Y Ddraig Goch, the "Welsh Dragon", the "Red Dragon", was the noble and selfless defender of Wales and the British Isles.[1] He later became the symbol of Wales with his form adorning the national flag.[4]
History
Early Life[]
In 73 BC, he fought the White Dragon of the Saxons who intended to invade the British Isles. King Ludd trapped the dragons by luring them into pits filled with mead, and imprisoned them at the hillock at Dinas Emrys, where they remained imprisoned for centuries.[1]
Merlin[]
In the 5th century, King Vortigen tried to build a castle at Dinas Emrys the foundations were demolished each night. Told by his advisors to sacrifice a boy with no natural father to end these problems Vortigen found the young Merlin, who fit the description. Rather than be sacrificed though Merlyn freed the dragons from imprisonment and he and Vortigen witnessed Ddraig Goch finally defeat the White Dragon, now representing the Saxon invaders.[4]
Battle with Thor[]
In the 9th century, he settled in a cave in the Welsh mountains above Mawddach Valley. The Vikings quickly arrived on the Welsh shore to recover the married Viking woman that Prince Rhodri of Gwynedd had abducted and taken to Wales. Many locals died fighting them, on both sides. The Gwynedd men eventually made their way back to the mountains, but the Vikings pressed on, looking for the kidnapped woman farther inland. Before they arrived, the Dolgellau men begged Ddraig Goch to aid them in fending off the Vikings and gave him women in exchange. Despite having little sympathy for the Welsh issues because their prince had caused them, Ddraig Goch decided to assist them because of the offer. Dolgellau's women were courageous and accepted their fate. As was agreed upon, the dragon ate half of them. Following the dinner, Ddraig Goch attacked the Viking invaders from the air and slew them. One of them prayed to the Asgardians before he passed away. The Asgardians were not too late to confronted the dragon, who asked them to leave while disparaging the Asgardians as pranksters and Odin as their nursemaid. Ddraig Goch broke through Odin's barrier before charging at Thor, who Vidar shoved out of the way. Agnar the Fierce, who boldly offered Ddraig Goch the first blow, was then viciously beaten till he passed out. Ddraig Goch once more flew in the direction of Odin, Thor, and Hermod. The dragon caught Mjolnir that Thor had thrown at him, held it between his teeth, and used the enchantment that made Mjolnir always come back to hit Thor even faster. Ddraig Goch, however, was unable to keep Thor down for long, and after Thor slung the dragon over his shoulder, Odin punched him in the jaw, sending him to the ground. As a result of these assaults, Ddraig Goch became even more enraged. Despite their best efforts, the Asgardians were unable to defeat the dragon. Thor rode atop Ddraig Goch's back as he took to the skies once more. After exhausting all attempts to remove him off his back, Ddraig Goch gave up and sank to the ground. Odin gave the command to let the dragon live because it battled bravely and was merely protecting his country while Thor prepared to kill the creature. Odin made a deal with Ddraig Goch, who agreed to convince Rhodri to give back the Viking woman who had been taken and to halt the blood sacrifices. Rhodri, who tasted even better than the women of Dolgellau, was devoured by Ddraig Goch.[5]Across the Ages[]
Over the centuries he aided the Welsh, descendants of the Britons, on numerous occasions. In 1879, fought at the battle of Rorke's Drift in South Africa, aiding 150 British soldiers in defending a supply station from 4000 Zulu warriors. He later became the symbol of Wales with his form adorning the national flag.[4]
Modern Age[]
Bored by endless murders, Y Ddraig Goch took human form and started drinking in pubs and gradually forgets who he really was. As "Dave Griffin," he violently controlled Cardiff's underworld, including drug dealing, prostitution and racketeering. He became addicted to his drugs and murdered mercilessly. Griffin's actions caught the attention of MI-13. Through photos and the insight of their mystics, they discovered Griffin's true identity and that his mind has been influenced by drug use. Pete Wisdom confronted Griffin at the Red Dragon Pub in Cardiff, mocking Welsh and Griffin until he decided to fight. Wisdom took out an ancient parchment and challenged Griffin to an ancient duel of dragons, nominating Shang-Chi to fight on his behalf.Griffin ordered his men to kill Shang-Chi, but easily dodged all their attacks, knocking them unconscious, and even dodged bullets. When all his men are down, Griffin took on Shang-Chi himself and spit after kicking him in the face. Shang-Chi marked this as progress as Griffin began to remember his true personality. Griffin drew energy from everyone in town, ripping off his skin and transformed back into his dragon form.
When Shang-Chi finally broke through to him, he explained to him that he is actually a noble being, and while Shang-Chi kept trying to show his story to the dragon, he gave him an uppercut sending him flying into the sky.
When Shang-Chi's began to fall back into the city, Y Ddraig Gouch grabbed him in mid-air, protecting Shang-Chi from the shock as they fell. He transformed back into human form, glad Shang Chi was still alive. Wisdom then broke his promise to Shang Chi to release the Dragon. Y Ddraig Goch yelled "Cymru am byth" at Pete Wisdom, while MI-13 agents put him on a truck with a power-suppression device.[4]
Escape[]
Y Ddraig Goch managed to get away from the authorities, and took the form of an elderly man, and told an author on a train through Midwest Wales about his battle with the Asgardians. Rhodri had tasted better than the women, Y Ddraig Goch said to the author as he exited the train. Then, Ddraig Goch changed into his dragon form without anyone else noticing and took off, the author watched as he flew away.[5]Attributes
Powers
- Dragon Physiology: he possesses superhuman strength lifting 50 tons. He can breathe fire in both forms. As dragon he has large wings for flight.[6]
- Shapeshifting: He can shift between dragon and human form by will.[6] His human forming can vary.[5] Though his transformation into his dragon form drains energy from others within an area of roughly 50 square miles, rendering them unconscious.[4]
See Also
- 2 appearance(s) of Y Ddraig Goch (Earth-616)
- 2 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Y Ddraig Goch (Earth-616)
- 1 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Y Ddraig Goch (Earth-616)
- 16 image(s) of Y Ddraig Goch (Earth-616)
- 3 quotation(s) by or about Y Ddraig Goch (Earth-616)
Links and References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica #1 ; Y Ddraig Goch's profile
- ↑ Marvel Atlas #1 ; United Kingdom's profile
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #14 ; Y Ddraig Goch's profile
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Wisdom #3
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Thor: Heaven & Earth #4
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica #1
- ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 1 14