ERIK LARSEN

Erik Larsen made it a habit of following in Todd McFarlane's footsteps.  Literally.
    When McFarlane left Amazing Spider-Man, in 1990, Larsen took over penciling duties.  Larsen took over McFarlane's adjectiveless Spider-Man soon afterward.  Then he tossed it all away and jumped ship to Image.  Just like McFarlane.  "But I wasn't following Todd," the 37-year-old Larsen says, smiling.  "Promise."
    Maybe not, but like McFarlane, Larsen's made his mark in Image by sticking with one character all the way through:  the Savage Dragon.
    But enough about Larsen's resume.  Teh guy does an uncanny McFarlane impersonation.  He cusses like a sailor.  He's honest.  And the jokes--and the four-letter words-- keep comin'.
    Don't say we didn't warn you.

Wizard:  How does the future of Image look?

Larsen:  It always looks good.  The only problem is there's nothing there that you're not bringing there.  There isn't a Spider-man or Superman to tap.  But if you've got the stones and the talent, this is the best game in town.
    If there's anybody out there saying differently, they're lying.  Working at other companies is for wieners who have no faith in their own ability.  There's not anohter viable company out there that lets you keep your rights completely intact.

So why write for Marvel and DC?

I like the characters.  I get a kick out of it.  [Smiles] I have a tough time losing the fan in me.  Even though there's a lot of bullshit, and even though there are things I'm not allowed to do, I love it.

In regards to Image, what are you most proud of?

Sticking with the Dragon.  The level the Dragon is now in terms of sales.... [pauses].  Most companies cancel books when they this low.  But I have this huge story I want to tell.  I'm the only guy who's going to tell it.  It's going to get told.  I've got to do that.

Was Rob Liefeld bad for Image?

I don't want to answer that.  It's a dead horse.  It was a choice, and we made it for the good of the company.

How about Jim Lee selling WildStorm to DC.  Would you ever consider doing something like that?

[Makes a disgusted sound] No.  To have somebody else tell me, "No, the Dragon would never do that"?  Oh, fuck you.  Not in a million years.

What's your fondest Image memory?

Those early Image meetings with Todd McFarlane when he wasn't a wearing a shirt.  [Laughs] Thsoe meetings were nuts.  I remember Todd would deal out Spawn pages like they were playing cards.  We'd all take a stab at inking some of them during the meeting.