The earliest adventures of fandom's favorite fin-head are collected for the first time in one volume as Savage Dragon defends Chicago from Overlord and the Vicious Circle! Considered by many to be the definitive Savage Dragon saga, this is the complete Overlord epic from start to finish, culminating in a battle that can only end one way! Guest-starring the WildC.A.T.S and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mmmm... Cheesy Goodness,
By
This review is from: Savage Dragon Archives Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)
Ah, the early 1990s. I think I was maybe 13 - 14 when I first read this run. Good times.
See, the thing with the Dragon is that while yeah, it's excessive and probably not the greatest thing ever made... that's the virtue of it. Oh you can mention how great and awesome Marvel & DC are and how their stuff makes this look like crap for years. But they're the one's that directly aped this style afterwards and nearly helped to kill the market. Anyways, Dragon. Yep... it's probably greatest guilty pleasure to come along since the Hulk. You can really just tell Larsen was having fun with this, and I can respect that. Hell, it made him a cash cow and I can't blame him for that. THIS BOOK IS FUN! That's all you need to know. It's a hoot during a time where a few guys were willing to take a risk and do something the other publishers were afraid to do. Have fun. It's written all over this book, and seriously well worth the cash to have a hoot over.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"I'm a police officer, punks!",
By H. Bala "Me Too Can Read" (Just moved to posh Marina Del Rey, CA - where if you drop a quarter, why, you just keep on walking) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
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This review is from: Savage Dragon Archives Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)
I root for Erik Larsen, so I'm damned glad that SAVAGE DRAGON has lasted this long. I didn't think it would, not because it isn't a good comic book, but because I assumed it would've fallen prey by now to Image's long-publicized inconsistencies. But it seems that Image has, over recent years, recouped some of its fallen rep and glory. I've only again started checking out Image's newer stuff, having heard some good things on the grapevine. Currently I'm digging Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1, The Walking Dead Book 1 (Walking Dead), Noble Causes Volume 1: In Sickness And In Health (Noble Causes), Dynamo 5 Volume 1: Post-Nuclear Family (Dynamo 5), and Brit Volume 1: Old Soldier. So the future looks very promising. And some of the old school is still representing. SPAWN keeps on keeping on, although McFarlane has relinquished storytelling and artistic duties. In fact, of the seven artist/creators who founded Image Comics, only Erik Larsen has steadfastly stuck with simultaneously writing and drawing his comic book SAVAGE DRAGON. Since 1993, in fact. And, if one counts the mini-series preceding the monthly series, then it's since 1992. That's an impressive run.
I root for Erik Larsen not only because he does have ability but because, back then, he wasn't considered one of the "superstar" Image founders. That label fell on McFarlane, Liefeld, and Jim Lee, with Larsen, Valentino, Portacio, and Silvestri considered to be the backup talent. To me, though, Larsen, like his creation Dragon, is a down-to-earth, blue-collared guy who worked really hard and made good. He more or less kept SAVAGE DRAGON going on schedule (although, yes, there were occasional lapses). So I give him props. Larsen deserves to make duckets off this archives series. And, at their reasonable prices, I was definitely gonna get in on this. SAVAGE DRAGON ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 takes you back to the beginning and showcases the energy and enthusiasm which are the hallmark of his titles. In black and white, this tome of intimidating bulk (which seems thick enough to stop a bullet) collects the 3-issue mini-series and issues #1-21 of the regular monthly title. As the story opens, Chicago is simply being overrun by superpowered menaces, dubbed "super freaks," against whom the all too human Chicago police force is powerless. The most powerful criminal entity is the Vicious Circle, led by the enigmatic, ruthless Overlord and their influence and power are rapidly spreading. Into this scene enters Dragon, an amnesiac freak found naked in a burning field. Dragon is of normal height but is massively constructed. He's green, and two-toed. And he's got a fin which elevates his height to 6'6" (if I remember my stats correctly). Time will show that Dragon is incredibly strong and resilient, gifted with amazing regenerative powers. Circumstances lead to Dragon joining Chicago P.D. and becoming the leading stopgap against the law-breaking "freaks." This archive covers the entire OverLord saga as Dragon grimly attempts to take down the Vicious Circle ringleader. It won't be easy. Plenty of surprises here as Larsen brings to these pages a cavalcade of characters he had imagined long ago from a fertile childhood. Some of these would be popular enough to merit their own titles (SUPERPATRIOT, FREAK FORCE). I also liked Mighty Man, whose alter ego startled me. Naturally, there are villains other than the Vicious Circle. We get to see Dragon face off against lobster mutants and disgusting sewer monstrosities. But the most insiduous nasty might be the demonic Fiend, who's fueled by hatred and can possess his victims. Guest stars occasionally pop in. In one out-of-town mission Dragon encounters New York's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Later he runs into the WildC.A.T.s. Larsen doesn't neglect the Dragon's personal life as we see various hotties fall for him. Alas, we don't find out his origin in these issues. That'll come much later. But we do get an idea of just how formidable Dragon is and how tenacious his recuperative ability. Larsen really puts his guy thru his paces. Here's my shot at being objective. For me, as a read, SAVAGE DRAGON ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 is worth around 3 stars. I'll add a half star for the very do-able price. Why 3 stars? A big part of why is the storytelling. The cartoony art I can live with, and, over time, Larsen even improves his renderings. But cool splash pages and buff, heroic poses can only carry the narrative so far. I haven't been religiously following SAVAGE DRAGON in recent years, so I can't comment on Larsen's writing skills as they are today. But his writing in these early issues is suspect, the plotting amateurish, the flow of the narrative spotty. What undermines this lengthy story arc even more is the decision to not insert copies of the original comic book covers (or anything to serve as a break). As it is, these issues just run into each other. This doesn't give the reader enough breathing room or a chance to assimilate the stuff he'd just read. The pace is relentless, and, at 500 pages of nonstop action, it's wearying. Brawl after brawl after senseless brawl, and, pretty soon, they melt into each other and lose all meaning. Of course, the very young comic book junkie probably won't mind too much. When I was a kid, nothing but nothing beat a wicked splash page. What do I like best about Dragon? I like that he's the toughest hombre in the Windy City. I like that he looks cool and so formidable. And I like that he's the working man's superhero. He doesn't grandstand or indulge in superheroic excesses. He does what needs to be done, then he's out. Yes, he's prone to surliness and he can be brutally no-nonsense, but when you're up the smelly creek without a paddle, he's the one you want bailing you out. I root for the Dragon, just as I root for Erik Larsen. So despite my negativity about Volume 1 of the Savage Dragon Archives, I still recommend it. So three and a half stars for Volume 1. And I just ordered Volume 2. By the way, how much do you think it costs Chicago P.D. to keep Dragon's uniforms in stock? Geez, the way he goes thru 'em...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!,
By Goyo Pessôa Garcia (Los Angeles, CA, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Savage Dragon Archives Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)
Savage Dragon has all elements that make a super hero comic book fun. It`s absurd, yet it all makes sense in this unbelievable world created by Erik Larsen. Action, humor and one hell of a main character make Savage Dragon a must read for all comic book fans, especially the ones who really love super heroes.
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