It’s all come to this: Black Canary: Best of the Best #6 reveals whether Black Canary can throw a fight. It’s something she must do to save her mother from cancer, but so far, we’ve seen her mother train her to never give up. Ever. At this point, it’s clear she can win against Shiva, so giving up or letting herself die are the only options to save her mom. The series has shown a battle of blood and tears, but now it’s a battle of Black Canary going against everything she believes in.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #6 opens on the announcers catching us up on where we’re at with the fight. People in bars, at work, and even Batman are watching. It’s a match with everyone watching, which makes Black Canary’s throwing the fight even higher stakes. The world will know she quit.
From there, writer Tom King and artist Ryan Sook reveal how the deal was struck to save her mom. Given how grounded Black Canary is, and most of this series for that matter, it’s a bit out there to have a cure for cancer on the table. It’s a superhero universe after all, though no direct explanation is given, leaving that somewhat frustratingly open-ended. It’s not a massive part of the story, but it feels like it’s missing.
Time to make a deal.
Credit: DC Comics
Much of the rest of the issue jumps between Black Canary talking to herself in her mother’s house and the ongoing fight with commentators riffing with their one-liners and pomp. The commentary continues to feel redundant, but Sook makes every punch hard-felt. The detail on a broken chair leg, for instance, is positively viscous. You will believe Black Canary truly is going to lose.
When it comes to Black Canary talking to herself, I think anyone who has dealt with grief will relate. She’s trying to rationalize her choice and how her mom would react. All the while, she is reeling from her mom getting closer to death while in the hospital. The emotional weight is present, even if it’s a little lacking in intrigue with Black Canary all alone.
As far as plotting goes, King and Sook keep the reader on their toes. The battle has twists, turns, and a very low point for Black Canary. The fight ends satisfyingly and unexpectedly.
Closing out the issue is a wrap-up at the hospital, and then, for some reason, the announcers get the final word. Maybe I’m not understanding the announcers’ purpose, but it seems silly to get even more yapping from them to end things. Their cluelessness is likely the point, but it’s tiring to get even more of them.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #6 sticks the landing with a heartfelt and harrowing finale, showcasing the strength of both its heroine and its creative team—even if the announcers are a tiring element.
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