For as long as humanity has told stories, dragons have captured the hearts and minds of people from around the world. In a universe as expansive as Marvel, there are dragons of every shape and size. Some are like the dragons of old fairy tales, being massive and terrifying beasts who only seek power and chaos just to be thwarted by brave heroes. Other dragons, however, are small, kind, and act as trusted mentors and companions for humans. And while some may be aliens from the stars or the products of science, they are still the legendary lizards of myth.
From loyal heroes to cruel villains, here are the ten most iconic and powerful dragons of the Marvel Universe.
10) Fafnir
Long ago, Fafnir was an evil and greedy king who challenged Odin’s reign. As punishment, the All-Father destroyed Fafnir’s kingdom and sentenced the mad king to death. Managing to escape his punishment, Fafnir found a golden pool that transformed him into a mighty and vengeful dragon. Since then, Thor has battled Fafnir numerous times, often requiring the aid of other Asgardians like the Warriors Three to defeat the dreadful dragon. In one of his most evil acts, Fafnir killed Thor’s close friend, Elif, before he suffered the full wrath of the god of thunder and was reduced to a burning pile of ash.
9) Sadurang
Not only is Sadurang a massive Asgardian dragon, but he is also a skilled sorcerer and pupil of the ruler of the Dark Dimension Dormammu. A greedy dragon, Sadurang has hoarded many treasures in his lair, including the Agamotto’s Eye of Power. During the “War of the Realms” story arc, Malekith recruited the fearsome dragon into his campaign to conquer the Nine Realms. Sadurang would go on to attack Iron Man in New York, where his mere presence caused Stark’s systems to become overloaded and corrupted by magic. Such raw power shows why Sadurang is one of the most feared dragons in all the Nine Realms.
8) Grogg
After being awoken by a several-century-long slumber by Soviet nuclear bomb testing, the giant fire-breathing dragon Grogg went on a rampage before being launched towards Mars in a rocket. The Collector would eventually capture Grogg, only to be freed by Mole Man. The subterranean villain had the dragon attack the Fantastic Four, but Grogg was banished to the Negative Zone. Years later, Grogg returned to Earth and was captured by S.H.I.E.L.D., where he was recruited to become an agent of the Howling Commandos. Since then, Grogg has acted as the team’s mode of transportation, carrying them into dangerous areas.
7) Mr. Lao
Chinese dragons have been revered throughout history for their wisdom and knowledge. One such Lung Dragon, named Mr. Lao, has acted as an advisor to the secret organization, the Atlas Foundation. Centuries ago, Mr. Lao defeated a genie and gained its power but was also cursed to be trapped inside a lamp. In the modern era, Mr. Lao was freed from his prison and now serves as the new head of the Atlas Foundation under the guidance of Jimmy Woo, who offers the young man leadership advice for the superhero team, the Agents of Atlas.
6) Midgard Serpent
The child of Loki, Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is a legendary beast that threatens Asgard and Earth. Odin saw the danger the serpent posed and banished him to the depths of Earth’s oceans. Over time, Jormungand would grow to be so massive that he now encircles the entire planet, earning him the title of the Midgard Serpent. Thor and this massive snake have fought each other many times, but their most extraordinary clash is yet to come. It is prophesied that when Ragnarok arrives, the Midgard Serpent and Thor will have a climactic battle that will shake Asgard itself and result in the deaths of both.
5) Grendel
What’s worse than a dragon? A symbiote dragon. Created by Knull, the God of Symbiotes, Grendel is a horrifying monster older than time itself made to kill Celestials. He has invaded Earth on multiple occasions, including during the Viking Age, when he battled Thor. On top of powers, including super-strength, flight, regeneration, and fire breath, Grendel has many other abilities that make him a truly unique and terrifying dragon. Grendel can reanimate the dead and sprout tendrils from his body to ensnare his prey. It’s safe to say that Grendel is a genuinely terrifying dragon.
4) Dragon Man
Despite his appearance, Dragon Man is an android. The brilliant Professor Gregson Gilbert created him but couldn’t bring him to life. That was until the villain Diablo animated the android through alchemy. For many years, Dragon Man acted as a mindless henchman for other villains and fought heroes such as the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and Inhumans. That was until Mr. Fantastic’s daughter, Valeria, reprogrammed the android and gave it sentience and intelligence. He has since become a valuable member of the Future Foundation.
3) Shou-Lao
Deep within the Himalayan mountains, near the mystical city of K’un-L’un, resides the source of the Iron Fist’s power: Shou-Lao the Undying. A formidable dragon, Shou-Lao exists in a never-ending cycle of death and rebirth. Those who manage to slay the beast can absorb a fraction of its power to become the Iron Fist. Shou-Lao will then resurrect soon after to await his next challenger. Most of his challengers, however, never leave his cave alive. Over the span of a million years, only 66 fighters have defeated this ancient dragon, including Danny Rand, who plunged his fist into Shao-Lao’s heart.
2) Lockheed
Unlike some of the other big and scary fire-breathing reptiles in the Marvel universe, Lockheed is a small, loveable dragon that’s a long-time member of the X-Men. While battling the Brood on an alien planet, Kitty Pryde found the purple dragon, and the two quickly became close friends. Lockheed would follow Kitty wherever she went, serving as a loyal pet and protector, accompanying her as she joined Excalibur. He would also have his own adventures as a founding member of the Pet Avengers.
1) Fin Fang From
The most iconic dragon of them all, Fin Fang Foom, has been rampaging through the Marvel Universe since 1951. A giant dragon from outer space, Fin Fang Foom, crash-landed in Ancient China before being reawakened in the modern day by the Mandarin to cause untold chaos. He can fly, breathe fire, shape-shift, possess people, live for thousands of years, and grow to be hundreds of feet tall. With all these abilities, Fin Fang Foom is one of Iron Man’s most powerful recurring villains and the quintessential dragon of Marvel Comics.
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