Black Canary: Bio, Origin & History

Real Name: Dinah Laurel Lance

First Appearance: Justice League of America #220 (November, 1983)

Powers: This iteration of Black Canary has an ability and power set similar to her mother’s. She is an expert martial artist who can fly and/or glide. In addition, she possesses an ultrasonic scream dubbed the ‘Canary Cry’ and is proficient in hand-to-hand combat.

Affiliation: Various versions of the Justice League and the Birds of Prey.

Did You Know? Dinah Laurel Lance is one of the best fighters in DC Comics.

A Little History

The origin of Black Canary, Dinah Laurel Lance is pretty straightforward. 

The original version of Black Canary first appeared inside the pages of Flash Comics #86 back in August of 1947. That version was created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino. The second version, and the focus of this origin, first appeared inside the pages of Justice League of America #220. That book hit newsstands and comic shops in November of 1983.

Dinah is the daughter of Larry Lance and Dinah Drake. Because her mother was the original Black Canary, Dinah grew up surrounded by various members of the Justice Society of America (J.S.A). Growing up in the presence of J.S.A. members had an effect on Dinah. That is, like her mother, so too wanted to be a costumed superhero. Although her mother strongly disapproved, Dinah persisted. She sought former members of the J.S.A. to teach and train her. After years of training with the likes of Wildcat, Lady Shiva, and Wonder Woman, Dinah assumed the Black Canary moniker. From there she took to the streets and began her assault on crime.

No different from her mother, Dinah also possesses the Canary Cry. Different from her mother (Silver Age version), Dinah is able to control it. When used, the Canary Cry is a devastating superpower. Not only can it destroy both organic and inorganic objects, but it can also cause death. More impressively, it can cause ears to bleed from over 600 miles away. The Canary Cry also gives Dinah the ability to fly.

And that’s it. The origin of Black Canary, Dinah Laurel Lance.

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