Key Moments
Taking Responsibility for Your Life, Why Creators Need to Smash Limits, and Dealmaking Strategies
Tim FerrissKey Moments
Todd McFarlane discusses creator responsibility, challenging limits, and deal-making strategies in comics, toys, and film.
Key Insights
Stan Lee's superpower was making every fan feel special, a lesson McFarlane applies to his own interactions.
Building a strong foundation with four pillars (movies, TV, video games, toys) is key to brand longevity.
Value and quality, not just price, are crucial for selling products, especially against established brands.
Entrepreneurs should embrace competition, understand that 'no' is a missed shot, and learn from failures.
Success enables continued creation; the goal is to keep making art, not just accumulate wealth.
Lowering expectations and embracing a 'warrior' mindset are essential for perseverance and resilience.
THE LEGACY OF STAN LEE AND FAN ENGAGEMENT
Todd McFarlane reflects on his encounters with Stan Lee, a pivotal figure in comic book history. Lee’s ability to make each fan feel uniquely important within brief interactions deeply influenced McFarlane. He emphasizes that fan appreciation is foundational to any career, stressing the importance of gratitude towards the public who consume creative works.
FOUNDATION BUILDING THROUGH DIVERSIFICATION
McFarlane outlines a strategy of building a brand across four key pillars: movies, TV, video games, and toys. This diversification ensures a strong foundation, creating multiple entry points for the audience. His philosophy is to open as many 'doors' into his creative universe as possible, regardless of how consumers arrive, to foster a larger army of fans for future endeavors.
STRATEGIES FOR TOY MANUFACTURING AND PRICING
Challenging industry norms, McFarlane prioritized quality and value in his toy manufacturing. He learned that by offering superior products, often at a slightly higher price point, consumers would recognize the value. This approach contrasted with competitors who focused on cost-cutting, allowing McFarlane's toys to stand out and succeed even without established blockbuster brands.
NAVICATING HOLLYWOOD AND CREATIVE FREEDOM
McFarlane discusses his entry into television and film, particularly with the HBO animated series Spawn. He prioritized creative freedom, asking for the ability to use strong language, which signaled a wider latitude for mature storytelling. This strategic question opened doors to a darker, more realistic portrayal aligning with the character's gritty world.
THE 'SERVICE AREA OF LUCK' AND PERSISTENCE
McFarlane views success not as pure luck, but as increasing the 'surface area' for luck to strike through persistent effort and taking numerous shots. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to keep trying, even after facing rejections, emphasizing that consistent effort and a willingness to learn from 'missed shots' are crucial for eventual breakthroughs.
THE 'WARRIOR' MINDSET AND MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
He advocates for a 'warrior' mindset, viewing challenges as battles. McFarlane stresses the importance of lowering expectations rather than raising them, to avoid disappointment. This perspective allows for resilience, celebrating small victories and weathering inevitable setbacks by not assuming perfect outcomes and recognizing human flaws.
CREATING ENDURING BRANDS THROUGH ATTRITION
Building lasting brands, McFarlane explains, relies on 'attrition'—consistent presence and output over time, including both high and low points. This sustained effort ensures a character or brand remains in the public consciousness, accumulating a cumulative impact that outlives individual projects or market fluctuations.
THE 'FIVE-BALL JUGGLER' AND TEAM BUILDING
McFarlane likens himself to a 'five-ball juggler,' recognizing his limits and the necessity of delegation. He emphasizes the importance of scouting and coaching talent, believing his role has evolved into that of a coach who empowers his 'Michael Jordans' and 'Scottie Pippens' to achieve collective success.
COMPETING WITH AAA BRANDS AND INNOVATION
By securing licenses for major brands like DC Multiverse, McFarlane leveraged his established reputation for quality and fair pricing with powerful intellectual property. His willingness to invest in creating new molds for specific characters, rather than reusing existing ones, allowed him to produce unique figures that appealed to collectors seeking novelty.
THE 'BACK DOOR' APPROACH TO OPPORTUNITIES
McFarlane consistently advocates for finding 'back doors' when the 'front door' is blocked. This involves creative problem-solving and persistence, whether it's negotiating with sports leagues by buying a significant piece of memorabilia or entering new industries like music by leveraging existing animation work.
THE 'BEST PERSON' VERSUS 'RICHEST PERSON' PHILOSOPHY
In a thought-provoking exercise, McFarlane asks listeners to consider who they would choose to help a loved one after their death. He posits that people would inevitably choose the 'best person' (kind, supportive) over the 'richest person.' This highlights that true value lies in character and connection, not just material wealth.
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AND THE 'DANCE FLOOR' TEST
McFarlane encourages trying entrepreneurship, viewing it as a valuable life experience. He argues that true entrepreneurs are willing to be the first on the dance floor, unconcerned with judgment. This 'don't care' attitude towards external validation, while not necessarily advocating for coldness, is essential for pushing boundaries and enacting change.
MANAGING CONFLICT AND EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE
McFarlane describes a calculated emotional detachment strategy for dealing with conflict, allowing him to compartmentalize and move forward. He contrasts this with those who dwell on negative interactions, emphasizing that emotional resilience is key to sustained effort and navigating the adversarial nature of business.
THE GOAL OF CONTINUOUS CREATION AND HUMANITY
McFarlane's ultimate success metric is the ability to continue creating art. He emphasizes that business success is a means to this end, not the end itself. He advises prioritizing humanity and personal connections over wealth, encouraging a life rich in purpose and positive relationships, regardless of financial status.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Products
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Organizations
●Books
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Stan Lee was the co-creator of iconic Marvel superheroes. Todd McFarlane first met him as a 16-year-old at a comic book convention in the mid-70s, where Stan Lee generously spent five hours answering Todd's questions about breaking into comics. This early mentorship was pivotal for Todd.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Comic book series where Todd McFarlane worked as an artist, co-creating the villain Venom and setting sales records.
Another comic book written by Todd McFarlane, where he admits to plotting on the fly.
Bestselling comic book created by Todd McFarlane, launched in 1992. It sold 1.7 million copies of its first issue and later became an Emmy-winning animated series on HBO and a live-action film.
Movie referenced in a hypothetical scenario about missing tickets due to someone cutting in line.
Mentioned in the context of early Marvel comics having 'Stan Lee Presents' at the top, influencing Todd McFarlane's perception of Stan Lee.
Co-creator of many iconic Marvel superhero characters like The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and X-Men. Became a major celebrity later in life due to movie cameos.
Baseball player whose prior record of 61 home runs Mark McGwire broke in 1998.
Actor, referenced in the movie Splash for a scene where he struggles physically, akin to Eddie Vedder playing baseball in the heat.
Hockey player, mentioned as an example of a player whose toy likeness McFarlane created using generic uniforms before securing NHL licenses.
Canadian athlete and personal hero of Todd McFarlane, mentioned as an example of a gentlemanly superstar.
Baseball player known for his consecutive games played streak, used by Todd McFarlane to describe his own 'winning streak' of anticipating imperfection.
Canadian athlete mentioned as a role model who acted like a gentleman despite being a superstar.
Co-founder of Apple, used as an example of an entrepreneur who innovated by adding '3% sexy' to existing products, like the iPhone's glass screen.
Baseball player who competed with Mark McGwire for the home run title in 1998, hitting 66 home runs.
Hockey player, mentioned as an example of a player whose toy likeness McFarlane created using generic uniforms before securing NHL licenses.
Compared to Stan Lee for his global impact through characters.
Stan Lee's wife, whose passing significantly impacted Stan, as he expressed a desire to be with her and found his remaining joy in conventions.
Emmy and Grammy-winning director, producer, and creator of Spawn. CEO of Todd McFarlane Productions and McFarlane Toys. Co-founder of Image Comics. Known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and co-creating Venom.
Musician, used as an example by Todd McFarlane to illustrate that a toy's brand and content could attract a specific adult audience (e.g., his mom buying a Tom Jones toy).
Baseball player who later broke Mark McGwire's home run record, causing Todd McFarlane to also purchase his record-breaking ball.
Lead singer of the band Pearl Jam, who personally contacted Todd McFarlane to animate the music video for 'Do the Evolution', leading to McFarlane's Grammy nomination.
Baseball player who hit 70 home runs in 1998, breaking Roger Maris's record. Todd McFarlane controversially bought McGwire's 70th home run ball for $3 million to gain attention for his sports toy line.
Superhero character co-created by Stan Lee, whose movie appearance with short hair surprised Todd McFarlane. Also mentioned in relation to the 'Hulk vs. Thor' fan question.
Children's TV show characters, mentioned as an example of traditional toys that McFarlane Toys aimed to differentiate from.
Film franchise, mentioned in the context of R-rated toys that McFarlane Toys produced due to larger companies avoiding such content.
Music video for Pearl Jam's song, animated by Todd McFarlane, which earned him a Grammy nomination.
The first Iron Man movie featured Stan Lee in a cameo, leading to a special premiere event where Todd McFarlane MC'd.
Major franchise mentioned as a competitor brand in the toy market, which McFarlane Toys eventually surpassed in sales with its DC Multiverse line.
Superhero character created by Stan Lee that was part of a fan question about who would win in a fight with Thor.
Major action figure line, mentioned as a competitor against which McFarlane Toys had to offer better quality and pricing.
Video game for which Todd McFarlane was pitching a movie idea, leading to a memorable 'winging it' moment.
Marvel's top villain, co-created by Todd McFarlane during his tenure as an artist on The Amazing Spider-Man.
Film mentioned to illustrate Todd McFarlane's 'at war' mentality in business and his willingness to fight for his beliefs.
Major comic book publisher, often mentioned alongside Marvel as a competitor to Image Comics and McFarlane Toys.
Movie featuring John Candy, referenced by Todd McFarlane.
Horror movie character, mentioned as an example of an R-rated toy that large corporations would avoid making, creating a niche market for McFarlane Toys.
Film franchise, mentioned in the context of R-rated toys that McFarlane Toys produced due to larger companies avoiding such content.
Host Tim Ferriss mentions visiting a showroom there, seeing high-priced toys that blur the line with sculpture.
Location mentioned in Todd McFarlane's movie pitch for Doom, where a discovery was made.
Childhood memory of Todd McFarlane where 'funny cars' were a fascination.
Location of the annual Toy Fair, where Todd McFarlane had his initial breakthrough with Toys 'R' Us.
Stan Lee received a star here, an important moment Todd McFarlane attended.
Venue where Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball was auctioned.
Todd McFarlane's home city, where he had his last on-stage appearance with Stan Lee.
Toy cars, used by Todd McFarlane as a physical example of his product quality and aesthetic when he lacked a prototype at his first Toy Fair.
Apple's portable music player, mentioned in the context of Apple's product evolution before the iPhone.
Gaming console, mentioned as an example of a product for which consumers would pay a high price if they perceived value, contrasting with retailers' hesitation to price toys higher.
Apple's smartphone, highlighted for its innovation of a glass touch screen over plastic buttons, cited as an example of adding '3% sexy' to an existing product.
Company founded by Todd McFarlane, encompassing various creative and business ventures.
Social media platform where Todd McFarlane can be found online.
Major toy retailer; in 1994, it was the number one toy buyer and played a crucial role in McFarlane Toys' initial distribution breakthrough.
Retailer where McFarlane Toys sold R-rated/gory toys, targeting non-traditional distribution channels.
Retailer where McFarlane Toys sold R-rated/gory toys, targeting non-traditional distribution channels that avoided competition with larger stores carrying mainstream brands.
Large technology company, mentioned as an example of major corporations Todd McFarlane has dealt with, requiring a high level of professional execution.
Social media platform where Todd McFarlane can be found online.
Major retailer that soon after Toys 'R' Us, became a key distribution channel for McFarlane Toys, influenced by Toys 'R' Us's decision.
Large toy company, similar to Hasbro, that McFarlane Toys competed against. Later lost the DC toy license to McFarlane Toys.
Studio whose executives Todd McFarlane was pitching a movie idea to.
One of the top action figure manufacturers in the US, founded by Todd McFarlane.
Social media platform where Todd McFarlane can be found online.
Technology company co-founded by Steve Jobs, specifically mentioned for its innovation with the iPod and iPhone.
Rock band whose lead singer, Eddie Vedder, collaborated with Todd McFarlane on the 'Do the Evolution' music video.
Social media platform, used as an example of where only successful 'shots' are shown, masking the many attempts and failures behind them.
Premium cable and satellite television network that produced an Emmy award-winning animated series based on Spawn.
Film production arm of Todd McFarlane's enterprises.
Platform where many of the 'how-to' art videos featuring Stan Lee and Todd McFarlane are available.
Company whose products were mentioned in contrast to Spawn's darker themes for merchandising.
Large toy company mentioned as an example of traditional toy manufacturers with slower decision-making processes, which McFarlane Toys had to compete with by being agile and offering niche products.
Retailer that eventually began carrying McFarlane Toys after the initial success with Toys 'R' Us and Walmart.
Comic book company co-founded by Todd McFarlane, which debuted Spawn in 1992 and became the third-largest comic book company in North America.
Search engine mentioned for finding information about high-tech tools like cameras.
Retailer that eventually began carrying McFarlane Toys after the initial success with Toys 'R' Us and Walmart.
Major comic book publisher where Todd McFarlane established his early career before co-founding Image Comics.
Retailer where McFarlane Toys sold R-rated/gory toys, targeting non-traditional distribution channels.
List of top US companies by revenue; Todd McFarlane contrasted his privately-owned company's agile decision-making with their slower processes.
The players' union for the NHL, which Todd McFarlane initially approached to get a license for sports toys before securing league licenses.
One of the major sports leagues whose licensing Todd McFarlane eventually secured for sports toys, after using the Mark McGwire ball purchase to gain entry.
Family of reality television personalities, used as an example of pervasive 'attrition' in media, where their presence is unavoidable even without direct engagement.
Todd McFarlane earned this for Spawn #301, recognizing it as the longest-running creator-owned superhero comic book series.
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