Savage Dragon #187 Review


Where as the last issue focused on more personal developments, this issue jumps between tension and action, ultimately offering very little. Whilst long time fans will no doubt be keen, Savage Dragon #187 has a lot of flaws that might ultimately prove to unforgivable.

The official description from Image:

“THE VICIOUS CIRCLE RISING”
A glimpse into the lives of Chicago’s notorious criminal organization. For decades the Vicious Circle has all but ruled the Windy City. Now, at last, we enter their world and see through their eyes. We see their struggles, their fears, the obstacles they face. Introducing the sons and daughters of the Vicious Circle. We see the crime family they were born to inherit and the forces who oppose them.

The premise in this issue is a standard affair for Savage Dragon, with a few additions. The titular dragon is still in jail, Malcolm does a lot of fighting and there’s plenty of dialogue between various other characters. Yet it doesn’t hint or suggest at much. Change quickly to another plot introduction at the end, and you have an issue that’s a jack of all trades, so to speak.

The writing, for instance, is disappointing at times. During one fight scene, itself rather long, Malcolm does nothing but quip awful commentary. It gets monogamous and boring rather quickly, but doesn’t ease up. I know he’s fighting on his own, but the writing could of found ways to keep him more quiet, make him interesting, or just plain reduce the amount of pages the scene sprawls over.

The art, similarly, it just as surprisingly disappointing. In a word, its plain. Most things are filled in block color. If you’re lucky, some panels have cell shading, whilst others will just have the black inks; other pages won’t have any shading what so ever. The sketchy art style works with definition, but here is surprisingly lacking, making the issue look dated. Considering there are three people listed as ‘colors’ (Nikos Koutsis, Mike Toris and Erik Larsen), it should look much, much better. Comic books are a format that strive on visual appeals along side excellent writing, and Savage Dragon #187 offers mediocre amounts of either.

Maybe I’m missing the point, but this issue failed to impress. I’m sure the issue has potential in terms of on-going plot, but from a ‘pick up and read’ perspective, this fails to attract or draw attention.

2.5/5

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