News: Spawn in Spain February 02, 2006 12:07 am

 From www.planetadeagostinicomics.com

SPAWN #1 (Spain) (May 1994)

SPAWN vol 2, #1 (Spain) (Mar 2002)

Spawn Vol. 2 Nº 01
Friday, February 27, 2004 3:03:27 AM

Todd McFarlane / Angel Medina

Edición Original: Spawn Nº 101 USA
Fecha Edición: marzo de 2002
Formato: 24 págs.
Precio: 1,7 €

News: More Spawn #1 Reprints February 01, 2006 11:30 pm

 From Ilke Hincer

SPAWN TPB #1 (1995) SPAWN #1 IN 3D: MCFARLANE MOCCA RETROSPECTIVE EXCLUSIVE (Apr 2006)

Here are a couple additional items which might contain George's pin-up from Spawn #1:

- Spawn TPB #1 (1995). "Collects Spawn #1-5 by Todd McFarlane. Introduction by Frank Miller. Format: 7' X 10', full color, approximately 100 pages." (Info from mycomicshop.com, cover scan from www.milehighcomics.com)

- Spawn #1 in 3D: McFarlane MoCCA Retrospective Exclusive. "Written by Todd McFarlane, art & cover by McFarlane. A special 3D version of Spawn #1 specially created for the 2006 Todd McFarlane retrospective at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York. Will not be reprinted. Only available while stock lasts! Red/blue glasses included! 32pg, FC, $5.95." (Info and scan from www.imagecomics.com )

Note: Before shipping to retailers in April 2006, the 3D version of Spawn #1 will be available at both the New York Comic-Con and at MoCCa. Here's an excerpt from the press release:

MoCCA OPENS TODD McFARLANE RETROSPECTIVE 02.25.06
posted 01-31-2006 02:32 PM

"Spawn #1 in 3D. This special New York Comic-Con limited-edition 3D version of Spawn Issue #1 was created exclusively for the 2006 McFarlane retrospective at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) in New York. Written and drawn by Todd, this 32-page book has a cover price of $5.95 and includes red/blue 3D glasses! This special book will be available as a Donor Premium (in recognition of donations of $6 or more) from MoCCA beginning Feb. 24 at their NY Comic-Con booth (#114 -- conveniently located right next to McFarlane Toys booth #116) and at the MoCCA Gift Shop during the run of the McFarlane retrospective exhibit, while supplies last. Proceeds benefit MoCCA."

News: Spawn Collection Details February 01, 2006 10:21 pm

 From Ilke Hincer

SPAWN COLLECTION #1 (Dec 2005) SPAWN COLLECTION #1 (Hardcover) (Dec 2005)

Here are some details on Spawn Collection Vol.1, which might have a reprint of George's pin-up from Spawn #1: Spawn Collection Vol.1 reprints Spawn #1-8, 11 & 12, and the release dates for the 3 versions of this collection are as follows: Spawn Collection Vol.1 TPB was released on December 21st, 2005, according to www.comiclist.com/lists/20051221.txt Spawn Collection Vol.1 HC was released on December 29th, 2005, according to www.comiclist.com/lists/20051229.txt Spawn Collection Vol.1 Ltd Ed HC (500 copies containing a mini-archival print signed by Todd McFarlane) is expected to be released on February 8th, 2006, according to www.diamondcomics.com/../expected_020806.txt (Attached are the covers to Vol.1 TPB & Vol.1 HC, found on www.ebay.com)

Entretien avec Todd Mc FARLANE
March 18, 2003 11:29:07 AM

(excerpt)

JS: Quels artistes vous ont le plus influencé ?
Todd Mc Farlane: Au tout début, ce sont George Perez, John Byrne et John et Sal Buscema qui m'ont pas mal influencé. Puis plus tard, je me suis intéressé à Marshall Rogers, Arthur Adams, Bill Sienkiewicz, Michael Golden et Frank Miller. Et encore plus tard, j'ai découvert Gil Kane et Jack Kirby. En fait, quand tu as plus de recul, plus d'expérience, tu t'intéresses aux artistes d'avant et tu découvres alors les maîtres de la BD.

Translated by Babelfish: Discussion with Todd McFARLANE March 18, 2003 11:29:07 AM (excerpt) JS: Which artists influenced you the most? Todd McFarlane: In the beginning, it was George Perez, John Byrne and John and Sal Buscema which badly did not influence me. Then later, I was interested in Marshall Rogers, Arthur Adams, Bill Sienkiewicz, Michael Golden and Frank Miller. And even later, I discovered Gil Kane and Jack Kirby. In fact, when you have more retreat, plus experience, you are interested in the artists of before and you discover the masters of comic books.

TODD MCFARLANE BIOGRAPHY

Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn, is a multi-faceted artist and businessman with a broad range of experience in entertainment, sports and publishing.

McFarlane was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on March 16, 1961, but spent most of his childhood in Southern California. Returning to Calgary at age 14, Todd first discovered the world of comic books in high school. He bought all the comics he could afford, especially the works of his favorite artists: John Byrne, George Perez, Marshall Rogers, Michael Golden, Art Adams and Walter Simonson. Although he spent a lot of time drawing comic book heroes, playing professional baseball was his ultimate dream.

[ Read more Todd McFarlane Biography ]

Dear Len and Ted,

I just finished reading issue #192 of Justice League of America. Stunning. This month's tale was the best of all my DCs I picked up. Centering around one member of the group (Red Tornado) and at the same time involving the other heroes was an excellent idea. Even though there were 25 pages, I thought that my reading ended too soon.

Red Tornado has fast become one of my favorite heroes. It is about time that he starts acting like the hero I know he can be.

As for the art, what can I say? Welcome back, George. Your pencils have been missed (although Buckler did a very admirable job in your absence.) besides being my favorite artist, you draw the best Red Tornado this side of the border (and the other side, too!)

Todd McFarlane
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

THE NEW TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT

The book is called THE STANDARD CATALOG OF COMIC BOOKS (ISBN 0-87341-916-2), and is written by the same people who edits and publishes COMIC BUYERS GUIDE. It is a little expensive at $34.95, but it's worth it if you're a collector as it is a good price guide and checklist, and for the fact that it's 1237 pages long.

Although, in most guides, they do tend to miss certain variant comics and/or just plain inaccurate. I just checked the 31st Edition to OVERSTREET'S COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE, which is the latest version, and it still lists DARK HORSE #50 as having a Pérez story (see "Settlements").

Anyway, in addition to a summary of some titles, SCCB also list, in some cases, Diamond Preorder numbers and Capital City's order numbers. What I found very interesting is that THE NEW TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT TP is quite rare! According to this book, Capital City only received and shipped 2,500 copies (note this number does not include Diamond Distribution).

Compare this number to some other, like ACTION COMICS #643 (Capital City: 35,100), BATMAN #400 (Capital City: 27,650), THE NEW TITANS #50 (Capital City: 18,750), PRIME #15 (Capital City: 14,450), CRISIS #3 (Capital City: 42,050), CRIMSON PLAGUE #2 (Diamond Predorders: 23,680), and WONDER WOMAN #168 (Diamond Preorders: 27,185).

I am saving the last bit for AVENGERS #1 (vol 3), which they listed the following:

AVENGERS #1 (vol 3)

AVENGERS #1 (vol 3) Circulation Statement: 166,903 Diamond Preorders: 194,439 Statement, filed 10/1/97,; avg print run 209,391; avg sales 163,342; avg subs 2,704; avg total paid 166,046; samples 270; office use 125; max existent 166,441; 21% of run returned

INHUMANS #1

The book was actually designed as a price guide, but I mostly find the circulation statements more interesting than the actual list value. Personally, I always think a value of a comic book is based on the buyer's wants and needs (not dictated by a book). I disagree with some of the prices on the catalogue - just like you'd find WIZARD's pricing ridiculous.

The induction of Comics Guaranty LLC (CGC) in the price guide, I find a little annoying. I don't believe in CGC and I find the people buying them at extraordinary prices a little crazy. For about $600 for a perfect "10" SPAWN #1, you can get a pretty cool three figures unique George Pérez artwork, or heck, get yourself a new digital camera. Basically, the guide lists how many comics were CGC'ed and what the highest number it got. For instance, INHUMANS #1 there were 32 sent in to be graded and the best of the lot is a grade of 9.6. According to this guide, we're supposed to multiply 7 to its worth (which is valued at $8), so a CGC 9.6 INHUMANS #1 should fetch about $56.

As always, opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Buy this book, it's worth it!