Black Canary- Best of the Best # 1

 By Mark Rodriguez

Black Canary gets her own mini-series where she will fight it out with none other than Lady Shiva. It sounded like a fun concept so I decided to pick it up. It's always nice to be able to grab and issue one right off the bat rather than backtracking and trying to catch up.

"Round One" opens as we get the announcement of a big match at the Emperor's Palace Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. This is a match to determine who is the best hand-to-hand combat fighter in the world. 

We see Dinah Lance traveling towards the event as we get the overlay of the fighters being introduced for this epic bout. The first fighter, we get the undisputed master of every martial art that exists and has never lost a hand to hand fight. She is so skilled that when Batman fell and needed a mentor, he went to her. She is Sandra Wu-San, also known as Lady Shiva.

The challenger has fought all sorts of opponents, including gods and masters. She had created her own fighting style and had been a member of several branches of the Justice League and the Birds of Prey. She is Dinah Lance, also known as Black Canary.

We see Dinah Laurel visit her mother Dinah Drake. Laurel comments that she didn't know Drake was still going as a blonde, as she thought that was just for brawling. Drake says she's not completely done just yet. A kid walks up to them and wants an autograph. Dinah Laurel asks if she doesn't also want one from Dinah Drake, the original Black Canary, since she is only following what she started. The kid says she already has her autograph and wants hers instead. Dinah Drake says they're in a small town and everyone already has her autograph by now. Dinah Laurel agrees to sign the kid's autograph.

The kid says she hopes she wins the fight against Lady Shiva. Her dads are going to let her see it, even though it's going to be on very late. Dinah Laurel tells her that her parents shouldn't let her see it. She says she's too little to see all that blood.

In the ring, both women square up. The ref says that special powers and weapons are not allowed. Everything else goes. Six minute rounds, two minute breaks, no limits and no TKOs. The first woman to quit, loses. 

The commentators Mike Berg and Wordy Johnny Sunter go into how epic this event is going to be, as well as the fact that is being televised all over the world. Due to Black Canary's adventures with the Justice League, she had made quite a reputation for herself so the bout will also be broadcast all over the galaxy and in over a hundred million alien languages.

We flashback back to Dinah and her mom as they head into an old farm house. They both have the same first and last name, so let's call the daughter Dinah and her mother Laurel to tell them apart. Dinah's mother still had the old boxing ring, even if she had to clear out the cobwebs. Drake says she's too old for this and they should wait for Ted to get home. She also adds that Shiva is probably training with an army. Laurel insists that she trains with her mother. They get into the ring and Drake says she shouldn't fight in her street shoes since she might slip and pull something. Despite her complaints, Laurel dodges her punches and flips her daughter to the mat.

Dinah asks if she can win, as she lays flat on her back. Laurel helps her up and says she better, since she's her daughter. Meanwhile we hear the announcers discuss Canary's chances of victory. She is the underdog here since Lady Shiva is considered the best of the best. Even though the match is to see who's better, the Johnny feels this will be more of a showcase for Shiva's skills. Just then the announcers are given word that the ref is ready and the match is about to begin.

As soon as the fight starts, Shiva wastes no time in socking Canary in the jaw, drawing blood. She then kicks Canary in the side, sending her reeling up against the ropes. The match just started and already Canary is in trouble. Canary lunges towards Shiva, hoping to tackle her down, but the lethal assassin is able to use her own momentum against her and slams her against the mat. 

Several members of the Justice League including Green Arrow, Flash, Cyborg, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter among several others are watching the show. Flash asks Green Arrow why Black Canary is even fighting in this match. Ollie says he doesn't know.

We flashback to Dinah as her mother starts setting up the dishes. Drake asks how Ollie is doing, and Laurel says he's fine. Drake takes this as they're fighting again. Laurel says she should rest and let her set the dishes, and Drake says she's fine. Laurel tries to pry and Drake snaps at her. She tells her daughter that she doesn't know what she's been through and that she is fine.

Back to the fight, Black Canary is down and Lady Shiva poses for the crowd. Despite Canary being the underdog in this fight, Shiva has built herself a strong fanbase. She climbs onto the ropes and is ready to finish this with a flying elbow drop. Black Canary manages to roll out of the way, making Shiva hit the mat. Canary wipes the blood from her face and gets back to her feet. Shiva leaps towards her.

Back to the flashback, Dinah knocks on her mother's room door and lets her know she's going out for a walk. It's late but Dinah is still going by Eastern Time and she can't sleep. Drake takes off her blonde wig and tells her daughter not to take too long since they will be starting early in the morning.

As Dinah walks down the street and hits a local bar. As she meets up with someone off-panel, we get more overlay regarding the fight. Johnny explains that Canary might be showing her vulnerability. She is a superhero with the super power of the Canary Call. This is something she can always fall back on. Shiva starts hitting Canary with shots to the face and her midsection. Johnny says this is where Canary would use the Call, but due to the rules of the match she can't. In this case, using the Canary Call would be the same as shouting that she quits. 

Dinah tells the person in the bar that she's ready. The man says he has eyes on Lady Shiva and he isn't paying her to go down in the first round. Dinah says she will go down in the sixth round, which is what this person is paying her for.

Back to the match, Lady Shiva goes for a punch, but Canary is able to sidestep it and slam her elbow into the side of her face.

At the bar, the man tells Dinah she should smile more, thinking of getting her mother the cure she needs as he gets his money. Dinah says she can just whistle and it would be enough to make his chest explode. The man says that's the kind of spunk she needs so she can keep getting up and make it to the sixth round.

The commentary explains that Shiva is knocked down but she gets right back up. Lady Shiva and Black Canary square off as the commentators says they got a real fight on their hands.

My Thoughts-

So I was surprised to find out that this was literally a fight between Black Canary and Lady Shiva, not in some dark alley or a secret hideout, but in a public arena broadcast all of the world, and even the galaxy!

So from what I see, the original Black Canary (which by the way, is confusing that both mother and daughter share the same name) has some sort of terminal illness. It's clearly bringing friction between mother and daughter, but it's too be expected. They both do pull back when they go too far, but it is understandable they'd be snappy of defensive due to the circumstances beyond their control. 

I am a bit confused as to why Dinah went out 'for a walk' as if she's keeping the fight from her mother, even though she already knew all about it. My guess is that Dinah is secretly betting against herself, and she plans to purposely take a dive on the sixth round and cash in.

There's not much I can say about the story beyond the family moments between the Dinahs, and the fighting. Lady Shiva kinda lets her reputation speak for itself. She's, so far, not much of character but more like an obstacle to overcome. I assume this would be like if Batman appeared in an issue, did his thing and left without any explanation as to who he is because everyone already knows. So far, she is fighting mostly to keep her title as the world's best in hand to hand combat. 

The actions look pretty cool. I wish we could see more of it, or at the very least, I wish whenever the commentators are describing the actual fight, we'd see it. I like the parts that describe the women and their feats, as well as the fact that Black Canary relies on her Canary Cry and has now put herself in a situation where she can't use it. However, whenever they get into Shiva getting knocked down and getting back up, or the multiple hits she's landing on Canary, I'd rather see them than just read about it.

We'll see how this story goes. I guess with this being a six round match, each issue will represent a round. Not sure how they will stretch this out. Fights that are extended to last six or so chapters out is usually more of a manga thing. Sure, there are several epic battles within the DCU that take place over several issues... but those are usually several fights during a long story, not just one long head to head fight.

One thing I do have to bring up though. if Dinah's disease is curable, seeing as her daughter is fighting to earn the money to buy the cure.... why not just go to Bruce Wayne, or any of the geniuses in the DCU that she would be cool with?