Niara Hassani - Black Lion (DCU-2)

Full Name: Niara Hassani

Alignment: Good

Affiliation(s): Zambesi, The Doom Patrol

Aliases: 

Nicknames: Nala, Lady Panthro, Panthra, Obsidian Panthera, Onyx Cheetara

Date of Birth: February 6, 1988-1990

Place of Birth: Zambezi

Base(s) of Operations: Zambezi

Occupation: Queen

Citizenship: Zambezian

Height: 5' 5"

Weight: 135 pounds

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Black

Portrayed By: Sofia Boutella 

Niara Hassani is the first Queen of the island nation of Zambezi, and by extension, the first female Black Lion. Niara overcame the martial challenge of several of her brothers, and the natural prejudice of her country to be one of the nations most effective monarchs, certainly the most effective monarch since Zambezi vacated continental Africa near the end of the 19th century. Niara oversaw the introduction of Zambezi onto the world stage. As monarch and protector of Zambezi, Niara has worked with the Doom Patrol and has collided with both Checkmate and Spyral. Additionally, she aided Knight Owl in the Shadow War against Ali al-Mualim Ahl Shawahin (whom is actually responsible for the deaths of previous Black Lions).

Background: Zambezi is obviously the DCU-2 analog of Wakanda. I took inspiration from Wakanda, as well as the real life nation of Mauritius, and is located where real life Bassas da India is. Zambesi is named for the DC fictional nation of Zambesi from which Vixen originates, and the real life Zambezi River, which the fictional nation was founded near in around the 10th-11th century. The very first Lion gained his superhuman powers while hunting a black lion (a lion made black by consuming animals that had ate plants irradiated by an alien metalloid that would eventually enrich much of the food Zambezian's ate for centuries, and allowed them a weaponry advantage despite their inferior numbers and tactics). Over time, the advantageous metalloid proved to have it's disadvantages as it bred complacency, which proved near fatal as European colonization of Africa began. By the 1890s, Zambezi had lost population, land, and influence, eventually fleeing off the continent to island "Byzantine Zambezi." From there, Zambezi redoubled their isolationist tendencies. Eventually Zambezian scientists made sufficient strides technologically to cloak the nation, making it appear as if it as an atoll, that France would claim and dub Bassas da India. 

Doom Patrol: She does not appear, but this is an inciting incident for her to challenge her brother for the right to rule, because she believes it's time for Zambezi to be a public entity, and remaining silent when the Earth could have been destroyed was the ultimate cowardice.
Black Lion: Somewhat analogous to Black Panther, but Niara is not assumed Queen, in fact she has to earn it (M'Baku, but a woman, and she wins). Villain to be determined, but I'm leaning on a character who uses a modified version of the Marabunta Swarm suit. 
Bird of Prey Season 4: Seeing the worldwide threat al-Mualim Ahl Shawahin is, she aided Knight Owl and Shiva in defeating him. She was also witness to KO deciding to retire. 
Doom Patrol: Off the Grid: Spyral (DCU-2 analog of SPECTRE) creates OMAC to "put the Doom Patrol in check," OMAC becomes self-aware and decides to put humanity in check. This marks KO's retirement.
Doom Patrol: Odyssey: A multi-part story that pits the Doom Patrol (and other superheroes across the multiverse) in an existential fight against a rogue World Forger. This World Forger seeks balance and sees the Multiverse as imbalanced beyond repair. Seeking to destroy the Multiverse in it's current state, the World Forger created Darkseids. The Darkseid of DCU-2 is a fallen hero once known as Paragon. 

For more on Black Lion, please visit her character page.
For more on Zambesi, visit the nation page. 
Black Lion made by Ghost