Written by Sarah E. Byam
Art by Trevor von Eeden; Bob Smith; Julia Lacquement; & Steve Haynie
Cover Art by Trevor von Eeden
SUMMARY:
Entitled “The Art of Whorr,” this issue was published by DC Comics for April 1993. In Seattle, a temporarily boot-less Dinah “Black Canary” Lance defends her retiring cobbler, Tony Cinchelli, from a violent neighborhood shakedown by local mobsters. While Dinah obtains some background info from her journalist friend, Gan, conniving real estate developer Jacob Whorrsman realizes that Black Canary is an imminent threat. Explosive sabotage sends Dinah to the rescue of a friend and his sympathetic niece.
REVIEW:
It’s an uninspired filler story. The only bit of fun is Dinah’s obligatory showdown vs. two large thugs, including one of them getting his pants humorously slashed. Yet, writer Sarah Byam doesn’t bother explaining why Black Canary is voluntarily running around in her fishnet-clad feet without temporary footwear (while her beloved boots are being repaired). For that matter, the sole plot twist (a cliché, no less) is hampered by no explanation re: how Dinah makes a critical deduction – or even what leads her to do so.
As for the artwork, the cover image is okay, but, otherwise, the visuals are strictly unremarkable. Curiously enough, football shoulder pads are hidden under Dinah’s fitted black jacket, or at least it can be construed that way. Suffice to say, this clunky look isn’t a great variation on Black Canary’s classic outfit.
Even for long-time Dinah Lance fans, Black Canary # 4 proves a disappointingly bland read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The last page is a “DC Bullets” news-and-notes column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
