Some newly released Arrow concept art of an unused Black Canary costume features a design inspired by the character's look in DC's New 52 comics. Having just recently wrapped up with the season 8 finale, Arrow was the show that kicked off The CW's shared universe of superhero programs. The aptly-named Arrowverse now includes five other shows and more are on the way - one of which is a spinoff that focuses on a new Green Arrow and the Arrowverse's two Black Canaries.
Green Arrow and the Canaries will see Mia Smoak, daughter of Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak, assume the mantle of Green Arrow. Set in the future Star City of 2040, the show will also have the Arrowverse's two versions of Black Canary - Dinah Drake and Laurel Lance - on board to mentor the new vigilante. Of course, the Arrowverse has featured many Black Canaries over the years, and while each sports a look that takes its cues from the comics, none have yet worn a true comics accurate costume. This latest concept art, however, is one of the closest attempts yet, though it pulls more from the character's New 52 design more than the classic getup with fishnets.
Shared on Instagram by Arrow concept artist Andy Poon, the artwork is a rendering he created with the help of Arrow costume designer Maya Mani. Originally, back when they thought Arrow season 7 would be its last, each character needed to have a final look and this was one idea for Laurel's final Black Canary costume. Check it out, below:
The New 52's Black Canary received a revamped look that was blue, yellow, and had these pronounced shoulder pads, and while not Canary's worst comic book outfit, it was quickly returned to a more classic design in DC's next creative initiative, Rebirth. Poon includes a classic fishnet motif into this design as well, which is a nice touch that gets incorporated into almost all of Canary's many looks, be they on the page or screen. When it came to the final seasons of Arrow, however, Laurel's Black Canary costume remained mostly black, with just a few yellow highlights added for season 8. It's unknown if Laurel and Dinah's Black Canary costumes will get revamped again for Green Arrow and the Canaries, but it's seems very likely they'll get new costumes to go with their new series.
Black Canary fans will have yet another version of the character with her own distinct look in the upcoming Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, too. In the film, this Dinah Lance/Black Canary is played by Jurnee Smollet-Bell and wears street clothes that evoke most prominently the yellow hues of Black Canary's previous costumes. She does wear some fishnets, however, when she performs on stage at Black Mask's club, so the iconic detail isn't entirely done away with. Still, it seems fans will have to keep waiting for a Black Canary live action costume that accurately translates her look from the comic books.
Source: Andy Poon/Instagram