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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

THE WICKED FISTS OF DC COMIC'S RICHARD DRAGON !!!


The DC Comic's series, Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter, began as a paperback novel, Dragon's Fist by Denny O'Neil as Jim Dennis.

As a teenage sneak thief in Japan, young Richard Dragon broke into a Chinese dojo outside of Kyoto to steal a priceless jade Buddha. Before he could get away, Dragon was caught and beaten by the dojo's teenage student, Ben Turner. O-Sensei, the dojo's master, saw something worth nurturing in Richard, and for the next seven years taught Ben and Richard, side by side, mastery of the martial arts. Dragon came to find an inner peace, only using his skill when absolutely necessary. Once he felt there was nothing more he could teach them, the O-Sensei left the two.
Denny O'Neil wrote most of the series, except for David A. Kraft on #11 & #12, with art by Leopoldo Duranona, Dick Giordano, Jim Starlin, Alan Weiss, Jack "King" Kirby, Ric Estrada & Wally Wood. Ric Estrada drew the rest of the series, following #4, with Wally Wood inks through #7!
Dragon is a man of starkly astounding resolve and power. His talents as a man of action are vast, and he is a cold and unstoppable machine at pretty much everything he does. When he focuses his inner energies (usually by touching the jade claw pendant the O-Sensei gave him), his spirit and body become (metaphorically) like unrelenting granite.
- See more at: http://www.writeups.org/fiche.php?id=3380#sthash.jPCbxFzx.dpuAs a teenage sneak thief in Japan, young Richard Dragon broke into a Chinese dojo outside of Kyoto to steal a priceless jade Buddha. Before he could get away, Dragon was caught and beaten by the dojo's teenage student, Ben Turner. O-Sensei, the dojo's master, saw something worth nurturing in Richard, and for the next seven years taught Ben and Richard, side by side, mastery of the martial arts. Dragon came to find an inner peace, only using his skill when absolutely necessary. Once he felt there was nothing more he could teach them, the O-Sensei left the two.
Dragon is a man of starkly astounding resolve and power. His talents as a man of action are vast, and he is a cold and unstoppable machine at pretty much everything he does. When he focuses his inner energies (usually by touching the jade claw pendant the O-Sensei gave him), his spirit and body become (metaphorically) like unrelenting granite.
- See more at: http://www.writeups.org/fiche.php?id=3380#sthash.jPCbxFzx.dpuf
Richard Dragon is an awesome martial artist, trained by the greatest master in the world. After years of training, he reaches the lofty distinction of being probably the best martial artist on Earth.
Dragon is a man of starkly astounding resolve and power. His talents as a man of action are vast, and he is a cold and unstoppable machine at pretty much everything he does. When he focuses his inner energies (usually by touching the jade claw pendant the O-Sensei gave him), his spirit and body become (metaphorically) like unrelenting granite.
- See more at: http://www.writeups.org/fiche.php?id=3380#sthash.jPCbxFzx.dpuf

Richard Dragon is an awesome martial artist, trained by the greatest master in the world. After years of training, he reaches the lofty distinction of being probably the best martial artist on Earth.
Dragon is a man of starkly astounding resolve and power. His talents as a man of action are vast, and he is a cold and unstoppable machine at pretty much everything he does. When he focuses his inner energies (usually by touching the jade claw pendant the O-Sensei gave him), his spirit and body become (metaphorically) like unrelenting granite.
- See more at: http://www.writeups.org/fiche.php?id=3380#sthash.jPCbxFzx.dpuf
Richard Dragon is an awesome martial artist, trained by the greatest master in the world. After years of training, he reaches the lofty distinction of being probably the best martial artist on Earth.
Dragon is a man of starkly astounding resolve and power. His talents as a man of action are vast, and he is a cold and unstoppable machine at pretty much everything he does. When he focuses his inner energies (usually by touching the jade claw pendant the O-Sensei gave him), his spirit and body become (metaphorically) like unrelenting granite.
- See more at: http://www.writeups.org/fiche.php?id=3380#sthash.jPCbxFzx.dpufDenny O'Neil wrote most of the series, except for #11 & #12 from David A. Kraft, with art by Leopoldo Duranona, Dick Giordano, Jim Starlin, Alan Weiss, Jack "King" Kirby, Ric Estrada & Wally Wood. Dick Giordano provided the covers (#1-#11) to these early issues. Ric Estrada drew the rest of the series, following #4, with Wally Wood inks through #7! 

 
I want to touch on the issues encompassing the adaptation of the great paperback novel.

Richard Dragon #1  Coming of a Dragon!
"Coming of a Dragon"
Richard Dragon and Benjamin Turner, travel to Afghanistan to stop the slavery ring of Aki. Based on the novel "Dragon's Fists" by Jim Dennis (Cartoonist Jim Berry & writer Denny O'Neil.)
"The Dojo" 
Text article. 


Richard Dragon #2  If You've Got To Die...Die Fighting!
"A Dragon Fights Alone"
The Swiss captures Carolyn and with Ben injured, Richard must go after him alone.
"The Dojo"
Text article.
Richard Dragon #3  They're the Weapons Masters...and They're Going to Make Mincemeat of...Richard Dragon!
"Claws of the Dragon"
Dragon battles the Weapon Masters to free Carolyn, but the Swiss manages to take Carolyn and escape.
"The Dojo"
Becomes the letters page.
 

Richard Dragon #4  
"A Time to be a Whirlwind"
Richard is unable to save Carolyn from The Swiss, but does get his revenge.
Concludes the novel adaptation.

Richard Dragon #18, last issue!
The comic book series went on for 18 issues. Lady Shiva co-starred in #5 through #18, following the adaptation of the novel. There was a Bruce Lee cameo in #14 with a striking cover by Rich Buckler. Even Captain Boomerang (not in costume) comes in for the last issue.


Unfortunately, when Richard Dragon returned in 2004, the series complete reworked of the character of Richard Dragon, essentially tossing out almost 30 years of continuity; Dragon converted from the wise and Zen like teacher of folks like the Question and the Huntress into an impulsive butt kicking kung-fu fighter; Many of the points of origin and history were completely different.
Richard Dragon #5 introduced Lady Shiva!
Live Large My Friends!

Thank You! 

 

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