Lady Shiva (Sandra Wu-San or Sandra Woosan), is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5. Having varied origins and ties to superheroes such as Batman and Batgirl, the character serves as one of the most premier martial artists in the DC Universe.

First appearing as a vengeful martial artist from China, she comes into conflict with Richard Dragon when her sister is killed and she believes him responsible. Realizing the deception placed upon her, she becomes an ally of Dragon and Bronze Tiger. Overtime, stories retroactively establish her birth name as Wu Ming-Ye and her sister's death is credited to David Cain, a world-class assassin who manipulates her into producing a child, Cassandra Cain, in hopes of creating a "killing machine". While often motivated in seeking a challenge and proving herself the deadliest martial artist in the world, In Detroit, she and her older sister Carolyn, practiced martial arts and the pair later became sensationalist martial artist duo with a deep bond although Sandra often held back against her older sister. Their skills are noticed by David Cain, a trainer for the League of Assassin who becomes enamored with Sandra, believing her a kindred spirit and capable of producing a child suited for the role of Ra's al Ghul's bodyguard as well as his successor and assistant due to her high fighting abilities. The ordeal left her credited as the one to train Sage. In their search for Green Arrow, Shiva encounters slave traders, killing all except one, who successfully cuts her; she rewards him with a kiss on the forehead. After locating Green Arrow, she meets Black Canary for the first time, and spars with the hero. Although Canary does not know it at the time, the two had both studied under Sensei Otomo, though non-concurrently. After recruiting Green Arrow, Shiva returns to Hub City, and saves the Question from an attack by former employees of the now-dead Reverend Hatch. Shiva kills the men, who had been after a fortune in embezzled funds stored in Hatch's abandoned home, and sets fire to the money. Later, she nurses the Question's elderly friend Tot back to health. While the Question puzzles over her inscrutable and violent nature, she confesses that O-Sensei was "the one man I am certain I would not harm if he kissed me". When Batman discovers that the remains of O-Sensei's wife had been moved to a small island, Shiva, O-Sensei, Green Arrow, and the Question set out for the island, only to be caught in a storm. O-Sensei is lost overboard, but the group discovers that his wife's remains had likewise been mislaid, years earlier, while in transport, leaving O-Sensei's promise fulfilled.

In the 1991 "Robin: A Hero Reborn" storyline, she garners an interest in discovering techniques from defeated martial artist such as Koroshi, a master of karate, and seeks the one rumored to defeat him, King Snake, and encounters Tim Drake, the third person to hold the Robin codename and battle Snake's Ghost Dragons criminal organization as part of his training. Seeing potential, she takes him as a student to train him for a few weeks in one weapon although she is critical of his choice in the non-lethal bō , the reason in which Robin chose the weapon. He manages to defeat her in a sparring match using a whistle to distracted her and is awarded with a collapsible bō . Later, they discover the Ghost Dragon's development of a plague and the pair ally with Clyde Rawlins to stop them from releasing. Dragon escapes with few canisters and is tracked to Hong Kong, where they defeat him although Rawlin dies in the conflict and Shiva simply watches. When Snake hangs from a ledge, she urges him to kill the man to signify his graduation and become her "weapon" When he refuses and leaves, Shiva throws Snake off the ledge herself although he survives.

Getting involved with Gotham

After Bane breaks Batman's back, Batman seeks training from Shiva to help him regain his skills and fighting spirit (see Batman: Knightfall: KnightsEnd). Though she deems him unworthy of her efforts, she devises a training regimen, out of respect for what he had been before his injuries. As part of this training, Shiva kills the Armless Master, a sensei notable for training Catwoman, while wearing a tengu mask, making sure that his death was both witnessed and relayed to his best students. Shiva then makes Batman wear the mask while performing training missions. He is then ambushed by the master's students, who mistake him for the "Tengu Mask warrior". He defeats all of them in turn, but Shiva attempts to complete Batman's training by manipulating him into killing an opponent using her fatal Leopard Blow. Batman simply feigns using the maneuver on an assailant to trick her into believing he used lethal force. Shiva later discovers the truth, but does not seek vengeance.

Later, she helps Batman fight Ra's al Ghul and his League of Assassins, including Bane, when Ghul attempts to release a deadly virus called Ebola Gulf A that would have killed half the world's population (see Batman: Legacy). The trail leads Batman to Calcutta, India. Since their knowledge of the city is limited, Oracle contacts Shiva, who agrees to help Batman. Together they defeat Ghul's men and prevent the virus from being released.

Shiva later travels to an army base in Transbelvia to fight a young political rebel and martial artist named Dava Sbörsc, who specializes in undefeatable "single-blow techniques" and wishes to learn Shiva's Leopard Blow. Instead, Dava's friend, her former pupil Tim Drake, in his identity as Robin, jumps into the fray in her place. Granted superspeed by a drug Dava gave him, and unused to its effects, Robin unwittingly uses lethal force, killing Shiva in battle. He quickly administers CPR, both reviving Shiva and dosing her with the drug. Thus enhanced, she kills attacking soldiers while Robin and Dava make their escape, vanishing immediately after.

During the "Brotherhood of the Fist" story arc, Shiva fights in the Brotherhood of the Monkey Fist's martial arts tournament under the alias "Paper Monkey". In a final, close battle, she fights and defeats Connor Hawke, the Green Arrow. As repayment for saving her life, Robin asks her to spare Connor. She relents, warning Robin that this use of her favor means she would challenge and kill him when he grew older.

Cassandra begins to suspect that Shiva is her mother, but cannot provoke Cain into an admission. She embarks on a search for Shiva, eventually finding her as the new sensei of the League of Assassins under the leadership of Nyssa Raatko, Ra's al Ghul's eldest daughter. In battle, Cassandra sacrifices her life to save former League member Tigris from an attack by her own unsuccessful experimental predecessor, Mad Dog. Shiva decides to resurrect Cassandra in a Lazarus Pit to reveal the truth of her heritage, and fight her once more.

On reviving her, Shiva admits that the reason she agreed to give birth was that she hoped her child would be the one to kill her. In an evenly matched battle, Cassandra breaks Shiva's neck, paralyzing her. She appears ready to place Shiva in the Lazarus Pit, but Shiva pleads with her not to do so. In response, Cassandra impales Shiva on a hook hanging over the pit, apparently killing her. Although Cassandra's intent regarding this action is left ambiguous, whether to kill her or let her fall into the pit and be revived, it has been confirmed that Shiva is alive in One Year Later. Cassandra then abandons the identity of Batgirl and returns to her life as a wanderer.

During the Infinite Crisis storyline, Shiva appears as a member of Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.

"One Year Later"

In the 2006 "One Year Later" storyline, having switched places with Black Canary to allow them both to experience each other's life experiences, Shiva joins Oracle's covert team of female operatives known as the Birds of Prey (with Canary hoping that spending time with them would soften Shiva), using the name "Jade Canary".

Shiva continues to perform solo work, and visits Robin to assist him (much to Robin's chagrin) in discovering the truth behind Batgirl's recent disappearance and recent upheaval within the League of Assassins. She refuses to allow herself or Oracle's team to be involved, and instead trusts her former pupil to handle the situation. It appears that she holds no ill-will towards Cassandra as she informs Tim that she hopes that her daughter is well.

During a recent mission, Oracle's team confronts the villain Prometheus, whose helmet allows him to copy the skills of 30 of the world's greatest martial artists, including Shiva herself. This had allowed him a victory against Batman in the past. Shiva believes that his files on her would be out of date, and that she would be able to defeat her "old self". She seems unconcerned about the skills of the other 29 fighters, and apparently decides to attack Prometheus head-on. Prometheus, however, has more up-to-date files than Shiva suspected, and in three seconds knocks her to the ground. After this defeat, Shiva vanishes, leaving a message for Black Canary: "Tell the Canary, I release her".

Stripped of her chance to mold Black Canary in her own image, and stripped of Sin, the young girl who was next in line as her successor, Shiva is last seen talking to Bethany Thorne, daughter of the Crime Doctor. It appears that she is yet again hoping to train a new heir in the art of her lethal form of martial arts.

"Blackest Night"

During the events of the "Blackest Night", Shiva tracks down Renee Montoya, the new Question, and tells her she intends to test her in battle. The two women begin their duel, only to be interrupted when Victor Sage, now a reanimated Black Lantern, arrives on the scene and attacks them. Using his new supernatural abilities, Sage effortlessly defeats Shiva and tries to kill her by tearing out her heart. However, Shiva realizes that the Black Lanterns feed on human emotion, and cuts herself off from all feeling through the use of meditation, rendering her invisible to Sage. After the others on the scene do the same, Victor angrily departs.

"Brightest Day"

During the events of the "Brightest Day" crossover, a new martial artist known as the White Canary comes to Gotham and sets a plan into motion to ruin Black Canary's life by framing her for the murder of a European terrorist. When Black Canary first encounters the White Canary, she muses that the villain may be Shiva in disguise. but later White Canary pits Black Canary against Lady Shiva in an honor bound match to the death after breaking Black Canary's wrist, thereby making sure she would be killed. Both parties accept because White Canary dangles the life of Sin, Black Canary's adopted daughter, as her bait. However, Huntress challenges Shiva instead and even manages to knock her down, to everyone's surprise, even after receiving many blows. The death match is stopped when Black Canary rescues Sin herself and points out a technicality, they need not continue the battle to the death immediately and can pick it up at any time in the future.

The New 52 onward

Following the New 52 reboot in 2011, a new version of Lady Shiva debuted in 2012. This version of Shiva, de-aged and younger compared to her original counterpart, was said to be comparable in age to Dick Grayson (although she hints it is an intended misdirection) and was already a master assassin by the time she was a teenager. This version also bore a different costume, appearing in a teal kabuki-like garb and mask, in full gear she appears to have an extremely long, auburn braid with blades embedded in the hair that can be used offensively, but this is merely a wig connected to her mask. Some details of her past was revealed, having suffered from a childhood filled with trauma in which left a desire for vengeance and trained to become a martial artist and assassin-for-hire. She eventually joined the League of Assassins and named herself "Lady Shiva" after the Hindu god of destruction, serving as a trainer. She once had an encounter with Batman and Robin (Dick Grayson), the latter whose potential interest her. Among those she has trained included Bronze Tiger (whom she was said to have a long history with) and Red Hood.

DC Rebirth

In DC Rebirth, Shiva appears in the flesh at the end of Detective Comics #950, observing Cassandra Cain from a rooftop. Batman later finds out from both Shiva herself and Ra's that she has separated from him and the League of Assassins, believing him to be too complacent with the wealthy and aiming for peace rather than destruction. She had taken Ra's' secret League of Shadows with her, and was responsible for multiple attacks across the city and attacks on the anti-League military squad, the Colony. After a duel with her daughter Cassandra, Ra's al Ghul appears and kills Shiva with the intent of later resurrecting her for questioning.

DC All-In

Revised background

The character's origin is once more revise; now of Japanese and Chinese descent of the Wu family, in which is connected to the Blood, a ninja clan whose pact with dark spirits allows them to weaponize their blood. Her birth name is also revealed as Ming-Ye and both her and her older sister (Mei-Xing) had fled from their own at an early age due to an enmity from their uncle and eventually ended up in Detroit, where they adopted new identities (Sandra Wu-San and Caroyln Wu-San) respectively. Another revelation includes her being the biological mother of the teenage Jade Tiger, a martial artist whose protective father (Bronze Tiger) ensured the secrecy of his existence and only allowed Sandra to see him once every year on his birthday in an effort to avert an upbringing similar to Cassandra.

Batgirl (2025) and other appearances

In the first storyline of the 2025 Batgirl series, Shiva enlists the aid of Cassandra Cain in battling the enigmatic group, the Unburied.

Characterization

Lady Shiva's character is noted to be most dangerous martial artist in the DC Universe, Several characters are said to rival her capabilities: Bronze Tiger, Black Canary, the Twelve Brothers in Silk, Cassandra Cain,

Personality and themes

Primarily, the character's motivation is seeking a worthy challenge to her as a martial artist, the reason contested. Often at odds with the Batman family, and Huntress. Shiva also developed a rivalry with Katana due to the Soultaker and her abilities. In unarmed combat, she blends many different martial arts disciplines that benefits her frame and size, some which includes: Judo, Karate, Kuroshi, Savate, Capoeira, and Kung-Fu. An expert assassin, her abilities and reputation makes her an intimidating figure in the criminal underworld and is skilled in deception enough to obscure her true age, background, and misdirect individuals.

Other versions

  • Sin, a youth from a secluded village in China, was training under the matriarch who once trained Sandra with intention in Sin being her replacement but was instead adopted by Black Canary.
  • Inspired by his mother's "Jade Canary" moniker, Tenji Turner adopted the Jade Tiger codename.

In other media

Television

thumb|upright|Lady Shiva as she appears in [[Birds of Prey (TV series)|Birds of Prey.]]

  • Lady Shiva appears in a self-titled episode of Birds of Prey, portrayed by Sung-Hi Lee. This version is a freelance thief and former schoolmate of Helena Kyle who seeks vengeance on Barbara Gordon for the accidental death of her 15-year-old sister, who was killed years prior while Gordon as Batgirl was trying to apprehend Shiva.
  • Lady Shiva appears in Beware the Batman, voiced by Finola Hughes. This version is an elite member of the League of Assassins and rival of Katana and fellow League member Silver Monkey, the latter of whom seeks to usurp her position.
  • Lady Shiva appears in Young Justice, voiced by Gwendoline Yeo.

Film

  • Lady Shiva makes a cameo appearance in Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, voiced by Rachael MacFarlane.
  • Lady Shiva appears in films set in the DC Animated Movie Universe, voiced by Sachie Alessio.
  • Shiva appears in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. Following Darkseid's invasion of Earth two years prior, she serves as Damian Wayne's right hand, assisting him and the League of Shadows in their efforts to defeat Darkseid by securing a boom tube generator in a LexCorp building until she is killed by a guard.
  • Lady Shiva appears in Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie, voiced by Panta Mosleh. After being hired by the Joker to kill Batman, she tests the latter in a side mission to determine his worth to the League of Assassins. Additionally, she appears as the final boss of the "Initiation" DLC.
  • Lady Shiva appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
  • Lady Shiva appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced by Sumalee Montano.

Miscellaneous

  • Lady Shiva appears in the Batman: Knightfall audio book, voiced by Lorelei King.
  • Lady Shiva appears in the audio drama Batman Legends of Robin (1996).
  • Lady Shiva appears in DC Super Hero Girls and its tie-in films, voiced by Tania Gunadi. She was ranked No. 8 on the list of Top 10 Fictional Ninjas by Fandomania for being "one of the deadliest martial artists in the DC Comics universe".

References

  • Women of Gotham Biography: Lady Shiva
  • CanaryNoir