Image Comics is jumping into the livestream shopping game. The publisher will host its first official Whatnot drop next Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Eastern, featuring an exclusive Spawn 77 #1 variant cover.

The variant ($40) pays homage to Todd McFarlane’s iconic Amazing Spider-Man #300 cover, with new artwork by McFarlane himself. It’s a smart move, tapping into both nostalgia and the current collectibles boom.

The timing ties into Spawn ’77, a new collaboration between McFarlane and artist Mark Spears. The series brings McFarlane’s original 1977 concept for Spawn to life, nearly 50 years after he first sketched out the character.

For those unfamiliar, Whatnot is an app that lets collectors shop, sell, and connect in real time. Think QVC meets comic book culture, with drops happening live. Image is encouraging fans to bookmark the event page and follow them for future surprise releases.

It’s a sign of where the industry is headed. Publishers are meeting collectors where they already are, whether that’s apps, streams, or pop-up events. And for indie creators watching, it’s another reminder that distribution is evolving fast.