i086 test shot prototype "destroyed" with orange paint.
The head sculpt
The marking on his torso is 右, Mandarin Chinese for "right". It is pronounced as "you"; there are four tones in Mandarin Chinese, this is pronounced in the 4th tone.
The 2Up prototype images from sculptorscorner.
