THE SAVAGE DRAGON #27: Critiques on Infinite Earths
MacPherson, Donald
story and art by Erik Larsen
Spoiler space
Blast it. Larsen's sucked me back in.
Lately, I've been leery of this title, as Larsen had begun...
getting off track. I find it hard to explain. With this issue,
Larsen delivers a great story, with no fist-fests. Amazing.
What really blew me away was that Larsen delivered this story
using a character I hate and an "event" I was not looking forward
to. This is the story in which Rapture asks Dragon to marry her...
a premise on which the readers (but not this reader) voted.
They voted no (thankfully... I couldn't imagine how Dragon's
character would be open to the concept of matrimony).
But Larsen performs admirably in showing how the proposal
affects not only the Dragon, but Rapture as well. The scenes in
which Dragon turns to his friends for advice are fantastic (notably
with Alex), save for Dragon's thoughts on Alex's and Rita's
feelings for him. Larsen is right to make the point that these
other women might want him, but he goes over the top in conveying
that point. I was also pleased that Larsen seems to be keeping
Chester the Cabbie in the picture.
Other plusses: Larsen's images of little Dragons and Raptures
with fat parents, the various heroes showing up too late to deal
with the Freak Gang War, Dragon's attempt at shopping, Dart's date
and the waterbed gag.
And, to keep things balanced, there were a number of things
about the issue which annoyed the hell out of me, such as: the
gratuitous T&A, WAY too many nipples, an apparent dig at Peter
David in the story itself, Larsen's failure to fill readers in on
FREAK FORCE events which affect this title, and the gratuitous T&A
(yes, I know I wrote that twice).
Finally, I'd like to point out something I did in order to
enhance my enjoyment of this issue: I didn't read the letter pages.
I'd recommend the same for anyone else.
Donald MacPherson
Abhay Khosla
> THE SAVAGE DRAGON #27
> story and art by Erik Larsen
> Spoiler space
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> Blast it. Larsen's sucked me back in.
Neato...
> What really blew me away was that Larsen delivered this story
> using a character I hate and an "event" I was not looking forward
> to. This is the story in which Rapture asks Dragon to marry her...
> a premise on which the readers (but not this reader) voted.
I didn't vote either since i'm such a lousy correspondant, but when I
bought the issue I kept thinking- "God, they voted yes, I know it, I know
it..." I was kicking myself; such a close vote too! I kept thinking of
the Superman engagement's off issue, too, for some reason, but I'm not
sure why yet... That was okay, too, but something I don't like about all
that I can't say what. Something too slick...
> And, to keep things balanced, there were a number of things
> about the issue which annoyed the hell out of me, such as: the
> gratuitous T&A, WAY too many nipples, an apparent dig at Peter
> David in the story itself, Larsen's failure to fill readers in on
Erik Larsen, the MOST EVIL MAN IN COMICS TODAY...
Uhm, but anyways, I missed the dig, hold on, let me look through the
issue real quick... oh wow, you're right, I guess- the guy in the
restraunt? I didn't realize- I just thought it was wierd and
characterizing Rapture. Never occured, honestly... Golly... Yep,
wouldn't be an issue...
> Finally, I'd like to point out something I did in order to
> enhance my enjoyment of this issue: I didn't read the letter pages.
> I'd recommend the same for anyone else.
> Donald MacPherson
I just skimmed through it so I didn't catch it, either. Not in the
editorial responses and the couple I did read through...
For good letter pages, the Invisibles is just swell, I've glanced at
Preacher's and its been educational, Starman's honestly so-so(compared to
Robinson's Firearm letter page, long discourses on Viewmasters just don't
compare...), John Byrne's Next Men had a few gems, Astro City's got the
art and Foot Soldiers was doing okay before cancellation... thats all I
can think of. But for the sensitive... well, lots of these take off,
like Preacher and the Invisibles. But while you're at it, you might want
to leave off Dragon...
(To be honest, I like the damn thing usually. Larsen prints alot of
letters, answers them himself instead of some boring-ass editor, answers
questions, admits mistakes in the book... its just those 13 column
PAD-hatefests that bring down the quality of the thing...)
-Abhay
akh...@umich.edu
Spam Boy
Okay, I've love SD since the beginning, but I have my own comments on
this particular book, so let's begin
: But Larsen performs admirably in showing how the proposal
: affects not only the Dragon, but Rapture as well. The scenes in
: which Dragon turns to his friends for advice are fantastic (notably
: with Alex), save for Dragon's thoughts on Alex's and Rita's
: feelings for him. Larsen is right to make the point that these
: other women might want him, but he goes over the top in conveying
: that point.
the images that we see of Alex and Rita are only the Dragon's personal
thoughts. IMO, it was nice to see these as pictures, rather than
thought bubbles. I don't think it was too far out of character for Dragon.
I really didn't like the way Dragon was handled when he was talking to
Rapture. Fine, so they aren't getting married, but nothing prepared
us for his reaction to Rapture, except, possibly the fact that he
complained about his clothes being too expensive. To me, SD has
seemed to be confident in his manlihood and proud to be a cop, and he
just wouldn't have broken down like that. Maybe something like, I
just feel like I settle down right now, or I'm still getting used to
this superhero thing would have been much more appropriate.
COMMENTS?
Ed
Peter David
Ah. Well, Larsen said he was going to stop taking potshots at me, and
this time the promise last...oh, two whole issues. I think that might
be a record.
PAD
MacPherson, Donald
To be totally fair, I wrote that it was "an apparent dig" because
that was my impression. There was no mention of your name. I found that
there was a one-panel character who bore a resemblance to PAD, though
exaggerated. Another reader mentioned he completely missed the dig, but
spotted it after I pointed it out.
Donald MacPherson
Alabaster
I think the guy obviously is torn between his love for the gal and his
own horrible memories of his girlfriend getting her head blow off in
front of him. He desperately wants a close relationship but is torn
between saving lives and making his own life happier. Very well done
issue, IMHO.
-AL