Richard Dragon

Richard Dragon
Cover to Richard Dragon: Kung Fu Fighter #1. Cover art by Dick Giordano.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Richard Drakunovski: Dragon's Fists novel (1974) Ricardo Diaz, Jr.: Green Arrow #23 (October 2013)
Created by	Dennis O'Neil (writer) Jim Berry (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Richard Drakunovski Ricardo Diaz, Jr.
Team affiliations	G.O.O.D. League of Assassins Longbow Hunters
Partnerships	Bronze Tiger Lady Shiva
Abilities	Master martial artist

Richard Dragon is a fictional comic book character created by Dennis O'Neil and Jim Berry in the novel Dragon's Fists (1974) under the pseudonym "Jim Dennis." O'Neil later adapted the character for DC Comics in the comic book Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.

Dragon is a thief who was trained in martial arts and decides to use his abilities for good. Along with Karate Kid, Batman, Bronze Tiger and Lady Shiva he is considered one of the top martial artists in the DC Universe.

As a teenage sneak thief in Japan, young Richard Dragon broke into a Chinese dojo outside of Kyoto to steal a priceless jade Buddha. Before he could get away, Dragon was caught and beaten by the dojo's teenage student, Ben Turner.O-Sensei, the dojo's master, saw something worth nurturing in Richard, and for the next seven years taught Ben and Richard, side by side, mastery of the martial arts. Richard came to find an inner peace, only using his skill when absolutely necessary. Once he felt there was nothing more he could teach them, the O-Sensei left the two. Turner and Dragon were recruited by Barney Ling, head of the law-keeping espionage agency known as G.O.O.D. (Global Organization of Organized Defense), to join the organization. Together Ben and Richard would defeat the corrupt businessman Guano Cravat, foiling his plans to instigate a war for his own benefit. Ben and Richard founded a martial arts dojo in Manhattan, and Richard would go on to battle international threats such as Telegram Sam, the Preying Mantis, the League of Assassins, and his former superior, Barney Ling.