Spoilers forBirds of Prey#11
Summary
Black Canaryhas long been overlooked in DC Comics, either as only a love interest to Green Arrow or as a temporary member of the Justice League. But it’s time Dinah Lance was appreciated for the powerhouse she is: from her leadership, to her martial arts skills, and especially to her sonic scream. Especially considering a single canary cry from her can rip a dinosaur’s face clean off.
InBirds of Prey#11 by Kelly Thompson, Javier Pina, Robbi Rodriguez, and Gavin Guidry,these powerful Birds of Preyfind themselves whirled away to an stone age pocket dimension, where they’re up against the original birds of prey - raptors. This leads to a massive power feat asBlack Canary literally tears apart a dinosaur’s head with her classic sonic scream.
The hunt for Barbara Gordon soon turns into these heroines being the ones hunted by dinosaurs. But as a founding member of the Birds of Prey,Black Canary can protect them with both hands tied behind her back.
Flash Comics#92 Cover by Carmine Infantino
Black Canary is breaking out of her character’s original role as Dinah Drake, a sexualized-yet-strong heroine who debuted in 1947’sFlash Comics#86 by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, Joe Giella, Frank Giacoia, and Gaspar Saladino. Meant to be a model of the noir’s femme fatale, her evolution has taken its sweet time — including a few revamps of her character, likeDinah Lance’s debut in 1969’sJustice League of America#75 byDenny O’Neil, Dick Dillin, Giella, and John Costanza — but it’s finally come full circle. Finally, she is allowed to be fully powerful, regardless of how she looks in black leather and fishnets.
Black Canary’s voice has always been strong. The other heroes have just been covering their ears.
Thanks to Thompson, Eisner award-winning writer of Marvel’sBlack Widow,a strong female character is being written by one of the most celebrated women in comics.Thompson even usescontroversial tropes inBirds of Preyto poke funat society. As Dinah survives in the prehistoric jungle, her outfit is soon torn to shreds, but it has nothing to do with the power of her voice, which, as a leader of this team, is the voice of all women. It’s not that Dinah is suddenly growing in power - Black Canary’s voice has always been strong. The other heroes have just been covering their ears.
Kelly Thompson is nominated for a 2024 Eisner Award for “Best Writer” in consideration of her work with DC — includingBirds of Prey— Marvel, and her creator-owned series likeBlack CloakandThe Cull.
Birds of Prey#13 Variant Cover by Nicola Scott
Often sidelined by the non-powered heroes in her family, as withher complicated love affair with Green Arrow, Black Canary has just as much to offer. She is experienced at espionage and is a master in martial arts, holding her own against the likes of Bronze Tiger, Lady Shiva, and Cheshire. The spotlight in the Justice League, however, often goes to the likes of Superman, whenBlack Canary can handle just as much as he can.Prehistory now knows it, and it’s time the modern world knew it too.
If there was ever any question as to the validity of Dinah Lance’s leadership or as to her superpower being too one-note, her battle inBirds of Prey#11 puts those questions to rest. To give an order to a teammate as though it were nothing immediately after screaming a dinosaur’s face to shreds shows that Black Canary is not only a powerhouse, but that this is just a walk in the park to her. Let all the other male heroes hit things with their fists - allBlack Canaryhas to do is hit a high C.
