Savage Dragon is back!

[Schmakt]

I am SO thankful to be getting regular doses of SD again!! :)

That's about all I have to say at the moment. Damned good comic...

[Petertime]

Gotta agree with you, though I was caught completely off gaurd when I saw the new issue.

I have a half written letter to Erik Laren about the last issue, and I figured I had plenty of time to send it off....I am very happy to be wrong.

Another solid read, I recommend it.

[Ronald Bryan]

Yeah, this makes two more issues this year than last year! I am so happy!


Damn you Larsen for taking over Image! Although, the break seems to have actually brought a lot of your fun back to the stories.

[Grant]

Seems like he's getting his groove back. You can tell Erik wasn't into the whole Presidential election storyline.

[Alio]

Loved It, if anyone knows, how did Frank lose his arm???? (I missed about 30-40 issues, after that whole "new" universe thing happened and Erik tried to make the comic look old school, man that sucked...)

[Gavin Higginbotham, BotF]

Dragon tore it off of him while possessed.

[Forefinger]

This issue sucked, just like the several before it. This issue has done me in after collecting the title frome the first issue of the first mini-series. I'm dropping Savage Dragon.

[bolt98]

I hope Savage Dragon improves because its slowly on the chopping block for me. Glad to see the new issue out. But ever since the whole "Savage New Earth" storyline which started at #76, its been downhill.

The book needs a spark to recapture the fun and excitement of the first 20 issues.

[The Scribe]

This issue sucked, just like the several before it. This issue has done me in after collecting the title frome the first issue of the first mini-series. I'm dropping Savage Dragon.

:(

Why do you think it was so bad?

[The Adventurer]

Dragon tore it off of him while possessed.

Yeah, in the Savage World, when Dragon got possesed Mace wasn't there to acidently kill the wicked worm. And his rampage continued for a long time.

[Forefinger]

:(

Why do you think it was so bad?
Much like Bolt98 said, the book has taken a downward turn since the whole "Savage World" storyline in issue 76. I've waited for things to improve, for the return of the great plotting, character development, art, action, sub-plotting, and dialogue that was around for most of the first 75 issues + mini-series. In this issue, the art was subpar, and after waiting for a year for this issue to come out, I was hoping for a bit of recap or something. But nope, nothing to catch us up on why a giant robot from Iraq (?) is coming to kill the President. No real follow-up to the election storyline (that was horrible). Savage Dragon is no longer a book that is worth the wait for, and the money that I spend on it. The creator is too busy writing collumns for CBR and publishing Image Comics to devote any time to his creation. This last hiatius of the book just made me realize that I didn't really miss reading SD. If I didn't miss it, I don't need to be collecting it.

[The Scribe]

Well, Erik did get sidelined. He's doing his best.
I for one can't wait for any issue of the Dragon to come out.
Also, I like the Savage World.

I hope you decide to come back sometime soon. ;)

[Grant]

Well, Erik did get sidelined. He's doing his best.
I for one can't wait for any issue of the Dragon to come out.
Also, I like the Savage World.

I hope you decide to come back sometime soon. ;)

Savage World had some awesome moments. The whole arc from issues 89-96 where Dragon decides to take out Cyberface is one of my all time favorites. You have Dragon teaming up with Neutron Bob in a bank robbery, the reunion with Frank Darling and Rapture, Dragon teaming up with the Vicious Circle, Dragon facing off against Superpatriot and the final bout between Cyberface and Dragon.

The last few issues before the hiatus have been kind off. But I think the book is starting to find it's way again.

[Petertime]

If it ain't your cup of tea anymore, I am not going to try to force it on you...
that said having just reread the entire series, the stories hold up very well.

Why do you need a recap if you have the previous issue? The break between issues wasn't intentional, so storywise it doesn't make sense to acknowledge the break. That killer robot will be explained and the election story isn't done...it was just the lead into what is going on now.

Artwise, I have to say I am not loving everything, but I do like the fact that Erik is trying new approaches.

I trust him...and I know that if I don't like one element, all I need to do is wait a few issues and I'll be loving something else.

[The Adventurer]

Since I came on board Post-Savage World I have a fondness of of. Granted I did enjoy it a little more when it was post-apoc Dragon Vs The World, the recent "The Family Dragon" era has been a bit hit or miss, but I think we're about to come out of that and into something else.

Heck, if the lattest issue is any indication it's going to be "Everyone Dragon ever counted on is gone" era.

Dragon is still one of the best funny books on the stands. PERIOD. Erik Larsen can spin a super-hero yarn like few can. Dragon may have it's ups and downs in context with itself, but it beats the pants off 90% of everything that's not Savage Dragon.

[Forefinger]

If it ain't your cup of tea anymore, I am not going to try to force it on you...
that said having just reread the entire series, the stories hold up very well.

Why do you need a recap if you have the previous issue? The break between issues wasn't intentional, so storywise it doesn't make sense to acknowledge the break. That killer robot will be explained and the election story isn't done...it was just the lead into what is going on now.

Artwise, I have to say I am not loving everything, but I do like the fact that Erik is trying new approaches.

I trust him...and I know that if I don't like one element, all I need to do is wait a few issues and I'll be loving something else.
Well, while a recap isn't required, Erik said as much on the inside cover page, I just didn't care enough about the last issues to go back and reread them prior to this one. I was considering quitting collecting SD for a long time, but just kept getting it out of habit. It just isn't what I'm in to any more. Who knows? Maybe I'll reread the series and decide that I want to catch up on what the green one is doing at some point. Just right now, I can't justify spending $ 2.99 on something that I'm not enjoying, waiting on it to get better. Oh well, enough negativity. I don't want to bring the rest of you down and hamper your enjoyment of SD being back. Hopefully Erik will return SD to it's former greatness and I'll be a buyer once again. I'll always have my back issues. :)

[DF2506]

For me, its only the last two issues--122 and 123, that have been off. I was enjoying Savage Dragon ALOT before the break and then when it came back....well..not so much.

122, well, I liked the art, but I wasn't into the story. With 123 though, the art and story seemed a bit off.

Hmm. It could just be the really long wait between issues though. I really want to read 120, 121, 122, and 123 again and see if I like it any better..

Not sure. I know one thing: I did not care for the placement of the flashback pages. They just interupted the story. To me, I think it would have been cooler to have seen a Retro story like that as a backstory, instead of just random pages thrown in...(aside: I did think that the retro pages were good though. in fact.....they seemed better drawn then the regular story to me....)

That said, I really did enjoy the back-up story in 123, with Powerhouse. Thought that was really good. I also liked the mini-comic in back.

So I am still enjoying Savage Dragon some...I'm just not into the main story at the moment. HMM.

Like I said though, maybe if I read the issues again I might like them better. Not sure though.

I'm not ready to drop the book though. Erik is a good writer/artist and I think maybe he just has to get back into the Dragon groove again. Or maybe I do. lol. Who knows.

Also: a big Glum story is coming up and I do like Glum, so I am looking forward to that (aside: in fact, the little bits with Glum recently have been good. Its mainly just the whole Dragon/president/evil robot storyline that I'm not into).

DF2506
" I started reading around in 100s and I've liked the book alot until now. Of course, ever since Dragon has been gone, I've been getting into more DC...so maybe its just a taste change for me. I don't know."

[Destro777]

The Dragon is back baby! 122 you could tell was a little rushed, but 123 nails it. The action, set up of a new villain and the mystery plots are back! woohoo! Loved every second of it. I was reminded of why this is my favorite comic book, and why it was the only book I bought for like 6 years. Bring'em on Eric and show'em how its done. It's been a long time coming.

[DF2506]

Btw, I re-read 121, 122, and 123 recently. I liked them alot better.

121 was excellent, 122 was really good, and 123 was good too! I've come to the conclusion that it was the wait AND the fact that I've been reading so many DC books recently that turned me off of 122 & 123 at first.

I had not read Dragon in awhile when I first read 122 and then 123, so I wasn't in that mood anymore. I'd been reading so many DC books and had gotten use to that style. Once I re-read the three issues right in a row though, I liked them much better.

I even liked the inserted pages better!

I'm definitly looking forward to the next issue now.

I should have never doubted this series!

DF2506
" Hope the next issue comes soon! "

[Forefinger]

Ok. I went to my comic book shop and picked up what was in my inbox. Savage Dragon 123 was in there. It was such a dynamic cover that drew images of some of the great Erik Larsen action that I've come to love......well it made me buy the issue. SD is still nothing like what I used to expect from the book in terms of art and story, but I've decided that I'm going to give SD until 125 to impress me enough to stick with the title for good.

[Petertime]

SD is still nothing like what I used to expect from the book in terms of art and story, but I've decided that I'm going to give SD until 125 to impress me enough to stick with the title for good.

First, SD is never what I expect...one of the reasons I like it so much. And secondly, I'm glad you're giving it a couple more issues. If you doesn't work for you, there are plenty of comics that will, but I am happy to hear you're giving it some time....

I know I'ver missed out on some great comics cause I didn't give it a couple issues to get into. (Didn't pick up the first Thunderbolts #1 cause it was just another Marvel team book....ahhhh, well)

[Gnarl]

I used to love Savage Dragon. Read every issue, even enjoyed Freak Force. But it changed on me. Or maybe I changed. Around issue 40 or so, the background, supporting characters, whole deal was eroding much faster than the replacement rate.

I tried it again around issue 100, hoping that the hatred of setting could go no futher, and had stopped. I was wrong.

Looked at it in the shop occasionally since. Seemed like what was an edgy, original book nearl alone in its niche has been trying to move into the most crowded comic-book market space in america.

[The Adventurer]

Seemed like what was an edgy, original book nearl alone in its niche has been trying to move into the most crowded comic-book market space in america.

Except... that it's not.

[Gnarl]

The early issues had tounge-biting, nudity, Debbie getting shot when she answered the door, etc. Not to mention some rather original plot twists.

The lates issue I saw had the Candyman turning stuff into chocolate. Seemed like its been trying to be a family-friendly superhero book, pretty much the most oversaturated comic space in america.

[The Adventurer]

The early issues had tounge-biting, nudity, Debbie getting shot when she answered the door, etc. Not to mention some rather original plot twists.

The lates issue I saw had the Candyman turning stuff into chocolate. Seemed like its been trying to be a family-friendly superhero book, pretty much the most oversaturated comic space in america.

HA!

Someone hasn't seen Rex Dexter Impaled. Or Mr. Glum killing people for fun and profit. Or Giant Naked Rita. Oh and blowing up the Original Image Universe. Or any of the dozens of violently action based things Dragon and Co do on a regular bases.

Dragon has been as "edgy" as ever. Erik was making FUN of those kinds of cutesy comic ideas, espessily with Candyman. He was hamming up the "Family" aspect Dragon has taken as of late (and seems to be leaving, into new territory)

[Petertime]

The Savage Dragon has changed....a lot. Which is one of the things I like about it. As much as I love Spiderman or Batman, they are different animals, they have to stay the same.

Dragon on the other hand has evolved. Just like the man writing it has, and just like I have. I like that things are not the same. I like the idea that the same character that once was having sex with whoever he could has settled down and is raising a kid....its almost like real life (Only with fight scenes!)

I look at SD having more in common with Cerebus then any superhero...and that comic changed pretty radically. If you were to just read the first and last issues of that story, you'd never think the two were related. Cause stuff changed.

Now, there is always the risk that it changes into something that is so different from how I am changing that it may no longer appeal to me....but it hasn't happened so far, and I am loving what I am reading (mostly).

Again, if it don't float your boat anymore, enjoy the back issues you have. But give the current stuff a chance and you might see different doesn't mean it isn't as good

[Forefinger]

First, SD is never what I expect...one of the reasons I like it so much. And secondly, I'm glad you're giving it a couple more issues. If you doesn't work for you, there are plenty of comics that will, but I am happy to hear you're giving it some time....

Yup. Two more issues Erik. Impress me!

[DoubleWide]

I don't know about anyone else, but I loved the cameo by Billy Batson in #122, wish there wpuld be a team up with Mighty Man & Captain Marvel (not the lame one from Marvel, but the sexy one would be OK :p )

I was foolish and didn't pick it up whenit first began, but picked up the reprint of the first mini and was hooked. I have the first issue and every one from 31 on.

[Alex A Sanchez]

I think my main problem with the book currently isn't the storytelling, or the stories, or even the art. Its the damn set up! I for one have always hated Jennifer as a character- there is nothing to her personality! She's just a blonde bimbo with big tits and boring powers. Even her name is bland. What did Dragon see in her that was better than Anne Stevens or Alex Wilde? Now those women were characters. The only real bit of develpment we've seen is Jennifer's reaction to losing her powers, which I am actually thrilled to see. Rapture was 50 times better as character.

I know Erik is trying to bring back the set up from his old Dragon comics decades ago, but quite frankly I don't think many people want to read about that version of Dragon's life. Erik worked some of his original comics into current continuity, which I think was a mistake. Those issues were boring and took the better part of a year to set up and execute. I'm pretty sure his readership fell off huge during that storyline. My friends used to read my Dragon comics when a new one came out. They stopped when those issues came out- it wasn't worth their time to read.

I hate having Dragon married to Jennifer. I hate him being a family man. I hate him living in a friggin house. I am bored to tears with that portal to dimention X.

I still have faith in the title though: Angel is interesting, Glum is becoming interesting now that he has become less of a rip off of Stewie from Family Guy, Jennifer's lost her powers (and Dragon hopefully will divorce her, since her life will always be in danger now), the house is destroyed, along with the Dimention X portal, and best off all: Erik has had a break and is ready to attack this book with fresh ideas and vigor :D

[Bald Steve]

Like every artist, Erik has his share of ups and down creatively (Remember #75-80?). I thought the comic-strip format he used around 100 (I forget the exact issues) was just astoundingly bad, but if I have learned anything having read the entire run, it's that these are bumps in the road and Larson always reverts to form. He's challenges his readers to stick with his singular vision. Creatively, he can do anything he wants, so he is able to try things that almost no one else would have the plums to try. Fer chrissakes, SD has been set in real time (or *ahem*, close to real time) since the beginning. Instead of maintaining the status quo, he is constantly pushing the envelope-people die and stay dead (for the most part). The entire universe changes. Whatever he wants to do, he does. I love it. And speaking of...

Eric Larson's love of the comic book medium is precisely what keeps me coming back year after year. There is a joy in his work that is just contagous. Look at how he uses the old-school "dot coloring", and how the Super Patriot vs. Dread Knight pages are done retro style and "tattered" with the colors shifted outside the lines. It's totally sweet, and the kinds of touches only a true fan would think to incorporate. Erik's always been a fan first (Note the title of his collumn on this very site), and that's precisely what makes SD so special.

The fact that there's a guy like him out there publishing is a real inspiration for anyone interested in comics.

Rock on, Erik. You print it, I'll buy it.