SPAWN! A look back at an award-winning collection of graded slabs. 11 11

[newshane]

SPAWN 174 - CGC 9.8 

Classic! 

The first Gunslinger cover. Arguably the most popular form of the Hellspawn. I consider this a key issue. 

 

[waynemel]

On 7/28/2023 at 12:09 PM, newshane said:

SPAWN 174 - CGC 9.8 

Classic! 

The first Gunslinger cover. Arguably the most popular form of the Hellspawn. I consider this a key issue. 

 

Key issue?  That is an understatement  .  It's funny that CGC does not notate anything about him (ie 1st full appearance) except for the misspelling on the cover.  How was that missed by Image?

[newshane]

On 7/28/2023 at 2:15 PM, waynemel said:

Key issue?  That is an understatement  .  It's funny that CGC does not notate anything about him (ie 1st full appearance) except for the misspelling on the cover.  How was that missed by Image?

Just to be clear, the character's first appearance was a cameo in issue 119. That's not notated by CGC. 

But I agree! They should also start notating 174 as the first full appearance/first story/first cover....something! 

[captainzombie]

On 7/28/2023 at 2:15 PM, waynemel said:

Key issue?  That is an understatement  .  It's funny that CGC does not notate anything about him (ie 1st full appearance) except for the misspelling on the cover.  How was that missed by Image?

 

On 7/28/2023 at 8:58 PM, newshane said:

Just to be clear, the character's first appearance was a cameo in issue 119. That's not notated by CGC. 

But I agree! They should also start notating 174 as the first full appearance/first story/first cover....something! 

This and 175 are two of my favorite books in my PC. I bought both raw earlier this year and sent them in to be graded which both got a 9.8. Besides She-Spawn, I think that Gunslinger is the most popular hell spawn. Now he is going to be getting a second series soon.

[newshane]

SPAWN 175 - CGC 9.8 

About as good as it gets on every level! 

This is a definite "will one day own again" book. 

I remember trying to track down a few of these artists for signatures. Like, who is Bing Casino?   

You just won't find 'em at your typical con. 

 

[newshane]

SPAWN 176 - CGC 9.8 

Errors in spelling on the cover. Errors in the indica.

Somebody was asleep on the job back in those days!  

 

[newshane]

SPAWN 177 - CGC 9.8 

 

[newshane]

SPAWN 178 - CGC 9.8

After some stumbles, Brian Haberlin knocked it out of the park with this one! Definitely one of my favorites! I'll be compiling a top 10 or top 20 list soon. Maybe in celebration once we hit issue 200. 

I will definitely own this one again. It just speaks to me. 

 

[newshane]

SPAWN 179 - CGC 9.8 

I can't remember who commented on this issue earlier in the thread, but this is the moment you've waited for! 

Phallicspawn? 

All joking aside, I really like this one! 

Seriously...all joking aside.  

I really tried hard to land a Mike Mayhew signature. No dice. 

 

Edited August 5, 2023 by newshane

[newshane]

SPAWN 180 - CGC 9.8 

I remember seeing this cover in an Overstreet article. They were writing about the lower print runs during this stretch in Spawn, and this was the example they used. 

I will try to find it and post it later. In the meantime, here is the cover. 

 

[newshane]

I couldn't find my Overstreet. Sorry! All our books are still in boxes. Our new library shelves have been delivered, so I should be unboxing soon. 

In the meantime, here is:

SPAWN 181 - CGC 9.8 

Broken record: I love this cover! 

I'd even say it might be in my personal top 5! Certainly the top 10. Certainly the best Haberlin did, along with 178. 

These are both "I will have agains." 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by newshane

[newshane]

SPAWN 182 - CGC 9.6 

This is strange. I seem to remember having this in 9.8, but maybe not? It wasn't in my files or on the registry. Embarrassed to post this lowly 9.6! I thought I only had one, but I guess I was wrong. 

I do remember this one being tough. 

 

[LadyDeath]

Never enjoyed this era of Spawn. That logo was atrocious. How low were sales/popularity during this time I wonder?

[newshane]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:37 PM, LadyDeath said:

Never enjoyed this era of Spawn. That logo was atrocious. How low were sales/popularity during this time I wonder?

Bottom. 

Some sources say around 17-20K. 

That changes after issue 185, which was a drastic turning point in the series. I don't really want to give away spoilers...

We also see a peak at issue 200, and then the print runs get even worse. 

I had a line-graph that illustrated the peaks and valleys, but the CGC forum decided to butcher everyone's journals and FORCE them to go to the HORRID new version (I'm still extremely bitter about that), so it's probably lost to time and space. 

I had an awesome journal and they destroyed it...along with everyone else's. 

[newshane]

SPAWN 183 - CGC 9.8 

 

[newshane]

SPAWN 184 - CGC 9.8 

You're going to see some crazy books this week! 185 is extremely important. 

In the meantime, enjoy the headlights. 

[newshane]

Let me go ahead and drop the mic............

 

[waynemel]

On 8/13/2023 at 3:30 PM, newshane said:

Let me go ahead and drop the mic............

 

Very nice!  And you had the sketch Portacio!  Wow.  

It would have been cool if you also had the headless McFarlane cover.  

[newshane]

On 8/13/2023 at 2:57 PM, waynemel said:

Very nice!  And you had the sketch Portacio!  Wow.  

It would have been cool if you also had the headless McFarlane cover.  

I did have them all. The headless wasn't in that particular shot, though. 

Since you mentioned it, I'll start with it. 

SPAWN 185 - CGC 9.8 - Todd McFarlane's "Headless" Variant. 

This is the second least common of all 185 variants, behind the B&W sketch. 

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by newshane

[newshane]

On 8/13/2023 at 3:11 PM, Poutine said:

This is the most common one?

 

Yes.