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__ Adventure Comics #399 (Nov 1970) previously unpublished Golden Age story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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In Case You Missed Them...

Golden Age characters aren't just headliners. They also make guest appearances from time to time. Here are a few recent stories you might have missed.
15-Love #1-2 (Aug-Sep 2011) - Since the star of this three-issue limited series is teenaged tennis player Mill Collins, it's not too surprising that we get a guest appearance by Millie the Model, who turns out to be young Mill's aunt. In a bizarre twist, the Millie comes across like the worst kind of stage mother. Fans of Millie the Model won't be amused. But maybe she`ll mend her ways in the final issue. Manipulative Aunt Millie pours on the guilt (15-Love #1)
Birds of Prey #14	Birds of Prey #14 (Sept 2011) - The original Black Canary (Dinah Drake) and Phantom Lady (Sandra Knight) are featured in an extended flashback sequence. Sandra also appears as her elder civilian self in the present, alongside Dinah's daughter, the current Black Canary. Both stories conclude in the upcoming Birds of Prey #15.
Cover art for Fear Itself: The Home Front #1	Fear Itself: The Home Front #1-4 - In the present day, Jimmy Woo and the Agents of Atlas unearth disturbing aspects of WWII Nazi activities that have an impact on the overarching Fear Itself storyline playing out across the Marvel Universe. The story is told from Jimmy's POV but has a strong impact on Namora (in more ways than one)
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #12 (May 2011) - While not part of the mainstream Marvel Universe, this all-ages title does benefit from periodic appearances by the Blonde Phantom, head of The Blonde Phantom Detective Agency and advisor to the young Spider-Man. She first shows  up in Marvel Adventures Super Heroes Vol. 1 #14-15 and also appears in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man Vol. 1 #58, 60, 61 and Vol. 2 #3-5, 8. The Blonde Phantom - Still kickin' butts and takin' names
Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #21 (May 2011) - We're still waiting for a modern appearance of Sun Girl in the Marvel Universe proper, but until that happens, we'll just have to settle for non-canon stories like this one. Sun Girl's appearance here is as brief and mysterious as her original run in the 1940s. For her other non-canon appearance in modern comics, check out The Age of the Sentry #5 (Mar 2009). Just who (or what) is Sun Girl? Even the writers don't seem to know.
New Avengers #10	New Avengers #9-14 - In 1959, Nick Fury gathers an unlikely group of heroes (the term may be rather loosely applied in some cases) to track down Nazis. The previously unknown Avengers Initiative includes the first Silver Sable (father of the current one), Kraven the Hunter, Sabretooth (see what I mean about "heroes"?), Dominic Fortune and the only genuine Golden Ager of the story, Namora. Their adventures will continue in the five-issue Avengers 1959 series, with the Blonde Phantom joining the line-up.