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LIZARD

Real Name: Leon "Lon" Draga

Identity/Class: Normal human (WWII era)

Occupation: Criminal, revenge killer;
   former prisoner

Group Membership: None;
   formerly inmate population at Federal Prison

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Challenger (Bill Waring), Monroe Golden, Bart Peters, Lt. Pat Quinn, various innocent victims

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, USA

First Appearance: Mystic Comics I#10/12 (August, 1942)

Powers/Abilities: The Lizard is a ruthless and violent criminal with athlete-level strength. He has very good aim with weapons, particularly the Tommy submachine gun, and quickly learned archery with excellent aim, demonstrating his sharp eyesight.

Height: 5'9"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Ash blond

History:

(Mystic Comics I#10/12 (fb) - BTS) - Police officer Pat Quinn was responsible for the arrest of the violent criminal Lon "the Lizard" Draga, who was then imprisoned and eligible for parole after 10 years. During that time, he had not reformed and instead harbored revenge against those who had led to his imprisonment.

(Mystic Comics I#10/12) - Draga was granted parole, lying that he would commit no more crimes. Bill Waring (secretly the vigilante Challenger) read of his release and, knowing of his ruthless nature, elected to keep an eye on the Lizard; meanwhile, the police did the same but were fooled by the villain. Police Commissioner Monroe Golden was the Lizard's first target and he used a bow-and-arrow as a silent weapon to kill Golden in the back. The Lizard opened fire on random pedestrians using a submachine gun from a speeding car in order to distract the police from any pattern in his kill list. Coincidentally nearby, Challenger recognized the villain's face. That night, the Lizard used explosives to kill Bart Peters, the District Attorney who prosecuted him. Spurred by the latest death, Challenger went through police records and saw those involved in the Lizard's original case; he correctly identified that the arresting officer Pat Quinn would be the next target. At night, the Lizard stalked the unsuspecting Quinn and fired an arrow, but Challenger saved him. Challenger gave chase and the Lizard shot off another arrow but missed. The chase led to a park skate rink. Challenger dared the Lizard to a fight but the killer brandished a knife and the fight broke the ice. Challenger won the intense struggle underwater, killing the Lizard and his corpse was left under the ice.

Comments: Creators not credited.

It's not revealed why he received/took the moniker of the Lizard; other "Lizards" in the Marvel Universe had a physical resemblance/connection to the animal.

Challenger pulls out Draga's police file which reveals his full first name as "Leon" and his height. There are only ticks next to the entries for eyes, hair and color (why only ticks?).

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Lizard (Draga) has no known connections to:

Pat Quinn

Lt. Pat Quinn of the New York Police Department was the police officer who originally arrested the dangerous criminal Lon "the Lizard" Draga. Ten years later, the Lizard was released and went on a revenge killing spree. The vigilante Challenger identified Quinn as the Lizard's next target, but Quinn dismissed his warning and went on a night-time solo patrol in the City Park. However, the Lizard was stalking him and shot an arrow that missed him only due to Challenger's intervention. Challenger pursued the villain and their fight went underwater below thin ice. Quinn helped pull Challenger out of the water after the hero had killed their foe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--Mystic Comics I#10/12

images: (without ads)
Mystic Comics I#10/12, p1, pan1 (main image)
   p6, pan1 (headshot)
   p3, pan5 (using gun)
   p8, pan7 (Quinn)

Appearances:
Mystic Comics I#10/12 (August, 1942) - uncredited writer & artist(s), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 08/31/2025
Last updated:08/31/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com.

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