From budding baseball player to comic book artist
extraordinaire to family man, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has a wealth of
experience in the world of entertainment.
Born in Canada in 1961, McFarlane's road trip to creative autonomy began when
he accepted an assignment pencilling for Marvel/Epic Comics in March 1984. From
there, he worked his way to the top of the talent roster before leaving Marvel
to help found Image Comics with six other artists.
It was then that Todd introduced his own character, Spawn. The book's debut in
1992 sold an amazing 1.7 million copies, an unprecedented feat in independent
comics. From there came a whirlwind of growth and expansion: more comics,
action figures, film, animation and the Web.
In 1994, Todd founded McFarlane Toys, because he wanted to maintain maximum
creative control over his Spawn character. Over the years, the company has
become one of the largest, most renowned toy manufacturers in the world. In
addition to Spawn, McFarlane Toys has produced figures from such properties as
KISS, Shrek, X-Files, Austin Powers, Metal Gear Solid, Clive Barker, Akira, the
Beatles, Army of Darkness, Jaws, Rob Zombie, Alien, Predator, AC/DC and dozens
of others.
Todd still has a passion for sports - he grew up wanting to be a professional
baseball player -- but the fact that McFarlane Toys currently has the official
rights to produce action figures of professional football, baseball, hockey and
basketball players helps scratch that itch. McFarlane also had a minority
interest in the ownership of the Edmonton Oilers hockey club and owns the
McFarlane Collection of home run baseballs from the 1998 Mark McGwire-Sammy
Sosa race, including McGwire's $3 million #70 ball.
Today, McFarlane, his wife, Wanda, and their three children reside in Arizona,
where Todd maintains a happily hectic balance between his family and all his
interests (sports, film, comics, action figures).