Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Up From The Depths
Written by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Colored by: Bill Crabtree
Lettered by: John Workman
Backup: Mighty Man: The Never Ending War Against Evil!
Story Title: Chapter 4: Give and Take
Co-Plot/Script by: Gary Carlson
Pencils/Colors by: Mark Englert
Co-Plot/Inks by: Erik Larsen
Lettered by: Robert Kirkman
Editor: N/A
Publisher: Image Comics Group
A ringing endorsement!
My little experiment last month, I sent out free copies of issue #111, seems to have born immediate fruit. I’m still culling responses, but the feedback has almost entirely been positive, with many promises to add the title to pull-lists. Down the line, expect a Words of Questionable Wisdom that will look at Savage Dragon closely, and especially my little experiment. I’m telling you folks, there’s never been a better time to give this book a shot!
Survivor with superheroes
This month, Erik Larsen starts things off four months after the events of last issue. The gang is back from Dimension X, and Dragon has embarked on a book promotional tour. A great bit has Dragon interviewed on a talk show, by a Bill Clinton-esque character. He keeps calling Dragon, Savage, and our hero doesn’t like it all that much. The scene works well not only for longtime readers like myself, but also to newbies who may need a primer on the book itself. Of late, Larsen has done especially accessible work, which will hopefully draw new readers in to reading Savage Dragon.
It’s certainly not all talking this issue. Do you like knockdown drag outs? Well, the big battle this month is with one of Larsen’s coolest characters, the shark man, Mako. Dragon must head to a desert island to rescue his friend Dart, from Mako’s clutches. As always, there’s a lot more to it than that, but I’m here to review, not give you a blow by blow. Let’s just say, the fight scene is a head popping good time.
This book isn’t all about giggles and broken bones though. Erik Larsen gives appropriate time to the great supporting cast as well. Savage Dragon works on every level, and can work for a fan of almost any style of comic books. Action, humor, characterization, and a love of the classics can all be found within these pages. Not just sometimes though. Each and every month!
When morass is a bad thing…
Erik Larsen has made a distinct effort to never let Savage Dragon fall into a morass of indifferent storytelling. It’s been ten years, and Larsen still keeps the reader guessing. The direction frequently changes gears, and always brings fresh and exciting situations. While the book continues the retro-Silver Age-feel, a return to the style of the earliest issues of the series is on the horizon.
Dragon’s actually now inhabiting an alternate Earth, as the planet that housed the Image Universe was destroyed a while back. So, Dragon, in a way, is able to relive many of his past glories, and certainly many old foes. Dragon’s greatest enemies, the Vicious Circle, return next month, and the book will never be the same again. While it may seem like the book is regressing; I don’t agree. This will be more of a nod to the past, homage if you will. Savage Dragon frequently gives a tip of the cap to great comics of the past. Only this time, it’s a tip and nod to itself. Whatever Larsen has planned, will not rehash the old, it will be a new and very different “beast†altogether.
