With the release of Spawn #301 in just over a week, the Image Comics series will officially become the longest-running creator-owned superhero comic of all time. As such, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane is being honored by Guinness World Records for the landmark issue.
While the record will officially be broken on Oct. 9, McFarlane will be awarded his officially Guinness World Records certificate this coming weekend during his panel at New York Comic Con. The panel, titled "The Road to Historic SPAWN 301," will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5:45 p.m.
In a statement, McFarlane took the time to thank everyone who has collaborated with him on Spawn since the release of the book's first issue in 1992. "Any record that is based on longevity, is made on the backs of dozens of people," McFarlane said. "As much as I am proud to be receiving this award, I gratefully accept it on behalf of all those who helped me the past 27 years on this journey."
McFarlane's award will be presented by Guinness World Records adjudicator Claire Elise Stephens. "I'm incredibly honored to be presenting this Guinness World Records title to Todd McFarlane in honor of Spawn #301 at an event that celebrates creators with such enthusiasm," Stephens said. "Todd McFarlane displays immense passion, a key value of our mission and this achievement is a recognition of Todd's nearly three-decade career."
New York Comic Con 2019 runs from Oct. 3 until Oct. 6.
Written by Todd McFarlane and illustrated by McFarlane, Jerome Opeña, Clayton Crain, Jason Shawn Alexander and Greg Capullo, Spawn #301 goes on sale Oct. 9 from Image Comics.