MARVEL DRAGONS
To bring in the Lunar New Year! Celebrate the Year of the Dragon by reading up on some of the most powerful and fearsome characters in Marvel Comics—the dragons of the Marvel Universe!
MARVEL'S MOST FIERY
Fin Fang Foom
In The Totally Awesome Hulk (2015) #3
The most legendary dragon of them all is Fin Fang Foom, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in STRANGE TALES (1951) #89. Fin Fang Foom is from an alien race that visited ancient China, sleeping for centuries before awakening in the modern era. Fin Fang Foom’s alliance with the Mandarin placed him on a collision course with Iron Man, with the dragon exiled to Monster Isle upon each defeat. He is known to eat sharks.
Lockheed
In X-Men Annual (1970) #8
A fire-breathing member of the Pet Avengers! The X-Men’s space adventures have introduced them to many allies over the years, but the most adorable of them all is the small, winged Lockheed. Debuting in UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #166, the X-Men encountered Lockheed while fighting the Brood. The dragon quickly bonded with Kitty Pryde and became something of a pet and protector for her back on Earth.
Shou-Lao the Undying
In Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #10
The mystical city of K'un-Lun is deep in the Himalayas, hidden away from prying eyes by powerful magic. Near the city is a cave where the legendary dragon Shou-Lao the Undying resides, living in a never-ending cycle of death and rebirth. They serve as the ultimate test for martial artists training at K'un-Lun. Those who defeat Shou-Lao absorb a portion of its lifeforce, becoming a source of power for the Iron Fist.
Grogg
In Nick Fury's Howling Commandos (2005) #1
Deep within the Soviet Union, the ancient dragon Grogg awakened from his slumber and was rocketed into deep space where he was then captured by the Collector. After being freed from an underground menagerie, Grogg came into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody to carry out international missions. Since then, Grogg has alternated between valuable ally and rampaging menace. It just depends on what mood he’s in.
Sadurang
In Tony Stark: Iron Man (2018) #12
Crossover epic WAR OF THE REALMS (2019) brought the Ten Realms to Earth in a harrowing battle to stop the evil Malekith. One of Malekith’s most powerful allies was the Asgardian dragon Sadurang, who studied magic under Dormammu. While hiding out in Europe after Malekith’s defeat, the Savage Avengers tracked him down and exiled Sadurang to Limbo after discovering he had stashed away Doctor Strange’s Eye of Agamotto.
Mr. Lao
In Agents of Atlas (2006) #6
Many dragons live for centuries, making them some of the wisest characters in Marvel Comics. When the Mongolian Empire discovered the magical dragon Mr. Lao, he became an invaluable advisor to the leaders of the Atlas Foundation, a secret society based in East Asia that steered the course of human civilization. In the modern era, Agent Jimmy Woo similarly looked to Mr. Lao for team counsel.
Dragon of the Moon
In Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #12
An ancient dragon whose corrosive influence has been felt throughout the cosmos. Introduced in DEFENDERS (1972) #138, the Dragon of the Moon is responsible for turning Mordred against King Arthur before their imprisonment by the Eternals. Later, they turned innocent human Heather Douglas into the super-powered psychic Moondragon, pitting her against the Defenders and the Guardians of the Galaxy on separate occasions.
Dragon Man/Draconus
In Fantastic Four (2014) #9
Dragon Man is an advanced android developed by Professor Gregson Gilbert and brought to life by the villainous Diablo. Other villains have taken control of Dragon Man for their own devious ends, pitting him against heroes like the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. Valeria Richards later confiscated Dragon Man and used her super-intellect to gift him sentience, making him a valuable ally of the Future Foundation.