The New Spawn Kickstarter Campaign from McFarlane is Just Wrong

There are definitely a ton of issues with Mcfarlane’s new Kickstarter campaign and in today’s video we break down some of those issues. Is McFarlane abusing the Kickstarter platform? Keep in mind this is just my personal opinion so make sure to tell me your thoughts down below. Thanks for watching!
#mcfarlane #spawn #hasbro

[@mr.person4517]

Everything you said I agree with 100% but at the same time I just really like the look of this thing and don't wanna miss out like I did with the initial Spawn kickstarter. While the shipping is a bit much, If we get ALL the accessories I don't mind paying. That being said I'm not backing it until that point and I think it's ridiculous how cagey they're being with how much funding is needed for all the tiers. Like I might be wrong but I remember with the first Kickstarter the milestone requirements were announced at the beginning. Hell if Hasbro can do it so can McFarlane. It should be a requirement.

[@theJarett]

I like the kickstarter approach for these higher detailed and better painted figures. I feel like if he were to do these as a store release they would be ridiculously expensive because you don't know how many are going to sell so the business model changes. This way the cost can be a bit lower per item because he knows how many to have produced. The quality is far away better than the main line of McFarlane figs so I don't really see the problem. I do think the lack of transparency around stretch goals is a bad oversight though.

[@mr.person4517]

@@theJarett I mean yeah there’s plenty of reasons on Mcfarlane’s end why this is preferable to going to retail but by that same token this thing is almost 90 bucks including the shipping. We’re near import prices here I doubt it would make that much of a difference on what we have to pay. And while this looks great for a Mcfarlane figure the painting and sculpting is on par or just marginally better than say a Import, Neca, or Mezco without the cloth goods.

[@theJarett]

@@mr.person4517 Most imports aren't 7" scale either. They're 1/12 or like many Mafex, just under 1/12 scale. I think for one off type figures like this the kickstarter approach is great, because again, the costs of putting this into retail stores is going to drive the price up considerably considering it's 100% unique sculpting. The paint apps look custom they're so good. I just don't think this practice is as scummy as some people like to think. $90 for a really awesome figure isn't bad to me, and given this is Todd, we know it's going to get shipped out, so it's zero-risk, you know what it looks like, what the offerings are, and with the large amount of accessories already "unlocked" I feel like this has already made itself more than worth the $90.

[@glennjthompson332]

Same here...🙄no can't do.😝

[@kaycee310toysandcollectibl9]

The weird thing about the shipping is, Say if I order two different spawns. They won’t just charge the one time shipping fee of 25 dollars. If you order two spawns you’re gonna pay double shipping fee of 50 dollars. But someone said they will lower the shipping on the final day ? So we will see. Ending up paying 166 for a spawn black and blue one 😅.

[@Jasonzxzx]

166?! McFarlane better be hand delivering that figure to you…

[@kaycee310toysandcollectibl9]

@@Jasonzxzx lol 😂 yeah I couldn’t resist cause that particular spawn the medieval is my favorite. It was still hard to drop cash on two figures that you pay shipped twice lol. That could have went to a third figure smh 🤦‍♂️

[@kiltedcripple]

As much as I hate this phrase, dude... go touch grass. First, Kickstarter is kleptotech, there is NO internal integrity to misuse. If it had integrity, it would empower users to recover funds from failed delivery. Second, you don't know where he got the 100K number... so ask someone who knows, or ask someone with industry knowledge to offer informed speculation? You're just out here guessing. Maybe that 100K covers his MOQ, which he paid upfront to get on the production schedule of the factory he uses (and yes, he contracts factory time, he does not own his own factory). So then yes, he's using Kickstarter like a guaranteed preorder, and if his sales project over certain hurdles, his cost per unit decreases, so he can then offer MORE ADD ONS. You're asking him to give you all those details upfront, which no other producer in the action figure sector does. Why this double standard for Todd? Some kickstarter brands have offered up everything up front, but most don't, hence why they add stretch goals, but you're giving them no short shrift, is that cuz you're on a payroll? Of course not! And that's another thing, the "call anyone I disagree with a Todd shill" which is exactly as insightful and nuanced as calling you a Todd hater and dismissing your concerns off hand. I'm trying to be real here and itemize the actual reasons you cite here for concern because I'm trying to respect you. But I think there's just a real lack of info about how the toy industry works and most of your "mysteries" are born from that, rather than Todd grifting the community. Also, while I understand the desire to include your favorite online etailer, adding middle men increases cost, period, full stop. Todd doing this via Kickstarter is not guaranteed to be a better deal, but is certainly presents the model for the best possible price to consumer. I'm seeing a lot of folks saying that Todd doesn't need Kickstarter and I'm wondering, exactly how rich do y'all think he is? You know he's been through the same tough times the rest of us have right? He sold a ton of his sports memorabilia a decade back or so because, and maybe you've heard this, but publishing comics isn't a path to Muskian wealth. Is he doing better than you or me? I'm sure. Is he doing "just toss off 100K dollars on a lark" good? I don't know, I'm guessing not. Or I don't think he'd be here. If he thought this would work at retail, he has those relationships, he'd probably just do that. So, does he "need" Kickstarter in the same sense that Savage Crucible did, for example? That dude paid out of pocket to prototype, so his Kickstarter minimum was built to recover those expenses, is that a conspiracy too? Does everyone that got samples from Savage Crucible also have their integrity questioned? Like, if you can understand why anyone else might need or use the Kickstarter system, why can't Todd? It's a tool to be used, use it! He wanted some guarantees, the system gives him that, he's giving us toys for money, how is that ok every other time but not now? Especially given how many shifty assholes have taken KS money and run, at least with Todd, you know you're getting your toys. I hope you can think on these, and hell, if you decide I'm full of shit, and you decide to talk to some industry insiders to prove me wrong, GREAT! But I bet they won't disagree much. Bottom line, for anyone interested in this figure, the are only a couple things that matter: how certain are you you'll actually get what you're paying for, is what you're paying for roughly "worth it" compared to product you've already paid for, do you actually want the thing? If you can answer those satisfactorily, buy the damned Spawn, if not, don't. Simple as that

[@CrzBonKerz21]

This is the correct answer

[@LloydChristmas-vx2wh]

Excellent points, and well written.

[@MrChad676]

The classic Spawn in 2020 was awesome. His updates and upgrades was fantastic. The way he shipped it was the best shipping I've ever seen aside from blitzway

[@Rich575]

I bought the three pack because I love the design of the figures plus I didn’t want miss out like the last Kickstarter. I agree the tiers for this figure are rushed & lazy plus I don’t understand why he’s being so stubborn to include a wired cape I don’t care if production gets delayed

[@artofgarduno]

A lot of people are going to assume is comes with everything and they will be dissapointed when it doesnt

[@jonmorrison7813]

Let me preface this by saying I’m not a fan of Todd. I wouldn’t classify myself as a hater either, maybe a disliker, if such a term exists. I have a good friend that worked for McFarlane about 25 years ago, near the start of the company back when the studio was in NJ. At the time Todd had relatives working for the company and they were total nightmares. But I digress. I think larger companies should only do kickstarters when they are doing something truly epic. I have no issue with Haslab and Super7’s latest crowdfunding projects. These just aren’t feasible any other way. Target and Walmart aren’t going to be carrying a Cobra Rattler. The box wouldn’t even fit on their shelves. And good for them for doing it wholly in house and not having to give a portion away to a third party for hosting the crowdfund. I’d like to think it makes the project cheaper, but I doubt it. My thought was when I saw the Spawn kickstarter and saw what was already done on it was that it was an afterthought to make it a crowdfund. Maybe it’s a dry run for other more epic crowdfunds to come and he wanted to iron out any logistic problems first. With just DC there a bunch of awesome things he could do. As for shipping, while I’m sure Target and Walmart get better rates they are doing the same thing that McFarlane would do. Ship it out of a warehouse by UPS or FedEx. There’s companies whose business model is exactly this. I guess time will tell.,

[@kojar5137]

During the first kickstarter Todd explained he is doing a kickstarter because target wouldn't carry that much large pieces as you said. Could he make it so they can carry it? Absolutely. Just remove the giant box, they take too much space and no one is going to keep them in that box anyway since the toy still comes in a blister pack inside the box. He's doing kickstarter again because he saw how much money he can do with it in the previous campaign.

I will get the figure anyway, but it's true that the KS wasn't the most "clear". The sword sheet was already on the figure with the "basic figure" photo, then he presented it as an addition; some heads said "exclusive", but now all of them are going to include the heads if we unlock them l. And the shipping within the us is 25 USD, I can't even imagine international shipping.

[@BBmetalhead04]

I think if Todd just ran these campaigns through his own website, it would feel less scummy. Not to glaze them, but at least Hasbro and Mattel run their crowdfunding campaigns through their own internal websites and aren't directly competing with smaller 3rd party companies on sites like Kickstarter. Unfortunately, Todd probably recognizes that he can cast a wider net through Kickstarter than doing it himself. His last 2 campaigns have so far proven true.

[@aliteralchad7128]

How hard would it of been to just try and remake the original toy but with modern scale and articulation. Then maybe release a couple versions a modern version or something but I just don’t get it

[@YakBat]

That is my main issue with Toddy Mac's current Spawn toys. I hate them. MFer still hasn't figured out articulation and no matter how many people have asked for CLASSIC Spawn without the huge gauntlets and gout looking leg he refuses to make it. This isn't Medieval Spawn to me at all. Legit wish some 3P company would start making the Spaw figures we want.

[@kojar5137]

He'll probably give all the accessories in the end of the campaign. Since he said the toys were already in production and will be ready to ship after the campaign ends, he probably started producing the bonuses or even completed them already. He is just toying with stretch goals giving away a small piece between each $250k is ridiculous since the toy itself costs $100k to produce anyways.

[@CrzBonKerz21]

I agree this has been my thought on the accessories. However, I feel like he needs to include more of them right now because the pledges have really stalled over the past week.

[@wildcard7075]

something that seems to get lost in the discussion is perceived value. The fact that this figure is on the more expensive side, and the fact that it is kickstarter exclusive will give it value. Most mcfarlane figure do not hold their value, and are often found on deep discout, especially spawn figures. They are still selling that first wave for like $10 at BBTS. You know what has held its value really well? the original kickstarter spawn. the original cost was around $40, and now it sells on ebay for at least $120. As a collector, i would personally rather have something in my collection that has value, even if i had to pay a bit more to get it.

[@Jasonzxzx]

I don’t collect anything but it has monetary value to other people. I collect things because I enjoy them.

[@snowrs1]

Kickstarter as a funding backing has not been true for years, the biggest campaigns like cards, edc and Board games are all just preorders. What is crazy is waiting 2-3 years on a figure while they crank out more pre orders. Holding your money for that period of time then when prices rise you ask for MORE money, which many have. I have one action figure KS that is 8 months late, and another that is 2 years late.

[@Nin_the_Shinobi]

Mcfarlane always makes the weirdest decisions

[@jimwheeler9840]

Yep. Consistently has me asking, "But why?" on so many things.

[@scottmcclary594]

Hell I'm still waiting for my tumbler to ship!

[@actfigbuyorbustmarvellegen1806]

You and me both And they were supposed to be already produced as well But in all honesty I'm still buying a black one and a blue one from the Kickstarter

[@kaycee310toysandcollectibl9]

Yo my tumbler on Amazon got delayed 2 times. I even complained to Amazon and they made me a bs ticket they said would guarantee me the camo tumbler. I preordered it since first announced in May then they delayed and it came out for preorder late June again. I’ll be pisses If the late preorders in June already got them smh 🤦‍♂️. I cancels my paid off tumblers and got the gi joe stinger instead lol 😂

[@kenk477]

How many retailers would actually be willing to shelf this massive boxed figure? How many retailers carry this sort of high end and pricy figure? Neca is prob the most expensive figures I see at stores. I understand plenty of people's issues. But from a business perspective, it would be risky to mass produce these more pricy figures in general imo.

[@Jasonzxzx]

That’s absolute nonsense. The figures are essentially already made. BigBadToyStore, EE, GameStop etc etc. They all carry figures far more expensive than this Spawn figure..

[@kenk477]

@@Jasonzxzx stores not online retailers...youre the one saying he's cutting out walmart and other places as if that's a bad thing

[@ComicFanMan]

One figure plus shipping in USA came out to $83…

[@soconscious]

Can’t imagine wasting an hour of my life putting together a video for something I don’t like

[@Jasonzxzx]

It’s called sharing an opinion…I see nothing wrong with that.

[@Jfurg]

Todd is extremely greedy! His time with Marvel and DC fighting over rights and creating Image comics turned him into a monster! I was a huge fan of TM but he’s literally turned into the very thing he hates. The very thing he fought against. Jim Lee. Chris Claremont. So many others are still grounded and still aware of their fans and not just money. It’s sad.

[@riderkix]

How is Jim Lee is more grounded than him? He's DC publisher

[@Bedlam66]

It's worse then that. He doesn't hate you. He doesn't even know who you are.

[@Jasonzxzx]

So because he doesn’t know me my personal opinion should have less value? Is that what you’re saying….cool

[@Bedlam66]

@@Jasonzxzx Not at all. I just said he doesn't even know of the opinion to hate it in the first place.

[@pinkpandamanz542]

I simply don’t care what anyone says a million dollar company doesn’t need to do kick starters and billion dollar companies fuck Todd and haslabs

[@OverBenthousand]

I agree. When you say you’re against this Kickstarter anywhere people call you a Hasbro or whatever. I legit do not collect Hasbro.. I have three shelves of just McFarlane Batman comic based figures and another shelf that’s movie based Batman figured. Neither Hasbro nor McFarlane need to have crowd funding products. I’m sorry.. I mean k see people going nuts over this figure having a thigh cut.. which I get, that’s legit not on any other McFarlane figure.. but did he need to crowd fund to add that? lol. I dunno. I backed the blue one.. the. As the days went on I backed out to a dollar (because you can’t cancel your backing..) because while it may be worth 45-50 bucks.. the borderline 30 dollar shipping bumping this thing up to 83 bucks.. makes me shake my head and back away. And as the days roll on since then with what he’s showing off I feel justified in doing that lol.

[@nosoyyo6961]

So it's less expensive than a small bad quality Figma, and you're complaining about it? Even Figmas are quite more expensive and not that high quality and detailed. This thing has a shit ton of accsesories o it's own... And Todd already epxlained that he wants to include as much items as possible, as he is just making up numbers to keep people interested (in fact, we are about to get all items, and everything is already been produced, so so far, most likely it's already a fact that all items will be included. Ya'll shall whatch any of his recent Kickstarter interviews, all is very clearly explained, even the high shipping cost is comprehensible.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

The fartimus impersonation is pretty perfect. Very sad, disdained, disappointed.tragic . Exemplifying everything fartimus presents. My research company has done a mock of his voice for AI to use to duplicate the disdain, disappointed, tragic way that fartimus sounds to the Samoan population ❤❤

[@MasterZen86]

i gotta hear you say “burger king foot lettuce”

[@AnointedFlow]

You said right!

[@davidmarrero9608]

I don't mind it but I do mind the 3 pack standard is a lot more versus the first Kickstarter. Still he did make this version a lot better than the previous Spawn Kickstarter which I was disappointed on the articulation. Also I would love to see your take on failed Kickstarters by content creators one I would like you to do is 3d marine's Kickstarter

[@OverBenthousand]

I got a lot of McFarlane Batman figures. I absolutely love the recent Forever line (my Batmobile shipped from GameStop just now..) that being said.. this kickstarter sucks. I hate to say it but this figure and its accessories .. all together seems to be a 35-40 dollar set. I actually backed it but recently changed over to the dollar backing (because you can’t cancel it) because it just doesn’t seem worth it. It’s confusing. It really is.. everything’s ready to go. He’s not adding anything extra.. but he will hold out if it doesn’t meet a certain goal? Weird. Imho this shouldn’t be a kickstarter. I personally think this should be a McFarlane Toy Store exclusive. When something is more or less done and ready to go.. that’s not a kickstarter. I don’t love his Hasbro Pulse operates either. I just don’t think giant domestic toy companies need crowd funding period.

[@Lanni78]

He said possibly we would get the extra pieces if the goals were met so...

Is this campaign where he made over a million dollars already 🙃 ?

[@solomonallen3524]

I see nothing wrong with mcfarlane toys kickstarter Don't participate that simple

[@Jasonzxzx]

Thank you for sharing your opinion….that’s what we’re all doing right? Just sharing our opinion….

[@TheKenan34]

Look how fast everyone funded for this figure. He didn't have time enough to put it all the way up. He had no choice but to take advantage of everyone. It's business at the end of the day. It's nothing personal to his fans.

[@jimwheeler9840]

He had no choice but to take advantage of everyone? Can you explain that before I call someone to come check on you? 😆

[@CrzBonKerz21]

The “funding” goal was extremely low, that’s why it funded so quickly.

[@mannyperez4126]

I guess my question is... so? By the looks of it this will be the future if collecting. Let's be honest our demo is dying out or having families. I agree that the wording should've been better but over all people have voted with their wallets.

[@McFarlaneDragonClan]

I have way more faith in Todd Mcfarlane than I have in this channel. How many times do I have to explain to people it's for the 'extra' accessories. All the stuff comes included. He's talking about 17 EXTRA accessories! You have ZERO faith in Todd Mcfarlane. He doesn't need the money. I wish you understood better I really did. I can only explain so much!

[@Jasonzxzx]

Next time actually watch the video. My biggest issue is not the price or the figure itself…it’s the fact McFarlane made this a kickstarter when the figure is essentially already made and very close to shipping. He didn’t need the money…that’s exactly right….

[@ANOArtz]

Todd does not need a Kickstarter

[@riderkix]

Who cares if he have the money fast or late? You want the toy, buy it, you don't want it don't buy it. What unethical about it? Lmao

[@LINEMIND88]

Don't like it? Don't buy it.

[@Jasonzxzx]

Sooo because I dislike something I can’t share my personal opinion?? Ok..

[@mannyperez4126]

​@Jasonzxzx hey did he tell you to not speak your mind? He did the same as you, spoke his mind

[@robertmarkold3408]

I pledged glad i did

[@carloscunningham319]

It didn't have too be crowd funded it's all about money,Todd did it as a Kickstarter so he can make all of he's money up front so he didn't have too pay no one too sale these figures at their stores plus Todd didn't want too make these figures peg warmers Todd automatically gets every penny plus more a straight cash grab but a lot of these UTubers aren't going too go against Todd because their kissing Todd's ass for free stuff that's why no one but you are speaking on Todd's GREEDY business practices your 💯right and no one else aren't going too be saying nothen unless it's too bash you for talking about their Master The Todd Father 😂😂😂😂😜👍

[@theJarett]

It sounds like you don't know how selling direct vs going through retail is different and comes with different costs. So we may pay shipping getting it this way, but you know what we aren't paying for? The retailer. They have to have a cut otherwise, which lowers profits for Todd and drives costs up and quality down. This is a direct to consumer product that's higher quality than his mainline releases, and sure, if you don't include all the extra accessories it's not as much product, I guess, if you don't count unique sculpt, detail, paint, etc. Feels like you came up with a bunch of arguments but didn't think them through.

[@Jasonzxzx]

You clearly did not watch the entire video. I actually did touch on this subject. You’re roughly paying about 90 dollars for what’s essentially a deluxe Spawn action figure. It just means more profit for the company it doesn’t mean more items for the consumer. Shipping alone will probably be about 12 - 15 dollars. He does not have the resources or connections to be able to ship efficiently and at low cost. By the way, only a brain washed consumer would say that we have to pay extra for “unique” sculpt work. I guarantee he’s going reuse some, if not all of what is being offered here down the line….I didn’t even bash the figure itself, I actually like it. I just don’t like his shady business practices.

[@theJarett]

@@Jasonzxzx I did watch the entire video, and everything he says about costs are pure speculation. Just because he said it doesn't mean that's reality.

[@Mighty-VizioN]

Easy fix... Don't buy it😂😂😂

[@Jasonzxzx]

Woah thank you for wise words….very kind of you.