This feature documentary is a profile of one of the most fascinating and innovative men in popular entertainment today: Todd McFarlane. MacFarlane is a legend to legions of fans. His fictional superhero Spawn has made him the most successful comic book artist in history. He is driven, controversial, relentless in the pursuit of his dreams - yet lives a happy suburban life married to his childhood sweetheart, a level-headed beauty who helps him manage a multi-million dollar entertainment empire. The Devil You Know charts this enigmatic man and explores some of his most intimate thoughts.
Warnings: [Swearing. Artistic depiction of violence. Mild references to drugs and alcohol. References to hanging and capital punishment.]
A documentary about Canadian comic book creator Todd McFarlane. Ideal for classroom discussions centred around Canadian creators, comic books, commercialization, and media. What is the relationship between art and business as depicted in the film? To what degree is this portrayal positive or negative, and what are your own thoughts on the subject? Research the legal disputes Todd McFarlane has had with other artists and creators over intellectual property rights since the film’s release, and then discuss how those cases relate to ideas explored in the film. In the documentary, McFarlane speaks of how his interests, hobbies, and personal experiences influenced his creation of Spawn; write a short story or draw a comic that combines your own interests and experiences.