A Look Back at Todd McFarlane's SPAWN!

Buy the first six issues of Spawn! amzn.to/2jZ1grb From comic book series to toy line to Emmy Award-Winning animated series to video games to a major motion picture, Spawn from Todd McFarlane was a phenomena from 1992 to 1997. Now he celebrates his 300th consecutive issue! Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #spawn
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@winfordlee7151]

I really dig this idea of giving a casual history of stuff in the comics industry. I'd love to see more videos like this on different subjects.

[@R.J.Godzilla81]

That's not bad. It could be called Back Stories or Back Histories...Might need to work shop that. LOL

[@TheArtofMore1]

R.J.Godzilla81 Back Stories. It’s official. Put it in Print

[@elidasilva5558]

Second

[@DM0M0]

Some of their earliest videos were structured like this to where Sal just sort of answered the guy's questions as they popped up instead of talking through the story in order.

[@darkhearsttoys5224]

I've only watched a handful of their videos, but they've all been like this.

[@priceyyeti4058]

Oh my God. This an entire hour of Sal ranting about Image, McFarlane, and Spawn and it just might be the greatest episode of Back Issues ever.

[@Woopywomp]

Nearly died laughing at the macfarlene crypt keeper impersonation.

[@Jonflame1]

That hit me out of nowhere. Almost crashed my car laughing

[@RowdyRodimus]

I want to say this was back in 1995 but my friend and I went to a convention that was going on pretty close to us and McFarlane was going to be there, so of course I took my Spawn issues and ASM #300 to get signed. We got there and they had messed up our room reservation so they gave us another room, little did we know it was right next door to Todd's room, so I got all my stuff signed before the con started. I'm glad I did because while everyone else was waiting in line that stretched almost completely around the room, I spent pretty much the entire portion of the con talking to and helping run the booth for a wonderful couple I met, Golden Age artist and Alan Scott Green Lantern creator Mart Nodell and his wife. I'll never forget the hug his wife gave me as we were leaving that Sunday when she told me I had made the entire weekend for Mart because for that weekend he felt like what he had done mattered and made a difference.

[@ItsMichaelReid]

RowdyRodimus WOW! Sounds like you a had a one in a lifetime opportunities there! How old was the original creator of Alan Scott? You ever ask his opinion on Hal Jordan?

[@SeriousYelder]

Wow.

[@TheKingOfRooks]

That's an amazing story and a very lucky experience to have had

[@RowdyRodimus]

@@TheKingOfRooks It was a great time. Hearing his stories was fun as hell (to answer a prior question I'm going to guess he was in his late 70s/early 80s and was basically blind). I said his wife gave me a hug when everyone was leaving but after that Mart said he had something for me and reached into his bag, I was hoping it wasn't money because I'm one of those people that wants to help just to help and be a good guy, you know? Anyway he brought out a painting he had at his booth that he had done of GL, Captain America and The Human Torch and gave it to me as a way of saying thanks, I had mentioned it to him before not implying anything I just liked it, so him giving it to me was amazing. However, the best part of the entire show was when he made me start calling him "Uncle Marty", I don't know why it tickled me so much I guess it was just the fact that here's this guy I had read about for years studying the art form and now he's basically making me family. Not the kind of experience you have everyday but does kind of show the kind of community comic books can have when it's about the stories and characters and not ideologies, I miss those days.

[@damiandawson7610]

This is beautiful!!

[@kemboi69]

I’m down for back issues on the history of characters.

[@UncleBlerd]

They should do Batman next. Sal will LOVE that!

[@biggiejerseysTV]

Same. I love this type of content.

[@TerranceDaBuddha]

@Jimmy Jammy bhhhk I

[@illWillienumber31]

This episode was just a big Tangent and I loved it.

[@MelvinChenaultartandpoetry]

I remember when you guys did spawn like 4 years ago good times

[@TheWazzoGames]

When they did back issues in a comic store 😂 good times

[@TheKingOfRooks]

I remember when they talked about Spawn a second time like 4 years ago good times

[@TheKingOfRooks]

Time really does go by in the blink of an eye don't it

[@TheClitCommander530]

Sal's ability to do spot on impersonations of comic creators is fucking awesome and hilarious.

[@jjrambles683]

41:41 I absolutely love it when Ben hits the nail on the head without knowing it

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

*Morrison:* "And Heaven is this realm that's full of machines and circuitry and computers!" "That's an interesting concept, Grant." *Morrison:* "It's not a concept. I was there." "..." _Elsewhere:_ *Officer:* "And you say this rambling Scottish man came into your university's computer room and, uh...'started molesting all of our computers'?" "Yes, that's right." *Officer:* "And on a scale of 1 to 10, how naked was he?" "Uhhhhh...Too. He was too naked."

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Lmao that’s one to see it.

[@mttylerdurden9]

As someone who has read most of his work and seen interviews of him, I can assure you he has said and done (look up wank-a-thon) stranger stuff than this.😆

[@morganrobinson8042]

Yeah. Supergods, his book, really bears this out. As soon as you get into the part that was obviously a drug trip he went on(I can't remember if he explicitly confirms it was) you start wondering if he's messing with you, as before that the book's content was philosophical but not psychedelic. Then you realize he is absolutely serious about the insanity you're reading, and that it's crucially important to his understanding on life. It actually really helps to understand his larger body of work, and in totality is surprisingly cohesive with the more prosaic autobiographic parts and his digressions on comics. Much like Morrison himself is surprisingly functional considering he's done some serious hallucinogens.

[@Udgrasil13]

The HBO Show was so awesome. Keith David is a legend.

[@biggiejerseysTV]

ED the Happy Clown his voice is perfect for the character.

[@ShiningT1g3R]

He's supposedly going to voice Spawn in the new Mortal Kombat game in March.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

His voice is legendary!

[@TevyaSmolka]

The history of image and spawn is really interesting and fascinating.

[@Martin_TheCollector]

Tevya Smolka Top Cow books have almost always been very good. In my opinion, the rest of Image was not that great or truly enjoyable until after the mid 2000’s.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@Martin_TheCollector indeed and i can agree with that

[@Martin_TheCollector]

@@TevyaSmolka Groovy!

[@richardnicholls8705]

I think Spawn is interesting up until a point. When they needed to find reasons to bring Al back to Earth, they should have just stopped the book.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Richard Nicholls yeah I can agree with that

[@ToonGal12]

41:55 I love Sal's Todd McFarlane voice. XD

[@dennisssmith430]

I swear, the entire inception of Image Comics has to be one of the most fascinating aspects of comic book history to this very day

[@wittycomment]

This was nice. The occasional breakdown of a franchise is a nice change of pace. More please!

[@metalliopleurodon]

Sal likes ICED EARTH!!!!? Dracula was one of the first songs i learned on guitar

[@JPeeper]

Iced Earth is a great band, Horror Show is an all time great album.

[@elidasilva5558]

I love Iced Earth

[@Jaddaprog]

@@JPeeper hard agree. Love that album. Wouldnt call them discount Metallica at all though.

[@PHEONIX_720]

When I heard him say iced earth I thought I was watching another video talking about the band. Pretty cool he mention them especially the dark saga.

[@Tomdawg89]

I'm surprised he didn't mention that Greg Capullo did the album artwork for Korn's 3rd album 'Follow the Leader'.

[@radicalraddish6292]

I really like these retrospective episodes of back issues that look back at particular comic book phenomenons. Its rather interesting to hear about this stuff

[@Grievousish]

*Old man Grievousish sitting on his porch* "Gather round children, let me tell you the tale of the return of Spawn on Back Issues. You see, long ago our glorious leaders ComicPOP went by another name, that being TV Little House. In those chaotic times they covered the book called Spawn. And as suddenly as it appeared, it vanished. Never to be seen again on the show until the glorious day of Spawn #300 arrived. And what a day it was......"

[@liverusrock6789]

We can add Todd to the list of great impressions by Sal among Alan Moore, Grant Morrison and many others.

[@thedukeofchutney468]

His Stan Lee is surprisingly good as well, as it’s not too over the top.

[@Ducaso]

This "rambling tangent filled episode" was both entertaining and insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the breakdown of the _Spawnomenon_ and McFarlane in the 90s, and his machinations in the industry.

[@lacintag5482]

Would you do a Back Issues on Spider-Man: Life Story when the TPB comes out?

[@priceyyeti4058]

Good news.

[@treystewart731]

I honestly like Spawn as a character, I love that he's a playable character in Mortal Kombat 11. But a lot of the stories in his books are very hit or miss. The animated series was easily the greatest thing associated with the franchise.

My god, sal read 100 cómics of spawn in 72 hours? :o

[@architeuthis3476]

what does that do to the psyche?

[@nikthedestroyalator6796]

Absolute champion

[@TheFashionAssasin]

This was a really good one. Sal's Todd Mcfarlane impression cracked me up.

[@dead_ted9149]

I was really into Spawn as a kid. I even met the real Al Simmons (Todd’s childhood friend) at a small convention where he was signing comics. Of course, they later fought in court over trademark rights.

[@greatstoneplanet]

Playing Spawn: In The Demon's Hand on the Dreamcast with my brother back in the day is my best multiplayer video game memories. To this day, I can hear the announcer saying, "You've died, but it is not the end!" when I fail at something. Also, playing the game helped me realize how incredibly dumb the name OVERT-KILL was.

[@comicpop]

That intro song was fire.

[@DementedDistraction]

"Was Spawn really that big of a deal?" Oh...you sweet, summer child.

[@wvang0013]

I think you guys just created a new idea for another show. I would be so down for more videos of Sal explaining the history of characters and their creators. My favorite Spawn was Movie Spawn because I had the toy.

[@Darqueness]

This was simply awesome. The humor, the history, the thoroughness, and good god Sal does some rather kickass pretty damn spot-on impressions. I was picturing MacFarlanes voice from a video I recently saw about him giving his take on the look for Venom in the recent movie and then Sal hits that specific tone on the nose. And that Stan Lee impression was ridiculously on point. Also the whole bit with the "beating heart? how bout a nice red apple" was super funny cuz it's super true so often.

[@mitchellregan21]

Don't have time to watch this yet. Will do so as soon as possible because there is nothing more glorious than Sal's take on Spawn.

[@PhsycoRed]

OMG I sent you Those Spawn toys !!! I'm so glad they got used in this episode !!!!

[@PhsycoRed]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJuxloFobLRjqdU ITS ME!!!!

[@landonny]

That video of Stan Lee passive-agressively making fun of Todd McFarlene as he designs a character sounds like a master piece.

[@Jaddaprog]

It is very good. They have them with other artists to and they are good as well

[@JTR_3]

Image, as a concept, is still one of the best things that has ever happened in comics.

[@MrPlayer2wo]

The history lessons that Sal gives are alway great, especially when he does impressions.

[@apcfire]

I really enjoyed this episode. I kind of like the idea of using back issues as a vehicle to revisit things and kind of contextualize the time or industry. You kind of do that already in episodes but maybe if there is enough material you could make some more like this. It's pretty great.

[@thinktankstudios]

I did a focus group and they said they like Spawnomenon more than PhenomeSpawn.

[@chadalpha7983]

The crazy thing to me about Spawn is that how it just followed the trajectory of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

[@andysenn]

You guys talking about history/a moment in comics should seriously become a thing

[@kyleeartist2829]

Great episode! I can remember picking up the first 25 issues of Spawn monthly when I was in high school. I honestly gave up reading it after issue 25 (the Marc Silvestri issue) cause I felt like it wasn’t going anywhere. I loved the 2 issues featuring Chapel (from Youngblood) just because they had to retcon the whole story when Liefeld was forced out of Image. Thanks for an episode bringing back so many memories!!

[@ComicGeekTV]

Sooo close to having Spawn 300 & Backissues 300

[@DM0M0]

Do you know what number we're at now?

[@ComicGeekTV]

DM0M0 the exact number no. But they’ve got like almost 300 in the playlist 😂

[@radiak55]

It is so funny to me that the Back Issues episode of Spawn is more about the publication and merchandising history than the actual story. This perfectly reflects what the character amounts to in the end, a great design to sell and market and have a comic as the excuse to make all these toys.

[@JackNapier-pl2hv]

And OH MY GOD SALS MCFARLANE IMPRESSION IM WHEEZING

[@IsraelBenitez-ev7mj]

Tons of highlights for me...when Spawn kills Violator, when Spawn confronts Mammon, killing Kincaid, killing Overtkill, killing Tiffany, I loved his transformation and look after #50, the medieval hellspawn 2 parter I think issues #16 and #17...just LOVE the series ❤️

[@wybub]

41:41 leaving this timestamp so I don't lose one of Sal's best impressions.

[@kanborne]

This was really intriguing, I would love to see more this type of back issues on other characters

[@misterclark2028]

Wait so can Grant Morrison technically use Anti Spawn in Marvel or DC because they technically own the character, imagine how mad Todd would get lol.

[@SpartanWolf047]

Ah, it feels like just yesterday that I watched the original Spawn Back Issues. It's truly amazing how far you guys have come. This video encapsulates how much this channel has improved and at the same time kept the same charm from the get go.

[@supernerd5781]

Funny story I found you guys through the original Spawn video

[@TheTitanborn]

The section where you all ate joking about Spawn using a copy machine was hilarious. I can imagine Spawn getting frustrated with the copy machine like that scene if Office Space Lol.

[@AnnoBathory]

That Iced Earth album is still a banger to this day.

[@ojar91]

I like the fucked up stories where people do fucked up things and spawn then comes and fucks them up, I like that that todd want to make him a boogeyman.

[@EtcEtcEtcFilms]

Three minutes in and I’m thinking “how many times can Sal say the word phenomenon?”

[@batfreeze56]

This is one of my favorite Back Issues to date.

[@comixproviderftw_02]

Spawn-nomenon works.

[@tapinewoods3937]

You guys should do a video where you're all talking about The Crow comic by James O'barr. So that viewers could get in to the details of the crow comic, creator and the movie itself.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

Sal, the more I watch your videos the more I think you're my spirit animal! I also read Spawn from issue 1 to 100 and the stories you mentioned in that run are the ones I remember too. It's almost creepy! LOL

[@r.babylon2885]

My favorite version of Spawn is Venom.

[@megamike15]

my main issue with spawn is it feels like todd just focuses on stuff to lead up to the mile stone issues then stops caring for the rest of it. nothing happens in spawn.

[@shadowanderson2004]

McFarlane said he wanted his toys to be the “R rated toys” so that he could make Spawn toys creepy and cool looking

[@MeSpawn297]

LOVE THIS. I was at the perfect age when Spawn came out to be totally down and all in. My old AOL Email is still MeSpawn. Hahahaha

[@MeSpawn297]

Also, favorite era is when he got the Huge Boot.

[@SeriousYelder]

This is a great theme for content. I really enjoyed this.

[@andywoodburn4555]

I've always liked Spawn but you can't deny that he is the epitome of everything WRONG with 1990's comic book culture. Todd McFarlane created this character that LOOKS great and is as far as we know is a total bad-ass but the stories themselves haven't always been great or up to par with other contemporary characters like Spider-Man or Batman to name a few. The art and characters were created first to sell anything they could get the brand on be it action figures, movies, video games, etc. Mel Brooks satirized merchandising brilliantly in his movie, Spaceballs. Having said that, I've put off snagging a copy of Spawn #300 if only because its been years since I've given a damn about the character because my tastes have variably shifted. I still enjoy many of the classics of my youth like Spidey, Venom, Wolverine, X-Men, and a little Batman however I've more recently discovered and fallen into the world of mature comics starting with ironically Image's Saga series. Whereas I used to be all about style over substance which Spawn is a perfect metaphor for I am now more interested in whether or not a comic book or graphic novel can just tell me a great story that can provide me with the escape that I so desperately crave. The book could be ugly as sin but as long as it tells me a great story I'm in. That's not to say I don't appreciate great artwork however great art without a story behind it is JUST THAT.

[@Stanbuka]

Big fan of you giving histories of characters. Hope its the first of many

[@Opentheass]

What a great episode! It would be great if you do more on this kind of episodes talking about the phenomenon instead of the comic itself. Awesome content!

[@ridge825]

That Todd McFarlane impression tho 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FreedSamurai]

McFarlane’a career is a modern American nerdy pop culture version of Daniel Plainvew from there will be blood.

[@MrAmateurNerd]

Despite having zero interest in Spawn before or after this video, I really enjoyed this type of back issues!

[@rileywarner5258]

This is one of the best and most entertaining back issues ever

[@Oaktree0]

Humble request for a redone Back Issues is Siege maybe with Tiff/Ben since Ethan already heard about it. Best show on youtube for me as usual guys.

[@Ecirtapdb]

I don't know if someone aready said that, but McFarlend made an arthernate logo for the Edmonton Oilers (his favourite hockey team) in the early 2000's. The team reuse it for their Reverse Retro this year.

[@derekgreen7319]

Spawn was the reason I got into comics for real lol I remember I bought a long box full of comics at a garage sale and I was so super excited

[@UziNineMillomeetah]

Discount Metallica? These dudes are clearly not metalheads.

[@hast0408]

Spawn was the best, most original, and by far coolest comic of the 90’s

[@Sicod79]

I never got into the comics...but did see the movie and enjoy the HBO cartoon.

[@bernadetteewertz1662]

Favorite version of Spawn? Spawn trailer Spawn. Jumping down from the building with his cg cloak billowing. That is the coolest Spawn has ever been lol

[@TommyBaysMusic]

Spawn must be phenomenon somewhat still. 10k views in 1 day, well done gentlemen!👏👏👏

[@quinlewis4314]

The HBO series and the Dreamcast (eat that nostalgia) game.

[@redranger-x1w]

Years later listening to this but you asked why did Todd buy the homerun balls, Todd was actually a college baseball player so he is a big baseball fan.

[@flywheelshyster]

oh my god i totally had the mortal kombat film soundtrack when I was 14 or 15 when it came out too Ben

[@keikurono192]

The best version of Spawn will always be the HBO animated series. Because they took it seriously like it was a crime drama and it was well written enough and atmospheric enough and they ejected all the comic book bullshit.

[@comicsmisexplained]

Lol I remember watching the Spawn cartoon for the first time and instantly thinking of the Crypt Keeper. Awesome impression Sal 😆

[@TommyWest.]

I'd love to see more episodes like this.

[@thedruid1151]

Spawn was my second comic obsession after spiderman. He was the coolest. I agree completely that the story fell apart more as the story went along, until it became a mess.

[@DavidTSmith-jn5bs]

In answer to the topic question, I liked the movie better because it was a coherent story albeit a derivative one. It was kind of like Ghost Rider as a manipulated soldier (a la Punisher) attempting to get back at his corrupt general as well as his "handler" (Violator/Clown). The comics and the animated series lost me completely due to the convoluted plotlines. I saw "images" of the toys and said "Are you kidding?!? I've seen better monster toys at Chiller Con!" Basically, Todd is a good illustrator and a lousy storyteller who would rather make toys and "play with them" than be a true myth-maker. Another great installment! You should definitely do spinoff series that present background summaries of popular characters and their legacies.

[@jaredwhite1963]

This is awesome I’ve never read Spawn before and learning more about it was really cool

[@ironballistics]

For me it was the toy line. I remember people collecting them and covering their walls and being so impressed with my dumb child brain. The 90s was a hell of a time.

[@flywheelshyster]

Oh Sal! Can't you imagine it...2024....A Best of the Worst spotlight episode, the newest film ever to be on the show, 2022's Spawn...written and directed by Todd MacFarlane, the near perfect combination that brought us GETEVEN, Alien Private Eye, and the films of Breen.... it'll be a glorious day my friend!

[@YTLawnGnome]

Iced Earth has made some incredible concept albums and I love that The Dark Saga has comic art. Also love Horror Show and A Glorious Burden. Who doesn't love a 23 minute long song about The Battle of Gettysburg?

[@crunson2000]

ICED EARTH! DARK SAGA! YES! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, SAL, FOR TALKING ABOUT ICED EARTH'S ALBUM, DARK SAGA!

[@crunson2000]

P.S. GREAT McFarlane impression, Sal. And I would LOVE if ComicPOP did more vids discussing comic book history like you all did in this vid.

[@maxsilva5667]

Totally down for more episodes of creator/industry history.

[@williamgazca6641]

Oh man 😭 iced earth dark saga that takes me back to middle school...."a pawn in Lucifer's game ...am I." 🤘 I would highly recommend checking out iced earth's days of purgatory album also.

[@dieboyandy5150]

There was an amazing Cerebus/TMNT crossover in the 80's I read the shit out of when I was younger, it was fucking AMAZING and hilarious, and was a gateway drug to me for Cerebus, I went out immediately and went out to get as macy issues my brother and I could find!

[@Mrgokujr2012]

My first experience of Spawn was the movie when I was 4 or 5 years old. I didn't even know Spawn was a comic until a decade or so later. I read the first 10 issues of the comic and I thought it was okay, but it's amazing that Spawn is still ongoing to this day. It's especially cool that it's a long-running comic book with a POC protagonist.

[@NovaZiggyStardust]

SPAWN IS BACK ON COMICPOP

[@driftingswordsmanzer]

Cartoon spawn, comic spawn, my favorite version of spawn was Al Simmons OG spawn and Medieval Spawn/Cogliostro are my favorite spawns.

[@chisasa9509]

More Spawn?!? Sweet! Him and Ghost Rider need a Back Issues.

[@Redem10]

I like how it's basically more about Todd McFarlane than Spawn

Spawn is going to be on Mortal Kombat 11, by the way great vídeo guys

[@darrenhoner9579]

I say it goes to Ethan for PhenomaSpawn, even tho Ben's rolls off the tongue better.

[@senshireid]

I was a Big fan of Spawn I still have the HBO series on DVD, Spawn movie Soundtrack and the first Spawn toy.