Richard Dragon was a thief who found happiness in Martial Arts. He's trained under some of the best Fighters including Batman and numerous others.

Sneak thief Richard Dragon gained entry into private grounds outside of the city of Kyoto, Japan. When he attempted to steal a valuable jade buddha, he was discovered and stopped by an old man and his companion, a young black martial arts student. Humiliated at being disarmed and rendered helpless, Dragon accepted their offer to stay with them and learn the martial arts. "I sense a possible destiny of greatness" said the old man, who Richard would come to call O-Sensei.

Over the next 7 years, Dragon became a master of the martial arts, and grew to become friends with Benjamin Turner (Bronze Tiger), the O-Sensie's other student. His spirit flourished and he became a peaceful man, dedicated to using his martial arts skill only when reason failed.

Contacted by Barney Ling, cjief of an old espionage operation whose title formed the acronym G.O.O.D., Dragon and Ben accomplished their first mission, the downfall of corrupt industrialist Guano Cravat, who desired certain laser frequenies to instigate war. This done, they returned to their martial arts school in lower Manhattan.

Although the martial artists desired only peace, such was not their destiny. Adventure sought them out, and they traversed the globe, using their skills at kung fu to aid those causes they deemed just. They made seeral enemies, including the pirate Slash, the woodsman Hatchett, the bizarre Preying Mantis and the aforementioned industrialist Cravat. They also made at least one ally, a female martial artist named Lady Shiva. Named for the hindu godess of destruction, her soul is as violent as Dragon's is tranquil.

One of the most tragic events of Dragon's life occured when Ben was brainwashed by one of their foes, Professor Ojo, and became a renegade martial artist. Investigating, Dragon discovered that Ben was now in the employ of Barney Ling, who was using Ben's brainwashed powers for his own ends.