Alter Ego: Tatsu Yasashiro
Occupation: Bookstore Proprietor
Martial Status: Widow
Known Relatives: Maseo Yamashiro (husband, deceased), Yuki and Reiko Yamashiro (son and daughter, deceased), Takeo Yamashiro (brother-in-law, deceased)
Group Affiliation: The Outsiders
Base of Operations: Los Angeles
Height: 5'2''
Weight: 96 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
History
In the 14th century, the mad swordsmith Muramasa forged two identical Katana swords, one of which, the Soultaker possessed the ability to sometimes absorb the souls of its victims. In the 20th century, these weapons fell into the possession of Takeo Yamashiro, a member of the Yakuza. Takeo bitterly envied his brother's marriage to the beautiful Tatsu and, being of evil intent, was influenced by Soultaker to seek out and kill Maseo, then take Tatsu for himself. In the ensuing attack, the Yamashiro children were killed along side their father, whose soul was absorbed into the Soultaker. Tatsu Yamashiro vowed to avenge her family's deaths and, having obtained the Soultaker took the nom de guerre Katana.
In the country of Markovia, Katana met several other super-heroes who later joined forces with her as the Outsiders. Eventually she found and killed Takeo, whose soul now resides in the Soultaker.
Powers and Weapons
Although possessing no super-powers in the literal sense, Katana is a highly accomplished martial artist, both with and without her sword. Her diminutive person often leads opponents to underestimate her prowess. In combat she can be quite ruthless, showing little or no mercy.
Besides the Soultaker, Katana also carries a smaller blade, as well as many concealed weapons.
Katana is able to telepathically communicate with the imprisoned souls in the Soultaker if she so desires. A complex ritual may free those souls; they then attain corporeal state, and are compelled to obey whoever possessed the Soultaker at the time of their release. If they are killed in their restored state, their souls are freed of the Soultaker's influence. The Soultaker has been known to influence those of evil predisposition's to commit evil acts; no corresponding influence over those of a more moral nature has been observed.
