Religion: uplifted animal 
Name: Desert Lizard
Classification:
supporting character
Publisher(s): 
First Appearance: Marvel Comics Presents (vol. 1) #44 (Feb. 1990): "...And Not a Drop to Drink"
Creators: Dan Mishkin, Gavin Curtis, Bob Wiacek
Super? (Has Super Powers/Special Abilities/Technology): Yes
Number of Appearances: 1
Enemy of: Puma
Worked for: Ghost Miner
Species: lizard
Note: paid by Puma to find a new home
The "Ghost Miner" was a spirit who, along with his ally, a giant lizard, tried to make his home in the New Mexico desert into an oasis. The Puma paid them to find a new home somewhere else.
The "Desert Lizard" originally appeared to be a giant lizard. The Ghost Miner used it as a pack animal. When the Puma came into conflict with the miner, the spirit had the lizard fight the Puma. The Desert Lizard turned into a reptilian humanoid and was able to speak.
The nature of the "Desert Lizard" is not entirely clear. It may indeed be a lizard transformed and imbued with intelligence by the Ghost Miner. But the lizard may also be simply a manifestation of the Ghost Miner's ghostly power. The lizard was clearly subservient to the miner and disappeared when the miner was not around. Perhaps the Desert Lizard is both an upllifted animal and a spirit entity, drafted into service by the miner and subsequently "uplifted" by being given a humanoid form.
Marvel Comics Presents (vol. 1) #44 (Feb. 1990): "...And Not a Drop to Drink"
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/ghostminerpuma.htm#lizard
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/dendes.htm
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/gfgh.htm
- https://www.comics.org/issue/47630/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=12764