Dragon's Claws
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Dragon's Claws is a superhero comic book, published by Marvel Comics. Set in the year 8162, it follows the adventures of Dragon's Claws, a team of elite law enforcers. Dragon's Claws first appeared in Dragon's Claws #1 (June 1988), and were created by Simon Furman and Geoff Senior.
Prior to their career as law enforcers, the Claws had been "the greatest Game players in the world" - the Game was a violent team sport, immensely popular and funded by the governing World Development Council, who had used it to distract the population and reduce civil unrest. Many of the villains appearing in the series also have their roots in the Game.
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[edit] Publication history
[edit] Regular Series
The regular series began in June 1988, intended as the flagship title for a line of American-format, monthly comics from Marvel UK. It was written by Simon Furman, and drawn by Geoff Senior.
It took place in 8162, and followed a team of former game players, the Claws, led by Dragon. The exact nature of the game is only hinted at, but it basically involves team members trying to get to a certain part of various ruined cityscapes, with the opposing team members trying absolutely anything to stop them. It was used as an opiate for the masses, to ease unrest about global concerns as the Earth moves closer to the sun.
At the start of the series, the game has been banned for the levels of violence involved, but Dragon, one of the most successful players, is having trouble adapting to civilian life with his wife, Tanya, who he lives with on a farm. He is contacted by Deller, an agent of N.U.R.S.E [National Union of Retired Sports Experts], who offers him, and his old team, the Claws, a role as government enforcers. Dragon initially declines, but when the farm is attacked by another former team, The Wildcats, he changes his mind. Reunited with the other Claws - Mercy (an ex-vigilante), Steel (a samurai honour-bound to Dragon since the later saved his life in the Tokyo Riots of 8156), Digit (who had a computerised brain) and Scavenger (to quote, "No-one quite knows who or what Scavenger really is..."), and they are given a brief to stop the many former game teams who are causing trouble. Among these were the Evil Dead, The Vanishing Ladies, Split Infinity and the Jones Boys.
Other adversaries where the mechanoid freelance peace-keeping agent Death's Head, who attacked the team in #5, and was heavily damaged, leading to his revamping and the launch of his own title, and a future take on the vigilante Scourge.
The main plotline concerns N.U.R.S.E's manipulation of the Claws, using them as assassins and keeping Dragon from his family so he won't question his orders. Deller was sent to kill Dragon's wife, but was unable to do it, while Dragon eventually teamed up with the Evil Dead's leader, Slaughterhouse, in overcoming N.U.R.S.E's corrupt kingpin Matron in #9.
With N.U.R.S.E. now under the command of the more stable command of Golding, Dragon elects to stay on leading the Claws, with Deller now as part of the team, after his wife disappears.
The final issue, #10, left several plot threads dangling. Dragon is still unaware of much of Deller's part in the N.U.R.S.E. conspiracy, while the fate of his wife, Tanya, last seen in a burning building, is unknown.
The UK market was never big enough to support the series, which was cancelled due to low sales. It was exported to America in limited numbers.
[edit] Guest Appearances
- Death's Head #2 - The mechanoid accepts an assignment working for the inmates of a prison where Scavenger was once held. Written by Simon Furman and drawn by Bryan Hitch (the only time the Claws weren't drawn by Senior). The story takes place between Dragon's Claws #7 and #8.
[edit] Members of Dragon's Claws
- Dragon, The team leader. Very experienced in armed and unarmed combat.
- Mercy, a former vigilante who initially joined up just to sate her bloodlust. Very skilled with blade weapons and in hand-to-hand combat.
- Steel, a Japanese strongman who joined up with Dragon after the latter saved his life in the Tokyo riots of 8156. A skilled swordsman with a strong sense of honour.
- Digit - the team techie, with a computerised brain. Heavily reliant on his back-mounted firepower.
- Scavenger - a former prisoner who helped Dragon out in the game, subsequently being offered a place on the team. Very savvy.
