Onyx is a DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...

 fictional character

Fictional character

A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

. She is a superhero

Superhero

A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...

 based in Gotham City

Gotham City

Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...

 and an ally

Batman supporting characters

Throughout the stories published in DC Comics and in adaptations in other media since 1939, the Batman character has accumulated a number of recognizable supporting characters. The first Batman supporting character was Commissioner James Gordon, who first appeared in the same comic as Batman , and...

 of Batman

Batman

Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...

. She is highly trained in martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

 and serves as a member of the League of Assassins

League of Assassins

The League of Assassins is a group of fictional comic book villains, an organization of killers formerly led by Ra's al Ghul, an enemy of Batman in the DC Comics Universe.-Doctor Ebeneezer Darrk:...

 before reforming and becoming a vigilante

Vigilante

A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....

.

Fictional character biography

When Onyx leaves the League she chooses a life in an Ashram Monastery, an order to which Green Arrow

Green Arrow

Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...

 once belonged. The Ashram's Exalted Master is later killed by the renegade monk Lars, who intends to unravel the "Wisdom Key" that unlocks the powerful Book of Ages. Onyx sought Green Arrow's help to defeat the villain. In Ashram, Green Arrow and Onyx were defeated by Lars' minions, and the monk takes the Wisdom Key from Onyx. Upon opening the Book of Ages, however, Lars is vaporized.

Later, Onyx appears in Star City

Star City (comics)

Star City is a fictional city that appears in stories published by DC Comics, best known as the traditional home of the superheroes known by, or affiliated with, the shared alias of the Green Arrow...

 to battle a villain named Barricade. Barricade turns out to be Lars, who was revived by his underlings. The spell that had apparently killed him was reversed only as long as he remained in contact with the Book of Ages, but he can make the reversal permanent with possession of the Wisdom Key. In a battle with Onyx, Green Arrow, and Black Canary

Black Canary

Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...

, Barricade again meets defeat and is reduced to a heap of bones.

Following this incident, Onyx is not to be seen for years. She briefly returns as part of Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....

’s team of super-heroines who battle Circe

Circe (comics)

Circe is a fictional character, a villainous sorceress and a major adversary of Wonder Woman appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the Greek mythological character of the same name who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, the comic book incarnation of Circe first...

's minions.

After that, Onyx returns to monastery life but is called upon by Batman to serve as a bodyguard

Bodyguard

A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...

 for Orpheus

Orpheus (comics)

Orpheus is a fictional martial artist published by DC Comics. He first appears in Batman: Orpheus Rising , and was created by Alex Simmons and Dwayne Turner.-Fictional character biography:...

, and she works alongside Orpheus until his death. Onyx's notable appearances include the "Under the Hood" arc, in which she battles the new Red Hood

Red Hood

Red Hood is the alias used by several fictional characters, usually antagonists for Batman in the DC Universe.-Joker:The Red Hood first appeared in Detective Comics #168 "The Man Behind the Red Hood" . In the original continuity, the man later known as the Joker was a master criminal going by the...

, and the "War Games

War Games (comics)

"War Games" is a comics story arc published by DC Comics between October 2004 and January 2005. It appeared in all the DC titles set in and around Gotham City: Detective Comics, Legends of the Dark Knight, Nightwing, Batman: Gotham Knights, Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, Batman, and Gotham Central...

" crossover

Fictional crossover

A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...

.