Lo Ling

Background

Advertisement

Powers and Abilities

Lo Ling is an excellent martial artist, a skilled bandit and a reliable, loyal agent.

Although he is a Mongol, he seems trained in the Japanese martial arts and adheres to a rigid philosophy of honour that seems much closer to the Japanese Bushido  than any common Mongol philosophy.

With those warrior values, Ling is very courageous and will not hesitate to face death for his master.

When sent on a killing mission, he will carry small, easily concealed weapons – like a blackjack in his coat and a combat knife balanced for throwing in his collar. During his honour duel with the Batman, he used a kris -like knife. Which looked like a Malay weapon. Oh, well.

History

Lo Ling’s past is almost entirely unknown. He was a reputed Mongol warrior and bandit who, somehow, came to serve Ra’s al Ghul when the Demon’s head saved his life, thus creating a unbreakable honour debt for Ling.

Ling seems to have spent much time learning Japanese martial arts and warrior culture. It is unknown whether he has an unusual background that led to his during his early career, or if that training comes from Ra’s organization – or even the League of Assassins.

Advertisement

Lo Ling was sent to America by Ra’s to capture a renowned scientist, Dr. Harris Blaine – but failed due to the Batman’s interference. Still, he managed to throw a knife straight into the Batman’s heart.

Ling was thus quite surprised when the Batman confronted him on rooftop as he escaped (Ling had actually hit a decoy dummy). He lost his footing in front of the supposed ghost and nearly fell to his death, only to be saved by the Batman.

Agent of the Bat

His loyalty torn as he owned his life to both Ra’s and the Batman, Ling requested an honour duel to decide his loyalty. The Batman beat him and spared him, thus making Ling his servant. He accompanied the Batman and some other allies in Switzerland to confront Ling’s former master.

The mission was a partial success, as Ra’s was found dead. The Batman’s team left, but Ra’s was then plunged in the Lazarus Pit and confronted them as they departed in a state of rage and possessed of superhuman strength.

The courageous Ling leapt in front of Ra’s to stop him, but was badly wounded by Ra’s blows. He has not been seen since, AFAIK.

Description

Ling doesn’t quite look like a Mongol – he might be half-Mongol, half-something else from elsewhere in Asia. He’s nearly always dressed in practical, western clothes.

Personality

It was the early 1970s, so he’s almost inevitably an Orientalist cliché despite the author’s efforts. Ling’s your typical courageous but limited exotic honour-bound fighter, with a zest of primitive superstition and great dedication.

When exposing his motivations and his honour, Ling has the superhuman powers of making long, intricate explanations regarding why he acts that way – within 2 panels. His speech is generally formal and elaborate, perhaps slightly outdated.

Quotes

(After a two-panels explanation of why he is here and why he chose to kill the Batman) “It is merely courteous to explain why I find it necessary to act as I am about to.”

“Although I am a great warrior… a mighty bandit… I am no match for a ghost !”

By Sébastien Andrivet.

Source of Character: Batman comics in 1972.