The Black Orchid was a rarity because when she first appeared, she had no origin or backstory. It wouldn't be until more than a decade later that Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean would give her one. I wonder what co-creators Sheldon Mayer and Tony DeZuñiga had in mind for her, or if they intended her to just be a mysterious figure, like the Phantom Stranger. And did the lack of an origin kill interest in the character and prevented her from being a regular fixture in the DC Universe?
In contrast, Lady Shiva seemed like she was created solely for the purpose of being a supporting character for Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter. But when she became a recurring character on the Batman titles, she became a mainstay of the DC Universe, flip-flopping from villain to anti-heroine.
In contrast, Lady Shiva seemed like she was created solely for the purpose of being a supporting character for Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter. But when she became a recurring character on the Batman titles, she became a mainstay of the DC Universe, flip-flopping from villain to anti-heroine.
