Who the Clix? Dragon Man
Who the Clix? is a series of articles featuring information on comic book characters that have been made into figures for the popular tabletop game Heroclix. These articles are meant to help Heroclix players learn more about the characters behind their favorite pieces.
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Appearances in Heroclix: Fantastic Four, Avengers
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #35
Team Affiliations: Frightful Four
Created By: Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
- Artwork and character is copyright/trademark Marvel; used under Fair Use
Professor Gregson Gilbert builds Dragon Man and is disappointed when he is unable to bring the mechanical monstrosity to life. The super-villain Diablo learns of this creature and offers to use his alchemical abilities to breathe life into the creature. He is successful and is able to control Dragon Man for a time. This partnership leads to an attack on the Fantastic Four that proves unsuccessful, partially due to the simple minded Dragon Man's affection for Sue Richards. Dragon Man eventually rebels and tries to kill Diablo.
After a later encounter with Medusa and Gorgon that brought him into conflict with the Thing and Human Torch, Dragon Man is deactivated. Hank Pym studies the creature in his lab only for Diablo to return and again bring Dragon Man to life. Dragon Man later leads an army of Dragon Men against Hercules and the Avengers, with the other Dragon Men being destroyed in the ensuing conflict.
The X-Men attempt to adopt Dragon Man and give him a safe place to live. He takes a shining to Jean Grey and seems to be doing well until he is sent to Monster Island. This solitude is short lived, as his original creator Professor Gilbert returns to claim him and use him against Namor and the Fantastic Four. The Machinesmith then enlists his aid in attacking Captain America. Soon after, Dragon Man joins the Circus of Crime and helps them battle the Hulk.
Dragon Man returns to Prof. Gilbert, who has learned how to create androids without the aid of alchemical magic. Gilbert builds a number of androids that all battle Power Pack and are ultimately defeated. Power Pack attempt to reform Gilbert and Dragon Man, helping them gain employment at Disneyland.
Dragon Man later returns as a pawn for a number of villains, including Aron the Rogue Watcher, Super-Adaptoid and even the Roxxon corporation. He battles Spider-Man and is later freed by Ben Reilly when Roxxon attempts to dissect him.
After a series of misadventures, Dragon Man is sent to Prison 42 in the Negative Zone. He aids Blastaar's attack against the prison but is ultimately recruited by the Shadow Initiative.
Some time later, Artie and Leech befriend Dragon Man and seems to reform the giant. Valerie Richards upgrades his cognitive abilities and aids Dragon Man in joining the Future Foundation. With his super-intellect and ability to speak, Dragon Man becomes the defacto guardian of the children in the Future Foundation.
Dragon Man journeys with the Future Foundation and Richards family during their multiversal escapades following the end of everything. They aid the Fantastic Four in defeating the Griever and Dragon Man is instrumental in repairing the teleportation device that returns the heroes to Earth. The Future Foundation decides not to return to Earth and instead continues engaging in super science across the multiverse under the care and guidance of Dragon Man.