To me there is a great irony with the whole Image story.

For what seemed like the first time, Marvel was treating its creators very well and offering them lots of money and royalties during the late 1980's and early 1990's.

"Spider-Man" was created as a spin-off of "Amazing Spider-Man" just so that Todd could have his own playground to mess with the character. I recall in an old article from "Comics Scene" that the Marvel editor said that Marvel wasn't sure if Todd's new title would be in continuity because they were letting Todd do what he wanted.

Liefeld was appearing in Levis commercials directed by Spike Lee talking about being the creator of "X-Force,"and all the hot artists at the company at that time seemed to be very well-promoted and doing great.

So what happens to this bunch of artists that Marvel seemingly treated better than any other generation? They bit the hand that fed them, basically. I don't blame creators for wanting to do their own thing, but by starting the company by claiming it was about championing the rights of all creators was nonsense. It was all about THOSE specific creators that started the company. That became obvious after what happened to "Splitted Image," "The Tribe," and other titles by other creators who came on after the founders.

It became a case of "Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss."

And anyone that has read interviews with Todd McFarlane over the years and really followed what he said about the formation of Image will see that he was cold, calculating, and ruthless about furthering his career using others to that end. I remember an interview with, I believe, Fantagraphics where McFarlane talked about how he knew he had to convince Jim Lee to join Image to make a real go at challenging Marvel. I believe he said something to the effect that he HAD to have the "three L's" (Liefeld, Lee, Larsen).

Sadly enough, in inteviews about that period, Liefeld seems to think McFarlane wanted him to be a part of the company out of friendship. I was surprized when I read  the Liefeld comments that he was as naive about McFarlane's business tactics.

Erik Larsen wrote: And it's doubtful that we would have been given back the gigs we left. I'm sure we could have found something to do but there was no guarantee that those would have been decent books--most likely we'd be stuck on a third tier book like Namor, She-Hulk or the West Coast Avengers--you know, the types of books they give to guys who left them in the lurch.

You're a peach.

And it's doubtful that we would have been given back the gigs we left. I'm
sure we could have found something to do but there was no guarantee
that those would have been decent books--most likely we'd be stuck on
a third tier book like Namor, She-Hulk or the West Coast Avengers--you
know, the types of books they give to guys who left them in the lurch.

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Wow that is a bold statement especially considering that everyone of those titles were better than anything you have ever done.  Don't get me wrong I have enjoyed your work (including Savage Dragon) and had a lot of respect for you but that line was total bs.

>>I believe he said something to the effect that he HAD to have the "three L's" (Liefeld, Lee, Larsen).<<

the three L's were Liefeld, Lee and LIM - McFarlane had particular praise of Ron Lim, who he said he thought would be the biggest of the three since Lim could produce more than one book a month maintaining higher visiability, doing monthly work seemingly more important than growing roses in Todd's eyes then.

Erik- Just curious on what books that you, Silvestri, Lee, Valentino, Portacio, Liefeld worked on when you worked for Marvel again?   I don't remember it being "second rate" books.  Even though to be honest the most "b-list" character can be great depending who works on it.

Like I said I don't have a problem with your work.  I like it I really do and the fact that you have done as much Savage Dragon as you have done (and still seem to be having fun).  Just in my opinion your off here a little.