Lady Blackhawk

Zinda Blake is a highly trained aviator determined to become the first woman to join the World War II-era Blackhawk Squadron. She trains herself in modern aircraft, combat techniques, and weaponry to prove her worth. Her first attempt to join the team occurs when she helps rescue Blackhawk member Olaf Bjornson from the pirate known as the Scavenger. Despite her success, the team initially refuses her entry due to a code prohibiting women from joining.

When the Scavenger later captures the entire Blackhawk Squadron, Blackhawk secretly signals Zinda. She arrives, infiltrates the villain’s floating island base, and frees the team. Impressed by her courage and skill, Blackhawk grants her honorary membership. She later aids them again against Penelope, queen of the island nation Xenovia, who mistakes the Blackhawks for agents of her enemy, the Iron Duke. Zinda also assists in a mission against the villain Spear-Master using a remote-controlled aircraft.

During her time with the Blackhawks, Zinda is captured by the Nazi operative Killer Shark and brainwashed with a chemical serum, forcing her to assume the identity of Queen Killer Shark. Under this influence, she fights against her former allies multiple times until the effects of the serum are removed and she regains control of her mind.

Zinda is displaced in time during the Zero Hour event, transported to the modern era without aging from her 1959 appearance. She allies with heroes from other eras, including a version of Batgirl, and travels through multiple time periods. After the crisis, she integrates into modern society and begins working for Guy Gardner at his superhero-themed bar, Warriors. As a pilot and operative, she aids Guy’s makeshift team—alongside Arisia, Buck Wargo, and Tiger-Man—on various missions involving supervillains and threats.

In 2004, Zinda is recruited by Oracle to serve as the pilot for the Birds of Prey. She accepts the offer and becomes a core member of the team, using her state-of-the-art jet Aerie One to transport them. After Oracle relocates the team to Metropolis, Zinda begins using a new aircraft, Aerie Two, and presents the team with jackets bearing a modified Blackhawk emblem. During this period, she develops a brief crush on Creote, unaware he is gay. When she learns the truth, she responds with surprise but humor.

Zinda resigns temporarily from the team when Spy Smasher takes control, unwilling to force Oracle to remove her. Before leaving, she punches Spy Smasher in the face. She later returns to help Oracle regain control and officially rejoins. Zinda forms a strong bond with teammate Big Barda. After Barda’s death during the “Death of the New Gods” event, Zinda travels across the country to place Barda’s photo on a memorial wall honoring her fallen comrades at a bar near Edwards Air Force Base.

The original Killer Shark’s grandson resurfaces, still appearing youthful. After stalking Zinda, he confronts her and provides a map, claiming he can reveal secrets about her past. She learns he is a marine engineering genius, heir to Killer Shark’s legacy, and has access to the same brainwashing formula. He attempts to manipulate her memories to find his grandfather’s hidden treasure, but Zinda resists with help from Helena Bertinelli (Huntress), ending the attempted alliance.

After the Birds of Prey disband and Batman’s death, Oracle forms The Network, a temporary alliance of heroes to maintain order in Gotham City. Zinda joins this effort, continuing to work alongside Oracle and Huntress.

Appearance: has long, wavy blonde hair, typically worn loose or partially tucked under her signature military-style cap. Her outfit is a stylized World War II-era uniform consisting of a black buttoned jacket with gold buttons and a circular Blackhawk insignia on the chest. She wears a matching short black pleated skirt that exposes most of her legs, combining functionality with a pin-up aesthetic. Her look is completed with black boots and black (sometimes white) gloves.

Zinda has no superhuman abilities. She is an elite pilot capable of flying a wide range of aircraft, including the Grumman XF5F Skyrocket, Lockheed XF-90, and her custom jets Aerie One and Aerie Two. She is skilled in aerial combat, basic hand-to-hand fighting, boxing, and firearm marksmanship, often using two pistols. She is trained in military protocols and battlefield tactics. Zinda is multilingual, capable of ordering beer in over thirty languages and has operational proficiency in Pashto. She is also an adept swimmer and capable of operating complex vehicles under high-stress conditions.