Although once known for combative rhetoric and an aggressive stance, McFarlane Toys CEO Todd McFarlane sounded a conciliatory note when asked about the return of Angela in the pages of ULTRON WAR #10. McFarlane once fought a bitter lawsuit over the ownership of Angela with Neil Gaiman, and perhaps the settlement included a non-disparagement clause?
“Neil Gaiman and I had a resolution in our legal dispute, and as part of that he ended up with the rights of Angela,” the Spawn creator told Newsarama. “Whatever Neil chooses to do with something that he owns is at his complete and utter discretion.”
“The health of the industry is based upon having good stories and good characters, and a wide customer base,” McFarlane said to Newsarama. “If bringing some of these characters back to the fold in a meaningful way adds to that, then it just strengthens our industry.”
And
“Good stories that entertain are something that we all should applaud on any level,” McFarlane said. “Whether we’re doing it directly at Image Comics, or at our competition, it helps keep our industry that we love alive. I will sit back and be as interested as anyone else.”
Well isn’t that all lubby dubbins?
I’ve been tracking this story for years now*, and this is probably the most bizarre thing I’ve seen in it to date. Who is this man, and what has he done to the real Todd McFarlane?
What I find a bit odd is the assumption that Angela’s appearance in AGE OF ULTRON will make a difference. Yes, superhero series tout characters as leads, and are marketed on the basis of characters and their appearances, but the intensity of a fan’s attachment to a character has nothing to do with the character’s virtues. It’s driven by his need for an attachment to something.
Jason Fox of FoxTrot is written for laughs, but how he repeatedly immerses himself in fantasies is more representative of fans than many would want to admit.
I’m not buying AGE OF ULTRON because of the premise and writer; no possible guest appearance will change that.
SRS
Aw, man, say it ain’t so, Todd. What happened to the Toddler that we used to love to hate? Where’s the old fire in the belly? Hopefully this is just the scene in the movie where the athlete has given up, only to be given an inspirational locker room speech by the old coach (maybe Larsen? Or Liefeld?):
“Come on Todd! Though you are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which you are, you are; one equal temper of a heroic heart made weak by time and fate but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield. Now go out there and show that Limey bastard who he’s messing with!”
This was either written with PR people or it’s just Todd McFarlane giving a polite response to (rightfully) screw with the people hoping for drama.
As for Angela, she’s just another Image character straight out of the goofy extreme 90s. I’m sure Gaiman himself is well aware of this and more than happy to take a check from some acquisitions genius at Marvel who probably thought the Gaiman name alone meant he was buying Sandman or something.
Wasn’t the original agreement (before the lawsuit):
Gaiman gets the rights (and film) to Miracleman, McFarlane gets the Spawn #9 characters?
Torsen: There was to have been a swap between Neil & Todd of their rights for the Spawn characters and Miracleman, respectively, on 31 July 1997, but this never happened. All you ever need to know about it all in this post on my own blog, which I now need to update. Again.
Todd grew up, and now realizes who the wolves really are.
respectfully
“the amazing stam”
ULTRON WAR? Who said journalism is dead?
@Johnny Memeonic You’re absolutely right. Neil Gaiman has absolutely no history of taking old, well-worn stories and breathing new life into them, making them vibrant and unique and timeless. This must be his way of swindling Marvel for money he needs so desperately.
Oh wait.
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