Back in the ’90s, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn dominated comic book shelves. As the flagship series for Image Comics, Spawn’s immense popularity quickly permeated mainstream pop culture, spawning a successful toy line, an animated HBO series, and, perhaps most memorably, a 1997 feature film starring Michael Jai White as the iconic antihero. Now, almost 18 years later, this grim superhero tale is receiving a stunning limited-edition 4K release from Arrow Video, known for its exceptional 4K restorations of cult classics.
This special Spawn Limited Edition includes both the original theatrical and director’s cuts, presented with premium packaging, striking new artwork, and exclusive collectibles. Originally priced at $50 for preorders in late July, retailers like Amazon and Walmart are currently offering a significant discount, bringing the price down to just $32 ahead of its October 7 release.
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 with Dolby Vision and HDR10, alongside impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and lossless stereo sound options.
The Limited Edition is presented in a reversible sleeve adorned with fresh artwork. Fans will also discover an illustrated booklet featuring new commentary, as well as a double-sided, fold-out poster.
The primary distinction between the two cuts lies in their tone. Much of the violence was removed from the theatrical version to secure a PG-13 rating. While the Director’s Cut is less than three minutes longer, these crucial additions significantly elevate the violence, firmly placing it in R-rated territory.
Beyond the film itself, this release is packed with bonus materials, including a brand-new audio commentary by comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter, and new interviews with the film’s cast and crew. You can also delve into a wealth of archival content, such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, promotional materials, and additional audio commentary tracks carried over from previous DVD and Blu-ray releases. Below is a comprehensive list of all the included features:
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 narrative of Spawn follows Al Simmons, a ruthlessly efficient black ops soldier who is betrayed and murdered by his commanding officer, Jason Wynn (played by Martin Sheen). Sent to hell for his past sins, Simmons is resurrected on Earth by the devil Malebolgia as part of a sinister plot to trigger the apocalypse. Empowered with formidable might from Hell, Simmons finds himself grappling with a tormented existence, torn between his burning desire for revenge, the dark forces he serves, and the possibility of salvation.
While it may not stand on the same pedestal as Blade – a film released a year later that is often credited with revolutionizing modern superhero cinema – Spawn still offers plenty to appreciate. It bravely embraces its comic book origins and effectively blended impressive practical effects with cutting-edge CGI for its era to vividly bring the character to life. With Michael Jai White delivering a compelling performance as the tortured antihero, the movie also featured a memorable antagonist in John Leguizamo’s portrayal of Clown, who could transform into the monstrous Violator when pushed to his limits.
For an ultimate movie night, consider pairing Spawn with Blade. Blade is also available on 4K Blu-ray, often at a discounted price (originally $35). Alternatively, you can acquire the Blade Trilogy on 1080p Blu-ray for an even more budget-friendly option.
Spawn Comic Book Collections
Spawn Compendiums: Color Editions (Paperback)
For those eager to dive into the comic books that propelled Spawn to household name status, the Compendium Collection paperbacks offer an excellent and affordable entry point. Image Comics has been steadily releasing updated, full-color editions over recent years. Seven truly massive volumes are currently available, with Volume 7 having just hit shelves on September 9. A word of caution: each Compendium easily surpasses 1,000 pages, so be prepared for these impressive tomes to occupy considerable shelf space. While each volume typically retails for $60, you can often find them at a discount. For example, Volume 1 is frequently available for around $34.
- Spawn Compendium Vol. 1 — $34 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 2 — $36 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 3 — $36 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 4 — $40 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 5 — $47.44 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 6 — $36.35 (
$60) - Spawn Compendium Vol. 7 — $51.23 (
$60)
Spawn: Origins Deluxe Editions (Hardcover)
The Deluxe Editions provide a premium experience, featuring larger, higher-quality paper and sturdy hardbound covers, distinct from the paperback Compendiums. Each Deluxe Edition also comes with a stylish slipcase. While these are substantial books in their own right, each volume contains approximately half the number of comics found in the Compendium Editions.
- Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 — $70 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 — $90 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 3 — $87 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 4 — $66.78 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 5 — $80 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 6 — $75.76 (
$100) - Spawn: Origins Deluxe Edition Vol. 7 — $64.51 (
$100)