Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas
Despite begin surrounded by beings that can lift houses or shoot lightning from their fingers, Marvel's martial artists have done pretty well from themselves over the years with just their mastery of the world's greatest fighting techniques. From ninjas to samurais to dudes and ladies who can just flat out throw down, the House of Ideas plays host to some of the toughest folks to ever clench a fist or hold a katana.
This week alone, the Master of Kung Fu meets the Merc With a Mouth in SHANG-CHI: MASTER OF KUNG FU #1 while the Bride of Nine Spiders takes the spotlight in IMMORTAL WEAPONS #2.
Get ready to jump-kick for joy as the Secret Cabal counts down Marvel's ten greatest martial artists!
For each character you get the quick rundown as well as a special spotlight comic courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!
10. KITTY PRYDE)
First Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN #129 (1980)
Learn More About Her...here
Why She Makes the List: Just because Kitty Pryde is the Marvel Universe's resident sweetheart doesn't mean the girl isn't deadly-she's a trained ninja with mad skills! Unfortunately for Kitty, she gained said skills when she was possessed by Wolverine's demonic former sensei, Ogun, who psychically imprinted her with a lifetime of martial arts training, but the young Pryde of the X-Men proved able to throw off the evil influence and keep her newfound attributes in the process, re-christening herself Shadowcat.
Spotlight Comic: ASTONISHING X-MEN #5 (2004)-Kitty Pryde tears through Ord's allies!
9. BATROC)
First Appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #75 (1966)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: Don't let his much-maligned accent and legendary arrogance fool you-Batroc really is just about as good as he says he is when it comes to laying down the pain. A master of savate, a specialized form of kickboxing perfected by the French, Georges Batroc can hold his own against the likes of Captain America and his comrades, as he aptly demonstrated recently by putting Bucky Barnes in his place. Unfortunately for him-but entertainingly for us-Batroc's ego generally proves to be his undoing.
Spotlight Comic: CAPTAIN AMERICA #30 (2004)-Batroc drops in on Captain America!
8. STICK)
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #176 (1981)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: If you had to pick a deadly fighter and trainer without peer out of a line-up, chances are you wouldn't settle on the old blind guy with the piece of bamboo-and chances are you'd be feeling that wood upside your head before too long. Born blind, the enigmatic and ever-cranky Stick taught himself techniques so that he could sense the world around him and became the leader of a group of ninjas par excellence known as the Chaste, also serving as sensei to Daredevil and Elektra along the way-not bad for an old dude with some lumber.
Spotlight Comic: DAREDEVIL #176-Stick teaches Daredevil his lessons the hard way!
7. WOLVERINE
First Appearance: INCREDIBLE HULK #180 (1974)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: For most folks, an unbreakable skeleton, nearly unbeatable healing factor and pointy sharp claws that can cut through near anything would be enough if you're looking to pick a fight, but Wolverine ain't most folks. As has been documented on many occasions, Logan has spent quite a decent portion of his extraordinarily long life in the far eastern part of the world, honing his skills in a number of the martial arts, learning how to kill as well as how to heal his own shattered mind. Take away the claws, the metal bones and the healing factor, and it's a safe bet Wolverine can still beat the crap out of most folks in a fair fight.
Spotlight Comic: WOLVERINE: MANIFEST DESTINY #1-Logan returns to San Francisco's Chinatown to settle some old debts!
6. KARNAK)
First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #45 (965)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: Even among Inhumans, Karnak is unique, his parents choosing not to expose him to the Terrigen Mist that gives most of his race their incredible powers and abilities. Rather than the quick fix of Terrigenesis, Karnak spent years in a monastery mastering the martial arts to the degree where he possesses a near-superhuman ability to perceive the weakest point in any object or person, making him among the most effective fighters in the entire universe. Karnak's unique-and undeniably cool-skills as well as his stoic persona make him one of Marvel's neatest under-the-radar badasses.
Spotlight Comic: FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #5 (1967)-Karnak lends both hands and feet against the Psycho Man!
5. DAREDEVIL)
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #1 (1964)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: Daredevil has long been one of the pillars of the Marvel Universe, but whereas once upon a time he could be mistaken for a wisecracking Spider-Man in a yellow suit, Matt Murdock has long since established his own more serious and intense persona, with his apprenticeship in the martial arts under Stick's tutelage playing a major role. Given DD's unique standing as a blind man able to "see" using a type of radar, the idea of incorporating ninja training to enhance his focus and fighting style has been a tremendous boon and led to some epic sagas, including his current emerging leadership of the Hand.
Spotlight Comic: DAREDEVIL #189-DD battles ninjas galore for the soul of Elektra!
4. IRON FIST (Orson Randall)
First Appearance: IMMORTAL IRON FIST #1 (2006)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: Each era gets its own Iron Fist, and none could have been better-suited for the alternating dark twists and bizarre turns of the Golden Age like Orson Randall. Known to mix thrust blows with handguns and trade in his meditation time for opium, Randall was one of a kind and brought a unique and exciting edge to the Iron Fist legacy. As Orson's adventures have been slowly recounted over the past several years, we've been privy to some fun and exciting stories mixing straight noir with mysticism and the martial arts, anchored by a character who's just a blast to watch.
Spotlight Comic: IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH #1-Orson Randall squares off with the Prince of Orphans!
3. ELEKTRA
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #168 (1981)
Learn More About Her...here
Why She Makes the List: Ask most denizens of the Marvel Universe who the deadliest woman on Earth is and the answer you're likely to get-with good reason-is Elektra. It's a reputation she has earned through years of training and discipline as well as more than her share of tragedy. It was the death of her father that first drove Elektra to throw herself into the martial arts and an all-consuming need to fill a heart emptied by want for vengeance that fueled her quest to be the best. Though she is not without honor, Elektra is often without remorse, using her outer beauty to mask the ruthless efficiency she holds within.
Spotlight Comic: ELEKTRA #6 (2002)-It's time for Elektra to go stealth in this "'Nuff Said" silent issue!
2. SHANG-CHI)
First Appearance: SPECIAL MARVEL EDITION #15 (1973)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: You don't earn the title "Master of Kung Fu" just by being pretty good at it. When it comes to pure martial arts skills, Shang-Chi may well be unparalleled in the Marvel Universe as the best pound-for-pound fighter around. Shang also possesses impressive cool under pressure and an appreciation for life's softer pleasures that belies his harsh upbringing and sinister parentage. Beware though; while it may be tough to rattle Shang-Chi from his state of Zen calm, once he does get good and pissed, there are few with hands more deadly.
Spotlight Comic: HEROES FOR HIRE #9 (2007)-Shang-Chi goes wild in the Savage Land!
1. IRON FIST (Danny Rand)
First Appearance: MARVEL PREMIERE #15 (1974)
Learn More About Him...here
Why He Makes the List: He pulls out the still-beating hearts of giant dragons, he battles other immortal living weapons in epic tournaments, he channels his inner spirit into a thing as unto iron and he's still got time to be a hero for hire and teach karate to inner city kids-he's Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist, and he's the Secret Cabal's favorite Marvel martial artist. Though he was created in part to cash in on the kung fu craze of the 70's, Danny has proven to be an enduring character thanks to his affable personality, the ever-growing legend surrounding his mantle, and the bevy of talented creators who have contributed to his adventures. Iron Fist is a mythic warrior who also happens to be pretty down-to-earth-a guy we can all relate to.
Spotlight Comic: IMMORTAL IRON FIST #8-Danny Rand prepares for war as the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven hold their annual tournament!
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:eccc9c80f1="Winter_So1dier"]this list is just about right IMO. the martial artists on the list specialize in martial arts that have been practised and perfected for generations. so having guys like cap and black panther not on the list makes sense, since they each have unique mixed fighting styles (wrestling, boxing, kickboxing...). taskmasters not on the list since he doesnt exactly learn ...
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:eccc9c80f1="Winter_So1dier"]this list is just about right IMO. the martial artists on the list specialize in martial arts that have been practised and perfected for generations. so having guys like cap and black panther not on the list makes sense, since they each have unique mixed fighting styles (wrestling, boxing, kickboxing...). taskmasters not on the list since he doesnt exactly learn martial arts, he just copies it.[/quote:eccc9c80f1]My thoughts exactly Winter_So1dier. Now I am thinking that perhaps someone should have been bumped off the list to make room for Master Izo. I'm thinking that he might even deserve to be at the #1 spot instead of Iron Fist. I mean, he taught Stick, and has been around for hundreds of years. He has gotta be a tuff fighter!
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this list is just about right IMO. the martial artists on the list specialize in martial arts that have been practised and perfected for generations. so having guys like cap and black panther not on the list makes sense, since they each have unique mixed fighting styles (wrestling, boxing, kickboxing...). taskmasters not on the list since he doesnt exactly learn martial arts, he just copies it.
Not cool at all.A proper list would have been:1Iron Fist2Karnak3Steve Rogers4Wolverine5Shang Chi6Daredevil7Black Panther8Bullseye9Elektra10Psylocknot sure of who's first between Dardevil and BP so I went with Devil firdt since he was said to b Marvel's third h2h fghter after cap and logan. So while I respectfully disagree about those two being the top two, I used this statement as reference ...
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Not cool at all.A proper list would have been:1Iron Fist2Karnak3Steve Rogers4Wolverine5Shang Chi6Daredevil7Black Panther8Bullseye9Elektra10Psylocknot sure of who's first between Dardevil and BP so I went with Devil firdt since he was said to b Marvel's third h2h fghter after cap and logan. So while I respectfully disagree about those two being the top two, I used this statement as reference for who comes first between him and BP
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I guess you have a point with Kitty. I guess it is the fact that I see Iron Fist, Shang-Chi, and Daredevil practicing their martial arts, and keeping up on their training too.
It was kinda explained rather well, and their seemed to be a theme.MARTIAL ARTISTS...like from earth. Hence no mantis, cause...shes an alien.It'd didnt point to best fighter, nor best warrior, but of the ones that exsist on earth, which are the best at the fighting styles born in the far east.Kitty had it implanted in her head. Wolvie learned it the hard way, as did the others.Seems a good ...
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It was kinda explained rather well, and their seemed to be a theme.MARTIAL ARTISTS...like from earth. Hence no mantis, cause...shes an alien.It'd didnt point to best fighter, nor best warrior, but of the ones that exsist on earth, which are the best at the fighting styles born in the far east.Kitty had it implanted in her head. Wolvie learned it the hard way, as did the others.Seems a good list to me.
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