Black Canary: Best of the Best Team on Creating the Ultimate Superhero Underdog

In issue #3 of Black Canary: Best of the Best, two formidable combatants from DC face off in a one-on-one battle, creating an authentic brawl reminiscent of its namesake. When the situation is as critical as this, heroes give their utmost, often pushing themselves beyond what others believe they’re capable of. The essence of these elements and more lie at the core of Best of the Best #3. ComicBook was fortunate enough to delve into the series and its distinctive blend of superheroes, boxing, and professional wrestling with writer Tom King and artist Ryan Sook. You can read our conversation with them below.

An essential aspect of a thrilling fight experience is having commentators who make the action in the ring feel incredibly real for viewers, often requiring a team of two or three people. Best of the Best features such a team, but their commentary leans heavily towards one perspective, which can be seen as one-sided. However, there’s an authenticity to this bias if you’ve ever watched a wrestling match. Though numerous names in UFC, WWE, AEW, and MMA share similar energy, it was actually the NFL that served as inspiration for this commentary duo.

Essentially, he’s combining elements from different sources. The characters are named after his friends Mike Kronenberg and John Siuntres, both avid boxing enthusiasts who constantly encourage him to appreciate boxing more. However, I’m a football (NFL) fanatic, so you can find traces of Chris Collinsworth in there, along with the flamboyant commentary style. As I was raised with John Madden, there’s also a comforting Maddenesque quality. Some people might detect a hint of an announcer named Hawk, who is the local White Sox broadcaster.

King commented, “My wife is deeply fond of the White Sox, and he once was too, but now he’s retired. However, we still find ways to honor him. Rest In Peace, Bob Uecker. There’s definitely a touch of Bob Uecker from Major League, as well as 50 years of the Brewers. Yes, there’s also some Mike Tirico in there. Perhaps even a hint of Tony Romo. They’re all blended together,” King said.

Fans of PTI (Pardon the Interruption) on ESPN will notice a connection, as King is a big admirer of the renowned sports duo. He admitted, “I’m hooked on a show called PTI, it’s like two old friends debating. Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon. They hail from D.C., which makes them even more entertaining, and they were both columnists for the local paper in D.C. when I resided here earlier. Therefore, there’s a touch of Wilbon and Kornheiser influence in me too.

In this fight, the scene within the ropes is intense, raw, and occasionally quite harsh. Each blow and retaliation seems to resonate through you, while a simple metal step takes on an extraordinary level of pain here.

Sook remarked, “It’s been tough, hasn’t it? Absolutely, it has. But that’s what we aim for. In my past, I began in comics where red blood wasn’t allowed, only black and such. So, there was a certain fear of different things. Now, with this book, there are no boundaries. We want the reader to truly experience every punch and more, and it is indeed a very intense read. The fights in the story are as brutal as WWE matches, UFC, or MMA events – they’re downright terrifying.

As a passionate moviegoer, I can’t help but appreciate that the Black Canary series isn’t just about the epic battles – though they are certainly thrilling! At its core, this story delves deep into the heart and spirit of Black Canary, revealing her inner struggles and indomitable will to overcome any hurdle. The fact that it includes intense fight scenes, including a guest appearance by none other than the Dark Knight, is just an added bonus – offering diverse perspectives and keeping us on the edge of our seats!

In essence, King emphasized that this book is centered around Black Canary, but it’s not just a simple analysis. It’s a comprehensive character study – a deep exploration into the psyche and background of this character. He likened it to top-tier sports movies, WWE fights, or boxing matches in which the focus is on revealing the core, the essence of the individual involved.

King explained, “We introduce Batman to highlight Dinah’s character. I’ve written many Batman stories, and he’s a very straightforward character who finds this whole situation absurd. He’s not something a superhero like her would do, but she’s doing it. This creates a stark contrast with her attitude, her courage, and her fearlessness in the face of him. It also highlights her ability to stand up to Batman and find her own way forward. Essentially, everything here emphasizes Canary, her journey, and her determination to keep fighting.

Sook and artist Dave Stewart skillfully cut through the tumultuous environment surrounding Canary, highlighting the tranquil instances of determination that propel this character. By toning down the larger superhero aspects, they allow the authentic moments to stand out even brighter.

Sook mentioned that what sets this book apart is its lack of typical comic book elements like superhero powers or dramatic effects. Instead, it relies heavily on the character’s persona and emotions, creating a raw and intense atmosphere. There are no flashy laser beams, Kirby dots, or smoldering expressions. It’s all very minimalistic, which makes every scene feel real and impactful. When the character is in the ring, with nothing but silence around her, it carries a lot of weight. You can’t fake that kind of intensity.

In this piece, Tom’s writing shines due to his ability to pack a page with witty one-liners, insightful expository dialogue, and knowing when to strip it back for raw character moments. As you read, those moments resonate deeply, making you feel the quiet intensity of the characters, which is quite remarkable. Sook commented on this peculiar sensation.

In the DC Universe, Canary encounters one of its deadliest adversaries – Lady Shiva. Throughout the storyline, Shiva is portrayed as an authentic and respected danger, and King made sure to present her as a formidable natural power in numerous instances.

King explained that Shiva isn’t a character to him in the story, but rather a powerful force of nature. He likened her to a towering mountain like Kilimanjaro or a vast desert one must traverse. In his view, she represents a significant challenge – an arduous journey. The commentary is intended to reflect this idea; it’s designed to continually emphasize the enormity of the task at hand, making it clear that the journey is impossible yet compelling.

You know when you’ve walked less than 1% of the total steps needed to reach the top of a mountain and you’re already exhausted? That’s like Shiva. She’s the peak of the mountain. When one commentator is completely rooting for her, it reminds me a bit of when Vince was constantly promoting Roman Reigns, but everyone disliked him because of it. It was similar to the situation where the more he pushed, the more people grew to hate him. However, that became an intriguing storyline in its own right. So, the same dynamic applies here – the more you emphasize that no one can conquer this mountain, the more it feels like she must conquer it.

In simpler terms, King stated, “Trust me on this, it’s crucial. Listen, in the upcoming edition, there’s a scene so intense that Dinah takes control, and Mike is left speechless. You must acknowledge, Dinah’s skills are undeniable, she’s clearly dominating. But Mike dismisses her victories, saying it’s just luck.

Through the storyline, a core thought serves as the backbone, a notion essential to Black Canary’s identity since her inception. In truth, an aspect stands out for King as his most compelling portrayal yet.

In this book, there are numerous significant themes that resonate. These include the relationship between mothers and daughters, an exploration of comic creation, and a focus on how to transform small stories into grand narratives, or vice versa. Additionally, it delves into the concept of preparation, and presents a moral complexity that is intriguing. However, King emphasized that the key takeaway from the book is his personal appreciation for comics, which lies in those poignant moments when one feels utterly depleted, ready to give up, yet finds the strength to persevere – these are the moments he cherishes most in comic artistry.

King expressed that he consistently endeavors to write in such a way, yet feels he’s never written better than what he did in this particular series. He shared an insight: in crucial moments, one isn’t truly alone because their entire life is with them, even if not physically present. This life resides within, in the depths of one’s soul, offering the strength to take the next step and persevere.

Black Canary: Best of the Best #3 is in comic stores now.

So far, what are your thoughts on the comic series? Feel free to discuss everything comics-related with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

2025-01-24 04:10

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