Richard Dragon (or simply Dragon) is the alias of two characters appearing in media published by DC Comics. Although both incarnations differ in alignment, they are both portrayed as extremely accomplished martial artists with connections to the League of Assassins. The first incarnation, Richard Drakunovski, was created by Dennis O'Neil and James R. Berry in the novel Kung Fu Master, Richard Dragon: Dragon's Fists (1974) under the pseudonym "Jim Dennis". O'Neil later adapted the character for DC Comics in the comic book Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter. A thief who was trained in martial arts and decided to use his skills for good, the character is considered one of DC Comic's premier martial artists alongside peers such as Bronze Tiger, Lady Shiva, and Batman. In more recent continuities, the character himself is also depicted as a more benevolent member of the League of Assassins who met his demise by a former student. In DC's New 52 continuity, a new villainous character who uses the alias is revealed to be the Green Arrow villain Ricardo Diaz Jr. Raised as son of a kingpin, the character would be prompted the seek revenge after witnessing Green Arrow kill his father. Eventually finding the League of Assassins, he was mentored by Richard Drakunvoski in martial arts but rejected his more peaceful philosophies and killed his master before adopting his moniker. The Ricardo Diaz appeared in the Arrowverse series Arrow in the sixth and seventh seasons, portrayed by Kirk Acevedo. Fictional character biography Richard Drakunovski As a teenage sneak thief in Japan, young Richard Dragon broke into a dojo outside of Kyoto to steal a priceless jade Buddha. Before he could get away, Dragon was caught and beaten by the dojo's teenage student, Ben Turner. O-Sensei, the dojo's master, saw something worth nurturing in Richard, and for the next seven years taught Ben and Richard, side by side, mastery of the martial arts. Richard came to find an inner peace, only using his skill when absolutely necessary. Once he felt there was nothing more he could teach them, the O-Sensei left the two. Turner and Dragon were recruited by Barney Ling, head of the law-keeping espionage agency known as G.O.O.D. (Global Organization of Organized Defense), to join the organization. Together Ben and Richard would defeat the corrupt businessman Guano Cravat, foiling his plans to instigate a war for his own benefit. Ben and Richard founded