Erik Larsen and Todd McFarlane wrap up their collaboration on Spawn with a crossover with Larsen’s Savage Dragon.

Two of Image Comics‘s co-founders, Todd McFarlane and Erik Larsen, have been collaborating on McFarlane’s Spawn series since late last year. They split plotting, scripting, penciling and inking duties on the book, a unique dynamic in comics. It worked, however, as the two Image Partners breathed new life into the title while establishing a new status quo.

This week’s Spawn #266 marks the end of Larsen’s time on the series. The cover for the issue is by Erik Larsen with a variant by Todd McFarlane.

Larsen Exits Spawn with a Bang

Erik Larsen’s run will end with the moment fans have been waiting for since his work on Spawn was first announced: a crossover with his own Savage Dragon title. Larsen has been the writer and artist on Savage Dragon since its inception when Image Comics launched nearly 25 years ago. And continued to do so while simultaneously splitting duties on Spawn. To up the ante even further, Larsen is using the crossover as a vehicle to re-introduce Ant, a character that had its own Image series some years ago.

Who Is Ant?

Ant is a female super hero created by artist Mario Gully. She is best known for her series published by Image Comics, beginning in 2007. Coupled with brief series at other publishers, including Arcana and Big City Comics, the character quickly gained a respectable following. Subsequently, Gully sold the rights to Ant to Larsen.

Larsen has stated, previously, that he has plans to launch a new Ant series. In advance of that, Larsen is wisely re-introducing the character to the audience while he has the additional platform of Spawn. More eyes on the character now will, hopefully, lead to more interest in the series once it is solicited.

Someone Is Creating Bad Guys

The premise of the Spawn/Savage Dragon crossover is that someone named Alzavah Stone has the ability to give people powers and has been using it to create more super-powered villains. One such villain being King Spider, whom Ant and original hellspawn Al Simmons faced in Spawn #265. After Spider was defeated, Ant recruited Simmons to help her take down Stone. Ant then attempted to do the same with Malcolm Dragon in Savage Dragon #216 before she was knocked out in battle. That is where things stand as the preview below picks up the story from there.

There was the suggestion in one of the prelude issues that Ant may already be aligned with some other heroes in this mission. At the very least, however, the assembled trio set out to take down the mysterious Alzavah Stone when the two-part crossover formally begins in Wednesday’s Spawn #266. The tale concludes in Savage Dragon #217, in stores October 19th.

What’s next for Spawn?

With Larsen leaving the title, Bam Smack Pow has learned that former Spawn artist Szymon Kudranski will be returning for #267. McFarlane will be writing and contributing to art duties. The issue will include a cover by Rafael Albuquerque, with a variant cover by Jordan Butler. It hits comic shops everywhere on November 2nd. To find a comic shop near you, use the Comic Shop Locator.