1994 Spawn Artwork by Brad Gorby from Todd Toys
I shared an old Todd Toys action figure advertisement last week (posted here), and today I’d like to direct your attention to the first page from one of the comics that were packed with the figures in 1994. From Spawn: Promises & Lies” comes this splash by Brad Gorby with inks by Troy Hubbs. It’s definitely inspired by McFarlane’s work on the Spawn comic book, and looking back with the benefit of two decades of experience in publishing I’m actually more impressed today that the company created original comics instead of simply reprinting Spawn comics.
I couldn’t find a lot of info about this comic online — see spawncollection.blogspot.com — and am now wondering what it would take for Spawn to reach the popularity it enjoyed in the mid-nineties. I get the feeling the combination of the movie’s poor showing and McFarlane Toys’ growth in the late nineties is most responsible for the decline of the comics, but that’s purely a gut reaction and I’ve got nothing to back the feeling. Anyone have some sales info on Spawn who can share details on the peak of the character and line?
Related articles
- Spawn in the 1996 McFarlane Toys Catalog (battlegrip.com)
- 1997 McFarlane Monsters Toy Ad (battlegrip.com)
- Live the Adventure With this 1990s Spawn Toy Commercial (battlegrip.com)