McFarlane’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Comics
Posted by Don MacPherson on February 5th, 2009
Todd McFarlane has apparently run out of ideas when it comes to comic books. That’s surprising, since he’s really only had one or two ideas throughout his career thus far.
Image Comics announced a few months ago that McFarlane was going to return to comics storytelling with a new title, penned by Image partner/savior Robert Kirkman. McFarlane’s return to comic art is a significant development. After his meteoric rise at Marvel in the late 1908s/early 1990s, his style and popularity influenced comic art (and especially art on Spider-Man comics) for years to come, and he became the first of a new breed of rock-star-like comic-book creator. He and his fellow Image Comics founders brought creator ownership and profitability together in a way that no others have.
McFarlane’s actual involvement in comics storytelling — especially when it comes to artwork — has waned over the years, and these days, he’s really more of a toy tycoon than a comics creator. As such, McFarlane’s decision to illustrate a comic book again after so many years merits attention and presents Image with a legitimate marketing opportunity. McFarlane fans were no doubt eagerly anticipating what he had in store for them this summer. Unfortunately, it seems they’re getting this:
The above image was released through Comic Book Resources this week, and the site promises more preview art in the coming weeks. Best known for his work on Spider-Man and Spawn, it seems McFarlane’s out to prove he’s a two-trick pony, and now he’s just mashed those two tricks together.
Haunt will no doubt pull in some strong sales numbers, certainly by Image Comics standards, but not like McFarlane’s past efforts, I would imagine. The industry’s a different beast now, and I’m guessing his fans are going to see the limited nature of the artist repertoire.
Todd McFarlane is about to relaunch himself as a comic artist, but it’s really time for him to reinvent himself instead.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Hey, how can you actually critique his comeback without also evaluating his return to Spawn. You’re a journalist (I think)! Look at all the viewpoints and arguments and then make a well rounded and informed view. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear your that your last name really ends with David.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I didn’t know he’d returned to Spawn, not that I’m all that interested.
The point is that McFarlane is mainly known for his work on two characters: Spider-Man and Spawn. After so many years, he launches a new character, and this is the design we get? Are you really suggesting Haunt’s look is inspired at all?
February 6th, 2009 at 7:20 am
i love how that Spawn #8 cover has el Spawno in the exact same pose as Spidey on Spider-Man #1. a self-referential artist, i’m sure he was being tongue-in-cheek, but still, that’s some sweet chutzpah.
anyhoo.. Haunt certainly looks like a mash-up of both of the above characters.. and the pose on that poster is almost cliche McFarlane, but hell, he’s giving the punters what they crave. why shouldn’t he? he has a unique style (not quite so unique these days) which is worth continuing with.
let’s hope the character is interesting but i’ll be buying the first few issues for the artwork alone. looks great.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:36 am
McFarlane’s signature on the Spawn #8 cover also says “after me,” noting that he’s mimicking the pose from Spider-Man #1 on purpose.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I’m sure McFarlane’s thinking the same thing as every other crappy comics creator currently launching new books: How long ’til we make the movie?
Oh, and that cover is ugly. Not scary-ugly, like it’s trying to be, but 80’s-8th-grader-imitates-Pushead-on-his-history-book-cover-ugly.
February 6th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
JM wrote:
Oh, and that cover is ugly. Not scary-ugly, like it’s trying to be, but 80’s-8th-grader-imitates-Pushead-on-his-history-book-cover-ugly.
Well, I don’t believe we know if that teaser image is a cover or not.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
When I first heard about this venture I was intrigued…After seeing the teaser…Not so much. Not that I could draw better, but the character design just seems so uninspired and a clear blending of Spidey and Spawn…
However, before passing judgment on the book as a whole, let’s see how the story shapes up before passing final judgement.
I think to hold people’s interest the book needs more than McFarlane’s “fame” as I don’t think that alone will be able to sustain the title.
I remember reading an interview where McFarlane said something like “When Jim Lee did Divine Right, no one cared”…Perhaps McFarlane’s words will come back to “haunt” him.
It will also be interesting to see what kind of publishing schedule the book has, if McFarlane can do a monthly and how long it can sustain his interest.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Tyler wrote:
However, before passing judgment on the book as a whole, let’s see how the story shapes up
Absolutely. The uninspired nature of McFarlane’s design might not reflect the quality of Kirkman’s plot and script.
It will also be interesting to see what kind of publishing schedule the book has, if McFarlane can do a monthly and how long it can sustain his interest.
I give him three issues.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
And here’s what the story sounds like, according to Kirkman:
Kirkman described Haunt as the story of two brothers: “One dies, haunts the other, and together they become a superhero,” he said. “There’s obviously more to it than that—but that’s the basic premise. It’s a cool horror-themed superhero book. It’ll probably lean more superhero than Spawn does these days.”
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6497519.html
February 6th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Vanja wrote:
Kirkman described Haunt as the story of two brothers: “One dies, haunts the other, and together they become a superhero,” he said.
Sounds like Marvel’s Brother Voodoo. Or a supernatural Firestorm.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Looks like McFarlane forgot his anatomy. Haunt’s right thigh looks like an arm. Maybe it is an arm?
Solid gold!! Order two, one for the bag & board, one for kindling.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
What’s the point of this article, besides having a go at McFarlane? Isn’t it common knowledge McFarlane does not have new ideas. Like reading the articles here, but this one didn’t tell us anything new. Btw, I’m not a Mcfarlane fan.
February 7th, 2009 at 2:16 am
I understand where you’re coming from, Don. I was completely underwhelmed by the teaser image (and his return to Spawn for that matter) and I know we Canadians like to take swipes at Todd. But, then I saw this, and it actually got me pretty excited.
Scripted by Robert Kirkman and pencilled by Ryan Ottley means it’s definitely worth a look.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Thanks for directing our attention to that new article, Ultrapaul. It seems that McFarlane’s not as “back” as I’d originally thought. He’s only providing covers and inks for the series. I guess there’s a shot Haunt will maintain a monthly schedule after all.
February 7th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I should think the Comic Book Resources article is the real story: that after being teased for two years as the return of Todd McFarlane, he’s STILL not penciling.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:34 am
How can they seriously market this as ‘McFarlane’s Back’????
February 8th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I think you have a great style here. I like a lot. I would have missed entirely this news .. I think McFarlane is pretty cool. I used to have a comic book that had a write in from him on the fan page that he did as a kid living in Calgary.
Peace
WW
February 8th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I really hope that stuff is coming out of his thumb
February 8th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Also, from the CBR article:
The artist in McFarlane wanted to take “Haunt” as an opportunity to work with younger talent and help Ottley step outside his comfort zone to make something new.
Clearly, irony is not one of McFarlane’s strong points.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Whoa…waitaminute…Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley?
I mean, that’s great honestly, but…but…Ottley’s art is pretty much the main draw for me to Invincible (even with the ugly new coloring style from issue 50-onward)…it can only suffer in some fashion with him having to do two books, right?
February 9th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Having a cursory understanding of McFarlane’s past when it comes to the issue of ownership of rights to fictional characters, I hope Kirkman had his attorneys go over the contract(s) for this partnership with a fine-toothed comb.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
What an ominous picture of Todd you chose! He looks like he’s contemplating hollowing you out and wearing your skin.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I, for one, can’t wait to buy Spawnderman #1!
February 9th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
“Spawnderman” — perfect description!
February 10th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
There are so many signature artists, who NEVER left the industry, Todd’s return means nothing. The selling point on this book will depend on the story told by Kirkman. I have no interest due to McFarlane being part of the project. The book WILL be late.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
The 90s fan-geek-boy in me cheered when I heard about this project. I became less interested when I saw the teaser image. Now to learn that McFarlane isn’t even doing interior pencils??? How is this in any way his comeback??? He’s “coming back” more slowly then an old man crawling out of a bathtub!!!
February 11th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Not to jump on the bus that’s running over McFarlane, but I always felt like Spawn was a swipe of Venom anyway. There were trading cards that were bagged with Wizard of Image characters back in the day that showed an earlier design of Spawn before he modified the shape of the eyes on the costume.
At the same time, I know that some people love a certain design of character (I have always been fond of Moon Knight’s look, even when while the character has never been compelling for me).
February 12th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Well, I can’t say I was ever interested in this project since its announcement. Kirkman’s love for bad ’90s comics has been becoming more and more evident, but the announcement of this book really cemented it.
But as far as the design goes, I guess McFarlane is giving his fans what they want. I’m sure Kirkman can cater to them too.
I had to stifle a laugh about McFarlane helping Ottley out though, priceless.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I never really got the McFarlane love in the first place. He was one of the reasons I stopped reading Spider-man as a yoot. To each his own, but I always found his art lumpy and ugly.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:58 am
I think it was the webbing that made me like McFarlane’s Spidey. It was new and different which made it cool.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Ideas by McFarlane:
- Spawn
- Sam and Twitch
- Malgolgia
- Violator
- Jason Wynn
- Cy-gor
- The Curse
- The Freak
- Overtkill
- Billy Kincaid
- need I go on?
Oh and on the bottom of the picture it says copyright Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman. Is this a report or a very badly informed opinion?
April 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Johandelpire wrote:
Is this a report or a very badly informed opinion?
Citing Generic Cyborg Assassin and Generic Pedophile as examples of artistry and creativity show that your eyes are closed.
Have another glass of Kool-Aid, Acolyte of the Todd.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Sorry, this indeed is just an opinion (guess I have to pay more attention to the top of a page).
April 13th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Don wrote:
Citing Generic Cyborg Assassin and Generic Pedophile as examples of artistry and creativity show that your eyes are closed.
Well, you certainly have a point there (the only point of Overtkill was being trashed over and over again).
You can also state that Alan Moore was involved in putting the Freak to the page.
But because I do like recent developments in Spawn and love The Walking Dead, I’m going to try this new title for a few issues before deciding.
Obviously not everyone can reach the heights of Alan Moore or Grant Morrison, but if I don’t broaden my scope I’ll get really bored and start posting comments on critisism…
April 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Johandelpire wrote:
But because I do like recent developments in Spawn and love The Walking Dead, I’m going to try this new title for a few issues before deciding.
Bear in mind McFarlane isn’t nearly as involved in the storytelling in Spawn these days as he once was. And hey, I love The Walking Dead too, but Kirkman’s had some misfires when it comes to the super-hero genre.
I certainly don’t plan on buying Haunt. Whether or not I’ll review it is another matter.