Savage Dragon #235 Review

The More Things Change...

Writer: Erik Larsen
Artist: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 11, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
Review by: Pauly P

Oh, the Savage Dragon. Malcolm was one of the first non-DC or Marvel books I ever read waaaaay back in the 90’s. I open up this months review copy, and Lo and Behold Erik Larsen is STILL writing and drawing this book! In the days where we applaud a writer for making it to 50 issues, here we have 235 issues and the same writer is still writing it, and it’s still selling. (Yes, I know it’s Image and not exactly a 1 -1 comparison with the big two, but still an amazing feat in my book) Dragon is not just another Hulk knock-off, especially these days. Can you miss about 200 issues and jump back on? Let’s jump right in and see what’s changed.

We open with some not so subtle social commentary, the Freak Force Having broken into a government facility to save Angel who went with her mom and Alex Wilde into Dimension-x because she wasn’t born with n this dimension, and that makes her an “Alien”.

We cut to the hospital, where Dragon now has 4 kids(!)- and another on the way. Doctors have seemingly found a way to keep the baby from having superpowers and frying momma or bursting out Alien-style. We also learn in word bubbles and editors note that Maxine died and was revived using Dragon’s blood and Freak Out! That seems important...

The rest of the issue, after a bit of sexy time between Dragon and  Maxine goes between Dragon, Maxine and the crew of their reality show and a rampaging bison-man trashing the city and the rescue OP in dimension-x.

Despite not having read about 200 issues, I was able to at least follow along. Erik Larsen is old school and makes sure to put vital information naturally in conversation and avoids the irritating, and all too common “info dumps”. I love the banter between Maxine and Malcolm- they actually seem like married parents doing a bit of innocent, fun spirited bickering (much like I imagine Jim Werner and his lovely wife engage in daily).

The BIGGEST whoa, dude? About issue 235 of Savage Dragon is this universe is allowed to grow, mature and change. Marriage! Kids! It can work to have our hero have a baby bjorn strapped to his chest.

The art is great- Erik still draws like he did back in 90’s, and I mean that in the best way.

Bits and Pieces:

This book was a blast even if I didn’t quite know what was happening with very storyline.

7.5/10