My first post here. A buddy got me into Savage Dragon years ago and I've tried to keep up with it when I could. I always try to pick up issues when I find them in the wild (and can afford them) but this one I was able to grab this right off the shelf. I loved that he was experimenting with different processes and format at this time.

I'll post more of my collection another time but just wanted to show this one off.

I'm a screenwriter that's presently fed up with repeatedly being told to homogenize my scripts beat by beat into the formulaic "hero's journey." Having said that, I like to break up the monotony of trying to make profitable art by adapting stories I love in unconventional ways.

I think society has seemingly moved on from standard comic book movie origin stories (for the most part). Because of this, I'd have Savage Dragon already well established in his world at the start of his film.

I'd begin with a COPS style, found footage opening. From the backseat of their squad car, we'd see Dragon and Alex on a routine patrol bantering with the cameraman about Dragon's origin (found in a burning warehouse, discovered he was seemingly invulnerable, became a cop to protect people from the dangerous freaks, and that's all you get). Maybe intersplice this exposition with security footage of Dragon crawling out of the flames. Dragon & Alex would then witness Freaks doing Freak crimes (I'd love to see Dung and Horde here). After said battle, I'd attempt to license the Cops theme song (Bad Boys, Watcha' Gonna' Do) to play during a montage that acclimates audiences to a Freak-infested Chicago (if budget would allow I'd set the whole film in the 1990's).

Although I'd have sexual tension between Dragon and Alex, I'd forego any actual romance in the film. Dragon would have a one night stand with his neighbor Debbie Harris that would result in Debbie being killed soon after in a retaliatory incident, Dragon would struggle with his being to blame for her death. Her mother would hound him.

I'd play up Overlord as the big villain who rules over the Vicious Circle, only to have Dragon shoot him in the mouth halfway through the film. At this point, Chicago descends into chaos as a power struggle ensues to fill the vacuum of Overlord's absence. Braniape, Cyberface and Openface (among other red-shirt villains) would vie for the vacated position of Overlord. Dragon's motivations would shift from trying to take down the Vicious Circle, to just trying to save the city and wipe out as many (evil) Freaks as possible. It'd be like the practical special fx orgy at the end of the film Society. A complete blood bath.

I'd end the film with Dragon being recruited as the leader of Freak Force in the hopes that he can protect even more innocents in the world.

That's my idea in a nut shell. I'd love to hear your own thoughts on how to approach a Savage Dragon film. I truly hope one day a live action incarnation of this comic series is made. It's just too good. Hail Erik Larsen.

I was howling with laughter but man that Steamboat Willie is one sick @$#&!

Collecting the comics that launched one of Image Comics’ best-loved characters and longest-running titles, the SAVAGE DRAGON VAULT EDITION reproduces ERIK LARSEN’s artwork for 1992’s original SAVAGE DRAGON miniseries, plus additional pages from the expanded DRAGON miniseries that was released in 1996.

This oversized (12” x 17”) special edition includes archival quality reproductions of the art boards for every image that was used for the SAVAGE DRAGON #1-3, THE DRAGON #1-5, and the first SAVAGE DRAGON trade paperback, including all covers and pin-ups!

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Just curious if anyone knows as it seems that quite a few are fairly relevant to the ongoing. Also curious if one-shots like Savage She-Dragon could be in the ultimate collections as well since it's very relevant as well.

What issues make up the first story arc? How many issues is the first arc?

I was around 15 when I bought the first issue of the mini and collected all the way to issue 127. For one reason or another I fell off around then and recently started re-reading and made it up to 127 and then tracked down and read through 153. God I missed this book and can’t wait to track down the 100+ to go. Buying the ultimate collections now and the monthly again. So happy to be back.

No idea if the date is a placeholder or the actual date. (Amazon pre-order https://www.amazon.com/dp/153435638X)

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