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10-25-2018, 12:26 PM | #1 |
Administrator
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Decided to do a throwback set for Spawn, focused on the hero shots for just the ones I dug the most.
Spawn Action Figure Retrospective - McFarlane Toys Throwback Thursday! - The Toyark - News Little taste of what's in there: |
10-25-2018, 12:39 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 113
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McFarlane hated joints that broke the sculpt yet somehow was totally fine with static seams doing the same in a more egregious way. Those seams on Al's arms are ridiculous.
Your photography is top notch, as always. |
10-25-2018, 12:56 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Minnesota
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The group shot is amazing. I have most of my McFarlane figures stuffed on one 12 foot shelf and it doesn't look nearly as cool as this. I may have to rethink my grouping.
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10-25-2018, 01:03 PM | #4 |
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never did understand why mcfarlane didnt like joints when doing action figures, thats the main point. thats like having pizza with no cheese. he sure did miss out on alot of money
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10-25-2018, 01:05 PM | #5 |
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Yeah it came out pretty good. Some are on risers, some using the stands. I don't have the room to put them out like that so I need to redo some shelves myself.
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10-25-2018, 01:08 PM | #6 |
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Quote:
Not making excuses, but that's how I look at it. Hopefully that new Fortnite level of articulation spreads into his rebirth of the old lines they were talking about. |
10-25-2018, 01:16 PM | #7 |
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Quote:
I do get that, but, the way I look at it is this. These came out in 2000-2005 or so. Way ahead of it's time in terms of sculpt and paint. NECA, DC Collectibles, and others that are on par are just now getting to the point where they can do full detailed sculpts with awesome paint AND articulation. For a reasonable price.
Not making excuses, but that's how I look at it. Hopefully that new Fortnite level of articulation spreads into his rebirth of the old lines they were talking about. |
10-25-2018, 01:32 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 2,759
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These stactions are definitely of its time but, I kind of forgotten how good a lot of the McFarlane stuff looked.
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10-25-2018, 02:06 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Minnesota
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I don't feel like McFarlane missed out on any money, since his stuff is what paved the way. People were buying it in droves, which is why a lot of it can be found on the secondary for pretty cheap. Even NECA and then Mezco were delivering the same staction figures when they first came out with their horror stuff, once McFarlane scaled back and then quit. Mcfarlane basically created the "adult collectibles" market in the toy aisles. Before that, toy collectors were buying toys. People that wanted more than generic kid stuff were buying statues and models, not figures. So, I disagree that he left money on the table at the time. Flash forward 15 years and yeah, some people were leaving McFarlane stuff on the pegs, because of articulation. So, maybe some lost money there, but he has said that the color tops line was highly profitable. Stores were buying it up, even if the consumers weren't.
Last edited by SpasticPlastic; 10-25-2018 at 03:31 PM.. |
10-25-2018, 02:36 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 2,759
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I'd actually credit McFarlane with making the garage kit scene in the US irrelevant.
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10-25-2018, 04:19 PM | #11 |
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10-25-2018, 06:46 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 2,759
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Yeah, garage kits are still around but their glory years were from the late 80s through the first half of the 90s. Most of them were unlicensed with low print runs but there were also a couple of companies that were putting out licensed stuff like Horizon (mostly 1/6 vinyl-Marvel, DC and later on pretty much every license from that time period) and Screamin (1/4 vinyl-horror and Star Wars). There was a long running magazine devoted to it, Amazing Figure Modeller ( which actually may still be around) and some books as well. But yeah, as the 90s went on the popularity kind of faded and I correlate that with the rise of McFarlane and Bowen statues.
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10-25-2018, 06:58 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,615
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I got a Venom vinyl model from Horizon as a birthday gift in '92 or '93. Never built it. Never even opened it, in fact. No idea what happened to it. But, yeah, they were everywhere.
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10-26-2018, 12:01 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
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Epic shots... I like Spawn figures. Yes this are not 100% action figures and they are mini statues but this is not problem for me. Some neca figures are damaged in my collection because I have broken joints (Palifico from pirates of caribbean serie) but McFarlanes figures are more durable. In my opinion best looking Spawn figure is Pirate Spawn from Alternate realities serie. This is small masterpiece with many nice details. Would by nice see some new photos from toyark with this figure. Thanks for nice reading.
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10-26-2018, 02:40 AM | #15 |
DarkToyLord
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: It's Dark and Hell is Hot...
Posts: 4,959
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Great Pics!!!
Quote:
I do get that, but, the way I look at it is this. These came out in 2000-2005 or so. Way ahead of it's time in terms of sculpt and paint. NECA, DC Collectibles, and others that are on par are just now getting to the point where they can do full detailed sculpts with awesome paint AND articulation. For a reasonable price.
Quote:
Quote:
I don't feel like McFarlane missed out on any money, since his stuff is what paved the way. People were buying it in droves, which is why a lot of it can be found on the secondary for pretty cheap. Even NECA and then Mezco were delivering the same staction figures when they first came out with their horror stuff, once McFarlane scaled back and then quit. Mcfarlane basically created the "adult collectibles" market in the toy aisles. Before that, toy collectors were buying toys. Flash forward 15 years and yeah, some people were leaving McFarlane stuff on the pegs, because of articulation. So, maybe some lost money there, but he has said that the color tops line was highly profitable. Stores were buying it up, even if the consumers weren't.
Lets give credit where credit is due. This man CHANGED THE GAME. I actually have two Spawn figures that have been on display SINCE purchase because they have always been my favorites. I had one figure that came in like this plastic casing, he came with a wolf.. it was actually my FAVORITE all time figure for years. Until fucking Hurricane Sandy..and it was mostly destroyed. I think Malbolgia (splchk) was one of the first chase/hard to get figures I remember looking for. I think it was like 40.00 at one point which was INSANE for a figure back then. I also remember my son's mother threw him out of the window one day when she was mad at me...awwwwww they know how to hurt ya..ha!! My Creech figure is still dope!! Although now-adays his figures are kinda hit and miss with me. I did love the Walking dead 5" line and collected most of them. But these color top things...ehhhhh... i purchased the Gears of Wars sets because i love that IP. Those Figures sucked though and TO THIS DAY they still can't even hold their STACTION figure pose properly. The only one that was fine was marcus. I saw the COD figs two days ago and couldn't bring myself to get em even though they were only 15.00 on sale. Close but..ehhhhhhh. |
10-26-2018, 05:29 AM | #16 |
Mobile, Agile, Hostile
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
That he did. For those of you "younger", you owe a lot of what you are complaining about today to Todd McFarlane raising the expectations. Back in our days**, you either get the toy (which is a sucky piece of plastic) or if you want something that looks decent, you have to build/paint it yourself (garage kits already mentioned). His attention to detail and intricate sculpts also means he created a whole sports lineup that actually looks like the actual athlete. And this is before the days of digital scan and printing!Now, when any figure is based on a real person, we expect that head sculpt to look like that person. I'd say he put garage kits AND Starting Lineup out of business, and pushed all other toy companies to up their games. He pretty much (maybe accidentally initially?) popularize the "hunt for exclusives and variations" market. I still remember racing fellow collectors when TRU open to get to that fresh box of Spawn figure to find that one per case rare variant or paint error. "Commando Angela!!!" Not saying factory errors and rare figures didn't happen before, but McFarlane toys made it a "thing". Now that's part of the regular toy collecting landscape. He wasn't always the best, but he was the first! **We also had to walk up hill to school both ways in 10 feet of snow even during summer! And get off my lawn!!! |
10-26-2018, 06:32 AM | #17 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Quote:
That he did. For those of you "younger", you owe a lot of what you are complaining about today to Todd McFarlane raising the expectations. Back in our days**, you either get the toy (which is a sucky piece of plastic) or if you want something that looks decent, you have to build/paint it yourself (garage kits already mentioned). His attention to detail and intricate sculpts also means he created a whole sports lineup that actually looks like the actual athlete. And this is before the days of digital scan and printing!Now, when any figure is based on a real person, we expect that head sculpt to look like that person. I'd say he put garage kits AND Starting Lineup out of business, and pushed all other toy companies to up their games. He pretty much (maybe accidentally initially?) popularize the "hunt for exclusives and variations" market. I still remember racing fellow collectors when TRU open to get to that fresh box of Spawn figure to find that one per case rare variant or paint error. "Commando Angela!!!" Not saying factory errors and rare figures didn't happen before, but McFarlane toys made it a "thing". Now that's part of the regular toy collecting landscape. He wasn't always the best, but he was the first! im not young in age but i am young to the collecting world. Last edited by Tomax; 10-26-2018 at 06:42 AM.. |
10-26-2018, 07:35 AM | #18 |
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Quote:
Thank you Tony Bacala for this post. What a great trip down memory lane. I still have a lot of my Spawn figures on display. |
10-26-2018, 07:56 AM | #19 |
DarkToyLord
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: It's Dark and Hell is Hot...
Posts: 4,959
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Quote:
and you had to say the last part while shaking your fist in the air.. and i forgot to say.. i was at a toy show in jersey like a year or two ago.. a guy opened up a box and had SOOO MANY new unopened McFarlane Spawn figures... he said.... $ 1.00 a piece.. i was like...WOW.. but i had them all so didn't need. I'm sure it was great for ..someone.. Last edited by Augustus_Cole; 10-26-2018 at 07:59 AM.. |
10-26-2018, 08:57 AM | #20 |
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 113
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The bottom line is, McFarlane Toys have been a joke for the past decade or so. Not living up to their legacy of being collectible visionaries, not by a long shot. I hope to be pleasantly surprised with the relaunch, but I highly doubt it will blow the competition out of the water.
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10-26-2018, 07:58 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 56
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For those who love the old Spawn figures and their dynamic poses but want more articulation, if you add more articulation, then we don't get figures similar to those pictured above. McFarlane should stick to their guns as far as the Spawn franchise is concerned and continue creating staction masterpieces. Spawn figures in the 2000's were never meant to be played with, just stared at in complete awe. Personally, I would really like to see another collaboration with Ashley Wood. Those things are works of art.
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10-26-2018, 08:24 PM | #22 |
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Grid
Posts: 2,679
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Quote:
For those who love the old Spawn figures and their dynamic poses but want more articulation, if you add more articulation, then we don't get figures similar to those pictured above. McFarlane should stick to their guns as far as the Spawn franchise is concerned and continue creating staction masterpieces. Spawn figures in the 2000's were never meant to be played with, just stared at in complete awe. Personally, I would really like to see another collaboration with Ashley Wood. Those things are works of art.
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10-26-2018, 09:21 PM | #23 |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
For those who love the old Spawn figures and their dynamic poses but want more articulation, if you add more articulation, then we don't get figures similar to those pictured above. McFarlane should stick to their guns as far as the Spawn franchise is concerned and continue creating staction masterpieces. Spawn figures in the 2000's were never meant to be played with, just stared at in complete awe. Personally, I would really like to see another collaboration with Ashley Wood. Those things are works of art.
Doubly agreed. |
10-29-2018, 08:49 AM | #24 |
Mobile, Agile, Hostile
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: VA
Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
Quote:
For those who love the old Spawn figures and their dynamic poses but want more articulation, if you add more articulation, then we don't get figures similar to those pictured above. McFarlane should stick to their guns as far as the Spawn franchise is concerned and continue creating staction masterpieces. Spawn figures in the 2000's were never meant to be played with, just stared at in complete awe. Personally, I would really like to see another collaboration with Ashley Wood. Those things are works of art.
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