When Falls...: Savage Dragon is one of those titles I used to follow religiously, but now, I just check in from time to time to see what's going on. I was pleased to discover that while Erik Larsen is still building on the decade's worth of the title character's continuity, he's maintaining a lighter, far more accessible tone. It was remarkably easy to delve back into the Dragon's world. Larsen is doing whatever he wants with these characters, and that unrestrained storytelling the title best strength... and its greatest liability too.
The Dragon and his powerhouse wife, Jennifer, take on the Norse god of thunder, Thor, who's just murdered an innocent woman and pummeled the Dragon's best friend. Even the heroes' combined strength isn't enough to overcome the otherworldly might of the pompous deity, but the Dragon pulls off an old trick in an effort to turn the tide. Meanwhile, Mister Glum finds himself somewhere he shouldn't in the Dragon's household/headquarters.
Larsen's style captures the over-the-top, intensely kinetic energy of this action-oriented story. I have to admit, though, that there are visual elements that I don't care for. The crude look of Jennifer's daughter is distracting and doesn't fit in with the overall look of Larsen's work. Furthermore, Larsen's Barbie-esque depiction of women is something in which he seems to revel, but it brings a superficial quality to the book.
It seems to me that Larsen is telling his vision of the ultimate Marvel Universe epic outside the confines of the Marvel Universe. Marvel references and inspirations galore -- overt and otherwise -- are to be found here. In a way, Larsen celebrates Marvel's characters and history while snubbing his nose at the corporate entity that owns them. It's a treat for longtime readers such as myself, but at the same time, I wonder why the creator isn't focusing more on his creations, established or new.
Mighty Man story: The writers and artists offer up a light homage to the work of C.C. Beck
and other Shazam!/Captain Marvel creators here, not to mention an accessible story. Actually, it's a little too accessible, given that the bulk of this first chapter is filled with exposition. I'm pleased to find that the art captures the simpler tone of the Golden Age of comics, while Larsen's inks make for a consistent look for the issue as a whole. Ultimately, though, this is a generic, inconsequential super-hero story.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
