Lady Blackhawk is an alias used by three characters appearing in American comic books. The first, Zinda Blake, was introduced in a DC Comics publication in 1959 (Blackhawk #133); the second, Natalie Reed, appeared in a DC Comics title in 1988. The third, as-yet-unnamed, Lady Blackhawk debuted in a DC Comics title in 2011. All three characters were aviators and soldiers.

Reed has not appeared since the 1992 one-shot special; Blake was more recently a regular character in the Birds of Prey comic book from 2004 to 2009, and from 2010 to 2011. The third Lady Blackhawk appears in the Blackhawks comic.

Fictional character biography

Zinda Blake

175px|Zinda Blake debuts as Lady Blackhawk in Blackhawk #133.|thumb|leftZinda Blake, the first Lady Blackhawk, was introduced in Blackhawk #133 (February 1959). a Blake, determined to become the first female member of the famed World War II unit known as the Blackhawks, trained herself in aviation and combat. However, she is told that the Blackhawk codes forbid women from joining the team. Despite this, Blake is made an honorary member of the Blackhawks after rescuing them from the Scavenger, a pirate-themed criminal.

After a number of adventures with the Blackhawks, Blake is brainwashed by Nazi operative Killer Shark, forcing her to take up the identity of Queen Killer Shark. Blake battles the Blackhawks a number of times as Killer Shark's accomplice before she is freed of the effects of the potion.Cover artwork for Birds of Prey #82, by [[Joe Bennett (artist)|Joe Bennett. Zinda is pictured with Black Canary (center), Barbara Gordon (right), and Wildcat (left).|thumb|left]]During the storyline Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, Blake is transported to the present day, looking as she did in 1959. Blake and Guy Gardner have adventures in various time periods, such as the Wild West and far future. Blake is later transported to Warrior's, a nightclub that serves as a front for Gardner's latest heroic endeavors. Blake is instantly accepted by Gardner and offered a place to live. She appears as a supporting character in the series Guy Gardner, Warrior, often serving as a pilot for Gardner's team.

In 2004, Blake is recruited into the Birds of Prey as a pilot. Flashbacks reveal that the other Blackhawks have died and that Blake has been struggling with Blackhawk Inc. an international shipping company which she owns one-eighth of. Blake accepts the job with Black Canary's unofficial group on the grounds she is in full control of any flying duties.

Blake resigns from the Birds of Prey in the issue #107 rather than see Barbara Gordon forced to dismiss her under orders from the group's new leader, Spy Smasher. She later comes to Gordon's aid and rejoins the team, which is restored to Gordon's command.

Natalie Reed

Natalie Reed on the cover of Blackhawk #1 (1988).|thumb|left

Natalie Reed (born Natalie Gurdin), the second Lady Blackhawk, was introduced in the 1988 miniseries Blackhawk, which was written and drawn by Howard Chaykin. Within the DC Comics universe, Reed is the first Lady Blackhawk, having worked with the Blackhawks since 1943.

Natalie Gurdin is the daughter of Benjamin and Lucille Gurdin, members of the Communist Party USA. She later changed her surname to Reed in honor of John Reed, a journalist who supported the Communist cause. Reed emigrated to Russia in 1940, becoming an aeronautical engineer.

Reed contributed to the creation of the modified Grumman XF5F Skyrocket used by the Blackhawks. Later, while working with Soviet intelligence, she helps defeat Death Mayhew in his plot to destroy Manhattan. During this period, Reed is dubbed "Lady Blackhawk" by the U.S. press.

As a result of internal strife in the 1950s within the ranks of the CIA, which the Blackhawk Squadron was informally allied with, Reed is surgically altered and forced to assume the identity of Constance Darabont.

The New 52

A new Lady Blackhawk debuted in September 2011's Blackhawks #1 as part of DC's The New 52 initiative. Little has yet been revealed about her.

Rebirth

Kendra Saunders temporarily assumes the identity of Lady Blackhawk in Dark Nights: Metal #1, where she is the leader of the Blackhawks, an anti-apocalyptic team that wants to prevent the Dark Multiverse from rising.

Abilities

All versions of Lady Blackhawk are ace pilots who can easily handle different types of aircraft. They are also skilled in the use of a variety of weapons and hand-to-hand combat.

Other versions

Flashpoint

An alternate timeline version of Zinda Blake appears in Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance as a member of Team-7 who is later killed.

Society of Super-Heroes

A team of Lady Blackhawks appear in Multiversity: Society of Super-Heroes #1, consisting of Lena, Killah, Pixie, Red, Monkey, and Princess.

Reception

Lady Blackhawk was ranked 48th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list, although the list does not specify which version of the character was chosen.

In other media

A group of Lady Blackhawks appear in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #21.

References

  • Cosmic Teams Profile
  • Fanzing #36 - Our Fighting Forces
  • Script for the Lady Blackhawk story - Birds of Prey #75
  • The Unofficial Lady Blackhawk Biography
  • Who's Who: Lady Blackhawk (Natalie Reed)
  • Who's Who: Lady Blackhawk (Zinda Blake)