Lady Shiva

Huntress beaten by Lady Shiva in Birds of Prey v2 #6.

Lady Shiva is a female comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.

Biography

Pre-Crisis

Richard Dragon battles Lady Shiva in Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter v1 #5.

Sandra Wu-San

Upon learning of her sisters death, she came to swear revenge on the man responsible for her murder. She was then contacted by Guano Crava who made her believe that Richard Dragon was responsible for her sister's death. In reality, Cravat had hired the man who killed her but Sandra was not aware of this information. In the aftermath, she took on the name of Lady Shiva and a position at G.O.O.D. to work under Barney Ling in order to use this as an opportunity to get close to Dragon. By this point, Dragon was sent to Cravat who set up an ambush for him alongside Shiva. During their confrontation, the pair fought until Dragon convinced her that Cravat was responsible for her sister's murder. (Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter v1 #5)

Post-Crisis

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Sandra Wu-San and her older sister were said to had grown up in Detroit where from a young age they loved to spar. This led to them learning martial arts where hand-to-hand combat became a secret language to them. Eventually, they would hold public matches where people far and wide would come to see them fight. As she loved her sister, she came to hold herself back so that she and sibling could keep sparring. One day, their fight was seen by David Cain who recognised the potential in Sandra and believed her older sister held her back. Thus, he arranged for her murder thinking that this would free her. (Batgirl v1 #73)

Lady Shiva came to be recruited by Wesley Fermin, the corrupt mayor of Hub City. At this time, Vic Sage was a crusading journalist doing an expose on Fermin's corrupt regime, and in his secret identity of the Question took his battle to the streets. Question broke into a safehouse where the Mayor was keeping a blackmail tape, and emerged victorious with the tape after a brutal fight with Fermin's goons. Shiva was present, but refrained from the battle because she hadn't specifically been tasked with fighting, and because she found brawling offensive. Vic broadcast the tape of Mitchell Doohan, Commissioner of Schools snorting coke and cavorting with the girlfriend of Adam Perch, who he'd just assigned a building contract to. Reverend Jeremiah Hatchdid Fermin's dirty work, and had one of his thugs inform Vic of a meeting of Fermin's men at a deserted pier. The goon was pleased with himself and got fresh with Lady Shiva, who busted his wrist and promised to cripple him if he tried to touch her again. Vic knew the meeting was a trap, but arrived as Question anyway. Lady Shiva met him in combat and easily bested him, at which point Hatch had his goons beat him bloody with a pipe before shooting him in the head and dumping him off the pier. With the thugs gone, Lady Shiva dove into the water and saved the Question, tending to his wounds. He muttered the name of Aristotle Rodor, and knowing he wouldn't be safe in a hospital she brought him to his friend. Question suffered some memory loss, and had fevered dreams about Batman, who he'd worked with once, prodding him to dedicate himself fully to his mission. He healed up somewhat, and Aristotle told him Shiva had chartered him a helicopter flight for a meeting. Question arrived to find not Shiva, but Richard Dragon, a legendary kung-fu master. Dragon was bound to a wheelchair, and Question was severely injured, but Dragon assured him he had to work on his mind before his body would heal. He chopped wood, subsisted on foraging and listened to Dragon's words of wisdom until Richard felt he'd learned all he could from him. Shiva appeared to check on his progress, and attacked him, telling him that if he did not defend himself she would kill him. He fended off her attacks, and she was satisfied, saying she'd saved him because she saw in him a true passion for the martial arts. Dragon still maintained that Question's passion was curiosity, not combat. (Question v1 #2)

Shiva would return to Manchuria and to the O-Sensei who after living for over 150 years had decided to finally die. He had intended to keep his promise to his wife by being buried alongside her but her family had hidden her remains as punishment for him abandoning her. Aiding him, Shiva was to choose three warriors for the task of finding her remains where she chose: the Question, Green Arrow and Batman. Despite her aid, she was reluctant to acknowledge her master's death wish where she showed ambivalence in their quest and applied deadly force in her fights. They later travelled to Hub City to meet with the Question and brokered Shiva's first meeting with the Batman. Upon meeting him, she was compelled to test his skill and fought the Dark Knight only to be stopped by the O-Sensei whereupon they came to convince the vigilante to aid them. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #1)

Afterwards, she was approached by Bruce Wayne who was looking to attain his former skill as Batman. For this, he asked Lady Shiva to train him where initially she felt he was unworthy to be her apprentice but decided to do so as it would be a challenge. Over the course of weeks, she came to train him in her harsh and brutal form of martial arts whilst also tending to his injuries. The rigorous training culminated in her trying to teach him the lethal Leopard Blow but Wayne refused to do so as he did not want to kill anyone. This disappointed Lady Shiva who came to devise a new way of testing Wayne. This saw her confronting the Armless Master in front of one of his students whilst wearing the Mask of the Tengu. Such an act led to the fallen martial arts master's apprentice informing the other six disciples of the murder of their sensei where they vowed revenge. Lady Shiva then had Bruce Wayne wear the Mask of the Tengu and told to meet at a specific place in Chinatown with him being unaware of the murder of the Armless Master. Whilst there, he was confronted by one of the Armless Master's disciples who only knew that a person wearing a tengu mask had killed his sensei. Thus, Wayne was forced to fight fully against his foe to defeat him only to learn that his opponent was the weakest of their number. Shiva then revealed that the other disciples were stronger and had intended for Bruce to having to overcome his code against killing in the process of defeating them. (Batman v1 #509)

Looking for a fight, she travelled to Gotham in order to provoke one of its vigilantes by eating at a restaurant. It was then that a rich princess and her bodyguards arrived to eat at the site whereupon Shiva decided to act. She effortlessly killed the bodyguards with her then being confronted by Cassandra Cain. The young warrior fought Shiva but was easily outclassed by Shiva who critically injured her but decided to spare Cassandra Cain as she sensed some potential in her. (Batgirl v1 #8)

She was later recruited by the new Demon's Head Nyssa Raatko after she had taken over her fathers criminal empire. This saw Lady Shiva being the new sensei of a new crop of recruits for the League of Assassins. (Batgirl v1 #68)

Lady Shiva was later dispatched by Ra's al Ghul to find his daughter Talia who had been taken by Batman from the offices of LexCorp. This was because he initially believed that Ra's al Ghul was involved in a plot against him. Whilst confronting Ra's in the desert, he had Catwoman remain in Gotham to watch over the captive Talia but Shiva arrived at the scene to free her. Sandra Wu-San managed to easily best the thief but then was knocked unconscious but Talia al Ghul who had freed herself. She had no intention of returning to her father and in fact wanted to help her beloved Batman which was why she had helped Selina Kyle defeat Lady Shiva. (Batman v1 #616)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different series of events.

For his League of Shadows, Ra's al Ghul decided to choose the assassin Lady Shiva to serve as their leader in order to play on their fanaticism. She gave them purpose and drive that they did not have before but upon learning what they were intended for she usurped Ra's rule over them for herself and turned them against him. This led to a state of hostilities between the League of Shadows and the League of Assassins. (Detective Comics v1 #954)

Around a year ago, Shiva alone attacked a stronghold of the Colony where by herself she massacred its personnel whilst she had injured Jacob Kane and forced him to watch the slaughter. Several months ago, she was visited by Ra's al Ghul in Paris who asked her to end the state of hostilities with her in exchange for information on her daughter. Shiva refused and the Colony arrived to ambush her but she easily killed her attackers in ten seconds. She then had her League of Shadows stage an attack on Gotham City in order to witness her daughter Cassandra Cain in action but was disappointed that she did not engage in fatal strikes. (Detective Comics v1 #952) Cassandra later confronted her with Shiva enjoying the challenge of a fight to the death only to be disappointed in her daughter for refusing to engage in the battle. (Detective Comics v1 #953) She threatened to destroy Gotham City with a bomb and faced Batman along with her own daughter in hand-to-hand combat with Cassandra managing to get her mothers respect but Shiva was killed by Ra's al Ghul who shot her. (Detective Comics v1 #956)

Though killed, she was restored to life by Ra's al Ghul but she stated that she had a will of her own. Despite that, Shiva was working with her master in order to corrupt her daughter Cassandra Cain to follow the darkness in her and follow in her footsteps. (Batman and the Outsiders v3 #9)

Overview

Personality and attributes

It was remarked that she was quite beautiful. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #1) It was said that Lady Shiva was named after the Hindu goddess of destruction. (Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #5) Whilst among the Brotherhood of the Monkey Fist, she came to wear a mask and was known as the Paper Monkey. (Nightwing v2 #23) After joining the Birds of Prey, Shiva decided to take the name of Jade Canary for a time. (Birds of Prey v1 #92)

A noted assassin, Shiva's hobby was said to be to hunt down the best fighters in the world and beating them to death with her bare hands. (Batgirl v1 #7) It was said that she could not resist a challenge though she claimed that she was a warrior and not a murderer. Thus, she did not kill people in cold blood but only fought those that offered her a challenge. (Batgirl v1 #8) Her reputation led to her being considered the deadliest woman in the world who tested her quarry to see their worthiness to face her in combat. (Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #5) Only those that transcended death through killing were deemed worthy of facing her. (Batman v1 #509)

Sandra was ruthless person who killed without remorse where she claimed that she lived only for skill and craved a challenge. Shiva said she cared not about how she was remembered after death as proving herself to be the best in life was her passion. (Batman v1 #509) She had said that she had liked violence. (Detective Comics Annual v1 #1)

It was said that Sandra Woosan was driven by a need to avenge the death of her sister. (Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter v1 #5) Another account claimed she came to see that her older sister had held her back from achieving her true potential. Though she loved her, the siblings were said to be as different as night and day. It was said that she became grateful to David Cain for releasing her from the bonds she had with her sister. (Batgirl v1 #73)

Powers and abilities

Leader of the League of Shadows in Detective Comics v1 #951.

She was regarded as the deadliest woman who had ever lived. (Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter v1 #5) As such, she was regarded as the best fighter in the world with her being fast, strong and deadly. (Batgirl v1 #8) It was said that her combat records covered pages of documentation on her fighting prowess. (Batgirl v1 #7) Her skills led to her being considered as deadly as Richard Dragon. (Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #5)

One move she was skilled in making was the Leopard Blow where mastery of the technique caused death with a single strike. (Batman v1 #509)

It was said that she was a master of at least a dozen forms and weapons. (Batman v1 #509) She was shown that she made use of shikuken throwing stars that she could throw with incredible accuracy. (Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #5)

Shiva became a senior figure within the League of Assassins where she was responsible for training its members. (Batgirl v1 #68) She came to be made the leader of the League of Shadows that were tasked with destroying civilisations. (Detective Comics v1 #954) Lady Shiva came to head a group of skilled fighters that were known as the Circle of Six. (Richard Dragon v1 #1)

Notes

• Lady Shiva was created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada where she made her first appearance in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #5 (December, 1975).

Alternate Versions

• In The Multiversity: The Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors of the Counter-World v1 #1 (2014), Lady Shiva appeared in the alternate reality set on Earth-40 in the Multiverse. Her cruelty was said to rival that of her ally Vandal Savage where they were members of the Society of Super-Criminals.

In other media

Television

• In Birds of Prey, Lady Shiva appeared in the setting of the live-action television series in the episode "Lady Shiva" where she was portrayed by actress Sung-Hi Lee.
• In Beware the Batman, Lady Shiva appeared as an antagonist in the animated television series where she was voiced by actress Finola Hughes. She was shown as being one of the lieutenants of the League of Assassins where she made her first appearance in the episode "Safe" when she sent Silver Monkey to capture Dr. Jason Burr so that she could get the Ion Cortex. Following his failure, Shiva had learnt from Silver Monkey that Katana was still alive after faking her death and was defending Dr. Burr. Instead of continuing their assault, she decided that they would obtain the Ion Cortex by other means as Katana was a bigger prize for the League of Assassins. In "Family", Silver Monkey orchestrated a secret plot with Bethanie Ravencroft to lure Batman to the Argus Club in order to force Katana into the open so that they could get the Soultaker sword from her. Silver Monkey intended to use the sword to usurp control of the League of Assassins from Lady Shiva but she was aware of his plans and thwarted them. Taking the Soultaker, she used it to take the sword of Ravencroft and had Silver Monkey taken away as a prisoner. She later battled Batman and Katana who she fought off whilst she escaped with the sword in a helicopter. In "Sacrifice", a cargo box containing the sleeping body of her master Ra's al Ghul was being smuggled into Gotham City but the container was stolen by Anarky. This forced Lady Shiva to make a deal with Anarky to retrieve a mutative toxin from the Gotham Contagion Research Center in exchange for the cargo. At the same time, Anarky had lured Batman and Katana into the center in order to trap them all with the released virus. Shiva later escaped with Anarky giving her the returned cargo despite his plans having failed. In "Instinct" she welcomed Dr. Burr after his mind had been brainwashed by Cypher leading to him joining the League of Assassins. In "Fall", she stood alongside her master Ra's al Ghul who had commanded the League in taking over Gotham City and as he had defeated Batman. In "Reckoning", she battled Silver Monkey who had betrayed the League by siding with Batman after out of honor he had sided with the Dark Knight but Lady Shiva defeated him with the Soultaker sword. She was defeated alongside the rest of the League when Batman reversed the incantation on the Soultaker causing its trapped souls to be released where they attacked Ra's al Ghul.
• In Young Justice, Lady Shiva appeared in the setting of the animated television series starting in the episode "Home Fires" where she was voiced by actress Gwendoline Yeo. She was a member of the League of Shadows and recruited to become the Lights newest enforcer. Lady Shiva was dispatched by the Light to stop its former member Ocean Master when he went rogue and intended to kill the families of the superhero community. The Light believed this would result in mutually assured destruction between themselves and their enemies thus Lady Shiva was sent to stop Orm. When Orm could not be dissuaded, Lady Shiva eliminated him and removed his body from the scene so that his activities could not be traced before reporting her success back to her masters.
• In Deathstroke: Knights and Dragons, Lady Shiva appeared in the setting of the animated web series where she was voiced by actress Panta Mosleh.

Films

• In Superman/Batman: Pubic Enemies, Lady Shiva appeared as a minor villain appearing in one-scene and was voiced by actress Rachael MacFarlane who only made vocal noises with no dialogue. She was one of many supervillains that were taken over by Gorilla Grodd's mental powers and sent to get the bounty on Superman and Batman. Shiva arrived where she battled Batman after he defeated the mind controlled Solomon Grundy only to be knocked out by him in their fight.
• In Batman and Harley Quinn, Lady Shiva was referenced in the setting of the animated film.
• In Batman: Hush, Lady Shiva appeared in a minor role in the animated film where she was voiced by actress Sachie Alessio.
• In Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, Lady Shiva appeared in the setting of the animated film where she was once again voice by actress Sachie Alessio.
• In Batman: Soul of the Dragon, Shiva appeared in the setting of the 2021 animated film where she was voiced by actress Kelly Hu. She was shown as a skilled martial artist who journeyed to the monastery at Nanda Parbat to study under O-Sensei with her becoming his most skilled student. During this time, her fellow students were shown to be Rip Jagger, Ben Turner, Jade Nyugen, Richard Dragon and Bruce Wayne where during this time O-Sensei gave her the Soul Breaker sword where all six disciples were being trained to guard 'the Gate'. However, Jagger was a spy for the Kobra Cult who had infiltrated the monastery to steal the sword where he killed Jade to open 'the Gate'. This led to several serpentine monsters arriving as heralds of their master the great serpent 'Naga. It was only the sacrifice of O-Sensei was 'the Gate' closed but the event impacted Shiva who became a crimelord afterwards that operated in Chinatown.

Video games

• In DC Universe Online, Lady Shiva appeared in the setting of the MMORPG video game.
• In Batman: Arkham Origins, the character appeared as an antagonist where she was voiced by actor Kelly Hu. Shiva was among the eight assassins that were hired by Black Mask with the goal of killing Batman. To test Batman's abilities, she was responsible for kidnapping two corrupt police officers where she killed one and left the other to be rescued. When Batman rescued him, Lady Shiva confronted him with the two fighting only for the Dark Knight to be the victor. She would declare him worthy of continued living and allowed him to continue his efforts in protecting Gotham City. However, she insisted that he would soon learn that Gotham was beyond saving and deserved destruction in order for it to rise from the ashes. Before disappearing, she commented that Batman's skills would impress her 'master' when he heard of them. In the extortion files held by Edward Nygma, it as revealed that Lady Shiva was aware of Bane's addiction to Venom and his desire to end his addiction. In the Initiation DLC, Lady Shiva was the last opponent that Kirigi unleashes on Bruce Wayne prior to becoming Batman and during his training.

Appearances

• Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter v1: (1975)
• Detective Comics Annual v1: (1989)
• Birds of Prey v1:
• Batgirl v1:
• Batman v1:
• Secret Six:
• Detective Comics v1:
• Batman and the Outsiders v3: (2019)

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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