'It's just home': Comic book icon Todd McFarlane returns; appearing at Calgary Expo all weekend
Comic book icon Todd McFarlane feels it whenever he's north of the border.
He says it feels just like "a robe and slippers."
"At this point in my life, I've probably spent way more time in the States than I have in Canada but every time I cross the border, it's just home," McFarlane told CTV News on Thursday, the opening day of the Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo.
"This is where I'm the most comfortable."
McFarlane, who hails from Calgary, rose to comic book fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the artist and later writer on "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man" titles for Marvel Comics.
He then left the character, and the company along with several other creators, to form a new business, Image Comics.
At Image, McFarlane launched his own character and title, "Spawn", which also led to toys, a feature film and an animated series, as well as other multimedia endeavours.
But Spawn was born right here, long before that.
"In the basement of a house on the corner of Crowchild and 24th, right across from McMahon Stadium. That's where Spawn was born," McFarlane said.
McFarlane celebrated 300 issues of the "Spawn" comic book series, a few years back.
Around the same time, the Spider-Man character McFarlane had a hand in creating, Venom, made the leap from the comic book page to the movie screen.
"Venom" has since had one sequel, and another is in the works.
While comic book icon Todd McFarlane is at Calgary Expo, appearing Friday, Saturday and Sunday yet, he's signing autographs and snapping photos for fans, as well as taking part in multiple panels.
McFarlane's a rock star of popular culture, even though he'll tell you "it depends on the room."
In Calgary, though, he spends most of his time with family, helping with "shopping and folding laundry."
He also made it to Peters' Drive-In. That's important, you understand.
"I had Peters' yesterday!" he said.
"I took my dad up to Edmonton. ... This is just how it works. We stop at Tim Hortons on the way up, get the gas, the exact same order every time. Go up, visit, come back and then we stop at the Peters' in Red Deer. ... We order the same thing, we have a good time and then we leave."
While McFarlane is at Calgary Expo, appearing Friday, Saturday and Sunday yet, he's signing autographs and snapping photos for fans, as well as taking part in multiple panels.
And carrying on with the motif of coming home and being close to family, he will be joined by his dad – Bob – on the stage for one of those panels.
"In 40 years, I've done hundreds of panels. Never once with a family member. On Friday, I get to do a panel with my dad," McFarlane said.
"My wife and daughter are flying in from the States (to see it). They don't really come to my panels, but they go, 'I gotta come see Grandpa!'"
You can, too – The McFarlanes panel is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, on the Comics Stage at the Big Four.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.