Black Dragon

One of the crop of young heroes in Harborview in the early 1980s, the young Black Dragon was an almost ubiquitous presence on the world variant scene for the better part of a decade. While he is currently presumed dead, there are enough points of confusion and outright contradictions to make that speculation at best. Given the strange twists and turns of this adventurer's history, it is best to approach his entry in stages.

The Chinese Legend
Black Dragon is a figure of myth and legend in China whose appearances date back to before Western history. Sometimes male, sometimes female, other aspects of the myth (the martial arts prowess and flame powers) remain constant. There have been recorded and proven appearances of this Black Dragon through the 19th and 20th centuries, lending credence to the earlier myths. While there is some correspondence between the American youth called Black Dragon and the legendary Chinese hero, it is generally accepted that the American simply possesses similar powers and took the name out of reverence or ignorance. Aside from the youth's commercial escapades and obvious occidental heritage, the greatest evidence of his imposture was a Black Dragon's appearance in China in 1986, while the American was active in Harborview.

The Early Days
Black Dragon appeared in Harboriew in 1980, roughly concurrently with the rest of the heroes who eventually made up Ground Zero. He wore an outlandish costume of black and red, with spikes and a stylized Chinese dragon's head mask, though the costume became less garish with each appearance. As with the rest of his fraternity, he turned his efforts to fighting the gang violence in Harborview, with considerable success. He also routinely teamed up with the sorcerer Grimouir in fighting mystical menaces, such as a 30-foot-high flaming daemon in a suburban community.

On the Periphery...
Black Dragon was involved in the case that marked the formation of Ground Zero (the battle against TECH at New Horizons Industries in 1981, see Francis Bouie), but was not formally offered membership. For whatever reason, Black Dragon never officially joined, though he used their lab space and acted as their scientist. During this time he formalized his costume: black pants and tunic, with a twining dragon design in red on the front (mirrored on the back of his leather jacket) and burning hair. He continued to work alone and alongside both Grimouir and Ground Zero from early '81 to late '84.
    During this time he aggressively marketed himself—he appeared in Ground Zero's concert tour, licensed "Air Dragons" with Nike, and filmed a commercial for McDonalds. (Holding a burger in either hand, "This one is fried, this one is flame broiled [the Whopper explodes into flame, being reduced to a charred cinder in seconds]. You decide." ) The apex of this activity occurred at a tag-team-wrestling charity event with Hulk Hogan. Dragonhand attacked during the live broadcast; Black Dragon won with Hulk Hogan's help, but the magical events at the fight's end left Black Dragon visibly shaken.

The Mature Era
Black Dragon disappeared for two months after the televised fight, and when he returned he was a changed man—calmer, less flamboyant and less publicity-seeking. He set up a foundation to aid oppressed peoples, loaning his name and his funds. Still unofficially working with Ground Zero and in Harborview, he began pursuing mystical menaces and acting as an international agent with his own agenda. Hs powers became more fully fleshed out, his control of heat and flame improved, his martial arts skills were more precise and he added spy to his assortment of careers.

After the Accident, Into the War
In early 1986 Black Dragon was seriously altered during a conflict with the Sidari and/or Death (accounts are contradictory). His flame powers were reduced, his size, build and strength increased, his combat style altered. He also suffered from partial amnesia. He cut down public appearances, focusing on crime in Harborview and internationally. Very mobile during this time, he was the last of Harborview's heroes in the Daemonwar in late 1986. He is presumed dead in the war, his body so damaged that he was identified by his costume. There is a statue to him in Harborview's Heroes Square.

China Again
As stated above, a Black Dragon, perhaps the actual legendary Black Dragon, appeared again in China in early 1986, concurrent with the final year of the American adventurer's activities. According to sporadic reports, he is engaged in a shadow war with the Chinese government, protecting the legendary Black Dragon Monastery. Given reports, he has been active constantly in China since his appearance. His opinions concerning the actions and fate of his American namesake are not known at this time.

Powers and Abilities
The American Black Dragon and the legendary Black Dragon share very similar power profiles: both are highly agile, incredibly skilled martial artists (it is assumed that the American has variant augmentation, given his age); both are utterly immune to fire and can visibly and invisibly project heat and flame as ranged close combat augmentation.
    At the end of his career, the American Black Dragon was a spy, scientist, detective, pilot, motorcyclist and military weapons expert. The accident granted him superhuman strength, endurance and jumping range, but drastically reduced his flame powers, stripping him of his immunity and decreasing his versatility.

Visit Black Dragon's Rogues' Gallery

| Top |