The Justice Society of America, while also striking out on his own as a superhero for the streets. But alongside all these spectacular feats, he's also taken the time to train potential boxing students, both normal civilians and heroes alike.
Wildcat's tough love attitude and ability to push people just enough to reach their full potential without going overboard make him the perfect mentor. Naturally, some of the most popular heroes gravitated towards his classes. Wildcat's impact helped these characters grow and develop their fighting styles, making Ted Grant one of the most quietly influential heroes in DC Comics.
Long before Bruce Wayne picked up the cape and the cowl, he went off to learn a thing or two about throwing a punch. He had many trainers and mentors throughout his journey, but the most significant one just so happened to be Ted Grant. In Robin #31 by Chuck Dixon, Mike Wieringo and Stan Woch, it's revealed that Ted had given Batman boxing lessons as part of anonymous training. Wildcat wa officially the person who taught Batman how to take a punch.
Batman wasn't the only one to get trained by Wildcat. In fact, many years ago he once trained the Black Canary herself before she had even discovered her powers. Learning to fight was no easy task, but in Secret Origins #50's 'Black Canary: Unfinished Business' by Alan Brennert, Joe Staton and Dick Giordano, Ted took the role of mentor to the young Dinah. Without him, she would have never learned how to perfect her hand-to-hand combat style, and he was the one who actually helped her when she wanted to become a hero.
Wildcat Is the Superhero Godfather
Wildcat also trained Catwoman, Green Arrow, Nightwing and his allies in the Justice Society, and remained on call to help established heroes enhance their capabilities. For example, Starman (aka Jack Knight), needed a little help finding his way with his newfound responsibility with the Justice Society. In a match for the ages, Jack decided to go up against Ted Grant to show him some new moves in All-Star Comics 80-Page Giant #1's 'Wildcat & Starman: The Ropes,' by James Robinson, David Goyer, David Ross and Andrew Hennessey. While Starman considered it a mistake when he was beaten down and eventually lost, he walked away with new knowledge of the ring and moves that would ultimately help his journey. Wildcat has never been one to beat someone and walk away, he always had a lesson up his sleeve and even Starman learned it.
Wildcat can be considered one of the more insightful mentors, as every time he takes on a trainee he knows exactly what they need to learn. After every session his student would walk away with new knowledge and insight into a superhero lifestyle, ultimately creating a huge impact on them. All of this action just proves that Wildcat is DC's best superhero mentor, training up fighters to the point where they are worthy to serve on teams like the Justice League.
