Super Powers Comic by Phil Postma

This custom cover showing Black Canary kicking criminal ass was designed by Phil Postma as part of a series based on the Super Powers action figures.

Okay, first of all, how awesome would this comic have been?  Either back in the '80s at the height of the toys' popularity, or today, cashing in on the retro-love books like Batman '66 receive, a Super Powers comic showcasing the greatest heroes and villains of the DC Universe in an all-ages, wacky fun comic would rule.

Second, I love that Postma thought highly enough of Black Canary to include her in this series even though she never got the SP toy treatment.  True, she's not the only fresh far; Postma includes a ton of villains that weren't part of the toy line, like Cheetah, Sinestro, Harley Quinn, Black Manta, Chronos, and more, but they're all engaged in combat with heroes that were part of the toys.  Black Canary, though, is engaged in fighting anonymous street thugs.

On the one hand, it's great that Dinah's trashing some hoods and looking beautiful doing so.  On the other hand, this further supports the unfortunate truth that Black Canary has virtually no rogues gallery.  I mean, yes, she does have villains of her own... but nobody knows who they are except me and, like, two other guys who might read this blog.

Anyway, check out all twenty of Postma's Super Powers covers over at his website and bask in the joy of what could have been.

Happy Birthday, Starman!

According to the 1976 Super DC Calendar, December 18th is the birthday for the Golden Age Starman, Ted Knight.

From Starman Annual #2, art by Gene Ha.

Starman teamed up with Black Canary on several occasions outside of their usual adventures with the Justice Society of America.  In case you missed it, I posted their first pairing in The Brave and the Bold #61 yesterday.  Much more interesting, though, and more scandalous is that the two engaged in a short-lived extramarital affair as depicted in the pages of James Robinson's Starman series.  And I assure you, I will get around to reviewing that eventually.

I haven't read many Starman stories from the Golden Age, but I always, always liked the character.  First his costume--what's not to like?  The fin on his cowl reminds me of '50s or '60s science fiction helmets, like that worn by Adam Strange.  But the cape is classic '40s mystery man!  The color pattern--red, green, and yellow--so garish, so in your face, but they're not obnoxious, they just work together really well.  See Robin and Mister Miracle for confirmation.  And then there's the gun holster on his hip!  Or is it a holster for the Cosmic Rod?  It's incredibly visually striking because it's incongruous to the rest of his costume.  It's brown leather, and it looks like something a military officer would have.  The eye is as drawn to that weapon holster as it is to the star emblazoned on his chest.

Then there's the Cosmic Rod (or "Gravity Rod"), which is nothing short of sci-fi perfection.  A magic wand, essentially, with a science-y heft and the ability to move matter and fire energy rays.  Seriously cool!  It also has the added joke benefit of looking like a sex toy, which, to me, is just one more thing to love about it!

Equally as cool as the costume and the gadget is the type of character Ted Knight represents.  He's a scientific-minded genius who constructs the mode of his super-power.  He reminds me of the Marvel heroes that would follow him, such as Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Hank Pym.  Where many Golden Age heroes acquired their gifts through chance or birth, like Green Lantern, the Flash, and Superman, Starman was self-made, in the same vein as Batman, and later Iron Man and Ant-Man.

I think Starman is too often forgotten or shortchanged.  This version especially, as the '90s Jack Knight who headlined his own book for a decade is so well remembered now.  The thing is, the original Starman had such an iconic look and power set that I'm surprised he didn't takeover as figurehead of the Justice Society.

In the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths world where Superman didn't come into being until the era of the Justice League, I think Starman would have made a great substitute for Superman.  His powers are hardly the same as the Last Son of Krypton, but he has that striking costume, a brilliant mind, and extraordinary abilities of a hero that could have united others around him.

Credit for Starman's creation is attributed to artist Jack Burnley, as well as writer Gardner Fox and a host of editors including Whitney Elsworth.

Happy Birthday, Teddy!

Canary Merchandize from SDCC 2013

This weekend, at Comic-Con International in San Diego, DC Collectibles unveiled a bunch of brand new statues, action figures, and whatever the Scribblenauts count as.

They've also revealed the latest addition to their Bombshells line, which, conveniently enough for this blog, happens to be Black Canary!

Photo courtesy of tomopop.com

Previous characters featured in the Bombshells line include Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Batgirl.  I don't own any of them, but I adore the retro costume design and style of the entire line.

As for this Black Canary piece: making her a burlesque singer is perfect!  It touches upon her Golden Age roots, the modern Dinah's sonic abilities, and her well-deserved sex appeal without stripping her down to a thong bikini.  I can't imagine putting down a hundred dollars for this piece, but damn, it sure ought to make some collectors very happy!

Playdate #21: Black Canary & Mirror Master

Click for bigness

Playdate #20: Black Canary & Superman

Click = Big

Shameless MAN OF STEEL Tie-In

With Man of Steel soaring into movie theaters this week, it would be pretty desperate and obvious to force a Superman connection on this Black Canary fan blog.  So…

To commemorate--or simply acknowledge the existence of--the 2006 relaunch of Justice League of America, DC Collectibles released this four piece Build-a-Statue showcasing the iconic and Caucasian members of Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes' new lineup.

As white as 1960.

The reason I care even the least bit about this bit of merchandize, is that one of the pieces of the set happens to partner then-JLA chairperson Black Canary with always-de facto-JLA leader Superman.

I think she's letting him win.

Brave and bold; desperate and obvious--whatever.  Hope the movie's good!

Playdate #19: Golden Age Get-Together

Click (and then open in a new window) to enlarge!

Playdate #18: Black Canary & Starman

Clicky to biggy

Playdate #17: Black Canary & The Flashes

Capable of increasing size through clicking on image.

Playdate #16: Black Canary & Wildcat

Playdate #15: Black Canary & Elongated Man

Playdate #14: Black Canary & Martian Manhunter

Playdate #13: In Memory of Carmine Infantino

A farewell to comics legend, Carmine Infantino, from some of his greatest creation

Guest Playdate #4: "Dinah Gets Angry"

Time again for another installment of The Yoda and Dinah Show.  Thanks as always to The Irredeemable Shag for donating these pics.

The Yoda and Dinah Show part 4, courtesy the Irredeemable Shag.

You can follow Shag over at Firestorm Fan and listen to the epic Fire and Water Podcast which you can download and listen to anytime you're craving the kind of high-minded discussion that only Aquaman and Firestorm fans can provide!

Playdate #12: Black Canary & Mr. Miracle

Guest Playdate #3: "Her Type of Guy"

Time again for another installment of The Yoda and Dinah Show.  Thanks as always to The Irredeemable Shag for donating these pics.

The Yoda and Dinah Show part 3, courtesy of The Irredeemable Shag.

You can follow Shag over at Firestorm Fan and listen to the epic Fire and Water Podcast which you can download and listen to anytime you're craving the kind of high-minded discussion that only Aquaman and Firestorm fans can provide!

Playdate #11: Black Canary & Hourman

Guest Playdate #2: "Size Matters"

Time again for another installment of The Yoda and Dinah Show.  Thanks as always to The Irredeemable Shag for donating these pics.

The Yoda and Dinah Show part 2, courtesy of the Irredeemable Shag.

You can follow Shag over at Firestorm Fan and listen to the epic Fire and Water Podcast which you can download and listen to anytime you're craving the kind of high-minded discussion that only Aquaman and Firestorm fans can provide!

Playdate #10: Black Canary & Robin

Click image, see bigger.

Guest Playdate #1: "Yoda Was Wrong"

The Irredeemable Shag, creator of Firestorm Fan, has had a crappy start to the weekend with DC announcing the cancelation of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man.  Despite this bad news, Shag has been generous enough to provide Flowers & Fishnets with some "playdate" scenes he created featuring Black Canary and Master Yoda.

The Yoda and Dinah Show part 1, courtesy of the Irredeemable Shag

Throughout February, I'll be uploading the four parts of The Yoda and Dinah Show each weekend.  It's how I support Black History Month Valentine's Day-Month.

Enjoy!