Canary Comics for March 2014

DC released their solicitations for March 2014.  Black Canary's name only pops up in two items, so if she's guest starring in any of the Forever Evil tie-ins or the latest issue of Injustice Year 2, it's not significant enough to make the solicits.

BIRDS OF PREY #29.

Written by Christy Marx

Art by Robson Rocha and Jonathan Glapion.

Cover by Jorge Molina

On sale March 19.

32 pages. $2.99 US.

Black Canary confronts Ra's al Ghul, who makes her an offer that could save her husband! Is she willing to pay the ultimate price?

Damnit, I just want to wipe my hands of this series and be done, but the story is improving, albeit at glacial pace.  And now Christy Marx is bringing Ra's al Ghul into the mix?  This has me intrigued because of how Dinah is connected to Ra's al Ghul's League of Assassins in Arrow, and how she almost married him way back in the Chuck Dixon era of Birds of Prey.  Grrr!!! I think I may have to stick with BoP after all to see where this story leads.

Also, is Robson Rocha taking over art duties full time or just for this issue?  He helped Romano Molenaar on issues #22 and #24, so he's not coming out of nowhere.

Of course, the biggest and bestest news to come out of the March solicits is for a book that's not even coming out until May...

BLACK CANARY AND ZATANNA: BLOODSPELL HC

Written by Paul Dini

Art and cover by Joe Quinones

On sale May 21

144 pages. $22.99 US.

Two of the DC Universe's brightest stars join forces in this original graphic novel!  A year ago, Black Canary infiltrated a gang of female criminals set to pull a dangerous heist at a Las Vegas casino.  Its leader was skilled in hand-to-hand combat and more than a passing interest in black magic.  Rather than be captured by Canary or the law, she went to her death, vowing to get revenge on Canary!  Now, one year later, death stalks those gang members, and Canary must turn to her friend Zatanna to help investigate.  This title also includes a special sketchbook section.

You could've knocked me over.  I had heard this was out there for a couple months.  I had seen sample pages, even the pre-order page on Amazon.com.  But somehow I didn't believe.  Couldn't believe it.  It seemed too good to be true.  An original Black Canary graphic novel: Holy crap!

And she's not partnered with Green Arrow or Batgirl or anyone else you'd expect.  It's her Fishnet Sister, the Mistress of Magic, Zatanna.  Plus, that creative team!  I first noticed Joe Quinones during Wednesday Comics where he drew the Green Lantern tale.  Great stuff, there.  And Paul Dini, who knows both of these ladies pretty well from his involvement with the DC Animated Universe, fills me with hope that this story will approach the characters from a place of love instead of cynicism.