Todd McFarlane on Stan Lee | SYFY WIRE

Image Comics co-found, Spawn creator and all around comics legend Todd McFarlane shares his thoughts on Stan Lee - including his opinion on some unfair criticism he feels Lee has gotten.
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More About Todd McFarlane: Todd McFarlane is a Canadian-American comic book creator and entrepreneur, best known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and the horror-fantasy series Spawn. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McFarlane became a comic book superstar due to his work on Marvel Comics' Spider-Man franchise, on which he was the artist to draw the first full appearances of the supervillain Venom. In 1992, he helped form Image Comics, pulling the occult anti-hero character Spawn from his high school portfolio and updating him for the 1990s.
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Todd McFarlane on Stan Lee | SYFY WIRE
/ syfywire

[@jaywolfenstien]

"I'm not going to begrudge other creative people when there's a bigger enemy to have a conversation about." Todd McFarlane, you are my hero.

[@allnamesaretakenful]

I don't like it. It remind me of the show The Shield where when asked about Vick Mackey, "I don't judge other cops." The character didn't care what horrible things he did, and didn't want to know. That's what Todd sounds like.

[@sirperybLakeney]

Well I don't think that Lee was a scumbag and the griping by people like Kirby and Ditko over the years has never been very convincing about Stan's supposed crimes. McFarlane OTOH has an appalling record of hypocrisy and theft and I would've enjoyed the interviewer asking some Qs about Neil Gaiman at this point.

[@AliFareedMC]

@@sirperybLakeney oh taking credit for other people's ideas and writing throught The Marvel Method is not convincing?

[@jonathanisrael1707]

@@AliFareedMC I'm sure lying like you are is

[@thekalebmann]

One time I saw an interview for a red carpet for one of the marvel films and Stan literally teared up and said "If only Jack could've seen this" that moment was one of the most humbling things I've ever witnessed. It made me tear up, I know that.

[@davidgraham8299]

Kaleb Manning kinda proves stan had no enmity towards jack just a lot of love and respect.

[@badfoody]

Bullshit The man is a fraud

[@AliFareedMC]

That Remind me of what Bob Kane said "Now that my long-time friend and collaborator is gone, I must admit that Bill never received the fame and recognition he deserved,"

[@astrangehero]

That made me tear up too. While I do think Stan took more credit than he deserved, it wasn't all his fault. The artists he worked with had the system working against them... Stan just had the charisma to be known. He is a comics icon.

[@badfoody]

@@astrangehero and Stan Lee perpetuated that system

[@pulsarstargrave256]

I AGREE 100 percent with Todd, it's INFURIATING whenever I hear SOME fans pit one creator against another, like they're arguing over Superman v. The Hulk! Bad enough when it's immature 12 or 13 year olds but whenever it's people in their 20s and 30s, it's pathetic!

[@boxerblake1]

Met both Stan & Todd at the Expo last year. Terrific gents.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

RIP Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they are both so great I love them.

[@followthewhiterabbit2549]

Steve Ditko: am I a joke for you?

[@bustermcgee7403]

The reason why everyone who read the books in the sixties and seventies, the pre Claremont and Miller era thinks Stan Lee was central is because of Stan Lee's Soapbox. He directly addressed us every month in a column in the center of every book. All the info came from Stan. He was the Keeper of the Flame. 'Nuff said.

[@badfoody]

fraud keeper

[@flickrebeat8936]

​@@badfoodythat Part, but I never Trusted Him, cause you can't be on Every Comic Book ever, that's impossible Its like I could feel Him Being like "This was All Me guys, All my idea"

[@speeknoevil1803]

Wow...This is not the Todd I remember from the 90's. He really has mellowed with age. "Nuff Said"

[@Scorpion-oz2ns]

@@evanlee6644 he got old

[@torpedoboy4]

True. He was my idol back when I was in high school (1988 - 1992). Shortly afterwards, I saw some interviews that made him seem sorta pompous and not so likable. 30 years later, he is a totally different guy. I really appreciate his generosity in sharing industry insights. He has really come into his role as a mentor for a new generation of artists and creatives.

[@akaiseigo]

Todd grows up to be a humbling man. Nice..

[@chaz0407]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[@Hell_Inc]

that's is straight up talk right there. congrats to Todd

[@stuffthings9618]

People who bash on Stan Lee saying hes selfish are idiots. He's said countless times that he wasn't the main creator of the MARVEL universe. But because he's been the most consistent face of the company since the very beginning people assume hes power hungry. Stan literally has not had creative input on comics since like the 90s.

[@williamwatson4354]

When I was 10 years old back in 1967, my dream was to meet Stan and Jack. Fortunately due to conventions I got my wish. An important thing to remember is the readers knew who wrote, and drew, and Inked and lettered the books. Not every company was so upfront with its talent. And I'm fairly certain that was due to Stan.

[@middleman9183]

....it was 👍

[@GamerArtTv]

People forget at one point Stan Lee was booted from Marvel and they didn’t want to give Stan Lee rights to the characters

[@thereallycool]

I've met both Stan Lee and Todd on multiple occasions. Both are Legends, Both are worthy. Excelsior!!!

[@langreeves6419]

So glad to finally hear someone make the point that Stan never owned the characters either.

[@NoConsistency]

Stan Lee was also the extrovert working with introverts. Part of the reason he became the face of marvel is because of how animated and excited he was to speak in interviews. He was as iconic as any of his characters.

[@KonohazFinest]

I'm glad I got a chance to meet and take a picture with Stan what a genuine pleasure.

[@lex_rodriguez]

God bless Todd. He spoke straight up facts.

[@DigitalOdyssey3001]

Well said Todd! Let's stop putting creative people against creative people when neither owns the characters! Stan is a legend.

[@TCMECH79]

Most people fail to understand that Stan Lee was the last of the original marvel comics crew

[@gokhanersan8561]

I am living in my little time capsule when Stan and Jack were writing the most magnificent comic book stories through the pages of Fantastic Four. In my little world the Marvel cinematic universe does not exist, it can not defame, or blemish the greatness of the original art and the original stories.

[@bandag78]

Well said

[@Official930Studios]

Godbless you, Todd

[@leighfoulkes7297]

What the hell is he talking about?! Steve Ditko died in 2018! I don't think he wanted to be in the limelight but still. Stan Lee might have been a guy I would have like a lot more than the other creators but he always got more credit over the other guys (alive or dead). Stan Lee might have done 1/4 of the work but always got at least 80% of the credit for the creations.

[@followthewhiterabbit2549]

1/4 of the whole job is very accurate.

[@leonahlstrom4726]

He didn't mean that all of them are dead just that most of them are. John Romita Sr is still alive and kicking to this day

[@Rob_Shoot]

Lee was a very people person while most of the artists weren't. Great example is/was Ditko.

[@followthewhiterabbit2549]

Jack Kirby was a very social and kind person too. The difference is that Jack was working and creating characters and stories. He was a workaholic and the mind behind Marvel. Meanwhile Stan Lee was enjoying the fame and glory for being the goofy mascot of Marvel Comics.

[@JordanWheeler1999]

@@followthewhiterabbit2549 Stan Lee created the name of marvel, Jack Kirby was in timely comics which was rebuilt as marvel, jack did create characters of his own but it didn't effect like Stan Lee did. Stan Lee is a mascot but he does do things LOTS more than Jack Kirby ever had

[@Gamer-lq4wl]

@@JordanWheeler1999 First of all, Stan Lee did not create the word "MARVEL" That word already existed in Timely Comics, actually one of the company comics is named "Marvel Comics" from 1939 which the original Human Torch created by Carl Burgos appeared for the first time and Namor appeared in that comic too. After the first issue that comic change its name to "Marvel Mystery Comics" and run 92 issues. Secondly, Stan Lee as an editor had not the power to rebrand the name's company, so Stan Lee had to ask and convince the owner of the company Martin Goodman to change it. It seems he did, Atlas Comics was rebranded as Marvel. You know that Timely Comics > Atlas Comics > MARVEL thing right?

[@JordanWheeler1999]

​@@Gamer-lq4wl yes I know that timely comics became atlas and then became marvel comics... you are right and I respect that fact but to me in my mind without Stan Lee marvel isn't what it is today. what I'm saying is only in marvel Stan was the main to go guy that imagines what's going on in marvel comics, so I respect the others as well too... but we also have to respect the fact that Stan the man keeps on pushing/kicking to allow marvel to stay alive, remember that the MAIN two creators allowed Stan Lee to take over? so that "they will find someone later on to take over" which never happened.

[@telekmetyk]

@@JordanWheeler1999 Name me one great character that that Stan created on his own? Would you like me to start naming all the characters that Kirby, Ditko etc went on to create solely by themselves?

[@ShadowEquinox1982]

Angela was a great brutal character in spawn till marvel got her and made a ****ing joke of the character

[@sirperybLakeney]

Hmmmm. Neil Gaiman anybody?

[@tritonlockjaw284]

That has nothing to do with this video, especially since Neil Gaiman created her.

[@kravenbludd]

Stan Lee seemed like one of the nicest people ever.

[@geigercourtier]

They always do. One of the easiest things to do is lie

[@Heathboy420]

Adam seems like you speak from experience

[@michaelhuebner6843]

Stan Lee being so nice is why so many people took advantage of him, just like Todd McFarlane's dad.

[@kravenbludd]

@@michaelhuebner6843 I was very saddened when I heard about the elder abuse he suffered.

[@andokomando]

As great as stan was there are pieces out there that speak on how he was back in the day. He was an old white man from the 20th century.... i think everyone can figure out what i mean by that.

[@jasonkeller4929]

I’ve always been a huge fan of Todd Mcfarlane

[@OfficialKiotakuAC]

Thank you, Todd. You're part of my childhood too.

[@JerkComic]

Great little snippet! Interesting to compare this to his interactions and opinion on Lee since the 90's. I think that a lot of people are unnecessarily angry at Lee for hurting people like Ditko and Kirby personally - I however think it's more of a situation where he abused his position and refused credit where due for far too long. He's nearing a 100 and it does little good to throw stones at this point, but I for one really would like him to be honest and set the record straight about who created what and when and how it happened. Unfortunately that will never happen, but if he had just stuck up for, or somehow defended especially Kirby during his final years I think there'd be a lot less anger directed towards Stan.

[@gbrogo7139]

Roman Rathert too late now

[@JerkComic]

GB Rogo he would never have admitted it anyways. I thought it was highly ironic I found and watched this the night before his passing, but I stand by my sentiment and statement for sure. Hope him and Kirby are knocking back some brews in the Negative Zone or something.

[@Htownblokhedz]

@@JerkComic that's a nice thought

[@Wolvieonepunch]

Well said Todd, well said.

[@mr.dccomics9018]

Legends

[@CruderQuotient1]

Amen

[@OliversWorld333]

TODD MCFARLANE, you ARE a freaking rock star. I had almost every action figure growing up from marvel, marvel 2000, etc but in the end one of 3 action figures would always be victorious...Medieval Spawn, The Redeemer or Tremor...enough said. 😈😎😇

[@lukeskywalker6809]

500 years from now people will remember one name from the comics industry: Stan Lee.

[@siddharthadas6481]

which is a shame because like bob kane he too was a moocher

[@langreeves6419]

@@siddharthadas6481 he was no bob kane

[@langreeves6419]

Even though Stan always praised the artists, Stan will be the one remembered. He did so much to make comics respectable and acceptable for adults. I wish Kirby was more remembered, but that doesn't mean I don't understand. The person in charge is the one remembered. And what a bigger than life charismatic personality Stan had.

[@SkittleXero]

Just glad we got the characters that people aspire to be. End of the day it's not who got this or who got that, the fact we have comic books and superheroes that we do is what I love.

[@matty7006]

I have Allen bellmans auto as well

[@TheChinatownkid]

Jack Kirby was screwed over by Marvel

[@JordanWheeler1999]

no, not really it just which over to dc to do other stuff

[@robertbelchick8263]

And went over to DC to create Darksied and The New Gods.

[@ComicJunkie]

@@JordanWheeler1999 no he was. They robbed him of his creative freedom there

[@ComicJunkie]

@@robertbelchick8263 ye he was planning on moving to D.C. two years before he actually did. He was planning a contract with some guy called Carmine infantino at the time. Carmine infantino was an artist at the time. And he was planning Jack’s escape from marvel. It was when Carmine infantino became the editor and publisher at DC that the contract was finally made. Kirby came to D.C. and they left him be

[@Present4]

Only just realised that Todd's facial profile looks like Spidey's

[@Caine7ify]

Amen.

[@joelbresko4532]

Damn right 👍

[@Atamus0579]

yeah, its not stan fault he just took credit for jack kirby's creations.

[@scotiancoast3648]

Kirby definitely doesn't get the credit he deserves. Alot of the kids reading comics today don't even know who he is but at least we still have Stan. The world will be a very sad place when he passes away.

[@BoiseyMusic]

We are very sad now

[@vassa1972]

Interesting

[@jamescarter938]

Rock on Todd!!!

[@fartguy69]

Good point Todd.

[@mexifro28]

I told you!!!

[@wednesday567]

well spawn is basically spiderman with a cape,

[@babyboomer2670]

There are closer comparisons you could of noted, instead you mention Spider-Man....wow.

[@MisterUnknown707]

That is the most retarded comparison I've ever heard in my whole life. Do you even know who Spawn is? Cause you obviously don't, since you're making that dumbass comparison.

[@chriscorley6478]

Knock! Knock! ☕🎥🤗

[@drrd4127]

Steve Ditko died in the same year as Stan 5 months before Stan. Steve was the creator of Spiderman which, was created by Steve.

[@TheVamxie]

You said the same thing twice you ok?

[@dacudo91]

RIP Stan Lee

[@ComicsLegend]

Even when the other creators were still alive Stan still had the spotlight and overshadowed them.

[@davidgraham8299]

ComicsLegend it's not Stan's fault that he knew how to play the hand he was dealt better than other people did. He was smart and made good decisions where others maybe didn't.

[@JerkComic]

@@davidgraham8299 I think a lot of people, including Kirby's wife who even tried to stop Jack from talking to him later in life afraid he would get talked into something again, dislike Lee because he was in a position to make sure other people got credit and were treated fairly - but he never took up that baton. Is that his responsibility? No. But when you're reaping the rewards of other people's work, and in many cases downplaying their involvement (and don't tell me he didn't do this, it was like pulling teeth not to get some sort of "but I feel like" or something when he gave Ditko co-creation credit on Spider-Man) I think you really owe it to them to make sure they're taken care of as much as you can; he didn't do that. He's no Bob Kane, and I don't think he Bill Fingered anyone (haha, get it?) but to act like he's blameless or an angel is silly. Sticking him up on a cross at 100 years old is doing no one any good and I think it muddies the waters for people who really want to just know the truth about who made what and stuff, but acting like he's blameless in the role of downplaying other creators involvements isn't really the route either. I hope I'm half as controversial as this guy is at 50 - and I have to say my heart kinda goes out to Stan seeing him get propped up at cons and mistreated by his staff who're supposed to be taking care of him...

[@AliFareedMC]

@@davidgraham8299 "It's not Stan Lee's Fault" is shittiest excuse people come up with to defend stan lee since "Stan Lee is/was Old"

[@144wychwood]

McFarlane has Interesting take regarding criticism against Stan Lee. Lee outlived so many of other guys so he continued to be face of Marvel and ergo he got all kudos. Still, I always wondered if back in the day, Stan fought hard on behalf of Kirby and Ditko to get them their just desserts.

[@AliFareedMC]

he fought against them

[@dechefmane3526]

@@AliFareedMC t

[@michaelwright8896]

I thought it wasn't out of malice but greed.

[@onionsavoya7543]

Says a CEO

[@mr.rothstein461]

Non creatives leading creatives. Shame. Wish a global talent strike would happen. Let the money see who actually makes the money

[@FlyingMitch]

Ditko could have been in the limelight but he chose to stay private I don’t blame Stan Lee for any of that people made there choices in so

[@jeffreyconyers8735]

STAN LEE, built Atlas into Marvel, if honest he wrote the thought process of all characters. And in some cases created a few heroes with Kirby that here today. If fans hating them it's because when you take a side you not honest about the truth of why you did it? Just because you a fan of whoever.

[@followthewhiterabbit2549]

Lol, you have no idea what are you are talking about. Research about the "Marvel Method". You would surprise to know that Stan Lee did not work with full scripts, he came with rough or basic ideas of a character or story and gave artists a total freedom to create what they wanted to create. Specially to Jack Kirby. Jack Kirby created most of the stories and characters. Stan Lee just edited the dialogs in the comics.

[@AliFareedMC]

Actually Jack Kirby Built Atlas into Marvel, Stan Lee stole ideas from Jack Kirby like Challengers of The Unknown that was the bases for Fantastic Four where Stan Lee's Origin had four versions, 1. Martin Goodman 2.JLA 3.His Wife 4. He wanted to quit like the inconsistency

[@Launchpad05]

Actually, Steve Ditko is still alive.

[@ihategoogle6066]

notice he said "vast majority" had passed away. Try listening next time

[@Lone432345]

Steve Ditko seems like the "want to be left alone" type. They did a documentary about him a few years back. Neil Gaiman went to his offices. They did talk to Ditko. But Ditko wouldn't let bring up cameras. He doesn't seem to like the limelight like Stan dose.

[@Dangerous2099]

Ditko is a recluse, one of a kind.

[@Kinobambino]

@ParadoxPixels he passed away? RIP

[@CerealOwl]

Marc Baker ... hmmmm. ...

[@ImChrisAnderson]

Still has that bias for the face of corporate submission himself, Stan Lee. That's a weakness, Todd no matter how much affection you've got.

[@petermj1098]

Stan mentored other artists and writers after Kirby and Ditko left, and those artists and writers ended up making famous characters themselves. Yet you think Stan did nothing for Marvel and wasn’t competent in writing?

[@rawpotatoes7480]

Todd my fav. Stan rode on every ones back honestly

[@lukeskywalker6809]

That’s a very stupid thing to say. Who invented Spider-Man and all the other classic superheroes to be then drawn by those great artists? And who wrote the stories? Think before you write, man.

[@Novaargh]

1:39 Lieber got all the limelight back then as well. Kirby was happy working on HIS character the entire day, Lieber got asked for interviews, because he could talk the ears of every one that was holding a mic. And took the credit even if it wasn't given, he just claimed it, heck he tought even Captain America was his creation, he wasn't even working for marvel at that time, he was the kid getting coffee for Jack And Joe.. Sickening that some one eventually placing balloons on pages, becoming the face of an industry still felt the need to hog all the credit for work he had nothing to very little to do with. Hell, that is for batum the marvel method, leave the work to the creators like jack and Steve. When you have creators like JAck and Steve, you can do that, fuck don't step in and claim the credit for the work! If i knew this when i was a little kid, i'd never would have held 'stan lee' in such high regard.. Kirby and ditko all the way.

[@beholdthecakola]

Stan didn't even do the lettering in the balloons.

[@RespawnRestricted]

Even if they were around to share it he would take all the credit anyway like he always has

[@matty7006]

I want Todd’s auto I have stans

[@Heathboy420]

Todd mcfarlane seems like a complex dude.

[@d00med74]

👽

[@mariomouse8265]

Todd MacFarlane’s Opinion on Stan Lee is either a reflection of how unfairly Stan was treated, even considering Jack Kirby’s situation, or Todd’s gross hypocrisy regarding Neil Gaiman and Image. Both situations are not mutually exclusive.

[@KTHREE31]

💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽💀👽

[@selfiekroos1777]

Did Todd get sick

[@JordanWheeler1999]

no he always had that tone of voice

[@jrios662]

That's the most intelligent and correct thing I ever heard this guy saying. Too bad he's just about to Massacre spawn.

[@ThisAintNickelodeon]

Stan wrote the books. He was the primary creator with backup from the artists.

[@followthewhiterabbit2549]

LOL ! 😂😂😂 Stan Lee edited the dialogs, he did not write the stories. In fact Jack Kirby left dialog suggestions on the margins of the artwork for Stan Lee so he could do his job. You need to research more my friend.

[@marcustmachado]

terrible voice, great speech.

[@mikemercury5654]

Well Stan's dead now too.

[@ylacprovido3782]

I think he's happier in the after life now

[@slashandbones13]

Mcfarlane is no saint but he isn't the pointless edgelord he was a long time ago.

[@NerveWorks]

Stan didn't do enough to stick up for Kirby, so I feel nothing for him! Todd's excuse was weak af.

[@DKLGalactus5]

I don't respect people who take all the credit of the true artist. I don't like stan lee.

[@whatisup89]

stan lee is evil

[@robertbeerbohm1800]

Lee was a grifter conman who created Mr Presents.