Draaga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Draaga | |
 |
|
| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superman #32 (June 1989) |
| Created by | Roger Stern (script) Kerry Gammill (art) |
| In story information | |
| Abilities | Enhanced strength |
Draaga is a fictional alien character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Superman #28-32 in the 1989 storyline "Gladiator".
[edit] Fictional character history
In the "Gladiator" storyline, Superman, who has exiled himself from Earth due to psychological problems he was suffering from at the time, is forced by the space villain Mongul to participate in his gladiatorial games. Draaga is the champion of the games, but Superman defeats him, then refuses to kill him. This baffles Draaga, whose code of honor demands a rematch against Superman, though he later comes to respect the hero. After Mongul is deposed by Superman, the aliens who control the artificial planet Warworld choose Draaga to be their new puppet ruler. Draaga eventually abandons the position to look for Superman, even finding the remains of Superman's costume (torn apart during his stay) and wearing them, in a sort of homage to the warrior who defeated him. After taking a "space taxi" (a parody of DC's own Space Cabby series) he arrives on Earth.
Draaga appears in the "Panic in the Sky" storyline where he is employed by Maxima to destroy Superman. The Superman he encounters here is actually the android Supergirl Matrix wearing Superman's form, who loses to Draaga on an asteroid. The second time Draaga loses on Warworld is in a contest held by Brainiac. Later Draaga joins Superman in the fight against Brainiac to regain his honor. He is killed while jumping into an organic anti-matter doomsday device created by Brainiac and is buried along with The Cleric, on the asteroid on which he first encountered Supergirl, and which Cellkeeper remains to guard. The shapeshifting Matrix honors Draaga for the rest of the battle against Brainiac by adopting his form.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Draaga is superhumanly strong and resistant to injury. His strength level in almost in the same class as Superman.
[edit] Appearances in other media
Draaga appears in the animated Justice League episode, "War World", an adaptation of the "Gladiator" comics storyline. He is voiced by William Smith.
