Are we sure Lady Deathstrike didn't just buy a bike?

Japanese girl, check; cybernetic arms, check; showing a ton of cleavage, you better believe that's a check! But today's character predates Lady Deathstrike by at least several months, depending on how you look at it. From 1982, Ghost Rider #75, "Beware the Steel Wind!" Plot and script by J.M. DeMatteis, plot and pencils by Bob Budiansky, inks by Dave Simons.

A new stunt-biker arrives at the Quentin Carnival: the showy, if cold, Steel Wind. And the carnival doesn't need two bikers, so Johnny Blaze is given the boot: Johnny is shocked, but glumly goes along with it, until his fellow carnies rally around him. Why Quentin takes Steel Wind's side is unclear, but it seems she has some leverage on him. Still, Quentin agrees to a race between her and Johnny to see who stays. Although she cheats with a hidden laser, Johnny is still skillful and resourceful enough to win--except the Ghost Rider, demanding to be let out, interrupts and distracts him at a crucial moment. Defeated, Johnny leaves the carnival, thus beginning Steel Wind's new reign of terrific management...no, that should be reign of terror.

Reporter Cynthia Randolph, who had been travelling with the carnival for a story, does her homework and learns Steel Wind had ridden several other carnivals into the ground; and convinces Johnny to return. This time it's a full-on fight, although Johnny had brought a mirror to defend against the lasers. (Ugh, that's a tired bit; even if it might've worked.) That's no good against flamethrowers, though; so the Ghost Rider steps in, forcing the transformation. Although she gives a good effort, Steel Wind is no match against the supernatural fury of the Rider, who leaves her seemingly burnt out and catatonic. Later, the shadowy Freakmaster realizes his agent has failed, and he may have to take action himself...

Maybe it's the mask or the costume, but I don't think I would've guessed Steel Wind was at all Asian. Still, she predates Yuriko Oyama's first appearance in Daredevil #197; and Yuriko wouldn't become Lady Deathstrike until Alpha Flight #33. The similarities may just be coincidence; although I might've retconned Steel Wind to be a "prototype" for Deathstrike. Further complicating the issue, I think SW's sister also received a cyborg treatment, and was known as "Steel Vengeance" for a time.