Dinah Lances latest round hits readers with some very strong combos. King drives home the power of family with the writing. Sook and Stewart mix up the stunning drama with big action. Readers had better prepare for the bell to ring next chapter. Expectations are at an all time high after this one. Read Full Review

Black Canary: Best of the Best #5 is another emotional romp filled with action, showcasing how a complex relationship between mother and daughter can impact ones life. Read Full Review

Black Canary: Best of the Best #5 continues to deliver emotional weight and intense action, deepening Dinah's journey with a brilliant use of flashbacks and a brutal showdown with Lady Shiva. While the commentary overstays its welcome and the larger mystery remains unresolved, this issue sets the stage for what should be a thrilling and cathartic finale. Read Full Review

this is another decompressed Tom King story about how the characters are miserable. But it's a lot better than his previous works, and I like how Ryan sook found his confidence and footing with the art

There are two things that are good about this issue and for that matter the entire series. After some awkward moments in the first issue, I think Ryan Sook found his way with this book. The cover to this issue is especially nice and the interiors are good as well. Seeing both Canaries together looks great. Some of the moments with Dinah and her mom are solid. Were they told in a different context they would resonate more. And, if they seemed to fit in better with previous versions of her history. Unfortunately, King’s go to move of “misery” and “unhappiness” sucks much of the fun out of seeing the two together. Black Canary I training Black Canary II is something King has added and it works for his story so he can emphasize the misery for both of them. Originally, the younger Dinah sought out training on her own against her mother’s wishes. The older Dinah hating cops is weird too because her father was a cop (Secret Origins #50). King has made Dinah, Sr. about as unlikable as possible, but hey, that’s what King does. King also is ignoring the great character work between Shiva and Black Canary that Gail Simone developed in Birds of Prey about 20 years ago. Not having any context for this fight continues to bring down this series. It’s just violence for violence’s sake. If you are into that, I suggest seeking help, not read this series. Like all of King’s work, he’s in his own world with his own set of rules and continuity. Everything you want to know about Black Canary has already been done better (see Birds of Prey) and and this doesn’t add anything of value. Visually it’s entertaining and it has some nice short bits with Dinah grieving, but other wise, you’ll wish you hadn’t let King mess with Black Canary. more