View source for Todd McFarlane

{{short description|Canadian comic book creator}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image         = 10.5.17ToddMcFarlaneByLuigiNovi1.jpg
| caption       = McFarlane at the 2017 [[New York Comic Con]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1961|3|16}}
| birth_place   = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| write         = y
| art           =
| pencil        = y
| ink           = y
| edit          =
| publish       = y
| letter        =
| color         =
| alias         =
| signature     =
| notable works = {{flatlist|
* ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]''
* ''[[Batman: Year Two]]''
* ''[[Haunt (comics)|Haunt]]''
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]''
* ''[[Infinity, Inc.]]''
* ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]''
* ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]''}}
| awards        = {{ubl|
* [[Inkpot Award]] (1992)<ref>[https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot Inkpot Award]</ref>
* [[National Cartoonists Society]] Award (1992)
* [[National Football League]] Artist of the Year (2005)
}}
| website       = {{official website|http://www.spawn.com}}
| children      = 3
| spouse        = {{marriage|Wanda Kolomyjec|1985}}
}}
'''Todd McFarlane''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|k|ˈ|f|ɑr|l|ɪ|n}}; born March 16, 1961) is a Canadian comic book creator, best known for his work as the artist on ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' and as the creator, writer, and artist on the [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] [[Horror fiction|horror]]-fantasy series ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]],'' as well as being the current President and a co-founder of [[Image Comics]].

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane became a comic-book superstar due to his high-selling work on [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[Spider-Man]]'' franchise,<ref name=ComicsBulletin>{{cite web|author=Wallace, David|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/main/sites/default/files/soapbox/117116658948280.htm|title=Silver Soapbox: The Complete Todd McFarlane Spider-Man|publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]]|language=en-US|url-status=dead|date=February 10, 2007|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-date=October 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025000156/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/main/sites/default/files/soapbox/117116658948280.htm}}</ref> on which he was the artist to draw the first full appearances of the character [[Venom (Marvel Comics character)|Venom]]. In 1992, he helped form [[Image Comics]], pulling the [[occult]] [[anti-hero]] character [[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]] from his high-school portfolio and updating him for the 1990s. The debut issue sold 1.7 million copies,<ref name=Paste>Hennum, Shea (March 12, 2015). [https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/03/what-spawn-means-to-the-future-of-image.html "What ''Spawn'' Means to the Future of Image"]. ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''.</ref> which as of 2007, remains a record for an independent comic book.<ref name=ComicsBulletin/> The character's popularity in the 1990s also encouraged a trend in [[creator ownership|creator-owned]] comic-book properties.

After leaving inking duties on ''Spawn'' with issue No. 70 (February 1998), McFarlane has illustrated comic books less often, focusing on entrepreneurial efforts, such as [[McFarlane Toys]] and [[#Todd McFarlane Entertainment|Todd McFarlane Entertainment]], a film and animation studio. In September 2006, it was announced that McFarlane would be the Art Director of the newly formed [[38 Studios]], founded by [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/731/731842p1.html |title=Curt Schilling Founds Green Monster Games |author=Li C. Kuo |date=September 8, 2006 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=December 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014025130/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/731/731842p1.html |archive-date=October 14, 2007 }}</ref> McFarlane used to be a [[Edmonton Investors Group|co-owner]] of the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Edmonton Oilers]] before selling his shares to [[Daryl Katz]].<ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=53015649-9856-4f02-bd5c-4687a0d7222f "Katz's bid to buy Oilers 100-per-cent successful"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183628/http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=53015649-9856-4f02-bd5c-4687a0d7222f |date=March 3, 2016 }}. ''[[The Edmonton Journal]]'', February 6, 2008.</ref> He is also a high-profile collector of record-breaking [[Baseball (ball)|baseballs]].

As a filmmaker, he produced [[Spawn (1997 film)|the 1997 film adaptation of ''Spawn'']] starring [[Michael Jai White]]. He will make his directorial debut with 2025’s reboot film - ''King Spawn'' which will star [[Jamie Foxx]].

==Early life==
Todd McFarlane was born on March 16, 1961, in [[Calgary]], Alberta, Canada,<ref name=Spawn#1>McFarlane, Todd (w, a). "The Spawning Ground". ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' #1 (May 1992). Image Comics.</ref><ref>[http://joeshusterawards.com/hof/mcfarlane-todd-1961/ "McFARLANE, Todd (1961–)"]. [[The Joe Shuster Awards]]. Retrieved November 9, 2014.</ref> to Bob and Sherlee McFarlane.<ref name=DevilYouKnow>Vaughan, Kenton (Director, 2000). [http://www.nfb.ca/film/devil_you_know_inside_mind_of_todd_mcfarlane ''The Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane'']. [[National Film Board of Canada]].</ref> He is the second<ref name=ComicTropes>{{cite web|author=Piers, Chris|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT-x4QhYfxs&t=779s&t=12m59s|via=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Comic Tropes|title=Todd McFarlane Interview: As I've Gotten Older, I Just Like Good Storytelling|language=en-US|url-status=bot: unknown|date=December 24, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407153810/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT-x4QhYfxs&t=779s&t=12m59s|quote=Why am I competitive? I don't know. And then I think it got sort of..."honed"....very, very good. Because I had a brother a year younger and a brother a year older.}}</ref> of three sons,<ref name=Time>[[Grunwald, Michael]] (August 8, 2007). [http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1650788,00.html "The Man With the Million Dollar Balls"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''.</ref> which McFarlane says contributed to his competitive streak.<ref name=ComicTropes/> Bob worked in the printing business, which led him to take work where he could find it, and as a result, during McFarlane's childhood, the family lived in thirty different places from Alberta to California.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/><ref name=SpokesmanReview>Kershner, Jim (June 3, 1997). [http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jun/03/spawn-storm-spokane-artist-todd-mcfarlane-always/ "'Spawn' Storm Spokane Artist Todd Mcfarlane Always Wanted To Create His Own Comic Book Series, And When He Finally Did, It Became The Hottest Title Of The Decade"]. ''[[The Spokesman-Review]]''.</ref>

[[File:PrototypeSpawnByMcFarlane.jpg|thumb|left|Prototype version of the character [[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]], which McFarlane drew in his teens]]
McFarlane began drawing as a hobby at an early age,<ref name=ArtOfTodd>McFarlane, Todd (November 2012). ''The Art of Todd McFarlane: The Devil's in the Details''. Todd McFarlane Productions/Image Comics.</ref> and developed an interest in comics, acquiring as many as he could, and learning to draw from them.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> He was a fan of [[comics creator]]s such as [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], [[Jack Kirby]], [[Frank Miller]] and [[George Pérez]], as well as the writing of [[Alan Moore]].<ref name=Spawn#1/> (John Parker of [[ComicsAlliance]] has also noted the influence of [[Walt Simonson]] in McFarlane's work.<ref name=ComicsAlliance>Parker, John (June 12, 2012). [http://comicsalliance.com/spawn-year-one-review-todd-mcfarlane-image-comics-part-one/ "ComicsAlliance Reviews Todd McFarlane's 'Spawn' Year One, Part 1: Questions"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180437/http://comicsalliance.com/spawn-year-one-review-todd-mcfarlane-image-comics-part-one/ |date=April 16, 2014 }}. [[ComicsAlliance]].</ref>) McFarlane created the character [[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]] when he was 16, and spent "countless hours" perfecting the appearance of each component of the character's visual design.<ref name=ArtOfTodd/>

One day while in the twelfth grade<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> at Calgary's [[William Aberhart High School]],<ref name=Spawn#1/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/canbiz/mcfarlane.html|author=Nowak, Peter|title=Artist spawns a web of influence|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=December 24, 2007|archive-date=December 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225120858/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/canbiz/mcfarlane.html}}</ref> McFarlane, working as a groundskeeper for the [[Calgary Cardinals FMBA|Calgary Cardinals]], was standing in the bleachers when a 13-year-old ninth grader sitting near him named Wanda Kolomyjec, who served as the team's bat girl,<ref name=DevilYouKnow/><ref name=TM-PersonalSignificance>{{cite web|url=https://mcfarlane.com/blog/amateur-piece-personal-significance/|title=Why This Amateur Piece Has Personal Significance…|author=McFarlane, Todd|publisher=McFarlane|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=December 2, 2023|archive-date=December 3, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231203031554/https://mcfarlane.com/blog/amateur-piece-personal-significance/}}</ref> began flirting with him. The two began dating, over the objections of Wanda's father, who thought she was too young for him, though in time McFarlane won him over.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/>

Right after high school, McFarlane attended baseball tryouts at [[Gonzaga University]]. Despite being a good fielder and fast, he was not a good hitter. Moreover, he could not afford Gonzaga, so he attended [[Spokane Falls Community College]] for a year,<ref name=SpokesmanReview/> his relationship with Wanda developing into a long-distance one.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> In 1981 McFarlane began attending [[Eastern Washington University]] (EWU) on a baseball scholarship, studying as part of a self-designed program for graphics and art. His practical goal was to join his father in the printing business in [[Calgary, Alberta]], though his dream was always to be a comic book creator.<ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=ArtOfTodd/> He worked part-time on campus as a janitor in the school's administration building, as his scholarship required an on-campus job, and also worked weekends at a comics shop called the Comic Rack, devoting a couple of hours late at night to practice his comics art.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/><ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=ComicsThruTime>Booker, Keith M. (October 28, 2014). [https://books.google.com/books?id=hnuQBQAAQBAJ&q=McFarlane%2Cgraphicart&pg=PA1144 ''Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas'']. Greenwood. p. 1144. Archived at [[Google Books]]. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref>

He sought to play baseball professionally after graduation but suffered a serious ankle injury in his junior year during a game with arch-rivals [[Washington State University]]. He subsequently focused on drawing, working at the comic book store to pay for the rest of his education, and living in a trailer park in [[Cheney, Washington]] with Wanda,<ref name=DevilYouKnow/><ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=ArtOfTodd/> who had moved to the area to be with him and attend EWU as well.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> In 1984, a year after his injury, McFarlane's final chance to play for the big leagues came when he tried out with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]' farm team in [[Medicine Hat, Alberta]], but he ended up being ranked last on the roster, ending his professional baseball prospects.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> McFarlane graduated with a bachelor's degree that same year.<ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=ArtOfTodd/><ref name=EWU>[http://www.ewu.edu/about/ewu-news/mcfarlane-returns "McFarlane Returns"]. [[Eastern Washington University]]. May 21, 2013.</ref><ref>Harris, Craig (June 17, 2003). [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2003-06-17-spawn_x.htm "Baseball, toys and comics: McFarlane finds success"]. ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref> He stayed in [[Spokane, Washington]] while Wanda finished her degree.<ref name=SpokesmanReview/> She also co-plotted and edited the pages on which McFarlane developed his own comics character, ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]''.<ref name=TM-PersonalSignificance/>

==Career==
===Early work, DC, and Marvel===
[[Image:Batman423.JPG|right|thumb|McFarlane's cover for DC's ''Batman'' No. 423 (Sept 1988)]]
While still in college, McFarlane began sending 30–40 packages of submissions each month to comics editors, totaling over 700 submissions after a year and a half, most of which were in the form of pinups. Half resulted in no response, while the other half resulted in rejection letters, though he received some constructive criticism from a few editors. One of them, [[DC Comics]]' [[Sal Amendola]], gave McFarlane a dummy script to gauge McFarlane's page-to-page storytelling ability. Amendola's advice that McFarlane's submissions needed to focus on page-to-page stories rather than pinups led McFarlane to create a five-page ''[[Coyote (comics)|Coyote]]'' sample that he initially sent to ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' editor [[Ann Nocenti]] at [[Marvel Comics]], who passed it along to [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]] and [[Jo Duffy]], the editors of the Marvel imprint [[Epic Comics]], which published ''Coyote''; these in turn passed it onto ''Coyote'' creator [[Steve Englehart]], who contacted McFarlane in 1984 with an offer for Todd's first comic job:<ref name=DevilYouKnow/><ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=ArtOfTodd/> a backup story in ''Coyote'' #11.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sergi |first=Joe |date=2015 |title=The Law for Comic Book Creators: Essential Concepts and Applications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jYuoBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA77 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |page=77 |isbn=978-0-7864-7360-1}}</ref>

McFarlane soon began drawing for both DC and Marvel, with his first major body of work being a two-year run (1985–1987) on DC's ''[[Infinity, Inc.]]'' In 1987, McFarlane illustrated the last three issues of ''[[Detective Comics]]''' four-issue "[[Batman: Year Two]]" storyline.<ref>{{cite book|author=Manning, Matthew K.|chapter= 1980s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 229 |quote = In 'Year Two', a four-part sequel [to "[[Batman: Year One]]"] set in Batman's second year as a crime fighter, writer Mike W. Barr and artists Alan Davis and Todd McFarlane challenged the Caped Crusader with the threat of the Reaper.}}</ref> From there, he moved to Marvel's ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|Incredible Hulk]]'', which he drew from 1987 to 1988, working with writer [[Peter David]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/todd-mcfarlane-early-unseen-hulk-drawings/ |title=Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane Shares His Early, Unseen Hulk Drawings |last=Ridlehoover |first=John |date=June 18, 2020 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=June 18, 2020}}</ref>

====''The Amazing Spider-Man''====
In 1988, McFarlane joined writer [[David Michelinie]] on Marvel's ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'', beginning with issue 298, drawing the preliminary sketch for that cover's image on the back of one of his ''Incredible Hulk'' pages.<ref>McFarlane, Todd (April 25, 2017). [https://www.facebook.com/liketoddmcfarlane/videos/vb.160535290657228/1503963736314370/?type=2&theater&notif_id=1493072305617290 "LIVE Todd shows cover sketch for my first Marvel Spider-Man issue EVER!"]. [[Facebook]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> McFarlane garnered notice for the more dynamic poses in which he depicted Spider-Man's aerial web-swinging, his enlarging of the eyes on the character's mask, and the greater detail in which he rendered his artwork. In particular, the elaborate detail he gave to Spider-Man's webbing. Whereas it had essentially been rendered as a series of X's between two lines, McFarlane embellished it by detailing far more individual strands, which came to be dubbed "spaghetti webbing".<ref name=ComicsBulletin/><ref name=C&G>{{cite news|last=Chapman|first=Adam|title=Amazing Spider-Man by David Michelinie & Todd McFarlane Omnibus|url=http://www.cgmagonline.com/reviews/amazing-spider-man-by-david-michelinie-and-todd-mcfarlane-omnibus|newspaper=Comics and Gaming Magazine|date=September 11, 2011}}</ref><ref name=TCJ>[[Groth, Gary]] (August 1992). [http://www.tcj.com/thats-the-spice-of-life-bud-the-todd-mcfarlane-interview "'That's the Spice of Life, Bud': The Todd McFarlane Interview"]. ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' (#152). Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> (McFarlane was possibly influenced by artist [[Arthur Adams (comics)|Arthur Adams]], whose visual conception of Spider-Man with a large-eyed mask, webbing with more detailed strands, and more contorted poses while web-swinging, can be seen in ''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' Annual #2, published in June 1986 – approximately 1½ years before McFarlane's first published Spider-Man work.) McFarlane drew the first full appearance of [[Eddie Brock]], the original incarnation of the villain [[Venom (Marvel Comics character)|Venom]]. He has been credited as the character's co-creator, though this has been a topic of dispute within the comic book industry (''see [[Eddie Brock#Creation and conception|Eddie Brock: Creation and conception]]'').<ref>''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' #21 (May 1993)</ref><ref>''Wizard'' magazine #23, July 1993</ref><ref>''Comics Creators on Spider-Man'', pg 148, Tom DeFalco. (Titan Books, 2004)</ref>

McFarlane's work on ''Amazing Spider-Man'' made him an industry superstar.<ref name=TCJ/> His cover art for ''Amazing Spider-Man'' No. 313, for which he was originally paid $700 in 1989, for example, would later sell for $71,200 in 2010.<ref name=SpideyCents>{{Cite episode|title=Spidey Cents|series=[[Pawn Stars]]|network=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]]|airdate=May 2, 2011|season=4|number=26}}</ref> One critic of McFarlane's detail-heavy style was ''[[Comics Journal]]'' editor [[Gary Groth]], who said of McFarlane in a 2017 interview, "He doesn't have any authentic virtues as a visual stylist. His work is so overembellished that it disguises the fact that the composition is chaotic and cluttered to the point of being almost unreadable. He never really learned the craft of comics — he just faked it really well."<ref name=Vulture>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/todd-mcfarlane-still-answers-to-no-one.html|title=Comic Book Icon Todd McFarlane (Still) Answers to No One|first=Abraham|last=Riesman|publisher=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=February 2017}}</ref>

During his run on ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', McFarlane became increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of control over his work, as he wanted more say in the direction of storylines. He began to miss deadlines, requiring guest artists to fill in for him on some issues.<ref name=ComicsBulletin/> In 1990, after a 28-issue run of ''Amazing Spider-Man'', McFarlane told editor [[Jim Salicrup]] that he wanted to write his own stories, and would be leaving the book with issue No. 328, which was part of that year's company-wide "[[Acts of Vengeance]]" crossover storyline. In July 2012 the original artwork to that issue's cover, which features Spider-Man dispatching the Hulk, sold for a record-breaking $657,250 [[USD]], the highest auction price ever for any piece of American comic book art.<ref>[https://www.ha.com/heritage-auctions-press-releases-and-news/todd-mcfarlane-1990-spider-man-328-cover-art-brings-world-record-657-250-at-heritage-auctions.s?releaseId=2236&ic=leftcol-mcfarlane-althome4-071012 "Todd McFarlane 1990 Spider-Man #328 Cover Art Brings World Record $657,250+ at Heritage Auctions"]. [[Heritage Auctions]], July 26, 2012.</ref><ref>Buttery, Jarrod (December 2016). "Captain Universe: The Hero Who Could Be You!", ''[[Back Issue!]]'', p. 48.</ref> McFarlane was succeeded on ''Amazing Spider-Man'' by McFarlane's future fellow [[Image Comics]] co-founder [[Erik Larsen]].<ref name="CBR11.23.14">Burgas, Greg (November 23, 2014). [http://www.cbr.com/year-of-the-artist-day-327-erik-larsen-part-4-amazing-spider-man-335/ "Year of the Artist, Day 327: Erik Larsen, Part 4 – Amazing Spider-Man #335"]. [[Comic Book Resources]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref>

====New ''Spider-Man'' title====
[[Image:Spiderman1cover.jpg|right|thumb|McFarlane's cover for Marvel's ''Spider-Man'' No. 1 (August 1990)]]
Wanting to appease McFarlane, Marvel gave McFarlane a new, adjectiveless ''Spider-Man'' title for him to both write and draw. ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]'' #1 (August 1990) sold 2.5 million copies,<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Cowsill|editor-first1=Alan|editor-last2=Gilbert|editor-first2=Laura|chapter=1990s|title=Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2012|page=184|isbn=978-0756692360|quote=Todd McFarlane was at the top of his game as an artist, and with Marvel's release of this new Spidey series he also got the chance to take on the writing duties. The sales of this series were underwhelming, with approx. 2.5 million copies eventually printing, including special bagged editions and a number of [[variant covers]].}}</ref><ref name=saffel>{{cite book|last=Saffel|first=Steve|title= Spider-Man the Icon: The Life and Times of a Pop Culture Phenomenon|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84576-324-4|chapter= Mutant Menace|page=173|quote=Marvel knew a good thing when they saw it, and the adjectiveless ''Spider-Man'' received Marvel's most aggressive launch in company history...the initial press run was 2.35 million, and 500,000 additional copies were printed to meet demand.}}</ref> largely due to the [[variant cover]]s with which Marvel, seeking to capitalize on McFarlane's popularity, published the issue to encourage [[comic book collecting|collectors]] into buying more than one edition. This practice was a result of the [[comics speculator bubble]] of the 1990s, which would burst later that decade.<ref name=ComicsBulletin/> McFarlane, unbeknownst to his parents at the time, was making about a million dollars a year.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> McFarlane wrote and illustrated 15 of the series' first 16 issues, many issues of which featured other popular Marvel characters such as [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and [[Ghost Rider]] in guest roles.<ref name=ComicsBulletin/>

Despite his acclaim as an artist, according to David Wallace of [[Comics Bulletin]], many found McFarlane's writing to be "clumsy, unsophisticated and pretentious", and questioned the wisdom of allowing him to write a new ''Spider-Man'' title in the first place. At the same time, the editorial had problems with the dark tone of the stories McFarlane was telling, beginning with the inaugural "Torment" storyline, which depicted a more vicious version of the reptilian villain [[Lizard (comics)|Lizard]] under the control of the voodoo priestess [[Calypso (comics)|Calypso]].<ref name=ComicsBulletin/> Subsequent storylines such as "Masques" featured Spider-Man confronting the demonic [[Hobgoblin (comics)|Hobgoblin]], while "Perceptions", which involved Spider-Man dealing with police corruption, child rape, and murder (a hint of the work he would later do on ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]''), led some stores to refuse to stock the book. This created further tensions between McFarlane and the editorial, which viewed Spider-Man as a historically light-hearted character marketed to young readers. Editor Jim Salicrup in particular was required to make a number of compromises for McFarlane's work, including enforcing McFarlane's minor costume changes across the entire line of other Spidey comics, placing limitations on his choice of villains for his stories, and dealing with strong disagreement on the handling of the character [[Mary Jane Watson]]. This strained McFarlane's relationship with Salicrup, which was expressed in the remarkable amount of public disagreement that appeared on the book's letters page. Eventually, McFarlane's attention to his deadlines again began to waiver, and he missed issue 15 of the title. His final issue on the book, #16 (November 1991), was part of a [[fictional crossover|crossover]] storyline with ''[[X-Force]]'', and led to creative clashes with new editor [[Danny Fingeroth]].<ref name=ComicsBulletin/> According to McFarlane and editor [[Tom DeFalco]] in the 2000 documentary ''The Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane'', among the examples of the issues that prompted his departure were editorial's censorship of a panel in that issue in which the character [[Juggernaut (comics)|Juggernaut]] was graphically stabbed in the eye with a sword. DeFalco supported the editing of the panel, calling it "inappropriate", while McFarlane called this "lunacy", arguing that such graphic visuals are commonplace in Marvel's books.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> Fed up with editorial interference, he left the company under something of a cloud. According to Wallace, "McFarlane's fifteen issues of Spider-Man are now (perhaps slightly unfairly) held up alongside the likes of ''X-Force'' as the epitome of everything wrong in 1990s comics, and their cash-in approach to the then-booming speculator market precipitated the near-collapse of the industry."<ref name=ComicsBulletin/>

===Image Comics<!--'Todd McFarlane Productions, Inc.' and 'Todd McFarlane Productions' redirect here-->===
McFarlane then teamed with six other popular artists<ref>[https://imagecomics.com/faq "FAQ"]. Image Comics. Retrieved March 12, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9a1XSyjjNg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/c9a1XSyjjNg| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|publisher=[[SyFy Wire]]|title=The History of Image Comics (So Much Damage): Part 1: The Founding|date=November 20, 2017|access-date=March 12, 2020|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> to form [[Image Comics]], an [[umbrella company]] under which each owned a [[publishing house]]. McFarlane's studio, '''Todd McFarlane Productions, Inc.'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> ('''TMP'''), published his creation, the [[occult]]-themed ''Spawn'', written and drawn by McFarlane. It was Image's second release, following the release of [[Rob Liefeld]]'s ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' the month prior.<ref name=Paste/> Upon its release in 1992, ''Spawn'' #1 (May 1992) sold 1.7 million copies; as of 2007, this remains a record for an independent comic book.<ref name=ComicsBulletin/><ref name=Paste/>

[[Image:Spawn.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover of ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' #1 (1992)]]
Responding to harsh criticism of his abilities as a writer, McFarlane hired acclaimed writers to guest-write issues #8–11, including [[Alan Moore]], [[Neil Gaiman]], [[Dave Sim]], and [[Frank Miller]].<ref name=Paste/> Subsequent writers he would hire on the series included [[Grant Morrison]], [[Andrew Grossberg (comics)|Andrew Grossberg]], and [[Tom Orzechowski]]. [[Greg Capullo]] penciled several issues as a guest artist, and became the regular penciler with #26, with McFarlane remaining as writer and inker until #70. The series continued to be a hit, and in 1993 ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' declared ''Spawn'' "the best-selling comic on a consistent basis that is currently being published."<ref>{{cite news| date = June 1993 | title = Wizard Market Watch | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | issue = 22 | pages = 134–5}}</ref> ''Spawn'' is notable for being one of only two Image books that debuted during the company's 1992 launch, along with Erik Larsen's ''[[Savage Dragon]]'', that continued to be published into the 2020s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/savage-dragon-creator-erik-larsen-no-digital-release-before-print/|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|author=Jennings, Collier|title=Savage Dragon Creator Erik Larsen Vows Not to Release Digital Before Print|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325130420/https://www.cbr.com/savage-dragon-creator-erik-larsen-no-digital-release-before-print/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/preview-image-comics-savage-dragon-250-super-spectacular|author=Spry, Jeff|title=Image Comics Celebrates Savage Dragon #250 With A 100-Page Super Spectacular|publisher=[[SyFy Wire]]|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527174820/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/preview-image-comics-savage-dragon-250-super-spectacular}}</ref>

During Image's early years of operation, the company was subject to much industry criticism over aspects of its business practices, including late-shipped books,<ref name=Paste/> and its creators' emphasis on art over writing. One of these critics was McFarlane's former ''Hulk'' collaborator, writer [[Peter David]]. This came to a head during a public debate they participated in at [[Philadelphia]]'s Comicfest convention in October 1993, which was moderated by artist [[George Pérez]]. McFarlane stated that Image was not being treated fairly by the media, and by David in particular. The three judges, [[Maggie Thompson]], editor of the ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'', [[Avatar Press|William Christensen]] of ''Wizard Press'', and John Danovich of the magazine ''[[Hero Illustrated]]'', voted 2–1 in favor of David, with Danovich voting the debate a tie.<ref>Gary St. Lawrence (November 19, 1993). "The Peter David-Todd McFarlane Debate: Topic: Has Image Comics/Todd McFarlane been treated fairly by the media?". ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' #1044, pp. 92, 98, 102, 108, 113, 116</ref>

In 1994, McFarlane and DC Comics collaborated on an intercompany crossover, each producing a book featuring Batman and Spawn. The first of the two books, ''[[Batman-Spawn: War Devil]]'' was written by [[Doug Moench]], [[Chuck Dixon]], and [[Alan Grant (writer)|Alan Grant]], drawn by [[Klaus Janson]], and published by DC.<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/54847/ ''Batman-Spawn:War Devil''] at the Grand Comics Database</ref><ref name=ManningP267>Manning (2010), p. 267: "Fans were also treated to a companion special entitled ''Batman-Spawn''...by writers Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, and Alan Grant, and artist Klaus Janson."</ref> It was followed by ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'', which was written by Frank Miller and drawn by McFarlane.<ref name=ManningP267/> That year marked the point when McFarlane ceased to be the regular writer and artist of ''Spawn''. The first issue that he did not draw was issue 16, which was drawn by [[Greg Capullo]]. Aside from the four fill-in writers on issues #8–11, it was the first issue on which McFarlane was not the regular writer, as it was the first of a three-issue storyline written by [[Grant Morrison]]. Over the ensuing decades, he would hire other writers such as [[Brian Holguin]] and [[David Hine]], and artists such as [[Whilce Portacio]], [[Angel Medina (artist)|Angel Medina]], and [[Philip Tan]]. McFarlane occasionally offered story input and inked covers. He would sporadically return as the interior artist for intermittent issues, and for a few years wrote it under a [[pseudonym]] to generate interest in the book by fostering the illusion that new talent was being brought into the book's production.<ref name=Paste/><ref>Terror, Jude (March 3, 2017). [https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/03/03/oh-snap-todd-mcfarlane-throws-stones-slow-artists-roof-glass-house-emerald-city-comic-con/ "Oh Snap! Todd McFarlane Throws Stones At "Slow" Artists From Roof Of Glass House At Emerald City Comic Con"]. [[Bleeding Cool]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref>

In 2006, McFarlane announced plans for ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' with artist Greg Capullo, which McFarlane wrote and inked, and which paid tribute to Jack Kirby. He also began taking an active role in comics publishing again, publishing collections of his ''Spawn'' comics in [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] form. ''Spawn Collection'' Volume 1 collecting issues 1–12 minus issue 9 (due to royalty issues with Neil Gaiman) and 10 (due to a vow he made to Sim) was released in December 2005. The first volume achieved moderate success, ranking 17 in the top one hundred graphic novels, with pre-order sales of 3,227 for that period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8068.html|title=Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual—December 2005|publisher=icv2.com|date=January 16, 2006}}</ref>

In 2008, McFarlane returned to co-plot the series with returning writer Brian Holguin, with issue 185. The book survived the [[comics speculator bubble's crash]], but its sales have fluctuated, never matching the sales figures of the 1990s. Though it continues publication, its appearance on the [[Diamond Top 300]] chart has been intermittent since the mid-2000s. Nonetheless, Shea Hennum of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' magazine has observed of the series, "It's a book that, for a time, people continued to buy because of the character instead of the creator. It has become as much of an institution as it is a comic.<ref name=Paste/>

''[[Haunt (comics)|Haunt]]'', an ongoing series co-created by McFarlane and [[Robert Kirkman]], was announced in 2007 and launched on October 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36459/robert-kirkman-and-todd-mcfarlane-want-haunt-you|title=New Teaser Trailer Eases on Down Munger Road|website=Dread Central|date=August 16, 2012|author=Barton, Steve}}</ref> The comic was initially written by Kirkman, penciled by [[Ryan Ottley]], and inked by McFarlane, with Greg Capullo providing layouts. McFarlane contributed pencils to some issues, and co-wrote issue 28, the series finale, with [[Joe Casey]], who took over writing duties from Kirkman.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wigler|first=Josh|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22223|title=CCI Exclusive: Kirkman and McFarlane on ''Haunt''|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=July 25, 2009}}</ref>

In 2019, McFarlane wrote and drew ''Spawn'' #301, surpassing [[Dave Sim]]'s 300-issue series ''[[Cerebus]]'' as the longest-running [[creator-owned comics]] series.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lovett, Jamie|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/2019/06/18/spawn-301-todd-mcfarlane-writing-drawing-art-interview/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Todd McFarlane to Write and Draw in Spawn #301|publisher=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=June 18, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618191134/https://comicbook.com/comics/2019/06/18/spawn-301-todd-mcfarlane-writing-drawing-art-interview/}}</ref> The book, released on October 2 of that year,<ref>{{cite web|author=Quaintance, Zack|publisher=[[Comics Beat]]|title=Massive SPAWN #300 rushed back to print days after release|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/massive-spawn-300-rushed-back-to-print-days-after-release/|date=September 5, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=September 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909014335/https://www.comicsbeat.com/massive-spawn-300-rushed-back-to-print-days-after-release/}}</ref> earned McFarlane a place in the [[Guinness World Records]], for which McFarlane was given a certificate on October 5, 2019 at the [[New York Comic Con]], prior to his panel, "The Road to Historic Spawn 300 and 301."<ref>{{cite web|author=Sheridan, Wade|publisher=[[UPI]]|title='Spawn' creator Todd McFarlane earns Guinness World Record|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/09/30/Spawn-creator-Todd-McFarlane-earns-Guinness-World-Record/1611569859853/|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190930172253/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/09/30/Spawn-creator-Todd-McFarlane-earns-Guinness-World-Record/1611569859853/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-reboot-todd-mcfarlane-update/|title=Todd McFarlane Gives Optimistic Update on Spawn Movie Reboot|website=[[Screen Rant]]|first=Brennan|last=Klein|date=April 17, 2022}}</ref>
At [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2022, it was announced that McFarlane would write a new Batman/Spawn crossover, with [[Greg Capullo]] as artist, and a release date of December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=2022-07-22 |title=Batman and Spawn Are Crossing Over Again - Comic-Con 2022 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/batman-spawn-crossover-comic-todd-mcfarlane-grep-capullo |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Todd McFarlane Entertainment<!--'Todd McFarlane Entertainment' and 'McFarlane Films' redirect here-->===
[[File:Todd McFarlane by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|left|thumb|McFarlane speaking at the Phoenix Comicon in Phoenix, Arizona]]
Todd McFarlane Productions published multiple Spawn spin-offs and mini-series.<ref>Kendall, G. (February 12, 2017). [http://www.cbr.com/spawn-25th-anniversary-image-comics-todd-mcfarlane/ "Spawn at 25: The Twisted History of Todd McFarlane's Undead Hero"]. [[Comic Book Resources]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> He increasingly concentrated his attention on those other ventures, which resulted in more sporadic work as an illustrator. In 1994, McFarlane created a toy company, Todd Toys, initially to merchandise collectible action figures of the ''Spawn'' characters.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Overstreet |first=Robert M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34703954 |title=The Overstreet comic book price guide : books from 1897-present included : catalogue & evaluation guide-- illustrated |date=1996 |publisher=Avon Books |isbn=0-380-78778-4 |edition=26 |location=New York |pages=A-49 |oclc=34703954}}</ref> In three months, the company sold more than 2.2 million of the action figures nationwide. After [[Mattel]] sent a [[cease-and-desist]] order based on a male doll in Mattel's [[Barbie]] line named Todd, McFarlane changed the company name to [[McFarlane Toys]]. The company's line of figures quickly expanded to those of popular cultural icons, such as members of the band [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], characters from the film franchise ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre]]'', TV series such as ''[[The X-Files]]'', and sports figures such as [[Terrell Owens]].<ref>Fields, Sarah K. (May 6, 2016). [https://books.google.com/books?id=XMcvDAAAQBAJ&q=McFarlaneToys&pg=PA187 ''Game Faces: Sport Celebrity and the Laws of Reputation'']. [[University of Illinois Press]]. p. 122. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref><ref>Zimbalist, Andrew (October 22, 2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=VyUQD5t5mBsC&q=McFarlane&pg=PA25 ''Circling the Bases: Essays on the Challenges and Prospects of the Sports'']. [[Temple University Press]], p. 26. Retrieved at Google Books. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref> In 1999, the company sold over 6 million action figures.<ref name=DevilYouKnow/> As of 2017, the company was the fifth-largest action-figure manufacturer in the United States.<ref name=Vulture/>

Todd McFarlane produced the album art for [[Iced Earth]]'s 1996 ''Spawn''-based concept album ''[[The Dark Saga]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icedearth.com/discography/the-dark-saga |title=''The Dark Saga'' |publisher=Icedearth.com |access-date=June 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607122444/http://www.icedearth.com/discography/the-dark-saga |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Korn]]'s 1998 third studio album ''[[Follow the Leader (Korn album)|Follow the Leader]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/korn-in-their-words-close-up-with-jonathan/ |title=Korn…In Their Words (Close Up With Jonathan) |publisher=Sony Music |access-date=March 20, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924012514/http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/korn-in-their-words-close-up-with-jonathan/ |archive-date=September 24, 2012}}</ref>

That same year, McFarlane founded '''Todd McFarlane Entertainment'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, a film and animation studio. In collaboration with [[New Line Cinema]], it produced the 1997 ''[[Spawn (1997 film)|Spawn]]'' film and a new Spawn movie, planned in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/8990|title=Todd McFarlane Begins Work on New 'Spawn' Film|date=May 31, 2007|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014022928/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/8990|archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref> ''Spawn'', while critically panned,<ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spawn "Spawn (1997)"], [[Rotten Tomatoes]]; retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref> was a modest box office success, earning $54.8 million domestically, and almost $33 million worldwide, against a $40 million budget.<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spawn.htm "Spawn (1997)"]. [[Box Office Mojo]]; retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref> Todd McFarlane Entertainment also produced the animated series ''[[Spawn (TV series)|Todd McFarlane's Spawn]]'', (featuring voice work by actor [[Keith David]]) which aired on [[Home Box Office|HBO]] from 1997 until 1999. Ed Bark of ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' called the series a "very unpleasant viewing experience" and asked "why anyone would want to subject themselves to such a relentlessly grim, gruesome dehumanizing experience."<ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref>Bark, Ed (May 16, 1997). [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-05-16/lifestyle/9705150297_1_mcfarlane-cartoon-animation "'Spawn' A Trek Through Cartoon Slime"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519174503/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-05-16/lifestyle/9705150297_1_mcfarlane-cartoon-animation |date=May 19, 2017 }}. ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]''. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> Nonetheless, the animated series won a 1998 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Achievement in Animation.<ref>[http://www.emmys.com/shows/spawn "Spawn: HBO"]. [[Emmy Awards]]. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]; retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref><ref>Booker, Keith M. (May 11, 2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=K2J7DpUItEMC&q=spawn%2Cemmyaward&pg=PA402 ''Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels'']. Greenwood. p. 402. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref>

The studio produced a number of music videos and other animations, including:
*1998: "[[Do the Evolution]]" by [[Pearl Jam]] – ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' included this video in its 2012 list of The Greatest Animated Music Videos.<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/the-greatest-animated-music-videos-20120131/pearl-jam-do-the-evolution-0105229 "The Greatest Animated Music Videos"], ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. January 31, 2012.</ref>
*1999: "[[Freak on a Leash]]" by [[Korn|KoЯn]] – This video debuted at number eight on MTV's ''[[Total Request Live]]'' on February 9, 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts|title=Debuts|access-date=March 20, 2008|publisher=The TRL Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011304/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Total Request Live">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430983/19990204/korn.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527000203/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430983/19990204/korn.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |title="Korn "Freak" Video To Debut On Friday" |publisher=MTV |date=February 4, 1999 |access-date=June 28, 2010}}</ref> and peaking at number 1 on its thirteenth day, February 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=recap&y=1999&m=02|title=Recap – February 1999|access-date=March 20, 2008|publisher=The TRL Archive|archive-date=April 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405121957/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=recap&y=1999&m=02|url-status=dead}}</ref> and spent ten non-consecutive days at the top position until its [[Total Request Live#Video retirement|"retirement"]], on May 11, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=halloffame|title=Hall of Fame|access-date=March 20, 2008|publisher=The TRL Archive|archive-date=November 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104002903/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=halloffame|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=numberones|title=Number Ones|access-date=March 20, 2008|publisher=The TRL Archive|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019012232/http://atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=numberones|url-status=dead}}</ref> The video won the [[Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video]] and the 1999 [[Metal Edge]] Readers' Choice Award for Music Video of the Year.<ref>''[[Metal Edge]]''. July 2000</ref> It was also nominated for a [[1999 MTV Video Music Award]].<ref>''Billboard''. March 11, 2000. p. 7.</ref><ref>''Billboard''. March 11, 2000. p. 79.</ref>
*2002: ''[[The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys]]'' – McFarlane produced the animated sequences in this film by [[Peter Care]],<ref>Holden, Stephen (June 14, 2002). [https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B0DE4DF153CF937A25755C0A9649C8B63 "FILM REVIEW; Altar Boys Will Be Altar Boys, and They're Drawing Comics, Too"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> in which the main characters, Tim and Francis, imagine themselves as muscle-bound warriors.<ref name=NYPress>[[White, Armond]] (June 25, 2002). [http://www.nypress.com/-scooby-doo-the-dangerous-lives-of-altar-boys "Scooby-Doo; The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003805/http://www.nypress.com/-scooby-doo-the-dangerous-lives-of-altar-boys/ |date=April 27, 2017 }}. ''[[New York Press]]''. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> Although the consensus at [[Rotten Tomatoes]] was equivocal of the sequences' effectiveness,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dangerous_lives_of_altar_boys|title=The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> [[Armond White]] of ''[[New York Press]]'' singled them out for praise.<ref name=NYPress/>
*2002: "Breath" In December of this year, Todd McFarlane directed the music video "Breath" for Canadian hip-hop group [[Swollen Members]] that featured [[Nelly Furtado]].{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} 
*2006: "[[Land of Confusion#Disturbed|Land of Confusion]]" by [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] – McFarlane, who worked with Greg Capullo on the art for the 2005 album ''[[Ten Thousand Fists]]'', also created the animated video for the band's cover of [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]' 1986 single, "[[Land of Confusion]]".<ref>Harris, Chris (March 10, 2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20151001143643/http://www.mtv.com/news/1525848/todd-mcfarlane-to-make-genesis-confusion-clip-even-more-disturbed/ "Todd McFarlane To Make Genesis' 'Confusion' Clip Even More Disturbed"]. [[MTV]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref>
*2022: "[[Patient Number 9]]" by [[Ozzy Osbourne]] - Co-directed with [[M. Wartella]].

October 2003 saw the release of the  Swollen Members album ''[[Heavy (Swollen Members album)|Heavy]]'', with Canadian and international covers that were both illustrated by McFarlane.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

On July 21, 2011, at San Diego Comic-Con, McFarlane and [[Stan Lee]] debuted their new comic, ''[[Blood Red Dragon]]''. The series is a collaboration with musician [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]] and stars a fictionalized version of him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/117/1179255p1.html|title=Stan Lee & Todd McFarlane Team with Music Icon|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>

McFarlane and [[Boston Red Sox]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]] formed the gaming studio [[38 Studios]] (formerly ''Green Monster Games''), to produce role-playing games, with McFarlane overseeing art direction.<ref>Miot, Stephanie (June 8, 2012). [https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405541,00.asp "Third Strike for 38 Studios, Curt Schilling Leads to Bankruptcy Filing"]. ''[[PC Magazine]]''. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref><ref>Oshry, Dave (March 17, 2012). [http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/17/mcfarlane-says-38-studios-amalur-mmo-is-coming-this-year "McFarlane says 38 Studios' Amalur MMO is coming this year"]. VG247.com. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref><ref>[http://stars.ign.com/objects/917/917768.html "Todd McFarlane Profile"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809035622/http://stars.ign.com/objects/917/917768.html|date=August 9, 2011}}. IGN; retrieved August 26, 2012.</ref>

In February 2012, the company released its only title, ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning]]'', a single-player [[action role-playing game]] that was a moderate success, but by late May 2012, the company had ceased operation,<ref name=Joystiq>{{cite web|author=Gilbert, Ben|date=May 24, 2012|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs|title=38 Studios and Big Huge Games lay off entire staffs|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|archive-date=May 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526004257/http://i.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs/}}</ref> due to financial difficulties<ref>[http://audio.weei.com/a/58109860/curt-schilling-says-he-is-tapped-out-financially-and-lost-50-million-complete-interview.htm "Curt Schilling says he is 'tapped out' financially and lost $50 million"]. [[WEEI-FM]]. June 22, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref><ref>Spar, Jerry (June 22, 2012). [http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2012/06/22/curt-schilling-on-dc-im-not-asking-for-sympathy-after-losing-50m-in-business-collapse "Curt Schilling on D&C: 'I'm not asking for sympathy' after losing $50M in business collapse"]. WEEI.com. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> for which it had filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|author=Makuch, Eddie|title=Amalur dev files for bankruptcy, FBI investigating|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=June 7, 2012|url=http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6381395/amalur-dev-files-for-bankruptcy-fbi-investigating|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611115209/http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6381395/amalur-dev-files-for-bankruptcy-fbi-investigating|archive-date=June 11, 2012}}</ref>

McFarlane was one of several artists to illustrate a variant cover for Kirkman's ''[[The Walking Dead (comics)|The Walking Dead]]'' No. 100, which was released July 11, 2012, at [[San Diego Comic-Con]].<ref>Logan, Michael (June 4, 2012). [https://www.tvguide.com/News/Walking-Dead-Comic-1048486.aspx "Exclusive First Look: The Walking Dead Comic Hits 100"]. ''[[TV Guide]]''.</ref>

In July 2017, [[Blumhouse Productions]] announced McFarlane would direct ''[[King Spawn]]''. McFarlane had by then written a first-draft script.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407|title=New 'Spawn' Movie in the Works From Todd McFarlane, Blumhouse|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 21, 2017|first=Borys|last=Kit|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180210205348/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2018, it was announced that [[Jamie Foxx]] would portray the titular character.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Jamie Foxx Set For 'Spawn,' Creator Todd McFarlane's Dark Blumhouse Adaptation|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/spawn-jamie-foxx-todd-mcfarlane-jason-blum-blumhouse-movie-1202399090/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 29, 2018|date=May 29, 2018}}</ref> In July 2018, it was reported that [[Jeremy Renner]] would be starring alongside Foxx as Detective Twitch.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramée |first1=Jordan |title=Jeremy Renner Set To Star In Spawn Movie Alongside Jamie Foxx |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/jeremy-renner-set-to-star-in-spawn-movie-alongside/1100-6460275/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 11, 2018 |date=July 9, 2018}}</ref> On October 25, 2018, filming was set to begin in June 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-reboot-production-start-summer-2019/|title=Spawn Shoot Has Been Delayed Until Summer 2019|website=Movie Web|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref> but was eventually delayed to a later date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-production-start-2020-todd-mcfarlane/|title='Spawn' Reboot Will Shoot This Year Thanks to the Success of 'Joker'|website=[[MovieWeb]]|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref>  In August 2021, it was reported that ''[[Broken City]]'' screenwriter [[Brian Tucker (screenwriter)|Brian Tucker]] had been hired to rewrite McFarlane's screenplay.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 13, 2021|title='Spawn' Movie Gets 'Broken City' Scribe as New Writer (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en-US|access-date=November 3, 2021|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813225611/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/}}</ref> In October 2022, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' stated that [[Scott Silver]], [[Malcolm Spellman]], and Matthew Mixon had been hired to pen a new draft on the screenplay, and that Renner's continued involvement depended on the new draft's outcome. McFarlane expressed doubts about directing the film himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron|title='Spawn' Movie Finds New Writers With 'Joker,' 'Captain America 4' Scribes (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 5, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022|archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005160736/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/}}</ref>

In November 2021, McFarlane launched a dedicated television development and production arm of his '''McFarlane Films'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, which has signed a first-look deal with production company wiip. As of November 2021, the company has three shows in development: a ''Spawn'' spin-off ''[[Sam & Twitch]]''; the stop-motion, animated event series ''McFarland''; and a live-action adaptation of the Sean Lewis comic ''Thumbs.''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=November 2, 2021|title=Todd McFarlane Launches TV Production Unit, Announces 'McFarland' & 'Thumbs' Series, Talks Taking On Hollywood As Outsider & Plotting 'Spawn' Universe|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/todd-mcfarlane-mcfarland-tv-series-thumbs-spawn-universe-1234866345/|access-date=2021-11-03|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Sports==
In 1998, McFarlane, an avid baseball fan, paid $2.6 million [[USD]] at auction for the baseball that [[St. Louis Cardinals]] first baseman [[Mark McGwire]] hit for his then [[1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase|record-breaking 70th home run]],<ref name=Time/><ref name=ESPN>Rovell, Darren (June 25, 2003). [http://www.espn.com/sportsbusiness/news/2003/0625/1572871.html "McFarlane wins auction for historic Bonds ball"]. [[ESPN]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> and $175,000 for [[Sammy Sosa]]'s 66th home run ball.<ref name=ESPN/>

In June 2003, McFarlane paid about $517,500 at auction for [[San Francisco Giants]] left fielder [[Barry Bonds]]' October 2001, record-breaking 73rd home run ball. The auction took place at the [[ESPN Zone]] in New York's [[Times Square]] and was featured live on ''[[SportsCenter]]''.<ref name=Time/><ref name=ESPN/> When asked by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's Michael Grunwald in a 2007 interview if he was interested in Bonds' record 756th career home run ball, McFarlane indicated that he was more interested in Bonds' last home run ball.<ref name=Time/>

McFarlane is a former minority owner of the [[Edmonton Oilers]] and designed the logo used on the team's alternate [[third jersey]], which debuted in 2001 and was worn through 2007.<ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news.aspx?id=5273 "Oilers unveil McFarlane-designed third jersey"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715025309/http://www.spawn.com/news/news.aspx?id=5273 |date=July 15, 2012}}. Spawn.com. October 26, 2001</ref><ref>Cooper, James (October 5, 2011). [http://www.cbc.ca/live/why-todd-mcfarlane-loves-the-edmonton-oilers.html "Why Todd McFarlane Loves The Edmonton Oilers"], [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC Live]]. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> The Oilers returned to the McFarlane design in 2022 as part of the league's Reverse Retro jersey program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528|title=NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas|author=Merola, Lauren|publisher=[[NHL]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=February 14, 2023|archive-date=January 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124175741/https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528}}</ref>

==Other media==
===Video games===
[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]] appears as a guest character in [[Mortal Kombat 11]] and the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] version of ''[[Soulcalibur II]].'' McFarlane also designed the unique character [[Necrid]] for the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=D., Spence|title=E3 2003: Todd McFarlane Speaks|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-todd-mcfarlane-speaks|website=[[IGN]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=May 14, 2003|access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322025355/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-todd-mcfarlane-speaks}}</ref>

A [[PlayStation 2]] game, ''[[McFarlane's Evil Prophecy]]'', was released in 2004 by [[Konami]]. In it, players battle creatures based on a line of Todd McFarlane's action figures including classic movie monsters such as [[Frankenstein's monster]] and [[Dracula]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com:80/NR/exeres/DE69D3EB-8F63-48FD-8C6A-A694D8033012.htm |title=McFarlane's Evil Prophecy |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=136 |date=August 2004 |page=99 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226025309/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/DE69D3EB-8F63-48FD-8C6A-A694D8033012.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2005, McFarlane announced that he was set to [[produce]] a half-hour anthology television series for [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] called ''Twisted Tales'', based on the [[Bruce Jones (comics)|Bruce Jones]]' [[Twisted Tales|comic book]] to which McFarlane had purchased the rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=11427|title='Twisted Tales' To Television|date=January 28, 2005|publisher=Comics 2 Film|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818174245/http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=11427|archive-date=August 18, 2006}}</ref>

[[File:10.15.11ToddMcFarlaneByLuigiNovi6.jpg|thumb|McFarlane at the [[Image Comics]] booth at the 2011 [[New York Comic Con]]]]
For the release of the video game ''[[Halo 3]]'', McFarlane was enlisted to design a series of action figures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=13143 |title=McFarlane To Produce 'Halo 3' Action Figures |date=June 18, 2007 |website=Spawn.com |access-date=January 17, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112080518/http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=13143 |archive-date=January 12, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/29/mcfarlanes-halo-3-series-one-review |title=McFarlane's Halo 3 Series One Review |last=George |first=Richard |date=February 29, 2008 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref>

In 2011, McFarlane was hired as an artist for the game ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2011|title=Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Interview With Todd McFarlane |url=https://www.ea.com/news/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-interview-with-todd-mcfarlane |access-date=May 18, 2022|website=Electronic Arts Inc.|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518153123/https://www.ea.com/news/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-interview-with-todd-mcfarlane}}</ref> on which his duties included [[key frame]] art, [[storyboard]]s and directing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a349913/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-interview-with-todd-mcfarlane/|title='Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning' interview with Todd McFarlane|last1=Langshaw|first1=Mark|last2=Reynolds|first2=Matthew|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=September 11, 2011|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629150919/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a349913/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-interview-with-todd-mcfarlane/}}</ref> He also worked on the cancelled ''[[Project Copernicus]]'' by the same developer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/agdc-interview-with-brett-close-ceo-of-curt-schillings-38-stu/|title=AGDC: Interview with Brett Close, CEO of Curt Schilling's 38 Studios|first=Kevin|last=Kelly|website=[[Joystiq]]|date=2008-09-22|access-date=2023-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531071941/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/agdc-interview-with-brett-close-ceo-of-curt-schillings-38-stu/|archive-date=2009-05-31|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Media about McFarlane===
[[Stan Lee]] interviewed McFarlane in Episode 1 of the 1991 documentary series ''[[The Comic Book Greats]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media|series=[[The Comic Book Greats]]|people=[[Lee, Stan]] (host)|title=Todd McFarlane|date=1991|publisher=Stabur Home Video}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|editor=[[Felsenthal, Edward]]|title=A Widening Web|page=35|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] Special Edition: The Story of Spider-Man: The Character that Broke All the Rules|publisher=[[Time, Inc.]]|date=October 25, 2021|ASIN=B09KN9S9RS}}</ref> In 2000, McFarlane was the subject of a [[National Film Board of Canada]] documentary ''Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane'', directed by Kenton Vaughan.<ref name=Seibert>{{cite news|last=Seibert|first=Perry|title=The Devil You Know: Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane (2002)|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/257403/The-Devil-You-Know-Inside-the-Mind-of-Todd-McFarlane/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007170438/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/257403/The-Devil-You-Know-Inside-the-Mind-of-Todd-McFarlane/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2008|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2008|access-date=March 12, 2012}}</ref> The film first aired on [[CBC-TV]]'s ''[[Life and Times (TV series)|Life and Times]]'' biography series on January 9, 2001.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

In "Spidey Cents", a fourth-season episode of the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]] reality television series ''[[Pawn Stars]]'' which aired in May 2011, a man tries to sell McFarlane's original artwork for page 25 of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' No. 316 (June 1989) for $20,000 to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Because the seller lacked the paperwork authenticating the artwork, the Gold & Silver manager [[Corey Harrison]] would only pay $1,000 for the page, an offer that the seller declined.<ref name=SpideyCents/>

==Legal issues==
McFarlane lost judgments in two lawsuits in the 2000s. The first was a 2002 suit in which McFarlane contested with writer [[Neil Gaiman]] over the rights to some supporting Spawn characters created by Gaiman in issue No. 9 of the ''Spawn'' series and over payment for later works featuring those characters. In 1997, the two signed a deal in which Gaiman would give his share of characters [[Angela (comics)|Angela]], [[Medieval Spawn]] and [[Cogliostro]] to McFarlane in exchange for McFarlane's share of British superhero [[Marvelman]] (in reality, what McFarlane owned were two trademarks for Miracleman logos, not the character, which would become clear only after the lawsuit concluded). This deal was broken by McFarlane, which motivated Gaiman to start the lawsuit. The jury was unanimous in favor of Gaiman. The two were involved in a lengthy dispute over ownership of Miracleman, but no lawsuit has been filed in that dispute. In 2009, Marvel Comics resolved the matter by purchasing the property.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kiel|last=Phegley|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22203|title=CCI: Cup O Joe|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=July 24, 2009|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> The creators settled their dispute over the ''Spawn'' characters in January 2012. The exact terms of the settlement were not disclosed,<ref>{{cite web|author=Mozzocco, J. Caleb|publisher=[[ComicsAlliance]]|title=Neil Gaiman And Todd McFarlane Settle Legal Dispute Over Co-Spawned Characters |url=https://comicsalliance.com/spawn-angela-neil-gaiman-todd-mcfarlane-ownership-settlement/|date=January 31, 2012|access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> though Gaiman retained ownership of Angela, as she became a character in the [[Marvel Universe]] when Gaiman began doing work for Marvel in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/gaiman-returns-to-marvel-brings-spawns-angela/|title=Gaiman Returns to Marvel, Brings ''Spawn's'' Angela|first=Steve|last=Sunu|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=March 21, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420031704/https://www.cbr.com/gaiman-returns-to-marvel-brings-spawns-angela/|archive-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/09/neil-gaiman-angela-age-of-ultron/|title=FIRST LOOK: Neil Gaiman's avenging Angela will make Marvel history|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 9, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122053713/http://ew.com/article/2013/05/09/neil-gaiman-angela-age-of-ultron/|archive-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> [[Bleeding Cool]] later confirmed that Marvel Comics had completely bought the rights to Angela from Gaiman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/06/19/marvel-owns-angela-but-no-karen-gillan-wont-be-playing-her-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy/|title=Marvel Owns Angela – But No, Karen Gillan Won't Be Playing Her In Guardians Of The Galaxy|last=Johnson|first=Rich|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=June 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307000352/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/06/19/marvel-owns-angela-but-no-karen-gillan-wont-be-playing-her-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy/|archive-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref>

Another suit in which McFarlane became embroiled was a December 2004 suit in which hockey player [[Tony Twist]] sued McFarlane because he named a mobster character in ''Spawn'' after Twist. After a jury initially found McFarlane liable for $24.5 million in damages (reduced to $15 million on appeal), the lawsuit was later settled out of court for $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=Comic book 'twist': How Blues enforcer scored millions in court |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/st-louis-blues/comic-book-twist-how-blues-enforcer-scored-millions-in-court/ |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=FOX 2 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2006/06/19/daily18.html|title=Appeals court upholds $15M verdict for Twist|newspaper=[[St. Louis Business Journal]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=June 20, 2006|access-date=August 12, 2023|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715223637/http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2006/06/19/daily18.html}}</ref>

In 2012, McFarlane sued his former friend and employee, Al Simmons, from whom the name of Spawn's alter ego was derived. According to a lawsuit lodged in Arizona federal court, the real Al Simmons published a book called ''The Art of Being Spawn'', in which Simmons purportedly suggests that his own life was the inspiration for the Spawn character. McFarlane's position was that Simmons violated the terms of his employment pact and breached his duty of loyalty.<ref>Gallaher, Valerie (October 1, 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20121005000059/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/10/01/todd-mcfarlane-sues-al-simmons "Todd McFarlane Sues Al Simmons"]. MTV. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref><ref>Gardner, Eriq (October 1, 2012). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/todd-mcfarlane-sues-employee-spawn-character-inspiration-375307 "Todd McFarlane Sues Ex-Employee Claiming to Be Inspiration of 'Spawn' Character"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. Retrieved January 17, 2018.</ref> The lawsuit was settled in December 2012 when McFarlane agreed with Simmons. The terms of any settlement were not made public.<ref name=Vulture/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/12/14/todd-mcfarlane-settles-with-al-simmons-dc-try-to-get-their-costs-from-toberoff|title=Todd McFarlane Settles With Al Simmons, DC Try To Get Their Costs From Toberoff – Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|date=December 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/faulkner-estate-settles-adam-sandler-402090|title=Hollywood Docket: Faulkner Estate Settles; Sandler Beats 'Just Go With It' Suit; 'Superman' Appeal|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|author1=Gardner, Eriq|author2= Belloni, Matthew|date=December 13, 2012}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
McFarlane's has won numerous awards, including:
* 1992 [[National Cartoonists Society]] Award for Best Comic Book<ref>[http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/reuben92.php "1992 National Cartoonists Society Awards"]. Hahn Library Comic Awards Almanac; retrieved December 21, 2013.</ref>
* 1992 [[Inkpot Award]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/inkpot.php|title=Inkpot Awards|publisher=Comic Book Awards Almanac|editor-first=Joel|editor-last=Hahn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130173442/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/inkpot.php|archive-date=November 30, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2000 [[Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video]] for "[[Freak on a Leash]]"<ref>[http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=mcfarlane&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All "PAST WINNERS SEARCH"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609165718/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=mcfarlane&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All|date=June 9, 2016}} [[The Grammys]], Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref>
* [[NFL|National Football League]]'s 2005 Artist of the Year Award, for his work on program covers for the [[Baltimore Ravens]]{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}
* Induction into the [[Joe Shuster Hall of Fame|Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame]], on June 18, 2011, at the [[Joe Shuster Awards]] in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada<ref>[http://joeshusterawards.com/awards/about/2011-nominees/ "2011 Nominees and Winners"]. [[The Joe Shuster Awards]]. Retrieved August 26, 2012.</ref>
* In 2013 McFarlane was invited to deliver the keynote speech at one of two graduation ceremonies at his alma mater, [[Eastern Washington University]].<ref name=EWU/>

==Personal life==
McFarlane and his wife Wanda<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zimbio.com/photos/Todd+McFarlane/Wanda+McFarlane|title=ABC And Marvel Honor Stan Lee|publisher=[[Zimbio]]|author=Lamparski, John|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125053543/https://www.zimbio.com/photos/Todd+McFarlane/Wanda+McFarlane}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/todd_mcfarlane/status/1180910870857224192|author=McFarlane, Todd|title=(Untitled)|publisher=[[Twitter]]|date=October 6, 2019|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006183925/https://twitter.com/todd_mcfarlane/status/1180910870857224192}}</ref> married in 1985. They stayed in [[Spokane, Washington]] until 1986, when they moved to [[Vancouver, British Columbia]]. They later moved to [[Portland, Oregon]],<ref name=SpokesmanReview/> and then to the [[Ahwatukee Foothills]] of [[Phoenix, Arizona]],<ref name=SpokesmanReview/><ref name=EastValleyTribune>Janovsky, Julie (July 10, 2007). [http://eastvalleytribune.com/article_c5fbf159-4bfd-5972-9009-b9aab191c10b.html "In McFarlane household, action figures are the family business"]. ''[[East Valley Tribune]]''.</ref> where they continue to live as of 2007. There, they raised their three children: Cyan, Kate, and Jake. Cyan's love of the TV series ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'' inspired her father's decision to produce action figures based on that show, while Kate voiced the young Cyan in the animated ''Spawn'' TV series.<ref name=EastValleyTribune/> McFarlane's offices are located near Phoenix.<ref name=Vulture/> In ''Spawn'', the characters Wanda Blake and Cyan Fitzgerald were named after McFarlane's own wife and daughter respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McFarlane |first1=Todd |title=YES…WANDA BLAKE IS DEAD. NO…SHE’S NOT COMING BACK!!! |url=https://mcfarlane.com/blog/yes-wanda-blake-is-dead-no-shes-not-coming-back/ |website=McFarlane.com |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McFarlane |first1=Todd |title=SHE WAS MY VERY FIRST ISSUE!!! |url=https://www.facebook.com/liketoddmcfarlane/posts/she-was-my-very-first-issue-and-she-was-sitting-on-my-lap-when-spawn-1-came-out-/821056387938445/ |website=Facebook |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref>

McFarlane stated in a 1992 interview that he was an [[atheist]].<ref name=TCJ/> He does not consume alcohol, coffee, or tea.<ref>{{cite web |last1=SYFY |title=Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won't |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qc3hNtKJ1k&t=5m37s |website=YouTube |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Awesome Comics===
'''Cover art'''
* ''Prophet'' #1 (Vol. 3) (Variant) (2000)

===DC Comics===
* ''[[All-Star Squadron]]'' #47 (with Mike Clark) (1985)
* ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #576–578 ("[[Batman: Year Two]]") (1987)
* ''[[Infinity, Inc]]'' #14–37 (full art); ''Annual'' #1–2 (among other artists) (1985–1987)
* ''[[Invasion! (DC Comics)|Invasion!]]'', miniseries, #1–2 (1989)
* ''[[Sandman (DC Comics)|Sandman]]'' (1989 2nd Series) #50 (pin-up)
* ''Superman Special'' #1 (one-page pin-up) (1992)

'''Cover art'''
* ''[[Batman]]'' #423 (cover)
* ''[[Wildcats (comics)|Wildcats]]'' #1B (2006 2nd Series DC)

===Disney===
'''Cover Art'''
* ''Prince of Persia Before the Sandstorm'' #1 GN (2010)

===Image Comics===
====Art====
* ''[[Cyberforce (Image Comics)|Cyberforce]]'' #8 (1994)
* ''[[Haunt (comics)|Haunt]]'' #1–18 (inks only) (2009–2011)
* ''[[Image Comics]] Summer Special'' #1 (2004)
* ''Image Comics'' Hardcover (Spawn story) (2005)
* ''[[Image United]]'' #1–3 (2009–2010)
* ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' #1–15, 21–24 (full art); #26–34, 50 (along with [[Greg Capullo]]) (1992–1995); #190, 200 (among other artists) (2010)
* ''[[Spawn/Batman]]'' (1994)

'''Cover art'''
* ''Badrock'' (1995) #1A (inks only)
* ''Batman/Spawn (2022)''
* ''Black Flag Preview Edition'' #1 (1994) (inks only)
* ''Cyber Force #8'' (1994)
* ''[[Reborn (comics)|Reborn]]'' #1H (2016)
* ''[[The Crow]]'' #1B (2013)
* ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]'' #100B (2012)
* ''The Infinite'' #1D, 2E (2011) (inks only)
* ''[[The Walking Dead (comic book)|Walking Dead]]'' #100D (2003)

====Writing====
* ''Batman/Spawn (2022)''
* ''[[Sam and Twitch]]'' #21-16 (2001-2004)
* ''Savior'' #1–8 (2015)
* ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' #1–7, 12–15, 21–150 (1992–2005); 185–current (2008–present)
* ''Spawn Kills Everyone'' #1 (2016)
* ''Spawn Kills Everyone Too'' #1–4 (2018–2019)
* ''Gunslinger Spawn'' #1–current (2021–present)

===Marvel===
====Art====
* ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #298–323, 325, 328 (1988–1990)
* ''[[Coyote (comics)|Coyote]]'' #11–14 (1985)
* ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #241 (1987)
* ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Marvel Comics)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' #60 (1987)
* ''G.I. Joe Special'' #1 (1995)
* ''[[Hulk|Incredible Hulk]]'' #330–334, 336–346 (1987–1988)
* ''Marvel Holiday Special'' ([[Spider-Man]]) 2004
* ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man|Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' Annual #10 (1990)
* ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]'' #1–14, 16 (1990–1991)
* ''[[Spitfire (New Universe)|Spitfire and the Troubleshooters]]'' #4 (1987)
* ''[[What The--?!]]'' #3 (1988)

'''Cover art'''
* ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #324 (1989)
* ''Amazing Spider-Man: Skating on Thin Ice'' #1 (1993)
* ''[[Conan the Barbarian (comics)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' #241 (1991)
* ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #32 (1988)
* ''Marvel Age #90'' (1990)
* ''[[Marvel Tales (comics)|Marvel Tales]]'' #223–239 (1989–1990)
* ''[[New Mutants]]'' #85–89, 93 (1990) (inks only)
* ''[[Quasar (comics)|Quasar]]'' #14 (1990)
* ''[[Return of Wolverine]]'' (2018 Marvel) #1I, 1J
* ''The Olympians'' #1 (1991) (Epic; cover only)
* ''X-Factor'' #50 (1990) (cover only)
* ''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]'' #1E (2019)

====Writing====
* ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]'' #1–14, 16 (1990–1991)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.spawn.com}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=204|title=Todd McFarlane}}
* {{IMDb name|0568825|Todd McFarlane}}
* McFarlane, Todd (July 26, 2002). [https://web.archive.org/web/20050508213736/http://www.spawn.com/news/news.aspx?id=5391 "TONY TWIST APPEAL DENIED: Missouri Court Upholds 2000 Ruling"]. [[Spawn.com]]. Archived at the [[Internet Archive]].
* {{cite web|url=http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2004/Jul/20040711News028.asp|title=Tony Twist wins battle over name: Judge orders comic artist pay $15 million.|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|via=[[Columbia Daily Tribune]]|date= July 11, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106182013/http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2004/Jul/20040711News028.asp|archive-date=January 6, 2009}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Infinity, Inc.]]'' artist| before=[[Don Newton]]| after= Vince Argondezzi| years=1985–1987}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Hulk|The Incredible Hulk]]'' artist| before=[[Al Milgrom]]| after=Jeff Purves| years=1987–1988}}
{{succession box | title=''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' artist| before=[[Alex Saviuk]]| after=[[Erik Larsen]]| years=1988–1990}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]'' writer/artist| before=N/A| after=Erik Larsen| years=1990–1991}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' artist| before=N/A| after=[[Greg Capullo]]| years=1992–1995}}
{{succession box | title=''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' writer| before=N/A| after=[[David Hine]]| years=1992–2005, 2008–}}
{{S-end}}

{{Todd McFarlane|state=expanded}}
{{Spawn}}
{{Image Comics}}
{{Canadian cartoonists}}
{{Inkpot Award 1990s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McFarlane, Todd}}
[[Category:Todd McFarlane| ]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian novelists]]
[[Category:Artists from Calgary]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Calgary]]
[[Category:Canadian atheists]]
[[Category:Canadian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Canadian comics artists]]
[[Category:Canadian comics writers]]
[[Category:Canadian graphic novelists]]
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[[Category:Eastern Washington University alumni]]
[[Category:Edmonton Oilers executives]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Image Comics]]
[[Category:Inkpot Award winners]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics people]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Spawn (comics)]]
[[Category:Toy designers]]
[[Category:Writers from Calgary]]