Savage Dragon #142

Hunted
December 2008
20 Pages

Credits

Erik Larsen: Story & Art
Tom Orzechowski: Letters
Nikos Koutsis: Colors
Mike Toris: Flats
Josh Eichorn: Festooned with Christmas tree ornaments
Erik Larsen: Pin-Up (Dragon vs. Mutation)

Heroes

Dragon
Battle Girl
Megaman (First Appearance) (Death Issue)
Red Giant
Star IV

Supporting Characters

Chicago Police Department
– Captain Frank Darling
– Sgt. Alex Wilde
Abraham Smith (First Appearance)
Chris Robinson
Helen Black
Janey
Mark Jonson
Malcolm Dragon
Peter Jonson
Jon Day

Villains

The Demon Dogs II
– Fire Lord
– Barrage II (Death Issue)
– Bloodwood
– Burning Man (Death Issue)
– Cool Rockin’ Daddy (Death Issue)
– Ogre (Death Issue)
Mister Glum
Angel Dragon

Summary

The media have been harassing Dragon ever since he accidentally killed Solar Man and this unwanted attention is getting him increasingly frustrated. His lawyer advises him to remain calm and in control the entire time so that the “savage” adjective assigned to his name is not played up in reports. Dragon then discovers that he will not be prosecuted over Solar Man’s death as no jury in the world would convince him for stopping a rampage that had already killed dozens of innocent people.

This good news is reported to Frank Darling but Dragon remains a figure of hatred to the media and many of the general public. His book sales have slumped which has left him low on cash so Frank offers him a job with the Chicago Police Department. The Vicious Circle is on its way back once again and the Danger Zone remains in a state of chaos. Dragon thanks his friend for this offer but cannot commit to the police as he is still dedicated to locating his missing wife.

Frank points out that it has been close to three years since Dragon last had contact with Jennifer Dragon. She could very well be one of the millions of people that died during Mister Glum’s reign over Earth as Jennifer would have likely made herself known by now. Dragon is confused by the whole affair as the family background of his wife has made things more difficult with the existence of a previously unknown mother and two potential brothers.

A superhero named Megaman bursts into the apartment where he attacks Dragon, hoping to avenge the death of Solar Man. He punches his target out into the street and repeatedly strikes at Dragon, moving the fight up onto rooftops and then down into the subway system. Megaman ignores the declaration of innocence from Dragon and continues his assault. They fall onto the tracks where Megaman ends up striking the third rail and is electrocuted to death in the process.

In the Danger Zone, a hooded figure leaps into action against the Demon Dogs and using throwing stars to fend off the villains. He then leaps over a punch from Fire Lord that takes down one of his allies before another accidentally blows himself up with his flame thrower. The three remaining Demon Dogs attempt to flee but are decapitated by a booby trap made up off of wire. Red Giant awakens and crushes Fire Lord before she and Star thank their savior. Battle Girl and Alex Wilde arrive just in time to witness the shocking events before Alex recognizes the mystery hero as Chris Robinson.

Malcolm Dragon and his companions crash-land on Glum World after he looses control of their stolen rocket. They begin searching for Ba-Goom who they have been told has been to Earth before, indicating that a means of transport back home is close. Mister Glum reveals himself before assaulting the youths, shrugging off their counter-attacks. He knocks out the children and plans to kill them all but Angel Dragon pleads with him to spare their lives.

Dragon heads to the Chicago Police Department to file a report on the Megaman incident and is assured by Frank that he will face no charges over this latest death as it was clearly an accident. Dragon departs the precinct and runs into Helen Black who offers him a ride home. Helen drives her passenger out into the middle of nowhere before confessing that she has loved him since she was a child. Dragon fends off her romantic advances due to still being in love with his missing wife. He notes that Helen makes it hard to say no which causes her to react violently, revealing previously hidden shape-shifting and strength powers. She attacks Dragon before ramming him into the ground, announcing that she will now reveal her true identity to him…