Batman’s 10 Craziest Mentors

By Chris Quicksilver /

10. Kirigi (Paektu-San Mountains, North Korea)

€œFor me to be upset would imply some moral judgement on my part. You know me better than that. After all, I did not question your motives when you came to me€ €“ Master Kirigi
Master Kirigi is an amoral Ninjitsu Sensei who occasionally aids in the training of elite members of Ra€™s Al Ghul€™s League of Assassins (although he is not a member himself). He taught young Bruce Wayne a devastating martial arts manoeuvre known as the €˜vibrating palm strike€™, a move that kills instantly if used correctly (of course, Batman never uses it to kill). The character first appeared in Batman Issue 431 (March, 1989), in the James Owsley/Jim Aparo story The Wall. The story is notable because it features Bruce Wayne still grieving over the death of Jason Todd and an absolutely beautiful multi-page fight sequence between Batman and a gang of ninjas. Kirigi has since appeared a couple more times, but never in a major storyline. However, we could still see him show up at some point in the future. After all, you never know when you might need a vibrating palm strike...