Arizona's own Todd McFarlane, famous for 'Spawn' joins Stan Lee at ACE Comic Con

Since 1994, one of the most well-known comic book creators has been living in Ahwatukee.

A comic book master

Todd McFarlane will appear at Ace Comic Con and host a panel on Saturday, Jan. 13 with the legendary comic book writer, editor and publisher, Stan Lee. McFarlane will also have his own spotlight panel where he'll do a drawing demonstration.

McFarlane's contributions to "The Amazing Spider-Man" vaulted him into comic book stardom in the late 1980s and early 90s, when he also co-created the supervillain Venom. In 1992, he co-founded Image Comics and created his own comic title, "Spawn." Now McFarlane runs a number of comic book-related companies: McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane Entertainment.

"Spawn," "Venom" and Kevin Smith

McFarlane is currently developing a long-coming film adaptation of "Spawn," which he said he is looking to release in early 2019. He's teamed up with Jason Blum and Blumhouse Productions, who is responsible for successful low-budget horror flicks including "Get Out," "Insidious," "Split" and "The Purge."

The entrepreneur is also working on getting some television projects developed, including a show about "Sam and Twitch," a spin-off of "Spawn," with filmmaker Kevin Smith. McFarlane said there's another show he can't divulge yet that he's trying to get made. The film "Venom," starring Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams, will be released in October.

Q&A

We spoke with McFarlane about Lee, the upcoming movie and why he enjoys going to comic book conventions. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Question: Are you looking forward to joining Stan Lee for a panel?

Answer: Stan and I have been good friends for decades now, and I have done a lot of events with him...I think of it as a Stan Lee panel, and I am there as his translator. We'll walk through his career a bit, and have some insights of what he did when he was young and talk about the longevity of his career. Maybe I'm biased but he's a living legend.

Q: Do you enjoy attending conventions?

A: I enjoy the fans. I have never been around them and not had a good time. They gave me my career, and I don’t understand any celebrity who does not like their fans. We're all neurotic artists.

Q: Do you think you'll go back to comic book creating again in the future?

A: It's different now than doing comic books as an artist. Everything I drew got printed. Now I'm involved in Hollywood, in shows, behind-the-scenes production work. I don't draw as much as I should, what I do today is more concept artwork...I came into the industry out of college as a comic book artist, and I'll go and scratch my other itches creatively: toys, TV, music, Hollywood. Then one day in the backside of my career I'll go back into a room all by myself and do books...I'll just want to draw and don't care if anyone buys it. It will be just for the enjoyment of it.

Q: How is the production of the "Spawn" movie coming along?

A: We just signed off on the script, and are going into budgeting. We're also having our casting meeting...It will be dark and heavy, serious, R-rated. It won't be a superhero movie. I don't think most people would categorize it as that. It will be a supernatural thriller, like a lot of good creep movies. The only thing in the movie that's fantastic is Spawn, and anything else is otherwise normal.

Q: How will it differ from the 1997 "Spawn" film?

A: We don't want to muddy the waters. It's R-rated. Not like "Deadpool," where there was just a couple F-bombs and a naked butt. Not like "Logan" either...We're talking trauma, true trauma, as serious as possible.

Q: What more can you reveal about the movie?

A: I like to explain that it's my "Jaws." Spawn doesn't say a word the entire movie, and it's the same way with "Jaws." It's about the sheriff and the people, chasing the ghost. That's it...The lead role isn’t Spawn, the lead role is a cop, like Sheriff Brody from "Jaws." I think we can hook a fairly significant actor that we want. Unlike a superhero movie, we wouldn't need an actor to put on prosthetic (makeup) or go to the gym. We just need him to act.

Q: It's been reported that the budget will be around $10 million. Is that enough to do the project justice?

A: It was a non-negotiable for me to write, produce and direct. If you make that demand in Hollywood, it's reasonable somewhat if you have an $8 to $12 million budget as a newbie director. Otherwise if the budget were $100 million, then I said I want to direct it, as a CEO myself, I wouldn't take that deal.

Q: Why was Blumhouse Productions a good fit for the project?

A: A couple movies ago they came out with "Get Out," and spent $4 million with Jordan Peele, a comedian, who wrote and directed it. Somebody took a chance on him and his vision...Jason (Blum's) movie "Split" spent $11 million and that one made close to $300 million. That's not bad.

Q: Are you nervous about directing for the first time?

A: Intellectually should I be? Yes. Am I? No. I'm not 24. I'm in my 50s. I'll get good people surrounding me. I've had this idea in my brain for a decade, and I've directed it a thousand times and have clarity on what I want to do...And storyboard wise, I'm here and will draw it for you. If I can't see it, I can draw it.

Ace Comic Con details: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. $45-$55 for one-day admission. $95 for three-day admission. $125 for three-day VIP admission. Autographs costs $30-$175. Photo ops cost $50-$800. VIP packages cost $285-$910. aceuniverse.com.

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