Warning: contains spoilers Black Canary: the best of the best #1!
After 30 years, Batman finally acknowledged the help of an unlikely character at his lowest point. Bane breaks Batman's back during the Knight's Fall event, taking Bruce Wayne off the table. While Azrael defended Gotham in Batman's absence, Bruce traveled the world seeking to regain focus, and one hero in particular helped him, and they received a message in Black Canary: the best of the best #1.
Black Canary: the best of the best #1 was written by Tom King and drawn by Ryan Sook. The issue is set against the backdrop of a once-in-a-lifetime fight between Black Canary and Lady Shiva, to determine who is the best hand-to-hand combatant.
How the The ring announcer recites Shiva's accomplishments as she heads to the ring, they note that she helped Batman when “he fell”, guiding him in the fighting arts.
They declares Shiva “better” than Batman, praising her for showing him the “path to perfection.”
Who is Lady Shiva? DC's Lethal Assassin – And Sometimes Batman's Ally, Explained
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 Knight's Fall event, Bane gains entry to the Batcave, fighting an exhausted and beleaguered Dark Knight. In 1993 Batman #497, Bane did what many thought impossible: break Batman. However, Batman, broken only in body, immediately begins planning his next moves. This included temporarily handing over the Batman mantle to Azrael, which nearly ended in disaster. Batman also began the path to healing and regaining 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 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: sometimes she was a hero and other times a villain. Lady Shiva helped train Tim Drake in his early days as Robin, and also worked with Batman even before his back broke.
Batman owes his career to Lady Shiva
After 30 years, it's good to see DC Comics recognize Shiva's role in Batman's life
Knight's Fall was followed by Knight Quest, and was in turn followed by Knightwhich saw Bruce reclaim the Batman mantle from Azrael – and that wouldn't have been possible without Lady Shiva. Batman's battle with Bane left deep scars on his psyche that caused him to have doubts about his heroic career. Lady Shiva not only conditioned Batman physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Batman was on the brink, but Lady Shiva pulled him back. Just as she trained Tim Drake, Lady Shiva taught Batman to fight again – and to become who he was meant to be.
Batman's career since Knight's Fall The trilogy saw him help fend off supervillains, alien invasions, and multidimensional crises – none of which would have been possible without the help of Lady Shiva.
Batman's career since Knight's Fall The trilogy saw him help fend off supervillains, alien invasions, and multidimensional crises – none of which would have been possible without the help of Lady Shiva. Since his defeat at the hands of Bane, Batman has fought with even more ferocity and determination. Shiva helps Batman look within and find himself. Although Shiva is widely recognized in the DC Universe as an excellent fighter and a lethal assassin, she doesn't get the credit she deserves for kicking off the game. from Batman career when he was at his lowest point.
Black Canary: the best of the best #1 is on sale now from DC Comics!