Spawn and the Birth of Collector Toys | Toysplosion

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In 1992, Todd McFarlane helped start Image Comics and launched the first issue of Spawn. Two years later, he started his own toy company and helped to usher in a new era for toys created specifically for the adult collector.
We're going back to 1994 to learn about the launch of McFarlane Toys and the first series of Spawn action figures today on Toysplosion!
#PixelDan #Spawn #McFarlaneToys
Sources:
Todd McFarlane (Interview April 2020)
McFarlane.com
SpawnWorld.com
“Toys and American Culture” by Sharon M. Scott
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_C..., en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spawn_(...)
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[@keeleon]

I would say Spawn would make a good episode of "Toys That Made Us", but I don't see how it would be done much better than this.

[@DasNordlicht91]

It could potentially cover how Todd grew his toy company to produce more toys/collectibles beyond his golden goose, eventually segueing into video games, movies, and sports-based toys.

[@timf7413]

It's probably just a little outside the window of time that show covers.

[@dragons_hook]

@@DasNordlicht91 those videogame cameos would definitely be an interesting talking point!

[@LoganWood121]

Much rather watch Danny Boy than suffer that annoying voice over of that series.

[@c-secofficer123]

Ehh. Spawn toys are fantastic and I had some as a kid. But I was the ONLY kid in my school that had some , so I wouldn’t say it was popular enough to effect the masses

[@crashman27]

Spawn figures got me into toy collecting when I was a teenager. They are what helped me come to terms and accept the fact that it is okay to be an adult (or atleast, not a little kid) and love toys.

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

I'm 29 and just got into it. Just put in for Todd's kickstarter spawn and have been keeping an eye on Ebay. Unfortunately any decent spawn runs 80-150$ now.

[@j-tortrk2578]

Spawn has always been special to me because my dad loved the comics.

[@everettgrijalva4778]

Same for my father and my two uncles

[@tommymills8671]

Same my dad owned almost every figure, as a child my room was ceiling to floor spawn figures on every wall

[@zetji73]

Growing up, my dad would bring me his comics and toys when he came home from work. I still buy his comics and collect with my dad. Spawn will always be my favorite

[@swordpegasus4032]

I love superheroes and spawn was a really cool superhero and I love anime and an action figures and even though I was born in the 90s and I love the 90s era because it's really cool and it has lots of cool shows and and action figures I'm totally jealous right now by the way I'm 17 years old and by the way I was born in 2003 and I used to watch a lot of superheroe cartoons and anime.

[@yetiking2057]

Wow, sounds like a cool dad.

[@commandodanny2575]

Ive had a few conversations with Todd through facebook and hes such a genuinely nice guy. He loves toys just as much as the collector. Hes a big kid and I love him. His toys are the most detailed on the market. And have been for years and years. I love the figures he makes. And i love how particular he is about his brand. He wants it done right. And im grateful for that.

[@idiot_city5244]

Neca has been far more detailed for years (excluding the old McFarlane stuff from 15-20 years ago)

[@Mentocthemindtaker]

I always find it ironic that Todd left Marvel to help create Image so he could tell his own stories about his own characters - but one of the first things he did was to bring in guest writers (like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman) who were largely responsible for defining Spawn's story. I don't believe that the Spawn figures _were_ originally designed for selling to adult collectors. If you read contemporary interviews that Todd did, he was _still_ marketing the toys to children (he still does, btw, he mentions children buying his toys several times in recent interviews); but _older_ children like teens. I think Todd didn't really start to view adult collectors as an audience for his toys until you start getting into the horror lines; lines like "Twisted Land of OZ', "Twisted Fairy Tales", "Tortured Souls", etc. McFarlane Toys certainly did helped usher in the era of adult collectibles, _IN THE USA;_ but don't forget that adults were collecting toys in Japan around the same time and Bandai were certainly one company that was marketing to adult collectors. But McFarlane _were_ inarguably responsible for bringing in realistic sculpts and adult themes in toys that transcended the blurred line of toys like the Rambo and Alien figures - obviously children's toys based on adult-themed properties, not adult themed toys themselves. I do think it's a little bit disingenuous to credit McFarlane toys with the creation of the adult toy collecting industry. No single company was responsible for that. I accept that it's great marketing for McFarlane, and Todd is nothing if not a great marketer, but they didn't do it all by themselves. Thank you for the video. I enjoyed it very much and it's nice to see the original Spawn figures!

[@normanguzman417]

McFarlane came with the repaint idea. And the one per case figure, when he put one Malebolgia figure per case. He did it mainly because the size of the figure use much more plastic and the company didn't made much money as with the other figures in the same case. There was a darker shade Malebolgia, called by the fans brown Malebolgia. That figure was later change to green as soon Todd find out that the color wan't what he requested from the factory. Todd find out that figure was sought after by collectors, and might had to do with his idea of doing repaints. He also had the comic book exclusive Spawn 50th figure called worm head Spawn. Only one figure was sent to every comic book store that order 50 comics of the 50th issue of spawn. Many comic books store that don't sell that many Spawn comic books miss out on it. The few comic book stores that receive the figure sold them right away for $100 and up. Todd did this and many other marketing ideas at the time that toy makers where only interested in selling toys to kids. I remember going to a local toy show on 1997 and all toys where mostly 60's to 80's. The few 95-97 toys i saw there where a few spawn figures like Malebolgia, The Maxx and the Angela with the ribbon on her spear and they where not cheap.

[@ToyInsanity]

You might say Todd McFarlane *spawned* Collector Toys

[@kryptonitespider-bitedynam7305]

Definitely. He's done a lot for the collector community and the nerd/geek community in general.

[@matthewkevinobispo6582]

Todd McFarlane's Toys were the GOLDEN STANDARD for toys. Toys became Miniature statues

[@gabrielpena5619]

Todd Mcfarlane did the best option for us the collectors

[@Rijuo]

I'm so glad I back the Spawn kickstarter for the remastered figure.

[@ultimateslinger9857]

Me too bro. Now it’s only 2 weeks away!!

[@dennissmith5807]

I was 27 in 1994 and I was already collecting toys, McFarlane Toys just upped it for me.

[@_The_Worst_]

I loved seeing these figures on the shelves at stores when I was a kid...🙂 They were always so captivating to look at...🤩 I always wanted The Clown figure, but I was never able to get it...😔

[@Ravathiel]

I reallllly sad I couldn't throw down on the Spawn Patreon. I'm crossing my fingers this gets Todd to do a modern remake on THE CLOWN.

[@rubenrada2732]

I forgot to say that spawn got his own animated series on HBO in 1995. Spawn is voiced by Davis Keith

[@tompollockjr144]

I had no idea that "modern detailed collector figures" started with McFarlane... but it makes perfect sense. 20 years ago, the coolest figure I ever saw was a Spawn in a comic shop. I had to buy it, having no clue who the character even was. Then came the movie maniacs, and dragons... Thanks Todd, for sending me on a long, expensive journey, haha.

[@Hankenstein42]

I started my collecting with McFarlane toys in 97-98 (I was 12-13 at the time) with a couple of figures from the Spawn movie and then Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees from the Movie Maniacs series 1. I had figures before that but I wasn't actively collecting them which is why McFarlane Toys will always have a special place in my heart. Love your videos, Dan.

[@devoncrestway338]

The toysplosion i've been waiting for. I've had this argument with people repeatedly. I say that without Spawn, the collector market wouldn't be what it is today. They say "no, bro, marvel legends is what created it". my head shakes.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Thank you very sir Todd McFarlane for giving us very detailed and more articulated action figures. God bless.

[@skabcat242]

That Spawn alley playset was fun to use as a gi joe base.

[@Tripledashhh_]

Yeah honestly, when my cousin left to the military he left me his 10th anniversary spawn as a gift and man that’s when I looked a toys more than play things I admired them as statues and 13 years later here I am collecting all sorts of nostalgia trip figures. Even just bought another super articulated retro spawn 🔥🔥🔥

[@rubenrada2732]

Spawn got his own games for SNES, Sony playstation, and guest character for Soul Calibur 2 on Xbox, and currently guest on Netherealm Mortal Kombat 11 as a DLC alongside with Mileena, and Rambo from First Blood.

[@BricktheSystem]

Spawn, the plastic statues which break when you open the package.

[@ToiletClogger1945]

that Spawn figure is so sick. I love that cape. thanks for keeping the great content going, Dan!

[@bashcrash9148]

Great informative video, Dan. I remember picking up that first Violator figure as a kid and immediately realizing how different it was from everything else in my collection.

[@DarkPrincess777]

Awesome episode!!! i always enjoy watching your content it makes me feel little again growing up in the 80s through the 90s and i totally had some of those original spawn figures (only wish i still had them!😢) but regardless i jumped on the Kickstarter immediately and can't wait to receive this amazing figure!! Please keep putting outstanding content it helps me get through tough times both personally and of course with this pandemic and i thank you very much and sending my love to you, your wife and kids!!!

[@Shawnredfield98]

The GOAT! The Todd Father! Spawn has been my favorite character ever since I was a kid. I still collect the comics and figs and just recently backed the Spawn kickstarter. I hope one day Todd gets to make the Spawn movie that he's always wanted to make.. Thanks for the vid Dan.

[@aaronscott5882]

An absolutely awesome video in every way!

[@danielrecommends]

Great segment Pixel Dan. Its cool to see where adult toy collecting got its start. McFarlane still makes some great figures and I have a lot of respect for him as a creator and business man.

[@luckypapi87]

Wow this was a lot of fun to see this. Very educational.

[@thearianmandalorian]

Yup! Spawn got me, my uncle and his friend all to become collectors ahahaha. I remember clearly when those figures came out, Todd is and will forever be a legend for that move back then. but dont get me wrong, i had just about every single series of all the coolest figures, from star wars 77 to gi joe, i just about had them all. and full collections even, my mom threw it all out during a move. except a few, and among them was my first spawn figure thank god for that

[@jayl3793]

Grea job Dan... wish these were longer!

[@WerewolfLydia]

Just recently got into Spawn so this Toysplotion episode came at just the right moment 😊 Thanks for your hard work Dan, as always!

[@gianluca.pastorelli]

Same for me 😉

[@sleepingdog9342]

Hope yall backed the kickstarter! :D

[@DanielZamudioUreta]

It's one of the best collections ever and it's crazy that they are not expensive yet...

[@cajuntacos8423]

I got introduced to this Spawn line when as a kid my mom bought a box full of these figures at a yard sale as with most my toys lol. I was hooked since then. I rebought all the figures I had as a kid. Good thing they not expensive lol. Great Video Dan!!!

[@Nicoyatube]

Pixel Dan your the best! Glad u did a Spawn video... please do more Spawn figures reviews

[@frenchabortion]

Awesome! I LOVE all your Toysplosion videos. I would love to see a video of the LOST Darkwing Duck toys. Or the LOST Earthworm Jim toys (Professor-Monkey-For-A-Head etc.) Or maybe one day we could get a Creepy Crawler Goop Mando episode. Who knows. Anyways, yeah , Love it!

[@opticracer3927]

Wow Dan just a Fantastic presentation! Thanks 😀 SPAWN RULES!

[@MrXXpainkillerXX]

Spawn revolutionized comics, toys, and adult animation. ALL HAIL THE TODD-FATHER !!

[@pwilliams0726]

Dude! Great video!

[@THETOYTIMEMACHINE]

Awesome video

[@jordanshabbar8600]

Excellent video

[@WilliamSMITH-bs7kw]

Awsome video bro

[@DomDukes99]

I remember my aunt introducing me and my lil bro to these years after the initial release but still in in package. And we'd constantly find them at flea markets in box for usually under 20 bucks

[@Chucitron]

I totally remember the Spawn era. I got the whole first wave collection. I even had both vehicles (spawn car, violator truck) and the Alley playset. I had so much fun. They came with a comic so you had some material to play with.

[@randacheyenne]

Great video

[@TheVileOne]

Spawn toys are how I learned about variants and chase figures.

[@wilfredodiaz8743]

I grew up as the figures and comic book first appeared. I collected both mediums and I'm excited to see the final results of the kickstarter masterworks spawn figure I'm sure they will not disappoint. Thanks for the great informative video it was cool to watch

[@razrentals8897]

Man, them saying “Clown 2” in that commercial is so lame. Couldn’t they give him a cool name or something. I know the two is named that but maybe they have called it heavy artillery clown or something clever.

[@VintageToyGallery]

I cringed when they said that too. I'm pretty sure they were just sent a list of figure names and the person who wrote the script thought that was his actual name. A lot of toy commercials back then had mistakes like that.

[@ghiamantari]

Amazing 👍🏻

[@falleneldor]

I loved that "welcome to my world" commercial. I flipped out and hunted and hunted for The Maxx ask was a gigantic fan of the MTV animation in jr high. But for me it was the first commercial for the spawn figures that got me hooked. The first time I herd it, I actually thought the announcer said MY NAME followed by "The evil Shawn" instead o "medevil spawn". After seeing the logoI i realized I miss herd the announcer but was hooked anyway from the badassery on display. My favorite figures are the more toyetic series from the mid 90s especially the first few series. The few things that bugged me was how the violator monster rig and spawn ally was undersized. I also took the plastic chains from the Spawn mobile and cut and carefully put them on the figure.

[@arielc3498]

Awesome section!

[@swordpegasus4032]

Awesome video and by the way spawn is an awesome superhero.😀😀😀😀

[@jcxcollection13]

I started collecting with Spawn too.

[@carlonovemespadero5903]

McFarlane action figures is the best, from designs to their realistic sculpted details is awesome especially their lines of monsters series like the SIX FACES OF MADNESS, TWISTED FAIRYTALES and others and I say...I want more of these figures in my shelf really, I want McFarlane to create more SPAWN series the way it was before.

[@rishacrow99]

great video....already subscribed to ur channel....

[@lycanfpv9530]

Correction that was shoelaceface spawn. Hamburgerface spawn had stitching on top. Plus there was a transparent green variant with black cape, (gold for all of the series 1). and violater was white, red,black , gold. I backed the kickstarter 6 spawns to add to my room of spawn figures

[@steve-ec5wp]

VERY COOL!😃!

[@VintageToyGallery]

That was the first time I ever participated in a Kickstarter. It will look good in my Spawn collection.

[@philippepointdujour8052]

I pitched in on that Kickstarter!! The trilogy is on its way!! I had the medieval spawn as a kid and have always loved everything spawn.

[@gchildjr]

I had tons of these as a kid.

[@ManyLegs]

I loved this Tremor and Violator. My first Spawn action figures. I believe I was 4 when I got them

[@Starfig]

I never even read the Spawn comics, still haven't to this day. I did, however, remember seeing these toys at Kmart, KB Toys and some grocery stores in my hometown, and they always fascinated me. It wasn't until I saw the Spawn movie that I HAD to get a Spawn figure though. I still have movie Spawn, Violator, and Clown. That lead to me buying more and more Spawn figures from KBs, even when they became the "McStatues." I just loved the capes and crazy cool designs Spawn would get (Gunslinger Spawn and Halloween Spawn are still favorites of mine!).

[@riseofloganxlogan4230]

man the only figure i still have from this line is that first spawn! And its so cool that Todd is going full circle with his kick starter spawn.

[@julianstier3821]

When i first discovered spawn and their toyline, I was blown away, the 90s violence really sold me as a teenager and the following movie maniacs and twisted circus really fit into my livestyle back the with new metal, dark 80s,90s movies and , of course...girls

[@surewin1773]

I still remember when the Spawn collection came out and being absolutely blown away by their likeness to the comic characters. Even though I didn’t read much Spawn, I still thought the figures were awesome. McFarlane revolutionized the toy industry.

[@saveukart]

I love spawn thanks Pixel

[@danyoung634]

My 4 year old just found my spawn and the comic that came with it a few weeks ago in a tub of toys from my parents, he is totally obsessed with it now.

[@4thecollectors]

My brother was the only kid with spawn and Pitt comics I ended up with about fifteen Spawn action figures because of my brother

[@oswaldoautomata]

In 1997 my big sister was 27 years old and she got her first professional after college job, that year on Christmas she earn her very first big christmas bonus from her job , the bonus was a big big insanely big like a sort of “groupon “ in some big toy store like toys r us but in the country were we grown up, in her work place they give her that coupon of a big purchase in that toy store, and she asked us to me and my brother: ok dudes you are 13 and 12 years , i think you are big boys and you dont want to buy toys anymore? .... my brother and I we said: hell yes we want, so one week before Christmas we went to buy some toys with her christmas bonus , and we picked all spawn series 1 action figures in that time the company was called todd toys and came with a rad comic ( that day we went spawn big fans and almost all image universe ) and then we picked the half of the spawn series 2 , all the wetworks action figures series 1 and 2 but they dont have it assasin one, and then we bought all the x men 2099 toy biz line , I remember the day we first stepped into the toy store ,we went to the lego side , and we were closed to pick a couple huge box of lego , then my brother saw the action figures section and he call me ,, “” dude come look this figures “ omfffffgggg i said ,, i never in my life saw figures like that, we were thrilled ,, i remember i saw the cosmic angela figure and mother one figure and we said omg they are sculpting porn figures hahaha damn we were so innocent, anyways, we picked like 13 or 15 action figures each brother, at the end of the day we get 26 or 30 figures that day i don’t remember exactly . And it was all for free ,, i remember my sister said: yeah yeah pick what ever you want i dont care its a free bonus hahaha another great christmas , i still have a bunch of those figures in my shelf.

[@DasMuse]

I pledged for the kickstarter... I enjoyed watching this. Any chance of further episodes expanding on the later series' of spawn figures and how they evolved in detail over the years?

[@unorthdoxcleric6953]

Didn't know the full history. Thanks Dan.

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Dan is the man I wouldn't have know about Masters classics if not for him also shout out to Jobbythe Hong been subbed Dan from day one

[@MrKrushgutz]

My dad got me into Spawn because he loved the movie and the design of his costume.

[@connormetcalf7049]

Man I Love Spawn That Was Are Great Toysplosion Hope Someday There Will Be A Toysplosion Of Skeleton Warriors!

[@Supertomscustoms]

I was a huge fan of his figures back in the 90s. I had probably 150 but eventually sold them all. But as much as he revolutionized action figures, he also held them back with the lack of “action” in the action figure.

[@DasNordlicht91]

Thankfully, that’s something he’s learned to improve upon over the years. The current crop of McFarlane figures are fairly articulated.

[@Supertomscustoms]

@@DasNordlicht91 Yes and no. They have the POA count sure, but some of them hardly move. Check out some reviews of his Doom, Destiny and MK figs. It's just very inconsistent throughout all his lines.

[@sakuragi_X]

Chris Calremont is never credited for Image Comics formation and Image Comics was formed by the 7 guys not 8.

[@professionallyunprofession5729]

Yea that bothered me that he said that..

[@dannycruz5446]

Hes not credited because he was barely involved. The Huntsman comic series with Whilce Portacio didnt happen.

[@timf7413]

He was part of the exodus of Marvel talent with the others though and he did have plans for a creator owned property of his own, it just never materialized.

[@shane3674]

This just became my favorite episode. One a HUGE Todd McFarlane and Spawn fan and this just hit all my sweet spots!

[@jeremyburdge8573]

When i was a kid and seen these figure in my local K-Mart it was awesome and the first one i got was Medieval Spawn i was looking with the regular Spawn hot and heavy but never got my hands on one.

[@bonedragon5077]

I still have my first run Spawn action figure. Just need to get a new cape for him. As well as that "why-the-hell-is-spawn-carrying-this" board with a nail in it.

[@lycanfpv9530]

Because he lived in hobo alley.. i guess that was the best weapon back in 90s

[@ssbbrandon1654]

Value of the original series 1 classic spawn is insane! It probably went way up since the new remastered version is coming out

[@ssbbrandon1654]

@Robd1 replies It seems the only series 1 figure that really went up in value is the classic spawn. Hamberger head is almost half the price of classic spawn

[@tyronewested694]

i'm in for the Classic remaster cant wait to get him

[@GustHal]

I have to say that before Mcfarlane toys of course that we haved toybiz, kenner, etc and in Japan they haved Bandai and very good robots and figures... but with Spawn series and the anothers image comics toys really started the revolution about proportions, articulations, and faces... it changed everything. By the way also have to admit that was a little dissapointed that the figure of Spawn 3 was very different in hand that you watched in catalog and images, different kind of colors.

[@darkwoods1954]

It was seeing the Skeleton Warriors toyline on display at a toyfair that inspired Todd to create more detailed action figures, the type of which other toy companies had told him wasn't possible. If not for the Skeleton Warriors toyline and it's influence on Todd we may never have got the type of toys we have today from NECA, Marvel Legends etc.

[@icursekayvon]

More history of collector toy videos Please!

[@justinmohan7103]

Perfect title.

[@JH-uh9zc]

I agree that the "variant" is the bane of every collector. I started really collecting with the Halo Joyride figures, and while I eventually got every figure in the line, it was a nightmare. Then came McFarlane and ramped that up to 11. I have two entire rooms filled with Mcfarlane Halo variants from the entire line in storage bins. NECA did this too, but not anywhere as bad.

[@slvguerra]

Man, I like you so much!

[@nope5657]

I had that Violator. loved it.

[@ThatWrestlingHound]

I just bought the new kickstarter Spawn fig lol cant wait for it

[@bandito07]

When I was a kid, I thought it was hilarious that Spawn Alley got a comic too.

[@cheezyspam7044]

So... Serious question, why did McFarlane Toys, who were ahead of the game at the time... Seemingly quit? They were producing amazing, highly detailed collectable figures in their Movie Maniacs line: RoboCop, Jason Vorhees, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator, The Thing, Aliens. But then i remember seeing them in the shelves less and less, but replaced by baseball, basketball, sports figures, before stopping altogether. They virtually allowed for companies (namely Neca) to step up and take over as leaders in the collectable market. Neca is incredible! They've come so in their articulation and likeness, but i always wondered why McFarlane Toys quit while they were on top.

[@impactrc6427]

I just got the whole collection still in the package from 94 for 30$ at a flea market!

[@xMYmadnessx]

Part 2!!

[@mczilla8628]

Spawn is awesome! That HBO cartoon was intense!

[@JudeSorianoPhotoToys]

my all-time fave anti-hero ....spawn!

[@calebxcuyugan]

I bought Violator 1 mint in box, and I gotta say, he looks great sitting on the shelf! Even if the sculpt isn’t as amazing as something like Violator 3. I also own the 2017 colour tops commando Spawn who stands beside my Violator. I’m not necessarily a big Spawn fan, maybe not even a real fan, but one thing’s certain, I look forward to collecting more Spawn figures! BTW I still have the Violator comic & card

[@constantineparaskeva1676]

I never knew they weren’t for kids I’m lucky they my uncle was into all things American he use to get them some how from the states to the UK my first two were Spawn and medieval spawn and I loved spawn ever since

[@culeroconnor1686]

I had all of them. I don't remember them being pricier than other action figures. I was a kid un Mexico and I was able to afford them just like any other. Regular spawn and medieval spawn where my absolute favorites

[@rishacrow99]

i have the Spawn kickstarter figure.....already subscribed.....

[@EdsRetroGeekOut]

Now this is a toyline that completely creeped past me.. but most of these look pretty awesome 🤠🤘

[@zeroh2hero]

Without mcfarlane toys detailed action figures wouldn't exist 🤯😁 and you wouldn't have neca also Randy Falk actually started neca cause of Todd again its awesome how it's part of toy history for collectors and kids.

[@deadartist8827]

Christmas. 90 something. I got Spawn and Medieval Spawn. The flip head Green Ranger. The Red Dragon Zord. A DarkWing Duck Gas gun. Good times

[@hallowseve5801]

About the Clown figure, you're supposed to twist and screw in the chicken leg in his hand.