Todd McFarlane continues to drop little Spawn nuggets on us with random modern releases of the character in different forms. We had two Color Tops a couple years ago. He popped up in MK 11 and had several releases there. A 12 inch MK 11 Commando Spawn has been shown. Let’s not forget the Spawn Remastered Kickstarter. Now, out of the blue, Mandarin Spawn has returned, with his first release as a Walmart exclusive Gold Label figure. This is a re-imagining of the original figure, who made his first appearance in Spawn #165 via a one shot. It tells a brutal story of a deformed man being treated horribly in ancient China, given the chance to make a deal with the devil, dies and comes back to get his revenge.
So, today we have a look at the original Mandarin Spawn figure from 1999, and the new 2021 Walmart exclusive version. I have a running vintage Spawn shelf going here and figured why not, so I picked up the original version on eBay so I could compare the two. Cracked it fresh 20 years later. There is a mass release for the new version coming in the traditional red color scheme, but it’s first release is the blue seen here.
Read on to check out shots for both the OG and 2021 versions after the break, along with some quick thoughts, courtesy of McFaralne Toys!
Mandarin Spawn – 2021 Walmart Exclusive Gold Label Edition
Overall Thoughts
Articulation yay! The original Mandarin Spawn was a real beauty of a figure. The paint on this guy is insane by today’s standards for a mass release figure. Head to toe paint and tons of fine applications all over. It however did not have a ton of articulation, McFarlane style for the time. Simple hip cuts, shoulder cuts, one elbow,one wrist and a bit on the head. It was a slightly poseable statue. Fast forward 20 years and we get some articulation, but a bit less detailed paint. The new version has most modern articulation points – neck, full range shoulders, elbows, wrists. Torso and waist cuts, full range hips, double jointed knees, and even some forward/back in the feet. The front sash is a firm plastic so it limits leg posing a bit, but still better than the 99 version which had useless articulation in the legs. My only suggestion here would be some rocker ankles for the feet, so they can rest flush on the ground when the legs are posed dynamically – and a bit softer front sash so that those poses can be done without a firm bend.
Sculpt is inspired by the original, but not exact. The shoulder spike has switched sides. Each part featuring ornate faces, masks and art from Chinese lore is new but still there. If you go over it inch by inch it has the same design elements in the same places but done slightly differently. Plus articulation. Weapons are different this go around, we have two ornate bladed weapons that do not combine, and that’s it. The original had two swords, a sheath, a shield, plus dual ended blades that “connect to make a 12 inch weapon” ! The new blades are well designed and kick ass on their own.
Overall, it’s a solid update to the original, and I look forward to the original deco coming out, along with several others. McFarlane did this guy up in some pretty bad ass color schemes back in the day (see here) so any of those would be welcome now. Since repaints are a thing with this guy, I don’t mind this blue version in the mix, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. Original Scarlett Edge or the black repaint are winners.
Mandarin Spawn Original 01
Mandarin Spawn Original 04
Mandarin Spawn WM Blue 01
Mandarin Spawn WM Blue 25
Mandarin Spawn WM Blue 29
Mandarin Spawn WM Blue 28
Mandarin Spawn WM Blue 99
Spawn Gold Label Collection - Mandarin Spawn Preview by McFarlane Toys
Was not expecting new Spawn, then wasn't expecting alternate take Spawn, and then definitely wasn't expecting Mandarin Spawn. But, I am down with that, should be fun as hell to shoot (aka play with).
Super sorry from now for the people that do want him...
Is this comic based? I haven't been reading the comics that long? It looks okay I guess.
What's with the Spawn logo on his forehead? The original toy didn't have one in the first place.
If this means more alternate Spawns like the Medieval / Viking / Samurai Spawn that aren't statues, then I'll bite.
Mandarin Spawn (and all its repaints) was the shit back in the day.
I still have my og Mandarin Spawn, I use it as an "ancient guardian" in my D&D games.
Well if I ever see one I'll definitely pick one up.
What's the gold label all about?
...
If this means more alternate Spawns like the Medieval / Viking / Samurai Spawn that aren't statues, then I'll bite.
You're in luck.
Nice that Todd is giving us the hint he is going to do the alternate versions. Interesting sculpt. I'm expecting very good paint but not my color scheme for Mandarin Spawn. Looks alot like Predator Spawn.
The Gold Label collection needs some Invincible characters since the animated series is coming out soon.
New photo added to the post.
I like the design but it's gonna be a pain to find him in stores let alone get the pre-order in since Walmart sucks when it comes to taking pre-orders in. Plus not a lot of Walmarts get new products in let alone ever restock em
Are they just going to leave him blue * bone? He's not getting the intricate red & gold apps of the earlier ones?
I prefer the red/yellow color scheme of the original over the blue/grey... it seems some of the details are lost with the flat gray tone.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Spawn/comme...andarin_spawn/
Our look at the blue one is up today, along with some shots with the original.
Mandarin Spawn – A Look at the OG 1999 and 2021 Versions
That shot with the green lighting makes me want a jade variant of this figure.
Compared to the original it is like they didn't want to fully paint this new version. The paint scheme/contrast on the original is way better.
man, the original has such great paint detail. the teeth look like bone, the jewels look like jewels, and a great black wash throughout. The new one is so flat, i don't see the value.
I prefer Mandarin Spawn 2 to the bland blue one.
12 inch Mandarin Spawn 2 action figure - Another Toy Review by Michael Crawford, Captain Toy
Keep reading: McFarlane Mandarin Spawn - Page 2
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