Singe is a recurring character in the Dragon's Lair series and the eponymous dragon it is named after. In the first game, Singe is the main antagonist, but he has since become more of a secondary antagonist in the series following Mordroc's debut in Dragon's Lair II. As one of the main enemies of Dirk the Daring, he is usually the one responsible for kidnapping Princess Daphne and holding her in the deepest chambers of his castle.
Notable changes made to his character for adaptations to various other media outside the games include the changing of his name to Cinge for the television series and the addition of wings in the comic book series. In both instances, he becomes more intelligent and is able to speak in complete and articulate sentences, a skill he has never displayed in any of the major video game installments.
Appearance and abilities[]
Singe is a sizeable green dragon with a dorsal fin running down his back, a long neck and snout, flared nostrils, purple horns, a purple fin protruding from both sides of his head, a yellowish belly, and also has warts spread across most of his body. He also has sharp teeth, long claws on his hands and feet, and a spiked tail, all of which he uses offensively in his battle against Dirk the Daring.
As a mythical dragon, Singe is capable of breathing fire at high temperatures that even melt down gold. Unlike some other dragons in the franchise, Singe does not possess wings. Therefore, he is not capable of flying in any games, but he compensates by running at surprisingly fast speeds given his size. At close range, Singe can use his claws and tail to strangle or swipe away his foes.
Main Series Games[]
Dragon's Lair[]
Singe is the fearsome dragon that has kidnapped Princess Daphne and sealed her inside of a barrier. As Dirk finally makes his way to Daphne, she informs him that he must use a key tied to Singe's neck to free her, and use a magical sword to slay him for good. At first, Singe is sleeping on a large pile of gold so Dirk attempts to sneak to the sword while the dragon is asleep, but Singe quickly wakes up and attacks him. Dirk hides and evades his attacks then finally obtains the sword, slaying Singe soon afterwards.
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp[]
After his defeat, Singe's skeleton appears in the treasure room along with his key that is also one of the collectible treasures in the game.
Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair[]
In the opening scene, Singe kidnaps Daphne and takes her back to his castle. His role is similar to that of the first Dragon's Lair, where he slept on gold coins awaiting Dirk's arrival. However, in this game, the battle between him and Dirk is different. Preceding their ultimate confrontation, Singe prevents Dirk's initial attempts to remove Dragonfang from its stone, and he chases Dirk throughout the castle until they arrive back at the treasure room. After Dirk finally acquires Dragonfang, Singe blasts shots of fire at Dirk that get redirected back to him by the magical sword. Singe is slain in the same manner as in the first game, which involves the magic sword being thrust into his chest.
Other Appearances[]
Home Computer Ports[]
- Despite being the series' titular dragon, Singe does not appear in Dragon's Lair Part II: Escape from Singe's Castle, Dragon's Lair: Escape from Singe's Castle or Dragon's Lair III: The Curse of Mordread.
An insert packaged with Dragon's Lair: Escape from Singe's Castle describes Singe as being capable of flight with his leathery wings, despite never displaying the ability or showing visible wings in any of the games:
For far to the north, beyond the Misty Mountains, in a land barren and bleak there was a dark, foreboding castle. . . . In the castle lived the Evil Wizard of Nor and his Dragon, Singe, who was old when the world was young. The Wizard had long hated the kingdom to the south that had successfully resisted all his attempts at conquest. . . . and so sent Singe flying southward with a great beating of leathery wings. So it came to pass that at the moment that Dirk the Daring stretched out his hand to the fair Princess a horrible rustling was heard and a great shadow fell upon the tournament lawn. With a roar of triumph, Singe swooped down out of the clouds and with one massive claw scooped up the Princess before anyone could react.[1]
Dragon's Lair (TV series)[]
Cinge is one of the main antagonists in the television show but has several characterization changes from the game. Cinge is able speak in complete sentences and commands other beings that reside in the castle, such as the Giddy Goons. In another departure from the games where he displays single-minded obsessions with treasure and kidnapping the princess, throughout the series, Cinge plots various ways to overthrow Ethelred's kingdom and personally defame Dirk. Mordroc is absent from the series, making Cinge the apparent owner of the Castle and the primary mastermind of evil.
At various points, Cinge possesses magical items that bring terror to Ethelred's kingdom such as a golden bird that comes to life, speaks in his voice, and can kidnap Princess Daphne effortlessly. In the episode, “The Story of Old Alf,” his minions steal a wizard’s spell book, which Cinge is able to utilize through reading and reciting spells. In the episode “Mirror, Mirror,” Cinge uses a magical mirror to disguise himself as an evil duplicate of Dirk, causing mayhem throughout the kingdom in order to defame the knight. Although resembling Dirk in almost every physical detail, Cinge still speaks in his own voice and retains his fangs in addition to steam billowing from his nostrils. After being exposed as an imposter by Dirk at the episode's end, the dragon reverts to his true form and slides off a cliff into a river, revealing that he cannot swim.
Dragon's Lair comics[]
For the first time in franchise history, Singe is portrayed as a winged dragon, capable of sustained long-distance flight, which allows him to easily abduct Daphne from the borders of her own kingdom.
Singe ambushes Dirk and Daphne while the couple is enjoying a leisurely ride, seemingly killing Dirk and taking Daphne back to his lair and imprisoning her in the Bubble of Helotry, which has magical power to dull the mind and enslave those in it "by the dawn of the next full moon". Singe seeks revenge on Dirk for killing various other dragons in his family, and takes evil delight in the thought of keeping Dirk’s beloved as his obedient slave. Singe created a harem of princess slaves using the effects of the bubble to turn them over to his command, although they are usually frolicking and pillow fighting in his lair. Dirk reaches the lair and defeats Singe in time to free Daphne before the bubble can enslave her, liberating the rest of Singe’s harem in the process.
Gallery[]
A full image gallery of Singe can be found here.
Trivia[]
- Singe's name is taken from the actual word Singe which means to burn superficially.
- Singe's name is the French word for "Ape" and "Monkey."
- Dragon's Lair 3D is the only game in which Mordroc and Singe interact with each other on-screen.
- In 2009, Singe was ranked 93rd in IGN's "Top 100 Videogame Villains".[2]
- In 2023, Syndicate Collectibles announced plans to release a 1:10 scale Singe statue.[3]
- At the 2024 San Diego Comic Con, Syndicate Collectibles debuted a 20-inch Singe plush toy.[4]
- Cardsmiths' Dragon's Lair Trading Card Series One pictures or references Singe on several cards in the series, but he receives particular focus on cards #13 ("BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE"), #46 ("SINGE DEFEATED"), #47 ("FIRE FIGHT"), and CS03 (Culture Shokz™ "SINGE").