It’s finally here! Took a while, but the Spawn Remastered Kickstarter figures from McFarlane Toys finally landed on my doorstep last week. A re-imagining of the original toy from 1994, Spawn gets redone in modern form at the 7 inch scale with the upgraded sculpt, paint and articulation we expect in modern times. Things that were also spear-headed by McFarlane Toys in the late 90s and early 2000s, basically creating the game for collector level action figures.
The Kickstarter had a lot of options, upgrades, “stretch goals” and variants as it progressed, but the end result were 3 distinct figures with a set of weapons each (see inside for the breakdown). One extra weapon was available only to those that bought all 3. After that the variations are comic cover and autograph type. The three figures were Classic Spawn, Modern Spawn, and Artist Proof Spawn (all grey). I actually bought 5 – a three pack and one each of the Classic and Modern. So we have them all here and are seen in depth after the break.
In addition to the Kickstarter figures – I also bought a sealed original 1994(5?) Spawn recently and cracked him open to compare. So a quick but full gallery for the original figure is also available after the break! Read on to check it all out (over 200 pics) along with some additional thoughts!
Spawn Remastered Kickstarter Trilogy 3 Pack
Introduction
Yes! Saw it at Toy Fair 2020, right before the world went nuts. Wanted it. Live in April, all in. I’ve been on a Spawn kick in recent years – grabbing older pieces here and there and of course anything new Todd puts out. Played MK11 through and through just to rock Spawn, did that pretty thorough. And now Spawn is back in modern form, with classic vibes. The MK11 figure was great, but it was specific to the game. This is the real deal, comic based looks.
The offerings were a bit confusing, I couldn’t even remember what was what when it showed up. I’ll try to map it out below:
Classic Spawn
-Masked Head
-Hamburger Head
-3 sets hands
-Necro knife
-Necro blasts
-Sword
-Machine Gun
-Stand
Modern Spawn
-Shoelace Head
-Al Simmons Head
-3 sets hands
-Necro knife
-Necro blasts
-Launcher Gun
-Stand
Artist Proof Spawn (All grey, except energy pieces)
-Masked Head
-Hamburger Head
-3 sets hands
-Necro knife
-Necro orb
-Wooden Plank
-Sword
-Stand
3 Pack Trilogy (when you bought all 3 together)
-Autograph – Golden ink on Black w/ Gold Trim. Comes packed with Classic.
Other Notes
-Each one could be purchased individually.
-Each one could be purchased with an autograph.
–(Classic = Red on white, Modern = Green on White, AP = Black on White)
-Individual purchases – comics don’t have foil trim.-All comics have foil trim
-All figures with an autograph (3 pack or individuals) get the Wooden Plank accessory.
All the pics here are of the Trilogy figures. There isn’t a difference other than the placement of items in the foam insert around the clamshell, since you get different ones depending on what you ordered, and autographs get worked in when purchased. The figures and items in the bubbles are the same. Comics will be foil/not accordingly. Bottom line – figures and accessories the same with one exception – painted Wooden hook. Only with the 3 pack, Only with autographed pieces (3 pack or singles) in the foam insert.
I’ll drop thoughts for each below with the pictures. I’ll save some overall thoughts on the figures and project for the end.
Spawn Remastered – Classic
The original. I’ve been partial to modern Spawn’s look, it always felt a bit more grown up. However, once this got in hand it’s now my favorite of the three. Color blocking of the red mixed with the upgraded sculpt and paint washing makes it really pop on the display. He’s getting center stage.
Spawn Reborn Classic 061
Spawn Reborn Classic 060
Spawn Reborn Classic 059
Spawn Reborn Classic 058
Spawn Reborn Classic 057
Spawn Reborn Classic 056
Spawn Reborn Classic 055
Spawn Reborn Classic 054
Spawn Reborn Classic 053
Spawn Reborn Classic 052
Spawn Reborn Classic 051
Spawn Reborn Classic 050
Spawn Reborn Classic 049
Spawn Reborn Classic 048
Spawn Reborn Classic 047
Spawn Reborn Classic 046
Spawn Reborn Classic 045
Spawn Reborn Classic 044
Spawn Reborn Classic 043
Spawn Reborn Classic 042
Spawn Reborn Classic 041
Spawn Reborn Classic 040
Spawn Reborn Classic 039
Spawn Reborn Classic 038
Spawn Reborn Classic 037
Spawn Reborn Classic 036
Spawn Reborn Classic 035
Spawn Reborn Classic 034
Spawn Reborn Classic 033
Spawn Reborn Classic 032
Spawn Reborn Classic 031
Spawn Reborn Classic 030
Spawn Reborn Classic 029
Spawn Reborn Classic 028
Spawn Reborn Classic 027
Spawn Reborn Classic 026
Spawn Reborn Classic 025
Spawn Reborn Classic 024
Spawn Reborn Classic 023
Spawn Reborn Classic 022
Spawn Reborn Classic 021
Spawn Reborn Classic 020
Spawn Reborn Classic 019
Spawn Reborn Classic 018
Spawn Reborn Classic 017
Spawn Reborn Classic 016
Spawn Reborn Classic 015
Spawn Reborn Classic 014
Spawn Reborn Classic 013
Spawn Reborn Classic 012
Spawn Reborn Classic 011
Spawn Reborn Classic 010
Spawn Reborn Classic 009
Spawn Reborn Classic 008
Spawn Reborn Classic 007
Spawn Reborn Classic 006
Spawn Reborn Classic 005
Spawn Reborn Classic 004
Spawn Reborn Classic 003
Spawn Reborn Classic 002
Spawn Reborn Classic 001
Original 1994 Spawn Action Figure
Throwback! I had a beat up OG Spawn around here somewhere, but since this whole thing started as a homage to the original toy including cape gimmick, packaging and all that – I had to get a fresh one. The new set really does homage the original front to back, tons of nostalgia feels here.
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 020
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 019
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 018
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 017
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 016
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 015
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 014
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 013
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 012
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 011
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 010
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 009
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 008
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 007
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 006
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 005
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 004
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 003
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 002
Spawn Reborn Classic v Original 001
Spawn Remastered – Modern
A really sharp modern take. Couple of nitpicks. One – no masked head. I got the 3 pack so I can swap, but I’d rather not. If I decide to pack all but this one away, I won’t have the masked head handy. Two – the boot is on the right leg. I thought that was 100% wrong, but how could the creator of the character get something like that wrong! Turns out the boot was on the right in a couple pieces of art, so there is precedent. But it’s been on the left for most of the time, so would have preferred that. I smell a re-release later in the traditional format. Arm gauntlet – awesome, but since there is no cut below elbow, it can’t easily be displayed outward(ish). It’s always facing to side or back, hidden by cape.
Spawn Reborn Modern 042
Spawn Reborn Modern 041
Spawn Reborn Modern 040
Spawn Reborn Modern 039
Spawn Reborn Modern 038
Spawn Reborn Modern 037
Spawn Reborn Modern 036
Spawn Reborn Modern 035
Spawn Reborn Modern 034
Spawn Reborn Modern 033
Spawn Reborn Modern 032
Spawn Reborn Modern 031
Spawn Reborn Modern 030
Spawn Reborn Modern 029
Spawn Reborn Modern 028
Spawn Reborn Modern 027
Spawn Reborn Modern 026
Spawn Reborn Modern 025
Spawn Reborn Modern 024
Spawn Reborn Modern 023
Spawn Reborn Modern 022
Spawn Reborn Modern 021
Spawn Reborn Modern 020
Spawn Reborn Modern 019
Spawn Reborn Modern 018
Spawn Reborn Modern 017
Spawn Reborn Modern 016
Spawn Reborn Modern 015
Spawn Reborn Modern 014
Spawn Reborn Modern 013
Spawn Reborn Modern 012
Spawn Reborn Modern 011
Spawn Reborn Modern 010
Spawn Reborn Modern 009
Spawn Reborn Modern 008
Spawn Reborn Modern 007
Spawn Reborn Modern 006
Spawn Reborn Modern 005
Spawn Reborn Modern 004
Spawn Reborn Modern 003
Spawn Reborn Modern 002
Spawn Reborn Modern 001
Spawn Remastered – Swaps and Comparisons
Here are all the heads and weapons mixed together on each figure. Shows how you can piece him out differently if you got both Modern and Classic. Technically AP can work here too, but since it’s all grey no point.
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 010
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 009
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 008
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 007
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 006
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 005
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 004
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 003
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 002
Spawn Reborn Swaps Comparisons 001
Spawn Remastered – Artist Proof
I love seeing grey models of prototypes. And I love photographing them in harsh light, it really makes the sculpt pop. However, due to limited shelf space this one is going back in the boxes. It’s really well done, and I enjoyed running it for photos. So if it calls out to you, worth the pick up. Just about personal taste.
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 037
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 036
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 035
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 034
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 033
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 032
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 031
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 030
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 029
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 028
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 027
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 026
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 025
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 024
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 023
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 022
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 021
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 020
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 019
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 018
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 017
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 016
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 015
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 014
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 013
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 012
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 011
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 010
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 009
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 008
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 007
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 006
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 005
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 004
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 003
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 002
Spawn Reborn Artist Proof 001
Spawn Remastered – Fancy Pants Hero Shots
And lastly, here are some artistic shots of these guys in action. I love shooting Spawn because it’s right up my alley style wise – lots of harsh light, shadows, glowing eyes, and green glowy mist. Was another fun couple days running these before he takes top billing on the shelves!
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 019
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 018
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 017
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 016
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 015
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 014
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 013
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 012
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 011
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 010
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 009
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 008
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 007
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 004
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 003
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 002
x Spawn Reborn Modern Hero Shots 001
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 016
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 015
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 014
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 013
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 012
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 011
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 010
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 009
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 008
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 007
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 006
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 005
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 004
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 003
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 002
x Spawn Reborn Classic Hero Shots 001
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 011
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 010
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 009
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 006
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 005
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 004
x Spawn Reborn AP Hero Shots 001
Final Thoughts
So all in all, I love the project and am glad I backed it. But I do have some nerd boy nitpicks to blast off about, hopefully constructive criticism for future projects if anyone over there reads this…
Articulation (someone over there just flipped their keyboard). We’ve come so far from Color Tops, old school staction figures. It’s good. But it could be better. I was really hoping we’d go there with this, but they didn’t stick the landing. I understand the form vs function argument. I also get costs are a factor. I’m speaking from the perspective that I can accept unnatural cuts for a better functioning piece. So long as they are streamlined to best of one’s ability, cuts are fine with me. Costs – especially for a centerpiece item, I’d rather pay a couple extra bucks and get the functionality.
No torso cut, and no soft plastic with a bend inside = limited posing. No hunchy moody poses. No in-air, about to pounce moves. No epic stretching up to the side for Malebolgia.
Upper thigh cuts – limits range of leg movement. Goal is to bend one knee all the way, and have both feet planted on the ground. Very difficult to achieve that without an upper cut.
Hip connection is better than it used to be, but it’s still limited in range. I’d like to get that knee close to his chest, with his toes pointing at the ground.
Single jointed elbows. Not horrible here, but again, I’d like to have him be able to point his gun straight up, so it’s parallel with his chest. Or even over his shoulder pointing a bit backwards. The cuts are nicely done tho – upper biceps and then another swivel at the elbow. So you get two turns there. Doesn’t help the gauntlet issue on Modern tho since that can’t swivel after you bend the arm.
Heads – the body has a unique sculpt, with a raised shoulder on one side. A lot of folks didn’t like that, I was neutral on it. However, the one place this becomes an issue – at the head/collar line. The heads themselves are unequal at the collar line. They are cut without pure intent to actually move side to side. If you turn the heads too far either way, you see a big chunk of non lined up plastic. In addition, the Shoelace and Hamburger heads do not have a neck joint. You plug it into collar area, and then that’s it. You can turn it, but you get that plastic chunk showing. The masked and Al Simmons heads actually have a joint in addition to the neck connector. All of them can easily get misaligned above collar showing a gap. You can fix that, but it happens with natural fiddling.
The cape. That awesome cape. That sonofab**** cape. :). It’s big, it’s plastic, it’s firm. It does what it says it’ll do, it opens and closes. It homages the original. It looks great in vanilla poses. It also is a bit taller than the figure. So it pushes out behind him while he’s standing straight up. Not horrible, but a thing. Then, if you want to pose him in any way that has his legs bent, you lose height, and it becomes a bigger issue. It is also not easily removeable. They seem glued in place to me. I didn’t want to break it trying to find out. That being said, half of one side on one of mine started disconnecting. But not enough that I felt comfortable going all the way. The heavy posing and resting with legs bent I guess put upward pressure on one side and it came out of it’s track. And yes, there is a track cut into the figure where the cape sits in. What I would have preferred – do this, make it removeable, and even offer multiple other capes later. Give me a cape pack that works with all Spawn figures down the road, using a unified technology on all figures. Some will work better than others, but we can make the choice. Or, choose to remove it and put a custom non-plastic cape on instead. As a vanilla pose centerpiece it’s great, but functionally for photos, dynamic poses on shelf, or just “playing” with it every once and a while, the cape is limiting.
So yeah, this is like light years beyond what McFarlane Toys were doing just a couple years ago, but in terms of actual functionality there is still a way to go. Just doing the articulation cuts doesn’t make it better if they are not fully functional. A simple way to explain it is…
All those super cool poses Todd is known for drawing Spawn in – the covers, the spreads – I want to be able to recreate ALL OF THEM, with ONE FIGURE. I want to completely mimic every single Spawn cover, and Spawn full page spread, ever done, with one figure. If you go to homage a cool piece of art, and can’t due to lack of articulation, that stinks. This applies to regular collectors looking to do it on their shelves, and photo guys like me.
Anyway, enough of that. All that may seem like bitching and hate, but it’s not. Tough love. And I do love these figures. I am 100% happy with the end result. They look great, they didn’t break, and they are here. I can’t ask for much more.
Bottom line – if you missed out on these, and see them aftermarket for a reasonable price, grab them. They feel great in hand and look great on shelf.
Hope you all enjoyed the pics, looks like we will be getting more Spawn this year – new toys have been teased and multiple new Spawn’s Universe books are coming. Can’t wait!