Just when I thought I had uncovered all the hidden gems from my recent deep dive into 70s sword-and-sorcery comics, I stumbled across another one that I knew absolutely nothing about: Dagar the Invincible!
Published by Gold Key Comics, written by Don Glut, and featuring art by Jesse Santos, it hits all the classic high fantasy notes I’ve been looking at lately with characters like Claw the Unconquered and Stalker.
Looking at the art and the setting, my Game Master brain immediately started turning. This gritty, classic fantasy aesthetic is prime material to mine for a future Shadowdark, Old School Essentials, or even a Savage Worlds fantasy campaign. It is genuinely fascinating to see how much of this genre flourished in the 70s, driven by the massive success of the Conan comic books.
If you want to read up on the character and the world, here is the Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagar_the_Invincible
And you must check out this fantastic blog post looking at some of the beautiful original Jesse Santos art: https://davekarlenoriginalartblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/gold-key-comicsdagar-invincible.html
With what little I know about him so far, I decided to take a shot at creating Savage Worlds and Shadowdark versions of the character. Check them out below:
Dagar the Invincible (Savage Worlds)
Rank: Novice Ancestry: Human
ATTRIBUTES: * Agility: d4
- Smarts: d4
- Spirit: d6
- Strength: d10
- Vigor: d8
DERIVED STATISTICS: * Pace: 6
- Parry: 7 (6 with Great Sword)
- Toughness: 9 (2)
- Size: +1 (Brawny Edge)
SKILLS: Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d10, Intimidation d6, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Stealth d4, Survival d6.
HINDRANCES: * Heroic (Major): He cannot turn away from those in need.
- Outsider (Minor): A wanderer from a far-off land.
- Vow (Minor): Sworn to destroy evil sorcerers and tyrants.
EDGES: Brawny, Brute
GEAR: Great Sword (Str+d10, AP 2); Dagger (Str+d4); Leather Armor (+2 Armor); Adventurer’s Pack.
Dagar the Invincible (Shadowdark)
Class: Fighter | Ancestry: Human | Level: 1 | Alignment: Neutral
STATS:
- STR: 17 (+3)
- DEX: 13 (+1)
- CON: 15 (+2)
- INT: 8 (-1)
- WIS: 10 (0)
- CHA: 9 (0)
SECONDARY STATS:
- HP: 10 (1d8 + CON modifier)
- AC: 13 (Leather Armor + DEX modifier + Level 1 Talent)
- Attack Bonus: +4 (Strength + Level 1 Talent)
CLASS ABILITIES:
- Weapon Mastery: Bastard Sword. He has +1 to hit and damage with it.
- Grit: Strength
- Talent Rolls: +1 to Melee and Ranged attacks, and +1 to Armor Class (Leather).
GEAR:
- Bastard Sword: 1d8/1d10 two-handed, +5 Attack Bonus
- Dagger: 1d4 damage
- Leather Armor (AC 11)
- Crawler’s Kit: Backpack, flint and steel, 2 torches, 10 iron spikes, 50′ hemp rope, 10 items of iron ration, waterskin.
What do you think of Dagar for Savage Worlds and Shadowdark? Did anyone read these comics back in the day? If so, what did I miss?
