Aruna (comics)

Aruna
Aruna on the cover of Batgirl Annual #1, art by Matt Haley
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Batgirl Annual # 1 (August 2000)
Created by	Scott Peterson (writer) Mike Deodato (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Aruna Shende
Abilities	Shapeshifting

Aruna is a fictional supeheroine published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Batgirl Annual # 1 (August 2000), and was created by Scott Peterson and Mike Deodato.^[1]

Fictional character biography

According to Aruna, her shapeshifting powers manifested when she was very young. Because of this her parents were never sure of her true gender. Her family were treated as Dalit (untouchables) the lowest rung of the ancient varnas class structure still predominant in India. She was orphaned while still very young, when her parents were abducted by two unknown men. She adopted the name Aruna (after Aruna, a male "Charioteer of the Sun" in Hindu mythology), and eventually became one of the top stunt persons in India due to her shapeshifting abilities.

After a young Indian actor is kidnapped from the streets of Gotham City, Batgirl and Batman travel to Mumbai, India, home of Bollywood, to solve the mystery of his abduction. The duo come into conflict with Aruna, a metahuman stuntwoman who is also looking for the boy, who was discovered to have been murdered by his own agent. The agent was motivated to do so by his own prejudiced beliefs after learning that his client came from a Dalit family.

At the conclusion of the story, Aruna decides to use her powers to fight for justice and stamp out intolerance.^[1]

Powers and abilities

Aruna is a metahuman who can change her physical shape and appearance at will, but not her mass. She is also trained in the martial arts. Aruna uses these abilities to work as a stunt double.

External links

• DCU Guide: Aruna
• DCU Guide: Batgirl Annual #1
• Bollywood.com: The unsung heroes of Bollywood

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Aruna", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, pp. 27, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5