Todd McFarlane (/mkfrln/) is a Canadian cartoonist, artist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, famous for his work in comic books, like the fantasy collection “Spawn”. Spawn was a popular hero in the 1990s and supported a style in creator-owned comic book properties.
Since leaving inking obligations on “Spawn” with issue No. 70 (February 1998), McFarlane has illustrated comic books less frequently, focusing on entrepreneurial attempts, such as McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane Entertainment, a movie and cartoon studio. In September 2006, it was declared that McFarlane could function as Art Director of the recently formed 38 Studios, once Green Monster Games, founded by major league baseball pitcher Curt Schilling. He’s additionally a high profile collector of history-making baseballs.
Haunt, an on-going collection co-created by McFarlane and Robert Kirkman, was declared in 2007 and started on October 7, 2009. The comic book was initially composed by Kirkman, penciled by Ryan Ottley, inked by McFarlane, with Greg Capullo supplying layouts. McFarlane additionally given pencils to some problems, and co-composed the issue No. 28, the series finale, with Joe Casey, who took over writing duties from Kirkman.
Writer, Cartoonist, Artist, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Visual Artist
Education
Churchill High School, Eastern Washington University
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Wanda McFarlane (m. 1985)
Children
Jake McFarlane, Kate McFarlane, Cyan McFarlane
Nicknames
Макфарлейн, Тодд
Awards
Inkpot Award (1992), National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book (1992), National Cartoonists Society Award (1992), National Football League Award as the Artist of the Year (2005),Grammy Award for the Best Short Form Music Video (2000)
Movies
“Spider Man 3”, “Spawn”, “Lost Heaven” (2002), “Freak on a Leash” by Korn", “Land Of Confusion”, “Do The Evolution”
TV Shows
"Spawn" (1997), “The Incredible Hulk”, “Daredevil”, “Batman”, “Wolverine”
Star Sign
Pisces
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Trademark
1
Extremely detailed artwork
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Quote
1
(on paying $2.7 million for Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball) "Right now I'm the guy who paid $2.7 million for a piece of History. If the record is ever broken I'll be the guy who paid $2.7 million for a $2.70 baseball ball."
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Fact
1
"Al Simmons" was the name of a roommate of Todd McFarlane.
2
"Cyan" is the name of creator Todd McFarlane's daughter, while "Wanda" is the name of his wife. "Terry Fitzgerald" is the name of a friend of McFarlane. All names are from his comic ''Spawn''.
3
Columbia Pictures showed interest in making a film adaptation of Spawn when the comic book was launched in 1992. Negotiations eventually fell through as Todd McFarlane felt the studio was not giving him enough creative control. McFarlane eventually sold the film rights to New Line Cinema for $1 in exchange for creative input and merchandising rights.
4
Was sued in January 2002 by acclaimed comic book writer and novelist Neil Gaiman for violation of copyright and non-payment of royalties. The case went to court in October 2002, when the seven-person federal jury in Wisconsin took three days to decide in favor of Gaiman, agreeing that McFarlane used Gaiman's created characters without permission or compensation. Gaiman was awarded $45,000 plus court costs which Gaiman then donated to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (www.cbldf.org).
5
Was sued by hockey player Anthony Twist in 1997 for misappropriation of his name, because the Spawn comic books featured an extremely violent character named Tony Twist. After the real-life Twist presented extensive evidence at trial that McFarlane had him in mind, a jury returned a verdict against McFarlane and several other defendants for $24.5 million. However, the verdict was overturned in 2003 by the Missouri Supreme Court, which concluded that the jury was improperly instructed and that the use of Mr. Twist's name was probably protected by the First Amendment.
6
Created the Spawn comic book series in 1992, which was made into a successful movie in 1997.
7
In June of 2003, he paid $450,000 for Barry Bond's record 73rd home run ball.
8
Pencilled Amazing Spider-Man #298 - #328, inked ASM #300 - #328, and wrote, pencilled, and inked Spider-Man #1 - #14 and #16. SM #1 sold 2.5 million copies (most of which were sales of alternate covers).
9
Part owner of the Edmonton Oilers. Founded his own toy company called McFarlane Toys. They produced toys for Shrek, Austin Powers the Spy who shagged me, among others.
10
Designed the Edmonton Oiler's third Jersey.
11
Famous for drastically redesigning characters, such as Spider-Man. With Spider-Man, he gave him much larger eyes, a new "spaghetti" webbing, and a more "spidery" appearance when swinging on his webs.
12
In January 1999 he purchased Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball at an auction for $2.7 million.