Comic Book Icon Todd McFarlane Has A Conversation About His Career, Creating Spawn & More

Todd McFarlane, legendary artist, "Spawn" creator and "Venom" co-creator, McFarlane Toys Creative Force and CEO, and founding partner and president of Image Comics, joined BUILD in collaboration with Midtown Comics.
BUILD is a live interview series like no other-a chance for fans to sit inches away from some of today’s biggest names in entertainment, tech, fashion and business as they share the stories behind their projects and passions. Every conversation yields insights, inspiration and plenty of surprises as moderators and audience members ask questions. It all happens several times a day live and live-streamed on BUILDseries.com.
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[@Chandasouk]

Man, Todd can talk for days!

[@Jailoyal1]

But no serious update of spawn movie🤦‍♂️

[@arkawiproductions3888]

That’s because he repeats 99% of what he says in every single interview

[@ProfessorKenneth]

He definitely loves to talk and hear himself talk 🙄

[@banefury]

listening to this made me want to draw.

[@GIO-cq3fr]

broooo sameeeeeeee

[@NSKINGS420]

Todd Mcfarlane is such a good dude, I really look up to this man & I really respect him so much.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

😂

[@monkeyspank6444]

I remember seeing fights over Starting Lineup figures, couldn’t believe they were fighting over figures that looked like💩 in Toys R Us😂. McFarlane is the Steve Jobs of the figure market, he revolutionized the market simply because he wanted to see things look like they should.

[@TheInexorableWordNerd]

This was the single most amazing interview I have ever seen for a new aspiring creator like myself. I have never had my inner entrepreneur better encouraged and validated then I have after these 34:56. Todd is amazing.

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Everytime i need some inspiration i check in on todd mcfarlane...checkout his humble youtube channel too. Dude drops nuggets of wisdom left and right. Hes so energetic and forward thinking

[@CoreyRossArt]

dropped so many jewels!!!! thank you Todd

[@FEARisCOLD]

I want to see ChristIan Bale play McFarlane in a movie

[@bruce7630]

I could see that.

[@theomnibusguy2490]

🤔

[@thelittlepasty8360]

He kinda looks like him

[@will_sketch]

Mind = Blown... i can see it.

[@Ichthy5]

Matthew McConaughey is better fit. They both look the same side by side.

[@Michael_Bancroft]

I could listen to this man for hours.

[@rawcite]

I totally fuck with this dude. Since I was kid, so glad that the Spiderman dude has gone on to be such a monster and still inspires me to this day. Thank you Todd. Continued success and blessings. Keep giving em hell. I will too

[@thedarklennialsz8120]

The Entrepreneur King 👑 ✊🏿... the great man himself. 🖤

[@rodgrim778]

I like what he said about kindness towards fans. 10 years ago I ran into Robert Kirkman at a convention. He wouldn't sign an issue #1 of Haunt outside of his time slot. I get he didn't want to get mobbed and I still read his stuff. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but it would have been nice though. Firepower is really good.

[@anthonygarcia8749]

Todd Mcfarlane is king 🔥🔥🔥

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Toddy has lived up to my every expectation of What was formed and shaped by Stan and Jack. Upholding the truth and freedom of what makes comic book shit fun and exciting.

[@theroverart]

todd is a comic book icon for a reason

[@peterburman5193]

I love listening to Todd!

[@tblack9711]

I love listening to Todd talk. Very inspiring.

[@MnemonicMedia]

I love Uncle Toddy so friggin much man!!

[@roybal1975]

TODD'S LEFT HANDED? GENIUS!!! LOL

[@michaelrose7013]

Would be such an awesome experience to meet him. Inspiring

[@Raphaelcejaman]

Big fan of spawn and Todd. Great video

[@animegeek6118]

As long as Image stays relevant I could careless about what happens to Marvel or DC.😉😉😉😉😉 Image has been king since they hit the seen. And its crazy to see someone with the same drive they had 25 years ago.

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

A true genius, amazing artist and an incredible business man

[@carlosmoralescreative]

Love Todd! Man so much insight into business side of art!

[@jonfranks9953]

A lot of gems.. love it

[@IGRETRO]

Many thanks for the great ToddFather!

[@DCUOMultiverse]

Always inspiring to hear Todd talk. :)

[@SleeperDarkside]

SO LOVING TODD MCFARLANE

[@atari9477]

Thats genius, having Joker do so well, people will want more R rated energy, Spawn will be the perfect movie..

[@rell127]

The one interesting thing is unlike most comicbook writers Todd made sure you know it was him behind all of his creations. We all know Todd didn't play that shit made sure his name and mark was on everything he did and does. As a kid he was next to Stan Lee in my eyes.

[@williano57]

Todd is a genius in my book and a inspiration. The mk figures look great . Just pr ordered spawn. Bought scorpion and aub zero . The DC line is growing on me . Need better paint apps besides that I'm down . Todd is a pioneer and he is the ice cube from nwa of the comic book and toy business

[@firestonehaku]

Not gonna lie, that Spawn figure caught my attention, too. Never really looked into action figures ever, but the Spawn and MK figures made me a recent fan.

[@countrylife04]

Todd speaking facts!

[@timeknowsfilmsproductions978]

Very inspirational.

[@EricAllenJett]

Plenty of shout-outs and indirect references to famed writer David Michelinie, found throughout this interview....

[@williano57]

And I just bought the entire spawn movie toy collection and wave one of the first spawn toys at the comic book store best 200 I ever spent

[@AF-Twice]

Great conversation.

[@firdausali8625]

Todd mcfarlane is the most legendary comic artist next only to stan lee, jim lee, jack kirby and bob kane.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

Oh please you sycophants smh...

[@werdizbondtv]

33:44 the moment where we have to question whether or not Todd McFarlane is the new Buddha

[@RichardmpayiTnway]

The last 10 min where so powerfull

[@ihategoogle6066]

I love when he gives that Steve Jobs example

[@kairus1]

ToDD is the best

[@will_sketch]

Image Comics is number one in my opinion. Period.

[@dobi287]

I really like Todd

[@MARINJOE87]

Todd genio

[@HenryDeMedina]

Great

[@ShreddexReturn]

A new spawn movie would be dope. But i feel like as far as video games have come since the last spawn game, a spawn game for the next generation of consoles would be fucking toooooooooo sickkkkk

[@smallmanbigmouth2699]

LEGEND

[@tdpetrucci84]

The Toddfather

[@eon001]

27:12 This guy asked my question. I think he could make the low key horror version of Spawn for 10 million. Get Jordan Peele or Leigh Whannell to direct.

[@joseojeda8725]

Fuck yeah

[@jnnx]

Then it wouldn’t be 10 million. And Jordan is going to want creative control.

[@eon001]

@@jnnx Why wouldn't Jordan Peele want to make a movie for 10 million? He's not a flashy director. Get out cost less than 5 million. And is creative control a bad thing? It's not like he's going to change Spawns gender.

[@darthsalad6211]

@@eon001 The creative control should be McFarlane's, I don't really care how good the director is the final say on anything Spawn related should be the Toddfather's.

[@eon001]

@@darthsalad6211 If he's producer he'll have creative control. He could get a director for hire that he can control.

[@lamarbrown3531]

Tell Todd he needs to talk to me on twitter

[@grimm8786]

Anything on his new spawn movie?

[@chunckyfreshnut]

Todd should have a TV reality show. How about sell stock on the movie? I know Alibaba Pictures would be a good investor. Try Lionsgate.

[@lamarbrown3531]

Todd Jones

[@necrodestroyer]

kids love chains

[@911Fuser]

Actually Motorola razor x was doing all that first. 😎🍺

[@CJspirit77]

He turned that s*** into a Todd talk lol

[@LoveNRumba]

Seriously he was Stan Lee's Learner , Now he is the Master his move to leave Marvel was well played , and look all the Achievements he made along side the correct People., so if he does ask 20000 people for $1 to make the Spawn Movie I will be one of those Producer's

[@paltrax]

You have some obvious stuff image puts out saga now I have figs from it with the macfarlane toys logo

[@jawnsushi]

14:57 What are some examples of a non-traditional toy and a non-traditional store? Just a toy based on an R rated product?

[@vincentg1359]

no dislikes

[@davidgraham8299]

Jeez, the dude can talk can't he?

[@Jailoyal1]

Todd need to take His Butt to Netflix like other's and get that Budget🤷‍♂️ C'mon Man🤦‍♂️

[@zenbuddah420]

Tom Jones with his shirt off??!!! 🤔

[@johnathanclark79]

I think Image should focus more on media instead of just comics. They should unite on movies shows cartoons toys and comics. The creators still own characters but a image studio for movies. It’s no longer comic characters they’re IP for movies and games and they’re waisting there talent. Todd you were hot in the 90s but the past 20 years have been mediocre. You promoted one character that isn’t deep and haven’t taken off. Creators rights bit you in the ass when you lost Angela to Gaiman and now she’s found at marvel. Your toys are expensive but doesn’t promote the new characters. If you can make a pirate spawn toy I want to see pirate spawn comic.

[@vgus15]

Todd has always been doing toys, the walking dead is part of image as well, and he is working on the Spawn movie.

[@industryauto1767]

The dude can definitely motivate. Made a boatload of cash from those toys I'm sure.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

Todd loves to hear himself talk...🙄😆

[@SimpCity2000]

MAKE. THE TOYS. SEXY.

[@williano57]

I thought venom was created by some guy way back and sold him to marvel for 200 dollars in the great depression

[@darthsalad6211]

I can't tell if this is a joke. The great depression was decades before Spider-man was created. The idea for the symbiote costume was fan-made though, and Marvel did buy the rights to use it for about 200 bucks. It was for some writing contest iirc. But it was in the 80s, not the fucking 30s

[@BF-Gator]

Why isn't he wearing his spawn baseball cap t-shirt and fanny pack

[@magiccarpetride1345]

A true professional in the comic industry. Ethan and his Comicsgate idiots could take lessons from Todd.

[@kevintanza6968]

Most of the comic book industry, especially the writers, hated Todd and the Image guys for leaving Marvel. Read the magazines of the 90s. Hell, Peter David was one of the vocal guys against Todd. The industry has always been filled with pretentious people that don't like changes in their business models, mostly because they don't understand how business work.

[@jwhite1016aol]

Steve Jobs and Toddy have the same blow connect, the secret is ya mix in just a smidge of mushroom into the blow and there ya go.

[@roybal1975]

GO FUNDME

[@antoniov3477]

He’s hot lol

[@Rogue_Rando]

Yea but what about those reprints of spawn deluxe edition hardcover books. Why do you hate us Mr. Todd McFarland.

[@Ryan-fl7tc]

Todd repeates the same damn examples every interview 🤣

[@gregoryl.levitre9759]

Sorry, Todd, can't agree that Hollywood is good at replicating. They attempt to replicate and fail miserably time and time again. The studio heads need to start hiring Directors that care about telling good stories.

[@eljoeshowsupershowshow4642]

Love Todd so much, but he has a bit of an ego

[@MikeyRumi180]

McFarlane's toys are a mixed bag...mostly cheap and not all that great..at times. boy this guy can talk and talk..lol.

[@BamBam-ib6qk]

Spawn SUCKS!! The real question is can Todd actually draw muscles now without disguising it with a ton of lines?

[@luxuriousmindset1906]

Yeah most books of spawn is nothing burgers 😂😂😂😂