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Warning: contains spoilers for Black Canary: Best of the Best #1!
After 30 years, Batman has finally acknowledged an unlikely character’s hand in helping him at his lowest point. Bane breaks Batman’s back during the Knightfall event, taking Bruce Wayne off the table. While Azrael defended Gotham in Batman’s absence, Bruce traveled the world seeking to regain his focus, and one hero in particular helped him, and they get a shout-out in Black Canary: Best of the Best #1.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1 is written by Tom King and drawn by Ryan Sook. The issue is set against the backdrop of a once in a lifetime fighting match between Black Canary and Lady Shiva, to determine who is the best hand-to-hand combatant.
As the ring announcer rattles off Shiva’s accomplishments while she makes her way to the ring, they note that she helped Batman when “he fell” by mentoring him in the fighting arts.
They declare Shiva “better” than Batman, praising her for showing him the “path to perfection.”
Very Few In the DC Universe Can Defeat Lady Shiva
The ring announcer is right: Lady Shiva was instrumental in Batman’s recovery after his fight with Bane. In the epic Knightfall event, Bane gains entrance to the Batcave, fighting an exhausted and beleaguered Dark Knight. In 1993’s Batman #497, Bane did what many thought impossible: break Batman. However, Batman, broken only in body, immediately begins planning his next moves. These included temporarily turning the mantle of Batman over to Azrael, which almost ended in disaster. Batman also began the path to healing, and recovering his fighting skills–and Lady Shiva was crucial to this phase of his career.
Lady Shiva was created by writer Denny O’Neil and artist Ric Estrada.
Many in the DC Universe are skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but perhaps none more so than Lady Shiva. Introduced in 1975’s Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5, Lady Shiva is a highly skilled assassin, trained in a wide variety of martial arts styles. Shiva’s moral code is complex: at times she has been a hero and other times a villain. Lady Shiva helped train Tim Drake in his early days as Robin, and has worked with Batman as well, even before his back was broken.
Batman Owes His Career to Lady Shiva
After 30 Years, It Is Good To See DC Comics Acknowledge Shiva’s Role in Batman’s Life
Knightfall was followed by Knightquest, and it was in turn followed by Knightsend, which saw Bruce reclaim the mantle of Batman from Azrael–and it would not have been possible without Lady Shiva. Batman’s battle with Bane left deep scars on his psyche, ones that led him to have doubts about his heroic career. Lady Shiva not only conditioned Batman physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. Batman was on the cusp, but Lady Shiva pulled him back. Just as she trained Tim Drake, Lady Shiva taught Batman how to fight again–and become who he was supposed to be.
10 Emo Batman Moments You Should Never Forget
Bruce Wayne is well-known for his brooding nature, but there are times where even Batman takes his emo schtick a bit further than anyone would expect.
Batman’s career since the
Knightfall
trilogy has seen him help repel supervillains, alien invasions and multidimensional crises–none of which would have been possible without Lady Shiva’s help.
Batman’s career since the Knightfall trilogy has seen him help repel supervillains, alien invasions and multidimensional crises–none of which would have been possible without Lady Shiva’s help. Since his defeat at Bane’s hands, Batman has fought with even more fierceness and determination. Shiva helps Batman look inward and find himself. While Shiva is recognized far and wide in the DC Universe as a superb fighter and a lethal assassin, she does not get the credit she deserves for kickstarting Batman’s career when he was at his lowest point.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1 is on sale now from DC Comics!
“}]] Finally getting her due. Read More