Legendary comic book artist and co-founder of Image Comics Todd McFarlane visits WIRED to answer your questions from Twitter. Which comic book from Todd’s personal collection is his favorite? Should comics and graphic novels be considered literature? What does the script for a comic book look like? Todd answers these questions and more (and demonstrates how to draw Venom!)
Director: Lisandro Perez-Rey
Director of Photography: Grant Bell
Editor: Louville Moore
Expert: Todd McFarlane
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas
Production Manager: Peter Brunette
Production Coordinator: Kevin Balash
Camera Operator: Lucas Vilicich
Audio: Kari Barber
Production Assistant: Jordan Crucchiola
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Courtney Karwal
Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►►
Listen to the Get WIRED podcast ►►
Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►►
Follow WIRED:
Instagram ►►
Twitter ►►
Facebook ►►
Also, check out the free WIRED channel on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
ABOUT WIRED
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized.
Daniel Villalobos
July 18, 2023 at 6:44 pm
As an illustrator myself, I think feet are probably just as hard (or easy depending on your skill) to draw as hands.
David Tang
July 18, 2023 at 6:57 pm
Was not expecting to see Todd’s socks today.
Frogman
July 18, 2023 at 6:58 pm
This is random. Is that new Spawn thing finally actually super seriously coming out this time?
dav is Wiggin
July 18, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Great Q&A. Todd is a love him or hate him kind of guy (I’m not a fan, for the record) but the man is one of the most successful people in comics and knows what he’s talking about.
toyman70 reviews
July 18, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Todd singlehandlely changed the action figure detail game for the better for everybody.
Phyy yyer
July 18, 2023 at 7:23 pm
Monsters don’t go to dentist? Is Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors a joke to you?
Mike K
July 18, 2023 at 7:36 pm
That question about comics being literature. It’s modern day mythology. If Homer is literature, so is Jack Kirby.
Ethan Mudford
July 18, 2023 at 7:42 pm
Nick Mullen talking about this guy is hilarious
Gary Dunion
July 18, 2023 at 7:43 pm
Batman isn’t a fascist. But Frank Miller is.
jacobwest7
July 18, 2023 at 7:45 pm
I would actually argue against the Superman criticism, hes a boy scout because hes a super hero so it makes sense, his incredible abilities are shared by his foes so though he can spin planets on his fingers he cant beat Darkseid half the time. He isnt that flawed but his boy scout nature is something to inspire and for us to try and be more like and he has a positive influence on those he comes into contact with.
fakeflarez
July 18, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Listen to this man talking about Superman. He is right, he is boring. Thats why Snyder went with that darker version, he shook that cage of his as Todd mentions later. Gunn doesnt get it.
Murphy
July 18, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Todd didn’t get that jab at his toy designs… “arms that stretch into next week”……
I understood that reference.
Zack Efret
July 18, 2023 at 8:00 pm
More ! More ! More !
Zeroo
July 18, 2023 at 8:09 pm
First question is only a matter of luck, right place at the right time. Look at ONE for example, one punch man mangaka. His drawings were HORRIBLE, a great artist came across it and liked it, asked to redraw it and now it’s one of the most well known anime of all time
proboz
July 18, 2023 at 8:16 pm
1:13
Absolutely gormless question.
Todd McFarlane is my favorite man in the comic book business. Sorry, Stan.
Amanda
July 18, 2023 at 8:16 pm
The Todd Father!
inż. Tomasz Kiraga
July 18, 2023 at 8:20 pm
In my childhood i was having acces only to the EUROPEAN comic books, later they appeared DC and Marvel. Nothing quite speciall stories like stories to read in the bathroom. Books are more intersting.
Majin Isy
July 18, 2023 at 8:23 pm
6:48 oh hey it’s me
Nice
My GenX Nostalgia
July 18, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Absolutely awesome interview. McFarlane is a creative genius. I collected all of the early Spidey, Spawn and Image comics back in the day.
J'sDesireForAKittycatPersists
July 18, 2023 at 8:38 pm
I could listen to Todd talk about comics and and advocate for the industry all day, while also lowkey being a salesman. It’s great. 🤣
Jeffrey Johnson
July 18, 2023 at 8:39 pm
I bought the issue of the Hulk as a kid where the Wolverine first appeared. Wish I knew what happened to it…
Angi Dudas
July 18, 2023 at 9:07 pm
Bring him back for more! Also thank you for highlighting comics!
1Tride
July 18, 2023 at 9:19 pm
That story about Spawn’s costume is funny lol 😆
Stelladona Confredo Butler
July 18, 2023 at 9:22 pm
He is great, DONT DRAW PERFECT TEETH, LMAO
Diego Correa
July 18, 2023 at 9:29 pm
I like Todd, but not gonna lie, the man’s wrong about Superman
zenitram
July 19, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Todd and Tarantino have the exact same vibes but with different topics haha XD
Dynaguy
July 19, 2023 at 6:31 pm
Great video until he said Superman is boring. This will just perpetuate that dumb idea
Robson Y.
July 19, 2023 at 6:34 pm
I’m fascinated by this man
mcfarlanect
July 19, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Haha! Hulk 340 was one of my favorite covers!
JOE FAQURSELF
July 19, 2023 at 6:36 pm
The Toddfather
King Salazar MCMXC
July 19, 2023 at 6:40 pm
the watchmen graphic novel is included on many of the “greatest American Novel” lists… LITERATURE
NexusARC
July 19, 2023 at 6:57 pm
I LOVE YOU TOD!!!
Hela
July 19, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Legend
TFoxRNG
July 19, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Todd McFarlane calling Superman boring is an L
I write Checks at the grocery store. So?
July 19, 2023 at 7:13 pm
I like how he sort of answered the questions but it was still super interesting haha
Red Comet
July 19, 2023 at 7:17 pm
The most *influential* Spider-Man artist ever ✍️
RickDomZeke
July 19, 2023 at 7:17 pm
I 100% agree with his take on Superman! A boring perfect OP character that does no wrong and is always the “good guy”.
odinson99m
July 19, 2023 at 7:22 pm
The GOAT!
Ian Wight
July 19, 2023 at 7:30 pm
1:15 – When you know the history between MacFarlane and a close friend of his who’ve had their differences (they now seem to have buried the hatchet), you can see why he laughs so much at this
Jacob Carlson
July 19, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Despite the fact that he never _really_ answered most of the questions that were actually asked, I learned so much! 😂
c
July 19, 2023 at 7:37 pm
“Superman is boring”
no… Todd, just… no.
then again it makes sense why you have a ZSJL Superman figure and not a comic version of him.
Saman kucher (baron of bees)
July 19, 2023 at 7:46 pm
bro …. thos guy os actually funny more of him please :3
6eight
July 19, 2023 at 7:57 pm
Question: why are current artists/writers destroying established characters to meet certain “political” agendas instead of making a new character?
Bettis C
July 19, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Teach me how to ruin another Comic artists career with reputation destruction like you did with Rob please
RezRising
July 19, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Alan Moore and Neil Gaimen both wrote essays on how to write a comic.
Gaimen described it as, “a love letter to the artist.”
Riley Pearson
July 19, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Respect I just like the picture 😂
Gumercindo BR
July 19, 2023 at 8:40 pm
you guys at wired nailed it by bringing Todd into one of these. His art is phenomenal.
Rob Malford
July 19, 2023 at 9:13 pm
What an annoying man.
Abraham Ramirez
July 19, 2023 at 9:15 pm
One of the truest things I’ve ever heard Todd say is that most new things whether it’s cars, phones, comics, etc don’t necessarily get better. They get sexier and most of the time that’s all it takes to catch people’s interest.
Jetboy3000
July 19, 2023 at 9:18 pm
I need a cape designed by this man
John Coxtolstoy
July 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm
I love that he mentions the webbing, cos one of the things I was always most fascinated by as a kid was Todd’s crazy webbing in every Spidey comic he penned
sleepalaska
July 21, 2023 at 4:38 pm
heres a question…why the heck dont we get more mcfarlane content?!?!
inisipisTV
July 21, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Apologize to your Mom, Todd.
I’ll buy you’re Mom’s drawn comic written by Shakespeare. 😂
Akrexos
July 21, 2023 at 5:02 pm
bro has no chill, he disrepected both his dog and his mom in 35 seconds
Charles Murphy
July 21, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Thanks to WIRED for bringing this absolute legend to the show.
Jonah Harris
July 21, 2023 at 5:18 pm
“Don’t put perfect teeth on monsters. THEY DON’T GO TO DENTIST” 😂
Amanda
July 21, 2023 at 5:29 pm
I have a BA in literature and had multiple lit professors assign comic books. They are 100% literature.
CASA BLACK
July 21, 2023 at 5:34 pm
Fkin legend!!!! ❤
Capt'Wes Starwind
July 21, 2023 at 5:35 pm
He is my favourite nerd.
Imchautzu CHAUTZU!
July 21, 2023 at 5:37 pm
1:55 bro was about to stop the Saiyan invasion with this pose!
Imchautzu CHAUTZU!
July 21, 2023 at 5:41 pm
5:21 Tite Kubo: HAH! Color is for the WEAK!
jake longstaff
July 21, 2023 at 5:49 pm
tbf superman isnt perfect especially in modern iterations
Imchautzu CHAUTZU!
July 21, 2023 at 5:55 pm
14:19-14:21 that last one only matters if you are an expert in measuring “Gomu distance”, I have only ever seen 1 action figure in my life that was able to stretch 72 Gomu’s!
DMario Isa.
July 21, 2023 at 5:59 pm
He was answering questions that weren’t asked, like is he on coke? 😂 I wonder why he doesnt talk about his time at DC???
Thats when i noticed his rule breaking style
Gator
July 21, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Why wont he draw spawn anymore
ido peretz
July 21, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Absolutely fantastic
huge fan of Todd
SGT_Iceman Man
July 21, 2023 at 6:38 pm
“Monsters dont have perfect teeth, cause they dont goto dentist.”
deee Beee
July 21, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Draw Batman. Add some Spiderman. Venomize. And now trapezoids, baby, just draw a whole heap of trapezoids until the cape looks like it’s 30 feet long. Voila, Spawn.
Flame Forged Soul
July 21, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Wonderful and classy Todd, well done. We will take minor issue re: Scorsese and the MCU. His lament was akin to how many would feel if Fine Dining (or even Greasy Spoons and beloved local favorites) were to be completely overtaken by McDonalds. Some days you want Filet Mignon, others a Big Mac. Most days something simple, local and relatively healthy. Marvel movies suddenly had everyone wanting to serve nothing but Big Macs _all the time_ .
Scwagglehorn Bieber
July 21, 2023 at 7:58 pm
2:02 He wasn’t wearing shoes to the interview🤣🤣🤣
Poly The Wicked
July 21, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Spawn was the first real comic book movie I loved. Venom is one of my favorite characters.
Spider Criminal
July 21, 2023 at 8:25 pm
14:20 ironic
Keizi Cinema
July 21, 2023 at 8:43 pm
“I’m gonna tell u a character that k think is boring to me, Superman. He’s perfect, he says everything right, has the power to spin planets on his finger and he’s a Boy Scout”. It really does sadden me how much modern supes media has made these criticisms more and more true. Superman is more than just a one dimensional overpowered character. He’s an example, a character I love so much and means a lot. And hopefully Superman Legacy can show that.
Bangerangin Retroman
July 21, 2023 at 9:25 pm
What a great video, he really packed a lot into 15 minutes. Love Todd.
RakuraiMaster
July 21, 2023 at 9:26 pm
I knew he was gonna mention TWD when he said image comics, idk why but I just knew.
Church of Satan
July 25, 2023 at 4:31 pm
When’s the new spawn movie coming out?
Tim Evatt
July 25, 2023 at 4:56 pm
More Please!!! Thanks Todd!
Satan
July 25, 2023 at 5:44 pm
Bro this guy is so passionate about his craft. He is a total punk yet he is so likeable lol. Love this guy!
smalls9852
July 25, 2023 at 6:06 pm
They don’t go to dentists! Rofl, he is a legend
Metal overload
July 25, 2023 at 6:09 pm
Bro doesnt get Superman
Ashe's Crafting Corner
July 25, 2023 at 7:17 pm
I’ve never been a big Spawn fan
But I LOVE this mans art
His Spider-man art is some of my favorites of all time
Mr Ambiguous
July 25, 2023 at 7:51 pm
Awesome,interesting,thanks,stay blessed and all in Jesus shalom
Figg Nootens Figures!
July 25, 2023 at 8:34 pm
I just think it’s hilarious that he’s in his socks doing this interview lol #bossmoves
Gabriel Rodriguez
July 25, 2023 at 11:38 pm
His theory that bad art won’t sell comics is disproven by the entire career of Rob Liefeld
wo go
July 25, 2023 at 11:56 pm
Counterpoint nobody reads art books almost everyone reads the classics, writing > art.
Johnnythekid
July 25, 2023 at 11:56 pm
Todd is so smart. One of my favorite 👏
jacobstar19
July 26, 2023 at 12:05 am
Goat
Chris
July 26, 2023 at 12:22 am
Bro is the biggest living legend
Justice Martinez
July 26, 2023 at 12:25 am
Todd is a comic book legend, but he’s not a great writer and that extends to his views on Superman.
rhoclouds
July 26, 2023 at 12:32 am
9:45 these apply to superman as well! but overall great video
KillerTacos
July 26, 2023 at 12:35 am
Todd looks and sounds like Bob Odenkirk. I absolutely love him
Dee Cee96
July 26, 2023 at 1:51 am
Total icon
John Titor
July 26, 2023 at 3:33 am
People who don’t read (much) comic, made the stupidest claim.
jacobstar19
July 26, 2023 at 4:28 am
Legend
monyetguru
July 26, 2023 at 4:36 am
12:43 love this
haldun dere
July 26, 2023 at 5:30 am
lmao written by shakespeare drawn by my mom.
Aquele Inconveniente
July 26, 2023 at 6:02 am
who TF calls batman a fascist!?
jaklumen
July 26, 2023 at 10:15 am
What took you so long to get back to comics, McFarlane? It seemed to me like it was 30 years.
Allith Galaviz
July 26, 2023 at 11:36 am
They should have covered up Rob Leifield!😅
ShmokeTommy
July 26, 2023 at 11:42 am
i have no idea what the analogy meant in the beginning but i agreed what him
Sky
July 26, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Now put on zeb wells and the editors…
RoboticDragon
July 26, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Todd is amazing. He is such a nice person when you meet him. A genius in comic books.
Anakin Crespin
July 26, 2023 at 4:12 pm
Todd is the best 💪
kyriakosVegeta
July 26, 2023 at 5:47 pm
Superman slander wont be tolerated
John Morris
July 26, 2023 at 5:49 pm
No questions about the spawn reboot?!?!
Aviad D
July 26, 2023 at 6:19 pm
What a great video.
Highball
July 26, 2023 at 7:38 pm
I bumped into Todd at San Diego comic con. It’s funny to me that he was walking around without an escort on the showroom floor… If this was any other con he would have been the biggest crowd draw.
HackneyShark
July 26, 2023 at 7:43 pm
He’s left handed! Yay. I love him even more.
Alejandro Ramirez
July 26, 2023 at 8:08 pm
dude must be one of the nicest people on earth. He made spawn because he was in love and gave him relatability.
Chad Justice
July 26, 2023 at 8:16 pm
The Toddfather gets it lol superman is the most boring superhero ever created.
Jordan Taylor
July 26, 2023 at 8:30 pm
Absolutely Comics are literature! Every university level English course I’ve taken had at least one comic in it! Studied V for Vendetta, Watchmen, even an awesome book about Louis Riel!