Sandra Wu-San is Lady Shiva, known as possibly the world's greatest martial artist. She has been both a ruthless villain and a heroic vigilante. Her motivations are based purely on what interests her. This has lead her to mentor several other fighters. Carolyn and Sandra grew up in Detroit. They practiced martial arts constantly, and people would travel to watch them spar together. The assassin David Cain observed them, and noticed that Sandra was holding back out of love for her older sister. Cain brutally murdered Carolyn and left her body for Sandra to discover. This allowed Sandra to explore her true potential. Sandra sought out David Cain looking for revenge and tried to kill him. The League of Assassins defeated her, but she forgave Cain when she realized that he had set her free. Cain allowed Sandra to live if he would bear her a child. Sandra had a daughter,Cassandra Cain, and gave her up to David. Sandra swore revenge on the man who killed her sister. Guano Cravat, who hired Carolyn's killer, tricked Sandra into believingRichard Dragon was responsible. This is when Sandra became Lady Shiva. Sandra took a position at G.O.O.D. under Barney Ling to get closer to Dragon. Dragon was sent to stop Cravat, and Cravat set up an ambush with Shiva. They battled until Dragon convinced her to turn on Cravat. Their return to America was interrupted by a pirate named Slash, who Shiva defeated in a sword fight. Shiva began to follow Dragon because his life was surrounded by the danger that she loved. Cravat returned to take revenge on Dragon and Shiva by hiring Doctor Moon. They were able to stop Moon and his brutes, but Cravat managed to escape. Dragon called Shiva again when Slash returned, and they took him down together. arney Ling sends Dragon, Shiva, and Turner to the Caribbeanwhere they defeat a martial artist known as Preying Mantis. Their next adventure is taking down a corrupt logger named Hatchett who killed Turner's sister. Turner is attacked by the Silent Samurai, and Ling sends the trio on an undercover mission to China. Shiva and Turner were captured by Madame Sun, but Dragon rescued them. There is another attack on Turner, and Shiva recognizes the League of Assassins. Shiva leads Dragon to an assassin known as the Viper in Mongolia, but Viper dies before he can give them answers. Her time as a crime fighter lasted for a short time. This time, in its brevity, prepared her for the wandering existence her life would become. Richard Dragon decided to retire into the mountains, becoming reclusive. Ben Turner was brainwashed and eventually transformed into the Bronze Tiger. Shiva sought a path closer to her perception of her true self.Shiva decided to go with her skills and natural talents, continuing to perfect her martial arts. During her time with Richard Dragon she had become addicted to combat and life-or-death situations. Already a very accomplished martial artist, Shiva hired herself out as a mercenary in order to finance her activities and training. While doing right had been a factor in her life previously, it was becoming less and less of a consideration as she followed the path she set for herself. Her considerable skills allowed her to ask a high price for her services and there were plenty of takers.