Identity: Secret · Race: Human · Affiliation: League of Assassins, Secret Society of Super Villains
Cheshire, born Jade Nguyen, is one of DC’s deadliest assassins, infamous for her unparalleled use of poisons and stealth tactics. Often walking the line between mercenary and villain, Cheshire has deep ties to both heroic and villainous figures in the DC Universe, including her complicated relationship with Roy Harper.
Cheshire is a complex blend of lethal efficiency and conflicted humanity. On one hand, she is ruthlessly pragmatic, known for her cold, mercenary mindset and an unwavering commitment to completing her contracts. Her reliance on poisons highlights her preference for subtlety, deception, and control over her victims. Yet beneath her assassin exterior, Jade Nguyen is torn by emotional bonds, particularly with her daughter Lian Harper, which reveal a hidden vulnerability. She is cunning, manipulative, and enjoys using charm to disarm foes, though her trust issues and betrayal-filled life make her wary of deep connections. This duality—between the ruthless killer and the flawed mother—cements her as one of DC’s most morally ambiguous and fascinating characters.
Fans often view Cheshire as one of the most captivating anti-villains in the DC Universe. While many admire her for her deadly skillset, intelligence, and iconic use of poisons, others emphasize the depth of her character arc and her troubled relationships. Her romance and shared child with Roy Harper add a human layer to her assassin persona, creating one of the most emotionally charged dynamics in DC comics. Audiences appreciate her unpredictable nature—sometimes ally, sometimes foe—which keeps her storylines engaging. However, some critique her as underutilized compared to other villains, with potential for richer storytelling that highlights her moral ambiguity. Overall, Cheshire is celebrated as a fan-favorite femme fatale who consistently challenges the boundaries between villainy, survival, and redemption.
"Death is an art, and I am its artist."
"Love makes us weak. Weakness gets you killed."
"You think you can escape poison? It lives in every breath you take."
"Trust is a luxury assassins cannot afford."
Martial arts training, Experimenting with poisons
Born to a French father and Vietnamese mother, Jade Nguyen’s traumatic childhood shaped her path as an assassin.
Trained by the League of Assassins, she adopted the name Cheshire and became a feared mercenary.
Her romance with Roy Harper resulted in the birth of their daughter, Lian Harper, complicating her allegiances.
Cheshire continues to walk the line between mercenary and mother, navigating her role in the DC Universe.
Led to deep trust issues and emotional detachment
Triggered emotional instability and guilt
Manifestation: Hyper-control and emotional withdrawal
Dialect: Fluent in Vietnamese, French, and English
Catchphrases: Death is an art, and I am its artist.
Speech Patterns: Often uses seductive, calm tone even in combat
Lian Harper, daughter of Cheshire and Roy Harper.
She had a romantic relationship with Roy Harper, also known as Arsenal.
Cheshire was trained and employed by the League of Assassins.
She is the half-sister of Artemis Crock, also known as Tigress.
No, she often shifts allegiances depending on her own interests.
Images represent character appearances.
She first appeared in New Teen Titans #34 (1983).
She was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.
Her expertise in poisons and assassin training make her lethal.
She occasionally allies with antiheroes like the Secret Six.
She is the half-sister of Artemis Crock, also known as Tigress.
In Young Justice, she plays a morally gray assassin and older sister of Artemis.