TITLE: Savage Dragon Issue #51
YEAR: July 1998
COMPANY: Image Comics
Writer/Artwork: Erik Larsen
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: I.H.O.C., Reuben Rude, Abel Mouton, Bill Zindel, Lea Rude
For those reading “Savage Dragon”, there were numerous times when he was killed in battle and a funeral was held afterward.
While the most recent is supposed to be his full death and now focusing on his son’s adventures, way back in 1998, for the 51st issue, Savage Dragon was dissolved into nothing by Abner Cadaver, after he beaten the Horde and broke up the Vicious Circle.
Unfortunately, all that was left was Abners skull and an arm of the Savage Dragon and in a fit of anger of what happened, Barbaric destroys Abner’s skull preventing any chance of repairing or bringing back Savage Dragon.
Rita is taking it hard as with She-Dragon.
This issue gives us a back-story of how She-Dragon became what she is and how she became a fan and followed Savage Dragon’s path of becoming a police officer.
She-Dragon’s first appearance was years earlier in “The Savage Dragon Vs. The Savage Megaton Man Special” but Amy Belcher’s past is explored in this issue.
Meanwhile as everyone is saving their farewell and sharing memories of the Dragon, Lord Zeus brings in Herakles to discuss how Gods should not interfere with the doings of mankind but the offspring of these Gods still dwell on Earth and are interfering and so, he is tasked to bring them all back into Godworld within two months.
Overall, issue #51 is an issue that gives us great insight on She-Dragon but also it was a homage to She-Hulk made popular by John Byrne and even incorporating a parody of the Next Men with She-Dragon being a former member of Nixed Men.
But it was an entertaining issue, although I wonder if more people bought this issue for its cover back then.