Ever think the best heroes need flight or super strength? Some truly iconic martial arts superheroes in comics actually skip the superpowers altogether. No, we’re not talking about brave reporters or steadfast butlers who support the main acts; they’re heroes in their own right, of course. We mean dedicated fighters, the martial arts superheroes whose only “powers” are discipline and incredible skill. While the MCU brought Shang-Chi to the global stage, many casual fans might not realize he’s a 50-year comic veteran, and he’s not alone; some of the most compelling martial arts superheroes are masters of combat.
Skill Defines Heroes
Comic history is rich with human martial arts superheroes. These characters achieve greatness through rigorous training and sheer dedication alone. The explosion of kung fu films directly inspired many early comic book martial artists. This creative parallel continues with today’s gritty action movies and their comic book counterparts. Ultimately, heroes who achieve amazing feats through pure skill can be far more enthralling than those simply born with powers, making these martial arts superheroes truly stand out.
Here are 9 martial arts superheroes you should know about.
1. Ninjak
Ninjak is one of the most popular martial arts superheroes in Valiant Comics. The character made his first appearance in Bloodshot #6 in July 1993. Colin King is the son of a wealthy spy master who dies mysteriously. King then dedicates his life to learning martial arts, becoming a mercenary, and avenging his father. Ninjak is like a combination of Batman, a ninja, and James Bond.
Ninjak Volume 1: Weaponeer is a 176-page paperback that collects the first five issues of the original Valiant series. It features King training to become Ninjak and planning to avenge his father. Get it from Amazon now for $9.99.
2. Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi is basically the Marvel version of Bruce Lee with additional inspiration from David Carradine’s Kung Fu. The character made his debut in Special Marvel Edition #15 in 1973 during the height of the kung fu film craze. Shang-Chi is a human weapon made to endure cruel and harsh training since birth to become the best martial artist ever.
In the 1970s comics, Shang-Chi was a spy out to stop his warlord father. Most people now know of the character due to the 2021 MCU film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi By Gene Luen Yang is a 560-page paperback that collects over two dozen Shang-Chi comics that came out in 2021. Get it now for $49.27 at Amazon.
3. Iron-Fist
Danny Rand was a child when his parents die protecting him during an expedition to find the mystical Chinese city of K’un-Lun. Rand spends his formative years growing up in K’un-Lun and learning various kinds of martial arts. He learns the Iron Fist style which enables him to channel his energy into his glowing fist. His glowing fist gains superhuman strength and is powerful.
Along with Shang-Chi, Iron Fist is one of Marvel’s most popular martial arts superheroes. The character is old too, making his first appearance in Marvel Premiere #15 in 1974. The character is a cult favorite amongst comic book fans; most casual readers never heard of the character until Finn Jones portrayed Danny Rand in the Netflix series Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and the Defenders in the late 2010s.
Immortal Iron Fist & The Immortal Weapons Omnibus is a 1,048-page hardcover. It collects all 27 issues of the 2006 Immortal Iron Fist series and all of the contemporary tie-in series. Get it for $67 at Amazon now.
4. Taskmaster
This character is one of the most popular martial art superheroes out there and was the center of controversy years ago. Tony Masters is a master martial artist, mercenary, and assassin. He has a photographic memory that allows him to memorize and mimic the fighting styles of anyone he watches. Taskmaster is an old character and made his debut in The Avengers #195 in 1980.
Taskmaster was originally an Iron Man villain in the comic books. Most people had never heard of the character until 2021’s Black Widow film. Tony Masters was gender-swapped into a female character in the MCU; the MCU Taskmaster was finally killed off in 2025’s Thunderbolts film.
Taskmaster: The Right Price is a 216-page paperback. It tells the story of Taskmaster’s origin and a new deadly threat he must vie against. Buy it for $24.79 at Amazon now.
5. Colleen Wing
Colleen Wing is one of the best Japanese martial arts superheroes in Marvel Comics. Wing comes from a long lineage of Samurai. Her grandfather taught her martial arts from a young age. After his death, Wing teams up with Iron Fist to avenge her grandfather’s death. The character made her debut in Marvel Premiere #19 in 1974.
In Marvel Comics, Wing usually teams up with Luke Cage and Iron Fist as vigilantes in New York City. Wing works as a detective and vigilante with Misty as the Daughters of the Dragon. Actress and martial artist Jessica Henwick portrayed the character in the Netflix series Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and the Defenders.
Daughters of the Dragon: Samurai Bullets is a 144-page paperback collecting the six-issue 2006 miniseries. Buy it for $26.97 now at Amazon.
6. Lady Shiva
Sandra Wu-San, also known as Lady Shiva, is one of the deadliest martial arts superheroes in DC comics. She made her debut in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5 in 1975. Lady Shiva is a prodigy who is able to easily master multiple martial arts styles whenever she trains. She has a reputation for killing her victims with her bare hands.
In recent DC Comics continuity, Lady Shiva is still operating. However, she is more known for being the mother of Cassandra Cain, the latest Batgirl
Batgirl is a 136-page paperback. Batgirl must make amends and help her mother, Lady Shiva, after someone tries to kill her. Buy it for $17.99 at Amazon now.
7. Karnak
The Inhumans are an ancient race of hyper-evolved human beings who were in existence when the human race was in the Stone Age. The Inhumans, due to experimentation by ancient aliens, have superhuman powers. Karnak, however, has no powers. Karnak is a master martial artist with the ability to instantly recognize the flaw or weak spot in anything and exploit it. This is an old and relatively unknown character; in fact, Karnak made his debut in Fantastic Four #45 in 1965.
Karnak: The Flaw in All Things is a 136-page paperback that collects the six-issue 2017 series. Shield uses Karnak as a consultant to uncover a conspiracy.
Buy it for $18.70 at Amazon now.
8. Bronze Tiger
Benjamin Turner is one of the few black martial arts superheroes in DC Comics. The character made his debut in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #18 in 1975. After committing a violent act as a child, Turner grows up, moves to Asia, and learns martial arts. He later takes the name Bronze Tiger and becomes a mercenary, fighter, and villain.
A seller on Amazon is selling a very good copy of Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter #18 for $19.99. Copies of these issues sometimes sell for hundreds of dollars to collectors.
9. Nightwing
Dick Grayson is the first Robin sidekick for Batman. As the character aged up, Grayson became a solo vigilante known as Nightwing. The character made his debut in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 in 1984. Like Batman, Nightwing is an expert detective and a master of multiple martial arts styles. Nightwing is known more for being a vigilante, but he is one of the best martial artists in DC.
Nightwing: The Prince of Gotham Omnibus is a 824-page hardcover. It collects all 31 issues of the 2020 Nightwing series and several tie-in series. Buy it now from Amazon for $80.61.
The Best Martial Arts Superheroes
There are many different genres of comic books and martial arts is another type. Although it is a widely known genre in manga, martial arts superheroes don’t get enough acclaim in traditional comics unless it is Batman or Black Widow.
If you love this column leave a comment and I will make another list with more of the best martial arts characters in comics. Until then, read more comics featuring martial arts superheroes.
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