SAVAGE DRAGON #265

 

Samurai Strikes!

 

April 2023

 

20 Pages

 

CREDITS

 

Erik Larsen: Story & Art

 

Jack Morelli: Letters

 

Nikos Koutsis: Colors

 

Mike Toris: Flats

 

Gavin Higginbotham: Editor

 

Gary Frank: Cover C

 

Josh Eicchorn: close before striking

 

HEROES

 

Malcolm Dragon 

Paul Dragon

North Force

The Canadian
Blue Jay
The Flame
Grizzly
Jet
The Knight
Raptor

Captain Tootsie

 

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

 

Maxine Jung Dragon

Tyrone Dragon

Amy Dragon

Jackson Dragon

Madeline Dragon

Alex Wilde

Billy Summers (Death Issue)

Jon Day

Parker (First Appearance)

 

VILLAINS

 

The Vicious Circle

Samurai (Death Issue)

Carmella Toad

DownLoad

Fountainhead

Insect (Corpse Only)

UnderMind

 

SUMMARY

 

The corpse of Insect washes up on the beach where the Dragon family had been enjoying themselves up until recently. Jackson is there with his new friend Parker and they carry the dead woman ashore where Jackson attempts to revive her using his blood. The effort fails and the boys head back to the Dragons’ apartment where they fall asleep together.

 

Alex reels from the story that Paul had told her about his past, upset that she did not feature at all in his life until recently. Paul assures her that since the multiverse was merged that he now has the feelings that a number of his alternate selves had for her. They then get called to the hospital to see their friends and are introduced to Billy. Malcolm asks if they could take the boy in for now as they do not have the space and they eagerly accept.

 

They head on home where Jackson is reunited with his family and Parker is returned to his own. Alex is concerned that Paul’s return to heroics could interfere with raising Billy but he is positive things will work out for the best. After several months, North Force return from their adventures in space and soon round up every remaining member of the Vicious Circle on the loose, save for Samurai.

 

 

With news that Samurai cannot be located reaching Malcolm, he discusses it with Paul as the family go for a walk together in the snow. Billy believes that he could lead them back to where he used to live but before they can agree on how best to proceed, Samurai leaps out from nowhere and imbeds a sword into Billy’s head. Paul, Alex and Maxine gather up the rest of the children and flee in their cars to the nearest hospital to try and save Billy’s life.

 

Meanwhile, Malcolm is left to face Samurai alone and mocks the veteran villain for her failure to unite the Vicious Circle, her attire and her ageing out of her role. Malcolm ends up breaking Samurai’s sword and ends up knocking off her gas mask. Samurai immediately drops dead and begins to age up and rot away. Unfortunately, Billy died from his injuries, leaving Paul and Alex to mourn his death and their lost chance to start a family together.

 

BACKUP STORY

 

KID EASTWOOD

 

The Kid and The Dragon

 

6 Pages

 

CREDITS

 

Connor Tierney: Story & Art

 

HEROES

 

Malcolm Dragon

 

GUEST HEROES

 

Kid Eastwood

 

VILLAINS

 

Mako II

 

SUMMARY

 

Mako comes to Yew Nork City after his latest clash with the Vicious Circle and finds himself going up against this city’s primary superhero, Kid Eastwood, The young hero initially takes a beating before he is assisted by the pursuing Malcolm Dragon. Both heroes combine their best offense against their foe and eventually are able to knock out Mako. As Malcolm heads up for home, he is asked if their adventure is canon but Kid Eastwood is told that all is up to Erik Larsen.

 

PIN-UPS

 

???: Vanguard & Wally

 

???: Battle Girl