Permissions to reproduce an image while writing review papers I've seen some review papers use images from other articles under the 'adapted from [ref]' description while most others use the standard 'reproduced with permission from [ref]'. Does the former not require asking for permissions from the original publisher? If I redraw images myself, is it sufficient to simply cite the reference at the correct places and not ask for permissions?

If I ask for the permissions to reproduce a large set of images from a variety of different publishers for my review paper which is to be published in a particular journal X, and for some reason they reject the review; do I need to ask for the permissions again before sending the manuscript to another journal Y?
Usually the journal you are submitting to, will have instructions (even a form with legalese).  

If it is just for your thesis, I don't think you need to be hyper legalistic, but ask for permission for the intended use (in your thesis).  Email is sufficient (don't need a signature, but don't rely on word of mouth either.  If part of the thesis ends up becoming an article later, just go back at that time and ask for the fuller permission using the journal's advised form or instructions.