@ErikLarsen Savage 'Emperor' Dragon 168 delivers an unexpected punch…
Cataclysmic is the only word I can find that describes the Emperor Dragon Arc of Savage Dragon, and the ending for Emperor Dragon 168. Completely, utterly, apocalyptic right up to the end, and what an ending. A complete change of the status quo, and an unexpected and very brave final punch from owner/creator/writer/artist of Savage Dragon Mr Erik Larsen.
But first, before I get back to that point here is my review of this eight part slug fest. It all started with Savage Dragon finally getting his original personality reset back to Emperor Kurr, and systematically he set about conquering Earth for his people.
Story spoilers after the jump.
From the beginning the now Emperor Kurr set about defeating every foe assailed against him, until he was able to release a poison into the atmosphere to kill every living soul on the planet. Even at the end, when ever one had fallen we had the hope his son Malcolm would stop him, only to see him fall to Kurr's ruthlessness. In all purposes Kurr had won, until the Virus that caused Savage Dragon's fall in the first place was unleashed, and with no remorse killed him.
Maybe that was the only problem with the entire arc, Emperor Kurr was too unstoppable, each opponent he faced was beaten and it almost turned into a revolving door of hero of the week. Some story elements felt hurriedly introduced almost an after thought just to move the plot forward, and we had a few pieces of clumsy exposition dialog to link scenes.
However this was made up by the action and art being explosive throughout, and Erik brought us an Armageddon that no one really expected. Even in the end, when the Darklord came, I read on expecting it all to turn out well for us to be supplied that expected mainstream happy ending, everything reset, all is well. Then blam! We saw the end of Savage Dragon and the status quo has completely changed.
I don't know where Erik Larsen is going next with his childhood creation, what this means for the book, but he set us on a roller coaster ride and has blown the Savage Dragon universe wide open. Question is can Malcolm pick up the baton and carry on?
In my memory there has only been on truly accepted transition in identity for superheroes that worked, and that was Wally West when he became Flash. It is going to be interesting to see what happens next.
Now pick up Savage Dragon 168, it is everything that is right in comic book finale, pulls no punches, doesn't blink or wimp out and slams you with an ending you never saw coming. Kudos Mr Larsen!
