Toysoup Erik Larsen interveiw

Posted in Off Topic

Heres an interview Erik Larsen did with me today. I first want to thank him for his time and for getting back to me so quick(within hours)

1. The Legendary Comic Book Heroes Savage Dragon is my Favorite of the line and we also got Star and SuperPatriot, I guess it was a pretty good realationship with Marvel toys?


It was okay. It wasn't my favorite Dragon figure ever but I thought it was reasonably well-executed.

2. Are there any plans to Realease anymore (Besides Vangard) thru anyother sourses now that the line is cancelled?


As far as I know Vanguard won't be released. Dunno what happened there. It was actually my favorite of the bunch. They really captured his look, I thought. At this time there are no figures in the works at Marvel or anywhere.

3. How do you feel about customizing? My Star turned into a Grendel and I've seen some amazing work done using The Dragon as base figures.


It's up to the toy owner. I don't care one way or the other. If people want to alter their toys or set them on fire and chop them up with an ax--that's up to them. I destroyed my old GI Joes as a kid. It was a right-of-passage kind of thing. I felt like I'd moved on toward adulthood after mutilating those toys.


4. Do you collect toys yourself and if so what?


I don't. As a kid I collected those Mego superheroes and G.I. Joes but as an adult--not so much. I have a few that were given to me and any Savage Dragon-related figures but I don't seek out toys.


5. I think The Dragon would make a great movie, are there any plans to bring him to any other forms of media?


There's always talk--and at this point it's more serious than it has ever been but until there are props being made and casting going on I'm hesitant to talk about it. I don't want to be one of those guys shouting about their movie that never gets made.


6. How have things changed since you started creating comics?


The coloring is the biggest change. When I started out most comics were printed on newsprint with flat color. Creators have come and gone. Suits have shuffled from one chair to another. The movies are better--or, at least, they LOOK better. The distribution has changed some--less newsstand--more comic book shops. A lot of this is pretty obvious. I'm not telling you anything you don't know.


7. In hindsight would you have done things differently?


I don't dwell on the past. I look to the future. Everything is still possible. The only thing I regret is not buying more original art when it was affordable. In terms of career moves--things worked out okay, I thought.


8. My favorite Marvel work was your run on Wolveriene, any chance you would ever go back and write something for anyone else again?


Maybe some day. Not any time soon. As long as I'm the publisher I'll be exclusive to Image Comics. I dipped my toe back into Marvel and DC a few years back and it wasn't fun. Or at least--it wasn't as much fun as I hoped it would be.


9. Is Image where you thought it would be today? What do you do as Publisher?


I decide what we publish and help creators realize their dreams. It mostly involves answering a lot of emails and taking a lot of phone calls. Image never goes where I expect it to. Every day is a surprise and a challenge. I'm happy with where it is and where is appears to be going.

10. How do you feel about thousands of fourms online and do you ever check any of them out?


I'm active on a few of the. I check in at http://www.newsarama.com and a few others. I can't be everywhere but I try to keep active on the forums I participate in.

11. I don't think I've ever seen anything negative written about you, are you really that nice a guy?


Yes. Yes, I am.


But there are a few folks whose feathers I've ruffled over the years. I tend to speak my mind and that can cause problems. But the alternative is unbearable. I hate reading those posts and blogs that are sanitized for my protection. They're bland beyond belief. If you like or don't like something--I want to know about it. Saying "everything is wonderful" doesn't help. If "it's all great" then your opinion is worthless. How can I expect somebody to value my opinion if I withhold it? I'd rather speak my mind and have people trust me when I say something is legitimately worthwhile.


12. Anything you want to add?


Bacon. You can never go wrong adding bacon.

-Erik Larsen

Thanks again for your time, Paul
You can check out more about The Savage Dragon and Image comics thru these links-

http://www.savagedragon.com/
http://www.imagecomics.com/
and do yourself a favor and pick up the monthly comic book, its $2.99 well spent