Flashbackward: The Black Canary

Black Canary grabs the spotlight
(Flash Comics #92,
February 1948)

While the current DC relaunch (DCnU) is now under way, let's pause a moment to look back at the genesis of one of their revamped characters, the Black Canary.

The original Black Canary debuts in the Johnny Thunder story in Flash Comics #86 (August 1947). Initially cast as a beautiful thief with a conscience, she quickly evolves into a full-fledged hero. By Flash Comics #90 (December 1947), she's sharing lead billing with Thunder. And she takes over the lead completely in Flash Comics #92 (February 1948).

We eventually learn that she is really Dinah Drake, a police detective's daughter and the owner of a flower shop. She robs criminals in the early days to gain a better understanding of the city's criminal network. Once she "comes out" as a hero, she soon joins the Justice Society of America (JSA) in All-Star Comics #38 (January 1948).

When super-hero comics fall out of public favour, Black Canary and her teammates are relegated to publishing limbo for many years. But they enjoy a revival in the 1960s, at which point we learn that they are actually residents of Earth-2, while the then current heroes--notably the Justice League of America (JLA)--reside on Earth-1.

She makes several appearances in the much-loved JLA/JSA crossovers and teams up with the original Starman for two adventures. She even proves popular enough to make a permanent move to Earth-1 and long-time membership in the Justice League (or so it seems at the time, but that's a story for another day)

Like mother like daughter
(Detective Comics #544,
September 1985)

While the Black Canary possesses no super powers, she is in top physical shape and is a master of the martial arts.

Her ultimate fate depends on which version of the DC Universe is in effect, but in all cases (at least so far) she marries private detective Larry Lance and has a daughter, Dinah Laurel Lance, who follows in her footsteps as the current Black Canary.

Time will tell how (or if) the original Black Canary will impact the DCnU and her daughter's place in it.

Maybe we'll get lucky and see Dinah Drake-Lance, back in her prime, on the restored Earth-2!

GOLDEN AGE CHECKLIST

__ Adventure Comics #399 (Nov 1970) previously unpublished Golden Age story
__ All Star Comics #38 (January 1948)
__ All Star Comics #39 (March 1948)
__ All Star Comics #40 (May 1948)
__ All Star Comics #41 (July 1948)
__ All Star Comics #42 (September 1948)
__ All Star Comics #43 (November 1948)
__ All Star Comics #44 (January 1949)
__ All Star Comics #45 (March 1949)
__ All Star Comics #46 (May 1949)
__ All Star Comics #47 (July 1949)
__ All Star Comics #48 (September 1949)
__ All Star Comics #49 (November 1949)
__ All Star Comics #50 (January 1950)
__ All Star Comics #51 (March 1950)
__ All Star Comics #52 (May 1950)
__ All Star Comics #53 (July 1950)
__ All Star Comics #54 (September 1950)
__ All Star Comics #55 (November 1950)
__ All Star Comics #56 (January 1951)
__ All Star Comics #57 (March 1951)
__ Comic Cavalcade #25 (March 1948)
__ DC Special #3 (June 1969) previously unpublished Golden Age story
__ Flash Comics #86 (August 1947)
__ Flash Comics #87 (September 1947)
__ Flash Comics #88 (October 1947)
__ Flash Comics #90 (December 1947)
__ Flash Comics #91 (January 1948)
__ Flash Comics #92 (March 1948)
__ Flash Comics #93 (March 1948)
__ Flash Comics #94 (April 1948)
__ Flash Comics #95 (May 1948)
__ Flash Comics #96 (June 1948)
__ Flash Comics #97 (July 1948)
__ Flash Comics #98 (August 1948)
__ Flash Comics #99 (September 1948)
__ Flash Comics #100 (October 1948)
__ Flash Comics #101 (November 1948)
__ Flash Comics #102 (December 1948)
__ Flash Comics #103 (January 1949)
__ Flash Comics #104 (February 1949)

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