PRESS RELEASE
Todd McFarlane Productions/Image Comics will celebrate the next major milestone in the Spawn Universe with the release of King Spawn #50—an extra-length anniversary issue launching an exciting new storyline and the official kickoff of the “50/50/50 Program” this October.
The 50/50/50 Program will span the three core Spawn Universe titles—King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, and The Scorched—as each series reaches its 50th issue over the coming year. All three issues will feature a matching lineup of variants and incentives from some of the most exciting artists in comics, creating one unified program across the Spawn Universe.
Just over four years ago, the debut of King Spawn #1 set new records as the highest-selling superhero monthly comic book series launch of the 21st Century. Now, this special release sets the stage for a crossover event that will unfold across all three landmark issues, as a primordial force returns to target Spawn and forever change one of its core characters.
The story will be told with two chapters per issue, brought to life by Spawn Universe artists Carlo Barberi and Stephen Segovia.
In celebration of this milestone, King Spawn #50 will debut with an expansive lineup of covers with artwork from McFarlane himself, Skottie Young, Mark Spears, and Puppeteer Lee—with Lee contributing a connecting cover set across King Spawn #50, Gunslinger Spawn #50, and The Scorched #50.
It will also boast a lineup of high-tier incentive variants, including a 1:50 cover by Mark Spears and multiple premium editions by McFarlane himself, culminating in the 1:1000 Raw Pencil Virgin Variant.
Each copy of this 1:1,000 variant will contain a one-of-one original sketch, inserted directly into the issue. The first 50 sketches will be drawn by McFarlane. If more than 50 copies are ordered of the 1:1,000, additional sketches will be provided by Spawn Universe artists Jonathan Glapion, Carlo Barberi, Brett Booth, Stephen Segovia, and Jason Shawn Alexander. Every copy of the 1:1000 is guaranteed to contain an original sketch but sketches other than McFarlane’s will be distributed at random.
Additionally, two of the premium incentive editions—Cover G (1:250) and Cover H (1:1000)—will be signed by Todd McFarlane and will never be signed again. McFarlane has confirmed that these books will be strictly limited to this single wave of signed copies, ensuring their long-term value for collectors and retailers.
“As a young comic book collector, I was always excited to see what the comic book companies had in their plans to help celebrate their big anniversary or event books,” said McFarlane. “So, I’ve been very fortunate to have been involved in some of those types of books during my career, which makes this 50/50/50 event something we have been thinking about for a long time.
“It is exciting for me to be able to, in a very short period, celebrate three anniversary books that will all co-mingle their storylines as King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, and The Scorched all hit their milestone 50th issues. I’ve long said that fifty issues is a mark I wish more creator-owned books got to, as it helps establish characters in fandom’s memories that much easier. In 2021 we officially launched the Spawn Universe and now we get to keep that momentum going with a huge crossover storyline that will affect one of the oldest characters in the Spawn mythology as well as introduce us to a savage villain. I hope you will all come join us for this wild ride.
“Lastly, I want to thank all the retailers who have supported us throughout my decades-long career, and hope that some of the incentives are worthy of your support once again. I can tell you for sure that I am not a big sketch guy and don’t attend many conventions, so this is a rare exception I am making to do original sketches for this title and the other two issue #50’s coming in the months to follow.”
McFarlane and CGC will also team up for a special collaboration tied to the 50/50/50 Program. More details will be announced in the months ahead, including a private signing and exclusive collectibles tied to all three milestone issues.
King Spawn #50 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 22:
Cover A by Todd McFarlane
Cover B by Puppeteer Lee (Connecting Cover)
Cover C by Skottie Young
Cover D Blank Sketch
Cover E 1:50 copy incentive by Mark Spears
Cover F 1:100 copy incentive Virgin Color by McFarlane
Cover G 1:250 copy incentive black & white inked by McFarlane with McFarlane signature (WILL NEVER SIGN THIS BOOK AGAIN) and CGC Certificate
Cover H 1:1000 copy incentive raw pencil virgin by McFarlane with McFarlane signature (WILL NEVER SIGN THIS BOOK AGAIN), CGC Certificate, and Sketch Insert
