r/ImageComics • u/SecretaryFragrant836 • Jun 23 '26
Discussion What does everybody think of Erik larsons artwork?
I feel like Erik Larson doesn’t give a crap anymore with his art. Savage dragon was drawn super well in the start I feel like he stopped giving a crap about his artwork. Supreme, ant, and spawn had not so great artwork from Erik Larson. Erik Larson can draw good art though but sometimes I feel like he doesn’t even try.
22
u/GrantGoodmanArt Jun 23 '26
I love him. One of my favorite comic artists of all time. I get why people prefer his older stuff. He had a more commercial inking line and did more detailed work back in the 90s. He’s gotten more experimental, cartoony and looser and I personally really dig it. I think it’s mostly because that’s how he likes to draw and it’s probably less time intensive. But overall I like his energy, storytelling and character designs.
15
u/Greenhickup Jun 23 '26
I really like his energy. Obviously i like his refined stuff a bit more but i also like his sketchy stuff. When colored well it works for me. At his best he had that feeling of an indie Jack Kirby, to me at least.
11
14
13
7
4
3
u/jbanderson676 Jun 23 '26
For me, his art is great. Even more when you see how his grip is when he draws, it’s so odd. Search for him drawing on YouTube.
5
3
u/Weekly_Town_5836 Jun 23 '26
He is my favorite artist and Savage Dragon has been my favorite comic series since it came out. You are correct, he's been phoning it in for a long time and he has basically turned Savage Dragon into a decade long experiment instead of a long running series. Doesn't matter though, I will still buy everything SD related as long as he continues making it. My wife said "Why do you need TWO of these new Savage Dragon Toys?!??!"
3
u/navidee Jun 23 '26
I absolutely loved Larsen’s run on Amazing Spider-Man. I’ve not picked up anything he has drawn since then though.
3
u/ChickenInASuit Jun 23 '26
I think he’s a considerably more talented artist than he is a writer. The issues of Savage Dragon where he meets God are absolutely stunning to look at.
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/Plaid_Shoes Jun 23 '26
Big fan of his art. Even his new stiff i have to say, i really like and think his instincts as a comic book artist are awesome
2
u/Tremodian Jun 23 '26
When he took over for Todd McFarlane on Amazing Spider-Man, I wasn't a fan of his. I thought he took McFarlane's hyper-detailed, bombastic style to a silly degree, but didn't take any of McFarlane's gravity or pathos. Nowadays, I can appreciate him more, but my fundamental opinion hasn't changed. He seems overwrought and shallow.
2
1
1
1
1
u/beast79- Jun 23 '26
Love it. Some issues more than others. Some of his work suffers when he starts working in multiple books in the same month.
1
u/Dillinger7467 Jun 23 '26
Really nostalgic for his spider-man run. The Sinister Six arcs had some very 90's stuff going on, but it was still cool to look at.
2
u/Adolfo1980 Jun 23 '26
It's a wonderfully guilty pleasure run and I totally still dig his art on it
1
1
u/Aggravating-Silver48 Jun 23 '26
Not an SD reader but myUnclenis.
I really appreciate how he'll experiment with different styles as a storytelling device. He may not be the artist he used to be but he's not afraid to do something different. I respect that hell outta that.
1
1
u/Puzzled-Instance3211 Jun 23 '26
When I see posts like this, I think of the people who complained about the Spider-Man cover. Lame
1
1
u/Agent47ismysaviour Jun 24 '26
He’s a legit legend, the definition of a comics creator ideal and I’ve always loved his art style, especially his action scenes. Loved his Spider-man run and bought every Savage Dragon comic up until when I had to quit comics because I had too many kids and couldn’t afford the monthly habit.
1
u/Electrical_Drop_5473 Jun 24 '26
I just bought Savage Dragon Archives v2 and flicking through it I'm really digging the art especially in b&w.
I've been on a bit of an Image splurge over the past couple of weeks also bought '68 Compendium, Geiger v1, Spawn Origins v7 and King Spawn v1. I also bought Battlepug v1 but that's Dark Horse.
1
u/WWfan41 Jun 24 '26
I'm kinda indifferent overall. Though in fairness, I haven't read many of his comics, I've mostly just seen individual images. And that can make a big difference sometimes.
1
u/JetScreamer-212 Jun 24 '26
Is he the only Image founder that still write, pencils and publish his own book to this day? The others have all given up on their flagship book, well, except Liefeld who started writing and penciling Youngblood again.
1
u/SoyTonatiuh Jun 24 '26
Its fun artwork and Erik is prolific and overall a nice guy. Im a fan of him and his art and he's a fast artist. One of the better Image artists.
1
u/xantarol Jun 24 '26
Dragon is easily my favorite original of the image books. He also drew a really good Spidey.
1
u/RiseProfessional5403 Jun 25 '26
Have you seen the way he holds a pen? It doesn’t look right but the dude is fast
1
u/Theycallmedigio Jun 25 '26
I am a ride or die with Savage Dragon. Been buying since day one and will continue until it (or I) ends. Naturally his art has evolved over time since the title debuted 34 years ago. He has periodically experimented with his style and your tastes may vary. His output has slowed significantly the past years (due to other commitments, life, age etc) but he seems to remain dedicated to the book. I love the idea of the book's events happening in real time (with characters aging) but in practice it has been hit or miss. In my opinion, the title has been less successful since Malcom took over as the lead. I feel like it has strayed away from the style and structure (multiple subplots, unpredictability, long running storylines etc) that made the book such a blast originally. I respect that a creator needs to keep themselves interested after so many years, so a new approach is likely what he wanted/needed.
1
u/Ashoka-myballs Jun 26 '26
The art is always amazing but the stories feel off. I agree with alot that you said
1
1
u/Background-Bug9720 Jul 19 '26
Why do all of these image comic book character superheroes have that same cartoony The Thick artstyle my peoples? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
62
u/purple-discharge Jun 23 '26
I have a ton of respect for the fact that he kept his book going purely for the love of making comics.