CGC Signature Series Creator Spotlight: Todd McFarlane

Artist: Todd McFarlane

Next CGC Signature Series deadline: December 1, 2025, is the deadline to submit your books for the next Todd McFarlane Private Signing. Go here to learn more about the upcoming signing and how to get the new, exclusive labels!

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Creator origins: In his early days, McFarlane worked for Marvel and DC Comics, and he went on to become one of the founding members of Image Comics, where he currently holds the position of President. He has been awarded both the National Cartoonist Society Award and Inkpot Award during his career, and he was inducted into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame in 2011.

McFarlane is best known for his highly recognizable work on series like The Amazing Spider-Man, Venom, Batman, The Incredible Hulk and his creator-owned series Spawn, as well as the spinoff series King Spawn.

Top picks: Some of McFarlane’s most popular works include:

• Coyote #11 (1985) – first published interior art
• Infinity, Inc. #13 (1985) – first published DC interior art
• Infinity, Inc. #14 (1985) – first published McFarlane cover
• Incredible Hulk #340 (1987) – first Marvel cover art
• Detective Comics #576 (1987) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Incredible Hulk #340 (1988) – Wolverine vs. Hulk fight
• Amazing Spider-Man #298 (1988) – first cameo of Venom
• Amazing Spider-Man #299 (1988) – second Venom cameo (debatable first full appearance)
• Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988) – recognized first full Venom appearance
• Amazing Spider-Man #301 (1988) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Incredible Hulk #345 (1988) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Batman #423 (1988) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Amazing Spider-Man #316 (1989) – first full Venom cover
• Amazing Spider-Man #328 (1990) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Spider-Man #1 (1990) – iconic McFarlane cover
• Wizard #1 (1991) – first issue of comics magazine
• Spider-Man #16 (1991) – last McFarlane on Spider-Man
• Malibu Sun #13 (1992) – preview of Spawn
• Spawn #1 (1992) – first appearance of Spawn

CGC Comics Registry highlight: CGC Registry member SOULKEEPER has lots of great CGC Signature Series comics signed by Todd McFarlane in their growing set, Mr McFarLane Set. If you’re still looking for books to submit, there are lots of great recommendations here!

Auction highlight: An Amazing Spider-Man #300 graded CGC Signature Series 9.8, signed by Todd McFarlane, Stan Lee, David Michelinie, Rick Parker and Jim Salicrup sold for $31,200 by Heritage Auctions in July 2022.

Did you know? Todd McFarlane holds a Guinness World Record for Spawn being the longest-running creator-owned comic book series. Issue #301 earned the title in 2019, beating Dave Sim’s Cerebus.

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