Erik Larsen – Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Dick Ayers and John Severin — The “Kirbyverse” & Savage Dragon, Too

April 14, 2023 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Bombast #1, April 1993

Thirty years ago this month — April 1993 — saw the launch of Topps’ “Kirbyverse.” (I genuinely can’t remember who thought of that phrase – EIC Jim Salicrup or myself, so we will each take have to take co-credit.)

Although Jack was not directly involved in character or story development, he did enjoy being kept in the loop and, from the feedback we received, he enjoyed our efforts.

The challenge at the time of course, is that the consumer marketplace didn’t enjoy our efforts quite as much as he OR we did. Four Kirbyverse titles launched in April 1993, plus a freebie. Total circulation of the group: About one million copies. (That is not a typo.)

But our titles launched purposely with retro styling, (see the ad below) and, at that moment, the market was mostly uninterested in classic styling. Younger readers gobbling up Image’s Youngblood and Spawn weren’t that versed or interested in Jack Kirby.

From the moment we launched, sales of the Kirby titles dropped each month. By the time we had reached 1994, we were sunk.

That said, it was a hell of a launch, and Jim managed to reunite the classic Marvel bullpen (or at least some of it) one last time.

And well-known Kirby superfan and Image co-founder Erik Larsen was kind enough to “lend” us Savage Dragon for the first issue of Jack’s Bombast one-shot.

So, there was that.

More on the Topps Comics “30^th anniversary (albeit a few months late) in the next few weeks.

*Did I manage to squeeze enough info into this one ad? Did the design team hand draw the “Kirby Crackle” in the background? Hint, those are both rhetorical questions.*

Erik Larsen — Marvelous Melee

November 6, 2021 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Defenders #11, January 2002

Erik Larsen (With help from Sal Buscema and Kurt Busiek) has some fun with the Defenders on this frenetic splash, as they clobber the undersea warlord Attuma and his feckless fish men. The Defenders are celebrating their 50^th anniversary this year.

I only learned recently the reason that Doctor Strange replaced Silver Surfer between their first “unofficial” appearance in Sub-Mariner, and their official launch in Marvel Feature later in 1971. Apparently, Stan Lee was feeling precious about the Surfer, and didn’t want anyone else to write stories featuring him.

Eric solves that line-up problem here by including both of them, along with original stalwarts Hulk and Sub-Mariner.

(Many of the latter members of the group — Nighthawk, Valkyrie, et al — are along for the ride as well.)

All in all, a fun 20-year-old mini-series that has yet to be collected as far as I can tell.

Erik Larsen — Blasted Idiots

July 15, 2021 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Savage Dragon #2, July 1993

We continue with our month long celebration of the “Independents” — Independent creators and projects that continue to impact the comic book medium.

Two independent creations collide in the second issue of Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon ongoing series in 1993, as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles drop in. Literally.

The large top panel of this fun action page inspired the cover for the issue.

Larsen and TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird share much more than just a passion for all things Jack Kirby. (I would bet that at one time, no one owned more DC Kirby art than the three of them.) They tell their stories with endless energy and panache, something that is often missing from more “mainstream” titles.

Larsen made headlines recently with the announcement that he was relaunching Ant, another Image creator-owned project originally created by Mario Gully. (Larsen purchased the character in 2012, and included her in the Spawn series he wrote shortly thereafter.)

Issue #1 of the new Larsen Ant series launches next month.

Meanwhile, Savage Dragon is now one of the longest running independent creator-owned series of all time. Issue #260 hits the stands in August as well.

Back here next Tuesday (7/20) with Frank Miller. Have a good weekend.

*Larsen’s August 2021 releases: Savage Dragon #260 and Ant #1.*

Bruce Timm — Fantastic Four-Ever

January 16, 2021 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Comics Magazine #8, September 2001

“What if Stan Lee and Jack Kirby concluded their historic run on FF with one last wild adventure?”

Bruce Timm and other all-star creators showcase their love and admiration for Jack Kirby in this fun 2001 mini-series.

And when we say “other,” we mean it. This terrific title page features layouts by Erik Larsen, pencils by Ron Frenz and Inks by Timm. Other creators in this issue alone include Bill Wray, Rick Veitch and Terry Beatty. Others in the full series include Keith Giffen, Al Williamson, Joe Sinnott, and Paul Ryan, to name just some of the cast.

The story itself takes between issues #100 and #101 of the original Fantastic Four run. It took Marvel 10 years before they finally collected it, and its now available in both hardcover and trade paperback. If you’re a fan of that amazing Lee Kirby FF run, this series is a must-own.

And if you’re not a fan of that classic, my sympathies.