A League of Their Own

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This is a group whose membership changes depending on the era, the writer, and the medium. The League of Assassins, also known as the League of Shadows, was originally created by Denny ONeil and Neal Adams for Strange Adventures #215 in 1968. I already featured a few members of the League in this blog. 

According to DC canon, The League was founded by Ra's Al Ghul in 1013 AD. However, if Ra's Al Ghul is intended to be the historic imam Hassan-i Sabbath, than the League was actually founded in 1090. The League carries out missions to destabilize, destroy and allow reformation of what they consider to be decadent and irredeemable societies. The League is a global terrorist organization, with a purpose seemingly higher than usual terror groups whose goals are more oriented toward national or religious solidarity. 

The League began as a foil for Batman, but due to its global nature, is also an opponent of Deadman,  the Green Arrow, Richard Dragon, Black Canary, The Question, The Teen Titans, and of course Batman's many sidekicks including Batgirl and Robin.

Batman was first introduced to the League in Detective Comics #405 and #406. This short story arc starts with Batman providing protection for a shipping magnate at the request of Jim Gordon, and ends with Batman learning about the League of Assassins, and meeting Dr. Darrk.

Through the years and the many appearances of the League in the many different DC books, there have been many members, some maintain their membership, and others break away. Ra's Al Ghul is the head of the organization. He has a stable of underbosses responsible for aspects of the organization who often lead smaller factions within the League such as the Seven Men of Death, and the Demon's Fist. These lieutenants may include his daughter Talia, his father the Sensei, his grandaughter Mara, Dr. Darrk, Bane, Merlyn, the Help, and even Batman depending on the version, writer, and continuity. 

Below is a list of a few known members, past and present: 
  • Ra's Al Ghul (Batman #232, 1971)
  • Talia (Detective Comics #410, 1972)
  • Dr Darrk (Detective Comics #405)
  • Sensei (Strange Tales #215, 1968)
  • Mara (Teen Titans vol 6 #1, 2016)
  • The Help (Killing Time #1, 2023)
  • Malcolm Merlyn (Justice League of America #94, 1971)
  • Bruce Wayne
  • Damian Wayne (Batman: Son of the Demon, 1985)
  • Hook (Strange Tales #210, 1968)
  • Dr. Moon (Batman #240, 1972)
  • Lady Shiva (Richard Dragon #5, 1975)
  • Shrike (Robin Year One #3, 2000)
  • Boone (Nightwing Secret Files and Origins #1, 1999)
  • Bronze Tiger (Richard Dragon #1, 1975)
  • Cheshire (New Teen Titans Annual #2, 1983)
  • David Cain (Batman #567, 1999)
  • Bane (Vengeance of Bane #1, 1993)
  • Onyx (Detective Comics #546, 1985)
  • Kirigi (Batman #431, 1989)
  • Kitty Kumbata (Richard Dragon #1, 2004)
  • Whisper A'Daire (Detective Comics #753, 2000)
  • Ubu (Batman #232, 1971)
  • Angel Breaker (Shadow War: Alpha #1, 2022)
  • The Public Enemies (Batman #181)
  • The Seven Men of Death (Batman #670, 2007)
  • The Demon's Fist (Teen Titans vol 6 #1, 2016)
  • The Leviathan Organization (Batman the Return #1, 2011)
The list is long. There are many assassins in the DC universe, and many of them have ties to the League. The League has become an important fixture in the DC universe, presenting as a dynamic foe for a variety of characters, both hero and villain, as they appear on the surface to serve a neutral and incorruptible creed. The League has appeared in various forms in the comics, Batman animated series, DC animated films, Christopher Nolan's Batman films, the Arrow television show, and Arkham video games.