In the late summer of 2021, Shang-Chi ruled the movies. His pictureShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsbecame 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 paw-to-hand gainsay, 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 Tiptop Of Martial Arts Fandom

Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu

Martial arts were big in the early on 1970s thanks to movie star Bruce Lee. Comic volume companies saw this and created characters who could draw in those audiences. The start one was the Master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi.

Developed past Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, the martial arts master premiered in December 1973'sSpecial Marvel Edition#fifteen. This was only five months before Fe Fist debuted. Though they both have mastery of their chi,Shang doesn't have any superhuman powers like the latter hero. Instead, he'due south so practiced at his souvenir that he has been known to deflect bullets.

9 The Golden Age Daredevil Utilized Martial Arts To Battle Hitler

The Golden Age Daredevil attacking a prison

Not every superhero with martial arts skills started in the 1970s, nor did they debut with DC or Marvel. One of the first offense fighters with those abilities was the Aureate Historic period 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 showtime chance was battling Hitler. After that, he tackled his arch-nemesis Claw for several issues. Daredevil is 1 of the rare non-DC/Curiosity heroes who have legacies well into the 21st century.

8 The Original Mister Terrific Is A Main Martial Artist

Terry Sloane, the Golden Age Mister Terrific

DC Comics wasn't afraid of introducing Golden Age characters without superpowers. A instance in point is Terry Sloane, the Gilt Age Mister Terrific. Introduced inSensation Comics#1 by creators Charles Reizenstein and Hal Sharp, this version of the hero has similar traits to Batman.

For example, Sloane is a rich man with a photographic retentivity. 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 nether the metropolis.

vii Judomaster Is Taught Martial Arts Later Saving The Girl Of A Island Chief

The original Judomaster comic

The mid-1960s introduced two martial arts superheroes with lasting legacies. Army Sergeant Rip Jagger was the start. Known as Judomaster, he was introduced to readers in the November 1965 upshot ofSpecial War Series#4 by Charlton Comics.

Created by writer Joe McGill and artist Frank McLaughlin, Sergeant Jagger gained his formidable martial arts skills later on rescuing the girl 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 balance of the Charlton heroes when they moved to DC Comics. In that location, he became a member of the All-Star Squadron.

6 Karate Kid Is A Master Of All Known Martial Arts

karate-kid-legion-super-heroes-header

Karate Kid debuted in the pages of DC'due southAdventure Comicsnot long later on 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 primary of every grade of martial arts up to the 31st century. He's so powerful that his punches and kicks crusade severe harm to humans as well as metallic and stone. Karate Child is one of the few members of the LSH who accept spent fourth dimension in the present-day DC Universe. During "The Lightning Saga" storyline from the mid-2000s, he went toe-to-toe with Batman and near won.

5 Fe Fist Controls His Chi & Has A Mystical Power

Iron Fist Dragon feature - Marvel

Writer Roy Thomas created the character of Danny Rand, aka Fe Fist, afterward seeing a kung fu movie that featured a ceremony with the aforementioned codename equally 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'southwardMarvel Premiere#xv.

Similar to Shang-Chi, Danny likewise has complete control over his chi. Additionally, he gains the ability of the atomic number 26 fist by plunging his easily into the molten heart of the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying. This not only granted him superhuman energies but too prevented his hands from incurring harm.

four Richard Dragon Initially Appeared In A Novel

Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter kick

DC Comics entered their kung fu phase in 1974 withRichard Dragon: Kung-Fu Fighter. However, the illustrated story isn't the first place the grapheme is seen. It comes from the novelKung-Fu Fighter, Richard Dragon: Dragon's Fistby writer Denny O'Neil and artist Jim Berry under the pseudonym of Jim Dennis.

The character initially starts as a thief. Even so, after getting beaten during a dojo robbery attempt, he is taken on equally a student past O-Sensei. He spends the next seven years learning every unmarried martial arts do up to that fourth dimension. Today, Dragon ranks as one of the top fighters forth with the likes of Batman.

three Bronze Tiger Has Lightning Fast Reflexes

Bronze Tiger comic scenes

The man who beat upwardly 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.

Later on his introduction in Kung-Fu Master#1 by the creators of Richard Dragon, Tuner was brainwashed and became a feared assassin beyond the world. Somewhen, Amanda Waller reprogrammed him and he soon became a fellow member and eventual leader of the post-Crisis version of the Suicide Team.

two Cassandra Cain Gets Her Martial Arts Skills From Her Parents

Cassandra Cain as Batgirl In Front Of A Red Background As Lightning Strikes

Though Lady Shiva is 1 of the nigh feared martial artists in the DC Universe, she has done more than bad than skilful during her career. However, her girl, Cassandra Cain, is definitely someone who deserves some recognition, as she has proven herself fourth dimension and again for the Batman Family.

Created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott, Cassandra is beginning introduced as a courier for Oracle during the "No Human's Country" saga. Though she'due south unable to speak due to the manipulations of her begetter, 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

Marvel's White Tiger comics

The hero known equally White Tiger is a legacy in the Marvel Universe. Created by Neb 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 equally the White Tiger until he was killed after beingness convicted of murder.

Decades later Alaya'south younger sister Ava became the 5th incarnation of the hero. She besides wears the mystical tiger amulets to gain mastery over the martial arts. Since her introduction in 2011 by Christopher Cuff and Tom Raney, Ava has been a student of Avengers Academy and a member of Sunspot's version of the team.

NEXT: Bleach: 10 Most Skilled Martial Artists In The Series, Ranked

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