Terry's Reviews
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Todd McFarlane – The Devil You Know Docurama – 2002 The story of Todd McFarlane chronicled on this DVD is more interesting than you would expect. Most people would probably assume that the artist/toy maker/filmmaker/business man came from money and has always had life by the balls. That may be true now, but it wasn’t always the case. |
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| We learn of how this thin athletic boy from
Canada began his quest to become a professional baseball player. When his career came to
an end in the minor leagues, he was faced with the daily struggle most of us deal with.
Believe it or not, McFarlane and his wife were living in a trailer barely making it.
That’s when he turned his attention to comic books, which was his second passion, and
made it his focus to become a successful artist. We get to see the rejection letters from
almost every comic book publisher and then his steady rise from the ranks of an inker to
artist to eventually owning and controlling his own empire. Its kind of a paradox to see such a mild looking guy, with an attractive wife and family is the same guy who creates the ghastly often-grotesque images of SPAWN. Not only that but for someone who would appear to be so conservative, when it comes to business he is ruthless and in his words "will steamroll over you if you get in his way." The thing that struck me the most about this documentary is how McFarlane still absolutely loves baseball and still makes it part of his life. It’s well known that McFarlane purchased Mark McGuire’s record-breaking home run ball for almost 3 million dollars. What you probably didn’t know is that McFarlane takes batting practice in every Major League stadium he can and knows as much about sports as he does comic books. I find that not only interesting but inspiring as far as keeping a dream alive. DVD supplements include a gallery of McFarlane's work, including art from high school. Todd McFarlane & comic book fans will most definitely want to own this. I think the rest of you would be surprised that you’d enjoy it. |
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