Superheroine Origins: Katana

People say we carry the dead with us. She takes that kind of literally. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Katana.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1984's Batman and the Outsiders #11-12 and was expanded upon in 2013's Katana #7.
The martial arts expert known as Katana first appeared in 1983 as a member of the newly-formed Outsiders team, but her origin wasn't explored until a year later.

Katana was born in Japan under the name Tatsu. They encouraged her to concentrate on martial arts, at which she exhibited a significant talent. As a young woman, she attracted the attention of two brothers, Maseo and Takeo Yamashiro, both of whom wished her to marry him. Tatsu chose Maseo and that decision created a rift between the brothers. Takeo left the family and became a high ranking member of the Japanese mob, the Yakuza.

Tatsu and Maseo were very happy together and soon were blessed with two children. But Takeo's anger and jealousy grew stronger as the years passed. When he came into the possession of the ancient sword known simply as “the katana”, he decided to take his revenge on his brother. He attacked Maseo at home, killing home with the katana. Tatsu wrestled the katana away from Takeo but the struggle lead to a fire in her home. Tatsu tried to rescue her children but she heard Maseo's disembodied voice telling her it was too late and that she must leave.

It turned out that “the katana” had been created by a 14th century swordsmith named Muramasa who possessed special abilities. The katana was a soul-taker, sometimes taking the souls of those it had killed and keeping them. It had done this with Maseo, and so Tatsu's dead husband was able to communicate with her through the sword.

Tatsu soon took on the costumed identity of Katana and became a member of the Outsiders. But she kept searching for Takeo, seeking vengeance on him. Unfortunately, Takeo arranged to steal the katana sword, then used a spell to release Maseo from the sword. The spell gave Takeo complete control over Maseo and he attempted to force Maseo to kill Tatsu or else to force Tatsu to kill Maseo in self-defense. Either way, he would have his ultimate revenge on both of them.

Tatsu refused to kill her beloved husband. Maseo could not disobey Takeo's orders, but he did trick Tatsu into killing him to save her friend, Halo. Tatsu then turned her sword on Takeo and dispensed with him as well.

Katana eventually left the Outsiders and became a member of other groups, such as the Birds of Prey and the Suicide Squad. In 2013, her origin was revised somewhat when she was awarded her own series.

In this re-telling, Tatsu knew Maseo and Takeo since they were children. When they grew up, she chose Maseo as her husband because he offered her safety and security. Though she had been an independent tomboy as a child, as a wife she chose to be submissive to Maseo's will. She even assisted him on missions in which they killed people, accepting Maseo's word that these were evil people who deserved their fate. When Takeo confronted him about these murders, Maseo drew his special katana sword and threatened his brother. Tatsu tried to disarm him but in doing so accidentally killed Maseo – sending his soul into the katana. And so Katana took up his sword and started her own career as one seeking vengeance and justice as one of DC Comic’s deadliest anti-heroes.

As a skilled martial artist, Katana is a formidable foe even when she is unarmed. However, her incredible skill with the katana sword makes her a force to be reckoned with. And her tragic backstory give an extra push to her intense desire for justice.

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