Todd McFarlane is a renowned Canadian cartoonist, writer, toy designer, and entrepreneur, born on March 16, 1961. He is best recognized for his remarkable work in the comic book industry, particularly in the fantasy series Spawn.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane's exceptional skills in comic book art propelled him to superstardom within the Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise. His outstanding work in this series played a significant role in cementing his status as a comic book legend.
In 1992, McFarlane co-founded Image Comics, a prominent comic book publisher, and introduced the occult anti-hero character Spawn, which originated from his high school portfolio. He skillfully updated the character to make it relevant for the 1990s, and Spawn quickly became a beloved and iconic hero during that decade.
The success of Spawn inspired a trend in creator-owned comic book properties, allowing artists to maintain ownership and creative control over their work. After leaving his inking duties on Spawn with issue #70 in February 1998, McFarlane shifted his focus towards entrepreneurial endeavors.
Todd McFarlane Entertainment, a film and animation studio, was established, and he also founded McFarlane Toys, a toy design and manufacturing company. In September 2006, McFarlane was appointed as the Art Director of 38 Studios, a newly formed video game development company founded by Curt Schilling, a major league baseball pitcher.
In addition to his accomplishments in the comic book and entertainment industries, McFarlane is also a high-profile collector of history-making baseballs. He was previously a co-owner of the Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team, before selling his shares to Daryl Katz.
