The Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence
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| The Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence | |
 Cover to The Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence #1, August 1997. Art by Rick Mays. |
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| Publisher | Image Comics |
|---|---|
| Schedule | monthly |
| Publication date | September 1997-August 1997 |
| Number of issues | 2 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum (with a story assist from Erik Larsen |
| Artist(s) | Rick Mays, Mark Lipka, Adam Hughes |
| Creator(s) | Erik Larsen |
The Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence was a two-issue limited series starring the Savage Dragon, created by Erik Larsen. It ran from August to September 1997. Chronologically, the story occurs between issues 21 and 22 (approximately) of the regular Savage Dragon series.
The mini-series was originally conceived as a Savage Dragon Annual with art by Adam Hughes but it was split into a mini-series and Hughes provided only layouts because, Larsen alleges, of his perfectionism and his drawing Jennifer Murphy incorrect. Attempts were made to do the book with another artist David Williams but they also failed when he pulled out because of the series' subject matter.[citation needed]
[edit] Plot
When the Savage Dragon responds to a domestic violence call, he a distraught mother and child and a man whose head has been exploded with great force. The woman, Jennifer Murphy, explains to him that mutant powers began to manifest while her husband was beating her, and when he turned his violent attention on their daughter, Jennifer struck him with a strength she had never known before, completely demolishing the man's head. Prosecutors decide not to press charges, calling it a case of self defense.
At a later time, a number of decapitated male corpses are discovered in Chicago back alleys. Suspicion immediately falls on Jennifer, even though there is no evidence linking her to the crime. Police grow more suspicious when an anonymous caller contacts the police numerous times, identifying Jennifer as the murderer. Even on this flimsy, circumstantial evidence, she is thrown into prison.
The real murderer is a stripper who has super powers. The anonymous caller, a strip-club regular named Grundy, is enamored of the stripper, and has taken it upon himself to shield her from punishment for her crimes, in an attempt to garner her attention and favor.
The Savage Dragon is convinced that Jennifer is not the killer, and sets about exonerating her. During his investigations, he is confronted by a woman named Guillotine, armed with powerful laser weapons. He attempts to question her, not realizing she is the murderer. Guillotine attacks the Dragon, taking him by surprise, and nearly beats him (by blowing a hole in his chest), but he is rescued by Freak Force member Dart.
Later, Grundy pays a visit to Guillotine to profess his obsessive love. Guillotine relives a memory of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father (which prompted her mother to decapitate her father), and then beheads Grundy.
Following a lead, the Dragon and Alex Wilde travel to the strip club where Grundy was a regular. They spot Guillotine and pursue her into an alley behind the club. The Dragon and Guillotine fight once more, but this time the Dragon defeats her. She is taken into custody by the Chicago Police Department. Investigators discover a number of preserved human (male) heads in her apartment.
Eventually, Guillotine confesses to all of the murders, exonerating Jennifer Murphy. She is released from prison and reunited with her daughter.
