Shi (comics)
| Shi | |
|---|---|
Shi
|
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Crusade Comics |
| First appearance | Razor Annual #1 (1993) |
| Created by | William Tucci |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Ana Ishikawa |
| Abilities | Skilled martial artist |
Shi (Ana Ishikawa) is a fictional comic book character created by writer/illustrator William Tucci. She first appeared in Razor Annual #1 (1993) and has appeared in numerous books by various publishers ever since, such as the famous Crusade Comics. Shi is a young woman of mixed descent: Japanese and American, whose ancestry was drafted into a modern-day "shadow war" between descendants of the infamous Sohei warrior monks of medieval Japan. Japanese culture, history, and mythology are deeply embedded within the storyline, also within the character herself. The word "Shi" literally translates to death (死) in Japanese, and her signature weapon is the naginata.
The series is well-known for its stylized violence incorporated into certain scenes, and originated during an American comics publishing fad, often referred to as, "Bad Girl Comics". The series often touches on spiritual issues, especially as they pertain to Ana's mixed background: a combination of Yamabushi warrior monk traditions and Christianity.
Shi (Ana Ishikawa) is a young woman. Her father, Shiro, is a Japanese warrior and her mother, Catherine, is an American Catholic missionary. As a child, Ana witnessed the brutal murder of both her father and her brother, at the hands of Masahiro Arashi, an upstart Yakuza thug. Following this horrifying incident, Ana swore revenge on the Yakuza and set out to become one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Ana was trained by her grandfather, Yoshitora, in martial arts. In order to disguise herself, Ana, painted her face white in order to resemble Tora No Shi (also known as "Tiger of Death"), a legendary female warrior of medieval Japan. Ana herself acquired the name "Shi" (translates to "Death" in Japanese) for her ferocity and ruthlessness.
Arashi wanted to impress the leaders of Osaka crime syndicate and left a calling card with every murder which he committed – a simple coin engraved with the kanji for death, Shi. Escaping the hitman, Ana is consequently spirited away and raised by Yoshitora amongst the sacred temples of Kyoto. Yoshitora secretly trained Ana in the ways of the Sohei, in order for her to seek out Arashi and retaliate her family's honor. Whilst holding onto the coins left from the bodies of her father and brother, Ana developed a vengeful obsession, as she completely gave herself to "Shi"- the living embodiment of Death.
...
Wikipedia