Unlike projectile weapons, the sword demands respect. It requires that people see it as deadly but also requires that they respect the grace and elegance of the weapon. The sword should be an extension of the hand and its movements as precise as if conducting a sympathy.
There are very few characters in comics today that truly deserve the term “sword-masters." These are characters born to the sword who will choose it first in a room full of guns. They know that using the sword is as much about the blows you deflect as it is putting ”the pointy end in the other man." Here are the 10 greatest swordsmen and swordswomen in DC and Marvel comics, ranked.
10 Travis Morgan, Warlord-DC
US Air Force test pilot Travis Morgan was sent on a mission to spy on a secret Russian base. The Soviets shot him down just over Alaska but Travis parachuted out. Morgan fell through the portal that leads to the world of Skartaris. He met and saved Princess Tara from a dinosaur. She taught him the language and to use a sword.
Skartaris is an honest to goodness lost world. Travis Morgan encountered every type of danger imaginable. Lizardmen, sorcerers, dinosaurs, technologically advanced societies, cannibalistic natives, and pirates. Travis was forced into slavery and gladiatorial combat several times. The savagery of the land and the fight to stay alive molded Morgan into a highly skilled swordsman.
9 Colleen Wing-Marvel
Born in the United States, Colleen Wing spent her childhood in the Honshu Mountain region of Japan where she was raised by her grandfather. The grandfather taught Colleen the Samurai arts. Returning to New York, she befriended Daniel Rand, the Iron Fist. Colleen was saved during a shoot out by police officer Misty Knight. They became friends and when Misty lost her arm on duty, Colleen helped her overcome her depression. The pair opened the detective agency Nightwing Restorations.
Colleen’s Samurai training taught her to keep her sword sheathed more than drawn, trained her to calm their minds and avoided unnecessary killing. Colleen was also able to focus her chi to heal quickly, burn toxins from her system and increase her strength.
8 Shining Knight-DC
Sir Justin Arthur served King Arthur with his enchanted sword, armor and winged horse, Victory. Frozen in an icy battle with an ogre, he is not awoken until 1941. He chose to become a masked vigilante called The Shining Knight. He was a member of Law’s Legionaries and the All-Star Squadron during the war. Later, Justin became one of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. During a battle with the Nebula Man, they were displaced in time. Sir Justin was returned to the present day by Justice League and Society members.
Sir Justin’s sword is enchanted to cut through virtually any material. Justin has trained the ways of chivalry, the protection of the innocent and the defense of the oppressed. His swordsmanship comes from the ancient medieval style which values honor and skill over savagery in battle.
7 Swordsman-Marvel
Jacques Duquesne was the star performer at the circus that young runaway Clint Barton found. Called The Swordsman, he began teaching the young man his sword skills while his fellow performer Trickshot was teaching Barton archery. Barton caught Duquesne robbing the circus’ payroll and the Swordsman chased Barton up on the high wire and cut it, breaking both of his legs. The Swordsman went on to worldwide villainy.
The Mandarin altered his sword using Makluan technology to have a number of incredible properties. The Swordsman was considered to be a master of all bladed weapons and was considered by many to be without parallel in his swordsmanship.
6 Katana-DC
Two brothers loved Tatsu. She chose Maseo Yamashiro, which so enraged Takeo that he joined the Yakuza. Tatsu and her husband started a family. Takeo developed a taste for exotic weapons, acquiring the Soultaker Sword. Bringing the Soultaker to their house, Takeo killed his brother and started a fire killing his daughters. Tatsu battled Takeo, taking the Soultaker. Tatsu learned the skills of the Samurai. She took the name Katana to fight for justice and to take revenge on Takeo.
The nature of the Soultaker Sword meant that anyone killed with it would find their soul trapped within the sword. Tatsu does not need the Soultaker to be a deadly threat. She is skilled in various martial arts, the use of the bow, shurikens, daggers and other weapons.
5 Brunnhilde The Valkyrie-Marvel
For centuries, Brunnhilde led the Valkyrie who ferried the souls of valiant warriors to Valhalla. Brunnhilde befriended Amora the Enchantress in their youth. In recent years, Amora usurped Brunnhilde’s body and bound her with two human females, Samantha Parrington and Barbara Norris. It is during her Norris transformation that she joined the Defenders and became a long-standing member. Valkyrie was decapitated by Malekith during the War of the Realms.
Brunnhilde was the greatest swordswoman in Asgard with centuries of training and battle experience. Only the Enchantress’ meddling and the subsequent limiting of her power lessen her talents. Her sword, Dragonfang is indestructible and has energy deflection properties.
4 Deathstroke-DC
Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke the Terminator is the world’s most dangerous mercenary. Augmented through a secret government experiment to use 90% of his brain, it increased his mental and physical skills to near-superhuman levels. Slade tried to fulfill his son’s contract to capture the Teen Titans. He was also highly placed in Lex Luthor’s Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Slade has martial arts skills so advanced that he has beaten Batman in hand to hand combat. In addition to a variety of guns, knives, and fighting staves, Slade uses two katanas with deadly accuracy and at near superhuman speeds. Only his weird sense of honor and his ridiculously large fee keeps them sheathed.
3 Black Knight-Marvel
Scientist Dane Whitman inherited his uncle’s castle without any knowledge of his supervillain past. After discovering the Ebony Blade and learning of its curse, Whitman chose to be a hero. Whitman has served on several Avengers teams. Whitman was recently driven insane by the Ebony Blade, killing several villains and fled to Weirdworld. He returned to help take down the Hydra based Secret Empire.
Whitman’s swordsmanship skills are so great that he beat the Swordsman in combat. The Ebony Blade is linked to its wielder, can transport to their location, and that person can be injured but not killed. It is indestructible and can cut through anything except adamantium. Evil acts can taint the blade and to kill with it can make it crave blood.
2 Ra’s Al Ghul-DC
A brilliant unnamed young man, he traveled the world for centuries. He amassed great wealth, knowledge and combat skills, especially fencing. He created an organization called “The Demon” and named himself Ra’s Al Ghul “the Demon’s Head”. Ra’s discovered multiple Lazarus Pits throughout the world. Ra’s established the League of Assassins who fought against the Nazis in WWII. In recent times, Ra’s daughter Talia had been saved by Batman from a former League subordinate and she fell in love with him. Ra’s believed that the “Detective” was worthy of his daughter but was insulted when Batman refused.
Ra’s Al Ghul has had centuries to perfect his skills as a martial artist, marksman, and swordsman. There is no naturally greater fencer on Earth. He claims to have trained the first fencers in the world and has even trained Batman in sword fighting.
1 Blade-Marvel
Eric Brooks was born a vampire hybrid when his prostitute mother was bitten by vampire Deacon Frost as she was giving birth. Eric encountered American vampire hunter and jazz player Jamal Afari while still a teenager. The old man taught Eric his skills before he was turned by Dracula and Eric had to kill him. Eric named himself Blade and began hunting all vampires.
Blade is a Dhampir, having all the powers of a vampire with none of the limitations. He has mastered multiple martial arts. There is no one alive who can match his proficiency with bladed weapons, be they wooden or steel. He carries multiple katanas and short swords on him at all times.