The Dragon Archives #4
Cover Date: January 1999
Cover Price: $2.95 (US) / $? (CAN)
Format: 36 Pages / Black & White
Cover: Erik Larsen and I.H.O.C.
Giggles Like a School Girl Whenever He’s Around Randy Queen: Josh Eichorn
LEAD STORY: “DUNGEONS & DRAGONS”
Pages: 22
CREDITS
Erik Larsen: Story/Art
Gary Carlson: Editor
HEROES
Graphic Fantasy:
Vanguard
The Society of Superheroes
– Paul Dragon
– Mako
– Poison Dart
– Rock
– Sgt. Marvel
– Smasher
– Star
Mighty Man II (First Appearance)
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Graphic Fantasy:
Angel Dragon
President Ronald Reagan
Joan Rivers
Roxanne Wells
Wally
VILLAINS
Graphic Fantasy:
Animal
Mace
SUMMARY
Roxanne and Wally teleport directly into the prison cell of Vanguard with a space helmet and prepare to immediately depart. Paul Dragon intercepts them and instead asks to talk to the group to learn the truth about Vanguard’s presence on Earth. He and his wife Smasher learn the truth behind the young warrior’s mission to protect the planet and a plan is concocted to turn the tide of public opinion to the side of the innocent Vanguard.
The S.O.S. are charged with cleaning up the streets of Chicago and rounding up all villains in the city within the next two weeks. Paul then explains to his inner circle that he simply wants to keep the other heroes away and also wants this group to feed information to the criminals to keep them at large. This is because Paul wishes to have all the villains attack an abandoned Complex III and allow for Smasher, he and Vanguard to save the day.
This mission is carried out almost perfectly but around ten times the number of supervillains than anticipated gather to launch their assault. The trio of heroes stand their ground and Vanguard stands tall amongst them even when it all looks a bleak. A brand-new Mighty Man arrives on the scene and together with Vanguard and the S.O.S. veterans they finish off their foes. Vanguard is hailed as a hero but celebrations are short-lived when a Russian missile is launched at this spaceship and blows it up along with Wally…
Story Notes
This story is reprinted from Megaton #4.
This story takes place outside of regular continuity.
Collected Edition
BACK-UP STORY:
Giant Size Comics
Pages: 1
CREDITS
Story and Art: Erik Larsen
MAIN CHARACTERS
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Erik Larsen
Sue Dragon
Angel Dragon
various other characters
SUMMARY
Story Notes
This was originally published in Giant-Size Mini Comics #4
Collected Edition
BACK-UP STORY:
Angel Fueled Quake!
Pages: 5
CREDITS
Story and Art: Erik Larsen
MAIN CHARACTERS
Paul Dragon
Sue Dragon
Angel Dragon
SUMMARY
Story Notes
This was originally produced in 1984 for a title called Plenty O’Comics, and was first published as a back-up in The Dragon #5.
Collected Edition
Issue Extras
Opening editorial by Erik Larsen, unfinished 4-page “Final Battle” story by Erik Larsen, unused Graphic Fantasy back cover by Erik Larsen, and original cover from Megaton #2 by Erik Larsen.
External Links
Entry at the Image Comics Database
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