In the 1990s, Todd McFarlane`s Spawn comic captivated audiences and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. As Image Comics` flagship title, Spawn`s influence extended beyond comic book pages, leading to a popular toy line, an HBO animated series, and most notably, a 1997 feature film starring Michael Jai White as the enigmatic antihero. Decades later, this gritty superhero film is set to receive a limited-edition 4K release by Arrow Video, a company known for its high-quality restorations of beloved cult classics.
The Spawn Limited Edition 4K Blu-ray features both the theatrical and director`s cuts, encased in premium packaging with new artwork and exclusive collectibles. Initially priced at $50 when preorders began last week, Amazon is currently offering a significant discount, bringing the price down to just $38. This highly anticipated 4K Limited Edition is scheduled for release on October 7.
Spawn: Limited Edition 4K Blu-ray Details
Arrow Video has meticulously restored both the theatrical and director`s cuts in native 4K (2160p) resolution, utilizing the original camera negatives. Both versions boast High Dynamic Range, supporting both Dolby Vision and HDR10 for superior visual quality. Audio options include DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and lossless stereo.
This Limited Edition comes with a reversible sleeve featuring unique new artwork. It also includes an illustrated booklet containing fresh commentary and a double-sided, fold-out poster.
The primary distinction between the Theatrical and Director`s Cuts lies in their tone; significant violence was removed from the theatrical version to achieve a PG-13 rating. While the Director`s Cut is less than three minutes longer, the restored violent scenes elevate its rating to R.
Furthermore, the release is packed with bonus features. These include a new audio commentary by comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter, along with fresh interviews with the film`s cast and crew. Viewers can also delve into a wealth of archival content, such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, promotional materials, and various audio commentary tracks, many of which are carried over from previous DVD and Blu-ray editions. A comprehensive list of these features is provided below.
Spawn Limited Edition 4K Blu-ray: Bonus Features
- Native 4K restorations of Theatrical and Director`s Cuts
- HDR: Dolby Vision and HDR10
- Sound: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 / Lossless Stereo
- New reversible cover and sleeve art
- Double-sided poster
- Illustrated booklet with commentary by John Torrani
Disc 1: Director`s Cut (Rated R)
- 4K resolution (2160p)
- HDR: Dolby Vision and HDR10
- Sound: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 / Lossless Stereo
- Audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter (new)
- Audio commentary with Todd McFarlane, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Clint Goldman, and Steve Williams
- Hell`s Perfect Son: An interview with actor Michael Jai White (new)
- Spawn Support: An interview with actors Melinda Clarke and D.B. Sweeney (new)
- The Devil’s in the Details: An interview with animatronic creature and special makeup effects artists Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero (new)
- The Devil’s Music: An interview with music supervisor Happy Walters (new)
- Order Out of Chaos: An interview with editor Michael Knue (new)
- Todd McFarlane: Chapter & Verse featurette
- The Making of Spawn featurette
- Preview: Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – The Animated Movie
- Theatrical trailer
- Scene-to-storyboard comparisons
- Original Todd McFarlane sketches
- Spawn concept and sketch gallery
- English subtitles
Disc 2: Theatrical Cut (Rated PG-13)
- 4K resolution (2160p)
- HDR: Dolby Vision and HDR10
- Sound: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 / Lossless Stereo
- English subtitles
The film `Spawn` narrates the tale of Al Simmons, a highly effective black ops soldier. After being betrayed and brutally murdered by his commanding officer, Jason Wynn (portrayed by Martin Sheen), Simmons is condemned to hell for his past actions. However, he is resurrected on Earth by the demonic Malebolgia as part of a larger scheme to initiate the apocalypse. Now imbued with formidable hellish powers, Simmons grapples with a complex internal conflict, caught between his desire for revenge, the influence of dark forces, and his yearning for redemption.
While `Spawn` may not reach the acclaimed status of `Blade`—a film released a year later that is often credited with revitalizing the superhero genre—it nonetheless offers many appealing qualities. It embraces its comic book origins without reservation, skillfully combining impressive practical effects with then-groundbreaking CGI to authentically bring the character to the screen. Anchored by Michael Jai White`s portrayal of the tormented antihero, the film also benefits from John Leguizamo`s memorable performance as Clown, a character capable of transforming into the formidable monster, Violator, when pushed to his limits. For fans seeking a similar viewing experience, pairing `Spawn` with `Blade` for a double feature would be excellent. `Blade` is also available on 4K Blu-ray.
Spawn Comic Book Collections
Spawn Compendiums: Color Editions (Paperback)
If you wish to explore the comic books that elevated Spawn to household name status, the Compendium Collection paperbacks offer an excellent, budget-friendly option. Image Comics has steadily released updated, full-color editions over recent years. Six substantial volumes are currently available, with Volume 7 slated for release on September 9. Be aware that all Compendiums exceed 1,000 pages, requiring considerable shelf space. Each volume typically retails for $60, but you can find discounts online. For instance, Volume 1 is currently available for $34.
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 1 – $34
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 2 – $54
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 3 – $36
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 4 – $39.83
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 5 – $44.79
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 6 – $36.35
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 7 – $60 | Releases September 9
Spawn: Origins Deluxe Editions (Hardcover)
The Deluxe Editions are printed on larger, higher-quality paper and feature hardbound covers. Each Deluxe Edition is presented with an elegant slipcase. While these are substantial books themselves, each contains approximately half the number of comics found in the Compendium Editions.
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 – $100
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 – $87.42
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 3 – $81
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 4 – $81
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 5 – $67
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 6 – $74.29
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 7 – $65.16