In the late summer of 2021, Shang-Chi ruled the movies. His film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings became a Labor Day hit for Marvel Studios. With a Rotten Tomatoes verified audience score of 98%, this movie about the Marvel Comics martial artist struck a positive chord.
Needless to say, Shang-Chi isn't the last of these masters of hand-to-hand combat, nor is he the first martial artist superhero. Many others have graced the pages of comic books for decades.
10 Shang-Chi Was Introduced During The Height Of Martial Arts Fandom
Martial arts were big in the early 1970s thanks to movie star Bruce Lee. Comic book companies saw this and created characters who could draw in those audiences. The first one was the Master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi.
Developed by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, the martial arts master premiered in December 1973's Special Marvel Edition #15. This was only five months before Iron Fist debuted. Though they both have mastery of their chi, Shang doesn't have any superhuman powers like the latter hero. Instead, he's so practiced at his gift that he has been known to deflect bullets.
9 The Golden Age Daredevil Utilized Martial Arts To Battle Hitler
Not every superhero with martial arts skills started in the 1970s, nor did they debut with DC or Marvel. One of the first crime fighters with those abilities was the Golden Age Daredevil. Created by Jack Binder and Don Rico, the costumed figure battled evil at home and abroad via Lev Gleason Publications.
Daredevil, known as Bill Hart, was raised by Australian aborigines. On top of learning various forms of martial arts, he was also an expert with a boomerang. His first adventure was battling Hitler. After that, he tackled his arch-nemesis Claw for several issues. Daredevil is one of the rare non-DC/Marvel heroes who have legacies well into the 21st century.
8 The Original Mister Terrific Is A Master Martial Artist
DC Comics wasn't afraid of introducing Golden Age characters without superpowers. A case in point is Terry Sloane, the Golden Age Mister Terrific. Introduced in Sensation Comics #1 by creators Charles Reizenstein and Hal Sharp, this version of the hero has similar traits to Batman.
For instance, Sloane is a rich man with a photographic memory. Additionally, he's a master martial artist. The main difference is that Mister Terrific tries to brighten up the lives of those around him rather than tamp down evil ready to burst from under the city.
7 Judomaster Is Taught Martial Arts After Saving The Daughter Of A Island Chief
The mid-1960s introduced two martial arts superheroes with lasting legacies. Army Sergeant Rip Jagger was the first. Known as Judomaster, he was introduced to readers in the November 1965 issue of Special War Series #4 by Charlton Comics.
Created by writer Joe McGill and artist Frank McLaughlin, Sergeant Jagger gained his formidable martial arts skills after rescuing the daughter of a Pacific Island chieftain. In return, the leader trained the soldier in the use of karate, ju-jitsu, and judo. The hero joined the rest of the Charlton heroes when they moved to DC Comics. There, he became a member of the All-Star Squadron.
6 Karate Kid Is A Master Of All Known Martial Arts
Karate Kid debuted in the pages of DC's Adventure Comics not long after Judomaster. Introduced in 1966 by writer and artist Jim Shooter, he joined Princess Projectra and Ferro Lad as the newest members of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Karate Kid is also known as one of the first Legionnaires not to have any special powers or intellect.
The character, whose real name is Val Armorr, is a master of every form of martial arts up to the 31st century. He's so powerful that his punches and kicks cause severe damage to humans as well as metal and stone. Karate Kid is one of the few members of the LSH who have spent time in the present-day DC Universe. During "The Lightning Saga" storyline from the mid-2000s, he went toe-to-toe with Batman and nearly won.
5 Iron Fist Controls His Chi & Has A Mystical Power
Writer Roy Thomas created the character of Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist, after seeing a kung fu movie that featured a ceremony with the same codename as the hero. Once he received approval from Stan Lee, Thomas asked artist Gil Kane to help him shape the martial artist. The result was the hero's introduction in 1974's Marvel Premiere #15.
Similar to Shang-Chi, Danny also has complete control over his chi. Additionally, he gains the power of the iron fist by plunging his hands into the molten heart of the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying. This not only granted him superhuman energies but also prevented his hands from incurring harm.
4 Richard Dragon Initially Appeared In A Novel
DC Comics entered their kung fu phase in 1974 with Richard Dragon: Kung-Fu Fighter. However, the illustrated story isn't the first place the character is seen. It comes from the novel Kung-Fu Fighter, Richard Dragon: Dragon's Fist by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Jim Berry under the pseudonym of Jim Dennis.
The character initially starts as a thief. However, after getting beaten during a dojo robbery attempt, he is taken on as a student by O-Sensei. He spends the next seven years learning every single martial arts practice up to that time. Today, Dragon ranks as one of the top fighters along with the likes of Batman.
3 Bronze Tiger Has Lightning Fast Reflexes
The man who beat up Richard Dragon in the dojo was named Ben Turner. He later became the villain-turned-hero Bronze Tiger. Unfortunately, his initial adventures weren't performed under his own will.
After his introduction in Kung-Fu Master #1 by the creators of Richard Dragon, Tuner was brainwashed and became a feared assassin across the globe. Eventually, Amanda Waller reprogrammed him and he soon became a member and eventual leader of the post-Crisis version of the Suicide Squad.
2 Cassandra Cain Gets Her Martial Arts Skills From Her Parents
Though Lady Shiva is one of the most feared martial artists in the DC Universe, she has done more bad than good during her career. Yet, her daughter, Cassandra Cain, is definitely someone who deserves some recognition, as she has proven herself time and again for the Batman Family.
Created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott, Cassandra is first introduced as a courier for Oracle during the "No Man's Land" saga. Though she's unable to speak due to the manipulations of her father, assassin David Cain, she has a mastery of martial arts. Eventually, she takes the role of Batgirl before and after the New 52 era.
1 The White Tiger Is A Marvel Legacy Of Master Martial Artists
The hero known as White Tiger is a legacy in the Marvel Universe. Created by Bill Mantlo and George Perez in 1975, the original character, Hector Ayala, gained his superior martial arts skills from a trio of Jade Tiger amulets he wore. He served for several years as the White Tiger until he was killed after being convicted of murder.
Decades later Alaya's younger sister Ava became the fifth incarnation of the hero. She also wears the mystical tiger amulets to gain mastery over the martial arts. Since her introduction in 2011 by Christopher Gage and Tom Raney, Ava has been a student of Avengers Academy and a member of Sunspot's version of the team.