Origin
As a young boy in the tiny nation of Tulgonia, Dagar was thrilled by stories told to him by his grandfather, Ando, about his younger days as a great warrior. When he gazed upon his grandfather’s armor, Dagar vowed to one day be a warrior as great as he once was, and then even greater. No sooner did he finish this vow that a band of demon-worshipping bandits attacked Tulgonia. Dagar was led to safety by Ando, where they both watched what remained of Tulgonia be pillaged and reduced to rubble. Through it all, Dagar learned the name of the one who had ordered the plunder of his home. A sorcerer warlord known as Scorpio.
Burdened with being one of the last Tulgonians to exist, Dagar was consumed with a desire to exact revenge upon Scorpio and the rest of his evil hordes. Many years passed as he trained under his grandfather’s strict tutelage, becoming a master of combat and wilderness survival. The day when Ando died came to pass, and Dagar made one last vow upon his grandfather’s armor to forsake the gods who had forsaken him, so that he might defeat his enemies by his own hands. He sets off on his quest, vowing to kill anyone who bears the sign of Scorpio.
History
The roots of what would become Dagar began when Donald F. Glut was a young boy. During a trip to his local museum, he became enamored with the prehistory of the world, and began to formulate stories of a hero styled after the Neolithic people that fascinated him. In the following years, Glut would discover that a similar hero already existed in the form of Conan of Cimmeria, and become a fan of that style of wandering lone hero.
When he was offered the chance to create a comic series for Gold Key Comics, Glut consulted is childhood creation. However, he made an effort to keep Dagar from becoming just another Conan clone. He was given blonde hair, as opposed to black. He was given mannerisms more akin to a hero of a western film, instead of a typical sword and sorcery protagonist. Most importantly, Glut made sure that Dagar was not a barbarian, instead making him a civilized fellow whose background and origin were enough to separate him from becoming just another Conan clone.
Owing to Glut being able to create three different series for Gold Key, he was able to cross Dagar over with his other works, and even connect him to the others. Dagar was canonically made the descendent of Tragg, and the ancestor of Dr. Adam Spektor. This sort of crossover and connection was something that was almost unheard of beyond major publishers, as most smaller publishers didn’t think that their comics were read consistently in chronological order.
Though his appearances in comics were short, they were no less thrilling. For fans of Donald Glut, Dagar is one of the first names that comes to mind.
Character Evolution
Personality
Dagar carries with him the heart, hopes and pride of his entire nation. He feels that it is his duty to uphold everything that his people once were, being the last of them, and carries himself with a great deal of pride. He swears fealty to no other, being a man who carries an entire nation in his spirit, seeking only to preserve his peoples’ ways and carry on his bloodline.
Though his desire for revenge is foremost in his mind, Dagar is not without caring or feeling. Seeing others in distress will often arouse pity from him, and he will make the time to aid those in need. But through his charitable deeds, he is always a mercenary, warrior and avenger.
Appearance
Well-built and golden-haired, Dagar is the picture of a warrior. Though he dresses in ragged furs that were scavenged from the animals he has hunted, and carries the weapons of a shiftless mercenary, he carries himself with a noble bearing. Looking at him, nobody would assume that he had come from the humble origins of a craftsman’s apprentice, before embarking the path of the warrior.
Major Story Arcs
The Castle of the Skull
Shortly after setting out on his quest to avenge his people, Dagar happens upon an elderly man being attacked by a skeletal monster. Though he is sworn to his mission, Dagar feels a pang of sympathy for the old man, who reminds him of his own grandfather. And with only his might and his weapon, Dagar saves the life of the old man.
The man reveals that his name is Forak, and he was once a powerful wizard. But for the centuries that he has lived, Forak has been mortal enemies with another wizard named Ostellon. For much of that time Forak and his daughter have been on the run from Ostellon, who has now found them, and taken Forak’s treasured prize. Reminded of his own misfortune, Dagar makes it his mission to end the evil sorcerer once and for all. But a darker secret is yet to be revealed.
The Beast Within
After overhearing an argument between siblings Lora-Lei and Lupof, Dagar sees the opportunity to fund his vendetta against Scorpio. His mission: to keep Lupof from ending his own life. By the time he finds the man he is to protect, Dagar learns the terrible secret of why Lupof is determined to kill himself. And in helping this cursed man, he learns more of the secrets of the evil warlord he pursues, including the real extent of his power. The kind of power that even a man who bears a nation within him may not be able to overcome.
Wrath of the Vampires
While traveling across a mountain at dusk, Dagar notices a strange ritual taking place. A young woman is left bound to an altar, and her captors simply leave her there unharmed. Feeling that it’s none of his business, Dagar rides on, but his curiosity is roused when he sees flying, humanoid creatures descend upon the woman and carry her away. As he is passing through the town near the altar, he inquires to the nature of the ritual, and learns that the young woman is called Graylin, and she has been chosen as a sacrifice to the vampires, so that they may leave the rest of the village alone. Still feeling that it is none of his business, Dagar carries on.
A sudden pang of conscience makes Dagar turn around and take on the task to rescue Graylin and end the terrible reign of the vampires. But when he infiltrates the domain of the beasts, he learns of the terrible power that Scorpio has exacted over both the humans and the vampires of the land.
Vengeance, Sweet Vengeance
Following the last clue that he received from Scorpio’s previous servant, Dagar discovers the way into Scorpio’s hidden lair. In a place that exists beyond the veil of his own world, Dagar begins trying to track down the whereabouts of the evil sorcerer. When he tries to take the place of one of Scorpio’s personal guards, a mistake has him in the place of one of his gladiators instead.
In the ethereal palace of the evil sorcerer, Dagar encounters many dangers, ranging from the natural to the horrific. It all culminates with an encounter with Scorpio himself. One that where even if Dagar defeats him, the power of the evil wizard may not have truly ended.
Skills & Abilities
Weapons Mastery
When it comes to the use of weapons, Dagar is able to become proficient in their use in a matter of minutes. The sword in particular is his specialty, but he is willing to use just about anything.
Danger Sense
Dagar possesses senses keener than most humans. Years as a warrior and a hunter have allowed him to detect the presence of most threats to his person, be they man, beast, monster or even a trap that has been laid for him.
Honed Instincts
Even when he is blinded, deafened or disoriented, Dagar is able to navigate the world around him with relative ease.
Weapons & Equipment
Kasa
While Kasa is not an official part of Dagar’s equipment, he is always by Dagar’s side. He is as trustworthy as any horse can get, and aids Dagar by being his main mode of transportation.
Sword
The most prominent weapon in Dagar’s arsenal. When wielding this weapon, Dagar is nigh but invincible in combat.
Dagger
Dagar’s secondary weapon. When his sword is out of reach or too cumbersome to use, Dagar will resort to the use of this small blade
War God’s Mace
A ball and chain made from an unknown metal. The mace is only able to be lifted by those who fight for a noble cause, which gave Dagar some trouble wielding it at first. However, when he discovered what he truly was fighting for, the mace became as light as a feather and allowed him to destroy his undead enemies.
Gladiator’s Lance
A long polearm that Dagar uses temporarily during his fight against Scorpio’s beastly soldiers.