So much time has passed, but I have so many fond memories of Spawn/McFarlane collecting. It was my main focus for so many years...
-Never, ever saw the original Malebolgia in stores. Only in a comic shop once or twice. He was one of he most elusive figures where I lived in all my years of collecting. One day, the head truck guy in TRU only let me have an Angela from the case cause I practically begged and made puppy dog eyes. Kinda f'd up when I think about it, Still, not all experiences were bad...
-I really wanted the super-sized Angela when she came out, and got to Wal-Mart just as a father and son got the last one. I dont remember what we said to each other if anything, but I think they saw my disappointment and for whatever reason, both mutually decided to let me have her even though the son was the same age as I was. Kid wasn't even phased either, like he was genuinely happy to let this other kid who wanted it more have it. Hope they've had a good life, they seemed like really good people.
-TRU experiences also got better. A couple years later when the Wetworks Wolfman and Vampire were coming out, I went to TRU with my mom one night during the holidays. One of the stock guys asked what I was looking for and got both out of a case for me. As he was doing so, a co-worker rounded the aisle and his expression was priceless. I vaguely remember him telling the stock guy that they weren't supposed to pull the case yet, and the guy gave him a look like IDGAF and said the kid was looking for those.