Wikipedia

Erik Larsen

For other people named Erik Larsen, seeErik Larsen (disambiguation).

Erik J. Larsen(born December 8, 1962) is an Americancomic bookartist, writer, and publisher. He currently acts as the chief financial officer ofImage Comics.[1]He gained attention in the early 1990s with his art onSpider-Manseries forMarvel Comics.In 1992 he was one of several artists who stopped working for Marvel to foundImage Comics,where he launched his superhero seriesSavage Dragon– one of the longest running creator-owned superhero comics series – and served for several years as the company's publisher.

Erik Larsen
Larsen smiling while seated at a table
Larsen at the 2011New York Comic Con
BornErik J. Larsen
(1962-12-08)December 8, 1962(age 62)
Minneapolis,Minnesota,U.S.
Area(s)Writer,Penciller,Inker,Publisher
Notable works
The Amazing Spider-Man
Doom Patrol
Savage Dragon
Spawn
Spider-Man
Supreme

Early life

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Larsen was born on December 8, 1962,[2]inMinneapolis,Minnesota.[3]He has one older brother and two younger sisters.[4]Growing up inBellingham, Washington,he became interested in comics through his father, a professor of English who readEC Comics,and owned a large collection ofCaptain Marvel Adventures.Through him, Larsen was exposed to those books and those of Marvel Comics, and began to buy comics in earnest in the mid-1970s. It was Larsen's exposure toDick Sprang's rendition ofBatmanthat would later influence the earliest incarnations of his own creation,The Dragon,who drove a car copied fromSpeed Racer'sMach Five,and who turned into a superhero using a magic word to trigger his powers likeCaptain Marvel.[5]

Career

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Early career

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About a decade after creating the Dragon, Larsen and two friends produced afanzinecalledGraphic Fantasy,which featured this character.[3]

For the anthologyMegaton#1 (1983), Larsen co-created and illustrated a feature called "Vanguard"with publisherGary Carlson.A revised version of the Dragon debuted in issue #2 and made a cameo appearance in the following two issues.[6]The original Dragon, inspired by elements from Captain Marvel,Batman,Speed Racerand laterThe Incredible Hulk,differs greatly from the modern incarnation.[7]

Savage Dragon was first featured in two issues ofGraphic Fantasy,a self-published title with a small print run, published by Larsen and two friends. In this incarnation, the Dragon was a widower and a retired member of a government-sponsored superhero team. Subsequently, the Dragon made another appearance in the third issue of Gary Carlson'sMegatonanthology in its Vanguard strip, which Larsen had been drawing. In these appearances, the character of the Dragon remained basically the same as it had been inGraphic Fantasy,with a few details modified (such as the inclusion of his wife, who was dead in his previous incarnation). Both theGraphic FantasyandMegatonissues featuring the Dragon were later reprinted in high-quality editions.[8]

In 1985 Larsen worked onSentinels of JusticeforAC Comics,andThe DNAgentsforEclipse Comics.[5]

By 1986, Larsen penciled scripts for the Renegade Press bookMurder,which were written by Robin Snyder and Jim Senstrum, whom Larsen met because Snyder, like Larsen, lived inBellingham, Washington,and frequented the same comics store.[5]

DC Comics

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Larsen did work at DC onThe Outsiders,Teen Titans,Adventures of SupermanandDoom Patrol.His art onDoom Patrolwas negatively received by readers at first, something Larsen thought was due to his style being such a drastic departure from that of his predecessor on the series,Steve Lightle.He remarked, "Years later, I learned from the experience and made more of an effort to ease the transition."[9]In 1998, he briefly wrote the seriesAquaman.[10]

Marvel Comics

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His first work forMarvel Comicswas a fill-in onThorthat was inked byVince Colletta.[11]He later did a fill-in issue ofThe Amazing Spider-Manand five issues ofPunisherfor Marvel. He then pitched to editorTerry Kavanaugha story he would write and draw forMarvel Comics PresentsfeaturingNova,a character that Larsen adored. It was initially approved, but when it was found that it did not fit with an impending storyline inNew Warriors,a team book in which Nova was a member, Larsen's series was cancelled.[7]Larsen instead drew an "Excalibur"arc forMarvel Comics Presents,despite lacking interest in that group, because he needed work. This led to Larsen doing more Spider-Man work.[5]

In 1990 Erik Larsen replacedTodd McFarlaneonThe Amazing Spider-Manwith issue #329, having previously penciled issues 287, 324 and 327. With writerDavid Michelinie,Larsen illustrated stories such as "The Cosmic Spider-Man", "The Return of theSinister Six"(#334–339) and" The Powerless Spider-Man "(#341–343). He left the title with #350, was succeeded byMark Bagleywith #351. Larsen again succeeded McFarlane onSpider-Man,where he wrote and drew the six-issue story arc "Revenge of theSinister Six"(#18–23). Larsen also gained critical acclaim for his work with the characterVenomduring his time on Amazing Spider-Man. His design of Venom was highlighted during the story "Venom Returns" (#330–#333, #344–347, Annual #25), which introduced signature visual elements to the character such as giving Venom a long reptilian tongue dripping slime.[12][13]Though his work with Venom was widely lauded and sales were strong, Larsen has gone on record saying he did not enjoy drawing the character and that he found the origin story of bothEddie Brockand the Venom symbiote to be unlikable.[12]

Larsen stopped working for Marvel in 1992 (see below) but has occasionally returned to write and illustrate, on titles such asFantastic Four,The Defenders,WolverineandNova.In 2000, he returned to pencilThe Amazing Spider-Manvol. 2, issues #19–21 with writerHoward Mackie.In 2019, he penciled and wroteAmazing Spider-man: Going Big,a one-shot for Marvel's 80th anniversary, along withMark BagleyandGerry Conway.[14]

Image Comics

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In 1992, seeking greater control and profit over the work they created, Larsen and six other illustrators left Marvel to form Image Comics, where Larsen launched a series featuring a reworked version ofSavage Dragon.This version was a massively muscled green amnesiac, who joined the Chicago police department after being discovered in a burning field. Initially debuting in a three-issue miniseries, the series met with enough success to justify a monthly series, launched in 1993.[3]Larsen continued to write and illustrate the series entirely by himself, usually maintaining a roughly monthly schedule except during times when it was not in production.[5]

As an Image partner, he formed the studioHighbrow Entertainment,which publishes through Image.[15]

Savage Dragon is one of two original Image Comics titles still published (the other beingSpawn) and the only one still written and drawn by its creator.[16]The character was also adapted into a short-lived (26 episodes)USA Networkanimated series that started in 1995.[17]

Erik Larsen in Artists Alley at New York Comic Con 2015

In 2004, Larsen replacedJim Valentinoas publisher of Image Comics, taking responsibility for all comics produced by creators other than the Image partners and their studios.[18]Larsen stepped down as publisher in July 2008 and executive directorEric Stephensonwas promoted to the position:

Fans wanted more Savage Dragon and I wanted to do more Savage Dragon—but it was not possible to be both a fulltime publisher and a fulltime cartoonist efficiently. Something had to give, and given the fact that Image was in a good place—going in the right direction—and Eric Stephenson was completely up to speed and ready to go—it seemed that the timing was right.[19]

In 2012 and 2013, Larsen had a run as writer and artist on a short-lived revival ofRob Liefeld'sSupreme,illustrating writerAlan Moore's final unpublished script with issue #63 and writing new stories from issues #64–68.[20][21]Also in 2012, Erik Larsen purchasedMario Gully's characterAnt.[22]In 2015, Erik co-wrote and drewSpawnstarting withSpawn#258 and ending withSpawn#266; this run was notable for having included a crossover with Savage Dragon and for featuring Gully's creationAnt.[23][24]In June 2021, Larsen concluded the first volume of Gully's seriesAnt.[25]In November 2021, Larsen launched a newAntseries, starting with a new first issue.[26][27]

Personal life

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Larsen and his wife Jannie live inSan Francisco, California,with their two sons, Christopher and Joseph.[3]

In October 2022, Larsen said he would leaveTwitterifElon Muskbought the platform. In an email to NBC News, he said, "Yeah, I left. I said I would leave if Musk bought Twitter. Musk bought Twitter. So, I had no choice. The move only emboldened those most toxic users. The racists, 'patriots' and creeps are back in full force".[28]

Awards

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In 2012, Larsen received anInkpot Awardfrom Comic-Con International.[29]

Larsen was nominated for the 2016Inkwell AwardsAll-in-One Award, for "Favorite artist known for inking his/ her own pencil work in award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book material."[30]In 2017, he was again nominated and received the 2017 All-in-One Award for his work on Savage Dragon.[31][32]

Bibliography

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DC

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Art

Script

  • Aquaman#50–62
  • Aquaman Secret Files#1

Marvel

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Art

Script

Image

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Art

Script

  • Ant#12
  • Deadly Duovol. 1 #1–3
  • Freak Forcevol. 2 #1–3
  • Negative Burn Anthology
  • Savage Dragonvol. 1 #1–3 v2 #1–present
  • Savage Dragon vs Savage Megaton Man
  • Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence#1–2
  • Spawn#259–266
  • Supreme#64–68
  • SuperPatriot#1–4
  • WildC.A.T.svol. 1 #14

Editor

  • Deadly Duovol. 2 #1–4
  • Freak Forcevol. 1 #1–18
  • Savage Dragon: Red Horizon#1–3
  • Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck
  • Star#1–4
  • SuperPatriot: Liberty & Justice#1–4
  • Vanguard#1–6
  • Vanguard: Strange Visitors#1–4

Publisher

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  • Dart(1996)
  • Deadly Duo(1994–1995)
    • Deadly Duovol. 2 (1995)
  • Freak Force(1993–1995)
    • Freak Forcevol. 2 (1997)
  • Dragon: Blood & Guts(1995)
  • Savage Dragon(1992)
    • Savage Dragonvol. 2 (1993–ongoing)
  • Savage Dragon/Marshal Law(1997)
  • Savage Dragon: Red Horizon(1997)
  • Savage Dragon: Sex and Violence(1997)
  • Savage Dragon: God War(2004–2005)
  • Star(1995)
  • SuperPatriot(1993)
    • SuperPatriot: Liberty & Justice(1995)
    • SuperPatriot: America's Fighting Force(2002)
    • SuperPatriot: War on Terror(2004–2005)
  • The Dragon(1996)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(1996–1999)
  • Vanguard(1993–1994)
    • Vanguard: Strange Visitors(1996–1997)

References

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  1. ^"Image Comics Erik Larsen Profile".
  2. ^"Today's Comics Guide: November 24, 2011: Birthdays 2 Weeks from Now".CBGXtra.November 24, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2012.
  3. ^abcd"Erik Larsen – Biography & Bibliography".Savage Dragon.Archived fromthe originalon May 26, 2011.RetrievedNovember 4,2012.
  4. ^Fingeroth, Danny(November 2002)."Inside the Mind of a Writer/Artist".Write Now!(2). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:3–4.
  5. ^abcdeGrand, Alex; Thompson, Jim (February 21, 2020)."Erik Larsen Interview, Comic Book Maker by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson".Comic Book Historians.RetrievedFebruary 21,2020.
  6. ^Cronin, Brian (July 23, 2017)."Comic Legends: Did Dungeons & Dragons Object to Erik Larsen's Dragon?".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  7. ^abMitchel, Bill (July 7, 2009)."IN-DEPTH: Erik Larsen".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  8. ^"Savage Dragon's Pre-Image Graphic Fantasy Comics To Be Reprinted Officially".Comics.Retrieved2021-06-14.
  9. ^Browning, Michael (July 2013). "The Doom Patrol Interviews: Erik Larsen".Back Issue!(65). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:52–54.
  10. ^De Blieck Jr., Augie (March 17, 1999)."Pipeline Special: Larsen off Aquaman".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  11. ^Larsen, Erik (May 9, 2008)."One Fan's Opinion".CBR.
  12. ^abWizard#23 (July 1993)Wizard Entertainment.
  13. ^"Marvel Artist Explains the Origin of Venom's Weirdly Long Tongue".ScreenRant.May 1, 2018.RetrievedMay 1,2018.
  14. ^"This September, Erik Larsen Returns to 'Amazing Spider-Man'".Marvel Entertainment.
  15. ^Dominguez, Noah (April 1, 2019)."Image Co-Founder Erik Larsen Announces Return to Marvel".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
  16. ^David, Peter."Giving Credit Where Credit is Due, Part 1".peterdavid.net. August 23, 2010. Reprinted fromComics Buyer's Guide#1033. September 3, 1993
  17. ^Burlingame, Russ (July 15, 2020)."Savage Dragon Creator Erik Larsen on The Animated Series Finally Getting a Full Release After More Than 20 Years".ComicBook.RetrievedJuly 15,2020.
  18. ^Brady, Matt (July 8, 2008)."Eric Stephenson: Talking to the New Image Publisher".Newsarama.
  19. ^Piccione, Sebastian (August 12, 2008)."ERIK LARSEN Interview".Project Fanboy.Archivedfrom the original on Feb 10, 2012.
  20. ^Burlingame, Russ (September 7, 2017)."After Alan Moore: Erik Larsen on Supreme #64".ComicBook.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  21. ^Melrose, Kevin (August 28, 2012)."Erik Larsen to leave Supreme with Issue 68".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  22. ^Johnston, Rich (September 4, 2012)."Why Mario Gully Sold Ant".Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  23. ^"NYCC EXCLUSIVE: Erik Larsen Joins Todd McFarlane on" Spawn "".CBR.October 8, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  24. ^Johnston, Rich (September 7, 2016)."Erik Larsen Off Spawn With #266 – And No More (UPDATE)".Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  25. ^Simons, Dean (March 9, 2021)."Syndicated Comics".The Beat.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  26. ^Johnston, Rich (May 14, 2021)."Erik Larsen Launches New Ongoing Ant Comic From August".Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  27. ^"Image Co-Founder Erik Larsen Launches New Ant Series".ScreenRant.May 15, 2021.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  28. ^Mier, Tomás (2022-11-21)."All the Celebrities Who've Quit Twitter Because of Elon Musk".Rolling Stone.Retrieved2022-11-23.
  29. ^"Inkpot Award".Comic-Con International: San Diego.December 6, 2012.RetrievedJune 14,2021.
  30. ^"2016 Winners".Inkwell Awards. June 30, 2016.
  31. ^"2017 Winners".Inkwell Awards. July 3, 2017.
  32. ^"2017 INKWELL AWARD Winners".Newsarama. June 19, 2017.
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Preceded by The Amazing Spider-Manartist
1990–1991 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Spider-Manwriter-artist
1991–1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Wolverinewriter
1999–2000 		Succeeded by
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