Todd McFarlane Reveals Exciting Updates on 2025 Spawn Titles, Shares Spawn Reboot Insights & Responds to Joker 2

In an impressive announcement at New York Comic Con in October 2024, the renowned comic book creator Todd McFarlane unveiled eight new Spawn titles set to debut in 2025. This marks a significant expansion of the cherished Spawn universe, which began its journey in May 1992 with Al Simmons’ character. Interestingly, McFarlane originally envisioned Spawn as early as 1977 when he was a teenager. This impetus led to the creation of a pre-Al narrative focusing on Spawn’s mythology. Editor-in-Chief of the Spawn Universe, Thomas Healy, is headlining this endeavor with the upcoming comic, Spawn ’77, slated for release in April 2025.

As fans anticipate the next Spawn cinematic venture, McFarlane prioritizes enriching the franchise’s storytelling in printed form. A recent interview with ScreenRant provided a glimpse into what readers can expect from the upcoming titles in the Spawn canon and offered insights into the current state of the DC Universe post-Joker: Folie à Deux, as well as McFarlane’s reflections on the delayed Spawn movie reboot.

Exploring the Uncharted: Thomas Healy’s Spawn ’77

“It’s like somebody in a Halloween costume trying to be that person.”

ScreenRant: What inspired you to explore Spawn before Al Simmons in Spawn ’77? How does this prequel enrich the Spawn lore?

Todd McFarlane: The genesis of this project is quite personal; I conceived Spawn as a teenager in 1977. During discussions with Mark Spears and Thomas Healy, we reminisced about that original, somewhat whimsical drawing I did as a 16-year-old. Although modern interpretations have evolved from it, the core essence remains intact. As we brainstormed, the idea arose: why not delve into stories rooted in that concept? I envisioned it as a sort of French Connection narrative, but the focus isn’t on quantity. I want to create a rarecs exploration of the hellspawn, emphasizing a single individual engaging with the mythology.

Spawn ’77, set in a period still far from Al Simmons’ arrival, showcases characters just beginning to understand the narrative of hellspawns.

Without Al Simmons in the picture, it’s akin to someone mimicking a superhero. The story is rich with layers, complicated by the characters’ misconceptions about their own origins. It’s more involved than simply wearing a costume.

Artistic Visions: Jason Shawn Alexander’s Take on The Freak

“If you’re doing pages that you show your wife, and she’s repulsed? Then you’re doing a good job.”

ScreenRant: Jason Shawn Alexander returns to illustrate The Freak, a notorious character within the Spawn franchise. How has your collaboration evolved, and what distinguishes this story?

Todd McFarlane: This narrative will offer an origin story interwoven with current events. I intend to unfold his background gradually throughout the series, detailing how he transformed into The Freak. Jason has really embraced the character’s oddities, delivering stunning visuals that capture his complexity. When his art provokes a visceral response, like shock or disgust, I know we’re achieving our goal. We want to push boundaries.

Collaborating with Jason has been an exciting process; he starts to merge the character’s eerie essence with more relatable, everyday moments.

The unexpected nuances, such as body language, amplify the Freak’s unsettling nature. The creative aim is striking a balance between the grotesque and the relatable. There’s an underlying familiarity to it all.

Jessica Priest’s Silent Struggles in She-Spawn by Gail Simone

“Being a hero should be challenging from the very get-go.”

ScreenRant: Let’s discuss She-Spawn #1. What can we expect for Jessica Priest in her upcoming narrative?

Todd McFarlane: This character’s journey focuses on her internal struggles rather than solely impacting the wider Spawn universe. Gail will address the price of heroism and the torment it entails—a belief I strongly hold. The path of a hero should indeed be fraught with challenges.

She-Spawn #1, crafted by Gail Simone and Ig Guara, is anticipated for release in June 2025.

The sacrifices heroes make echo the challenges faced by celebrities. Take Lady Gaga, for instance; fame comes at the cost of a normal life. In the same vein, Jessica must grapple with her newfound identity amid what she loses. This narrative dives deeply into those conflicts, portraying her search for footing in a seemingly thankless role.

Todd McFarlane Reflects on Recent Superhero Films

“I can understand some of the criticism as I watched it, but…”

Split image of Joker and Harley Quinn and Joker in Joker 2 — Image Made By Zoe Miskelly

ScreenRant: What are your thoughts on Venom: The Last Dance and Tom Hardy’s portrayal?

Todd McFarlane: Unfortunately, I hadn’t the chance to watch it fully due to time constraints, but Tom’s commitment to the role is clear. It baffled me that we hadn’t connected before given the history, but I remain excited to discuss our work going forward.

ScreenRant: Did you catch Joker 2? What’s your perspective?

Todd McFarlane: I’ve engaged in conversations about it; learning from insightful individuals including Scott Silver, one of its writers. I found the film fascinating yet can see why not everyone resonates with it. I believe some elements could have benefited from different creative directions, yet every viewer has their own interpretation and preference.

The Status of the Spawn Reboot Film: Insights from Todd McFarlane

“Are we still pushing the boulder? Yes. Do I need to talk about what any of those details mean right now? No.”

ScreenRant: What’s the latest on the Spawn film? Is Jeremy Renner still involved?

Todd McFarlane: The process is exhaustive. Discussions about it consistently arise, yet it’s disheartening to see the uncertainty in Hollywood today. While there have been meetings regarding the film, I’ve noted a palpable fatigue among industry peers. We continue to “push the boulder”forward, but clarity remains elusive. The pandemic introduced layers of challenges that still impact projects significantly.

This period in Hollywood feels particularly tumultuous. Conversations shift, and optimism isn’t as prevalent as before. I sense a collective yearning for direction that hasn’t emerged yet, which suggests it may take additional years for the industry to regain stability.