Issue #3 of Black Canary: Best of the Best will be released on January 22nd, and writer Tom King and artist Ryan Sook sat down with me to discuss the creation of this emotional and action-packed series. Ta.
From the graphic battle scenes to the emotional complexity of Dinah Lance’s family relationships, the creators shared how they crafted a story that is both heartfelt and captivating. Get an insight into their inspiration, see what’s next, and take a deep dive into the artistry that makes this series a knockout.
Provided by: DC Comics
A big development and a high-stakes gamble
At the heart of Black Canary: Best of the Best is a moral dilemma that intensifies with each problem. King explained, “Dinah’s mother was dying of cancer, and Savage suggested there was a cure if she threw the match in six rounds.” But to do so would be to betray everything her mother had raised her to do. ”
This internal/external conflict drives the story. “There’s a big twist to every issue,” King teased. “The focus is on finding out how, or if, Dinah will resolve this dilemma. Especially in issue 4, which takes the match in a surprising direction and involves Green Arrow and other characters. There are a lot of big moments.”
The art of training and relationships
When asked how he described Dinah’s intense training and matches, King delved into the emotional metaphors that are central to the story. “Superhero comics act as storytelling metaphors, taking things to extremes to show what our real lives are like,” he explained. “In this film, intense training becomes a thrilling and compelling way to express the complex dynamics between a mother and daughter: raising a child, having expectations for that child, and the ambiguity of those expectations. It’s about getting over it.”
Suk echoed this sentiment when describing his artistic approach. “We didn’t want to do cartoonish shorthand with speed lines and splatter. We took away the superhero elements and put them in the ring and fought bare-knuckle,” Suk said. “It’s raw and you feel every connection and every punch. It’s brutal in its own way because it’s based in reality.”
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Every page has emotion
Suk’s art doesn’t just capture the physicality of battle. It’s the emotional stakes that make a story resonate. “We don’t talk much in the ring. The narrator is responsible for the comedy and storytelling, leaving the emotion to the faces and body language of the characters,” Suk explained. He credits King’s script for making this possible. “The emotions you see are implicit in the script. It’s about what’s going on in Dinah’s mind during these brutal moments.”
Sook also revealed his unique process for capturing emotional beats. “I’ll use my wife and eldest daughter as models,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe they’re frustrated by it, but they’re happy, and it really helps bring authenticity to the art.”
From boxing to WWE
Dr. King’s inspiration for this story came from a variety of sources. “The title comes from an old Eric Roberts movie, ‘The Best of the Best,’ which I watched over and over again as a kid,” he said. “But a lot of that comes from watching WWE with my son. I’m in awe of how much storytelling happens in the ring. This story is about how the art of wrestling looks… What would you do if it really hurt on the street?” This is a magical, different fighting style that only superhero comics can achieve. ”
Suk’s research relied heavily on UFC and MMA fights. “It was eye-opening, especially seeing the female fighters,” he said. “It was brutal and graphic and served as a great reference for this project.”
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different types of heroes
As the series progresses, readers gain deeper insight into Dinah’s character. “This question shows whether she is like her mother or whether her upbringing shaped her into a completely different person,” Sook said. “This is a journey of self-discovery under the most difficult circumstances.”
The emotional complexity extends to the supporting characters, including Batman, in issue three. “Batman is trying to solve the mystery of why Dinah does this,” King explained. “It creates tension because she’s technically breaking the law to save her mother. It’s interesting to see how she manipulates him.”
Provided by: DC Comics
Iconic visuals and humor
Despite the intensity, this series never forgets the humor. From the sports announcer’s absurd one-liners like “Oh my apple pie” to iconic visuals like a hooded, shirtless Batman, this book balances dark tones with lighter moments. .
“I’m a huge NFL fan, and many of the narrator’s jokes were inspired by sports commentators,” King said. “It’s important to find unique ways to explain the same thing and keep it engaging.”
Provided by: DC Comics
Art that tells everything
King couldn’t praise Suk’s art enough. “Ryan’s page is amazing,” he said. “They’re cinematic and wonderful. The art informs the book.”
Mr. Suk in turn teased that the best is yet to come. “If you think the first issue looks good, just keep going. The language of this series is very different than what we’ve seen before, and the action just keeps getting better.”
As Black Canary: Best of the Best heads to its dramatic conclusion, the series promises more twists, emotional stakes, and stunning art. Don’t miss issue 3, on sale January 22nd. Get ready for a story that redefines what superhero comics can be.
