Curse of the Spawn 2 (Spawn Reborn) by McFarlane Toys

Here’s a welcome re-release.  I stared at this figure last time I was at the local comic shop.  The asking price was steep but for the look of it I was almost ready to part with the money.  Thankfully, McFarlane re-released the figure (although slightly altered) so anyone else in the same quandary has an option.

Standing-in at about 7”, Curse of the Spawn 2 is comparable in size to most of the Spawn figures McFarlane has ever produced and was released originally as part of Spawn 13.  If nothing else, it acts as a good indicator of how far McFarlane has come in terms of unlocking the mysteries of articulation because Curse of Spawn 2 possess poor articulation in comparison to most figures from McFarlane today.  Nothing has really been updated with Curse but my biggest gripe lies with the exclusively seam-jointed articulation.  Basically, it sucks.  There are eight points of articulation – two of which, in the hips, are completely useless.  The shoulders are seamed, as are the wrists and neck.  Poseability is low.

That doesn’t diminish the display factor too much.  The bone armor is menacing and the exposed muscle shines, giving it that “fresh” look.  The curved-boned shoulder mantle is a bit overboard though.  I think it could have been slightly scaled back without losing the effect.  Of course, if they were smaller the two flocks of bats would have no place to be attached.  The axe suits Cursed and the spattered blood make it look all the more menacing.

The real cloth cape is an excellent touch.  Although a rubber or plastic cape can be molded to suite a specific pose,

the rugged and ripped cloth of Cursed just makes him more “authentic.”  It also avoids the problem of disrupting his ability to stand – a common problem with most of McFarlane’s caped figures.  Capes are tricky at the best of times but with cloth the problem of a heavy cape is eliminated (ensuring better balance) and the problem of a cape longer than the figure is tall is void.

Playability is pretty darn low.  Cursed is pretty spinney, particularly the axe, so any kind of rough play is not a good idea.  Not only that, he’s not very durable.  I managed to pull out his right leg without much problem.  (Try getting him to stand after that!)  The bats can be easily lost or torn apart.  The cape proved to be hard to rip off, though it can be further ripped and torn.  Cursed's size is compatible with most of McFarlane’s line-up, which makes for good display possibilities, but because of Cursed’s lackluster articulation, cool diorama’s aren’t viable (unless it’s titled “Spawn Through the Ages: A Spawn Action Figure Retrospective” and poses aren’t important).

Collectors will jump at another chance to score Curse of Spawn 2 without having to plunk down major coin, but casual action figure aficionados might just pass thanks to the low articulation and playability.

- Omni

(July 27, 2003)