Comic Books

Where to Start With Comics: Black Canary

We’ve seen Black Canary on-screen a few times, she’s appeared in one of DC’s best comic book teams and she is officially getting her own movie! In light of the announcement that Black Canary will be making her big-screen solo debut, we thought it necessary to give audiences a good jumping-off point if they wanted to get caught up on her comic book adventures. So here is where to start with the Black Canary in the comics.

History of Black Canary

Known for her canary cry, Black Canary has been a major part of DC comics since 1947. Dinah Drake or Dinah Laurel Lace based on which decade you are reading in is one of the DC characters that has had her history revised over and over again. That can make things both less and more confusing. If you don’t read them in order it can be rough but if you only read things in the current continuity then no worries!

Black Canary has 4 volumes of solo issues; The first volume Black Canary: New Wings was published in 1991 and ran for 4 issues, the second, published in 1993, Black Canary, for 12, the third, Black Canary, published in 2007, for 4, and the fourth, Black Canary, published in 2015, was canceled after 12 issues. She also shared a title with Green Arrow. Green Arrow and Black Canary launched in 2007 and ran for 32 issues. Black Canary was dropped from the title after the events of Blackest Night.

Black Canary’s most relevant appearances were of course in the Birds of Prey titles. The group originated around her and Barbara Gordon, and the first issue was released in 1996. This title gave Dinah a more idealistic approach. When Gail Simone got a hold of the series the women depicted got stronger and more well-rounded.

Gail Simone’s Brilliance

Simone says; “Babs and Dinah respect each other tremendously, and each is capable of great things the other is not. Dinah’s not just Oracle’s legs, sometimes, she’s her conscience, her muse, or just her best friend. And Oracle is far more to Dinah than just the mission controller. They trust each other, and out of that, there’s a friendship that they believe in. Huntress…I see Helena as someone who is not a loner completely by choice. Dinah is so accepting and so open that Helena sees an opportunity to be part of something without having to force her way in. There’s friction because once Helena puts the mask on, she’s really not very good at fitting in. But she likes that they’re giving her a chance. Whether she blows it or not, you’ll have to keep reading”.

After several cancellations and relaunches, it is pretty clear that the series cannot stand on its own without Simone. That said, the titles I recommend are; Black Canary: Living With Sin, this short series shows Dinah’s caring and protective nature as she protects a child in danger. Green Arrow and Black Canary, much of Dinah’s solo storylines center around protected child charges. The reason I recommend this one is it shows her in a different setting, forging different relationships and I think it shows a side to her character that’s really necessary. Birds of Prey #92, this issue shakes up the lineup of the team offering new writers and in turn new perspectives. And last but not least Justice League Unlimited #21; it’s literally a double date of busting bad guys featuring Green Arrow and Black Canary AND Green Lantern and Vixen, this is just a really cool comic. It’s a good story and I love the romance element.