Black Canary

[AM/FM Wizard]

Okay, it was announced at Wondercon today that you would be writing a Black Canary limited series. So what Bedard-goodness can you spill?

And just when is DC going to make you exclusive? It seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Deathstroke]

You're going to write a Black Canary miniseries?

Damn, they are doing a Black Canary miniseries?

Can you feel the earth shake as I do my crazy white boy dance of joy?

[Tony Bedard]

Yeah, I'm doing BLACK CANARY, and yeah I'm now exclusive to DC.

This BC miniseries is probably the thing I'm most excited about since Negation and Route 666 and CrossGen. Artist Paulo Sequeira, who did my backup story in BIRDS OF PREY 100, is unbelievable. He's going to be a big star, and I just hope we get to work together again. I really hope y'all check this book out!

[Deathstroke]

Yeah, I'm doing BLACK CANARY

I'm telling Ollie.


This BC miniseries is probably the thing I'm most excited about since Negation and Route 666 and CrossGen. Artist Paulo Sequeira, who did my backup story in BIRDS OF PREY 100, is unbelievable. He's going to be a big star, and I just hope we get to work together again. I really hope y'all check this book out!

Any advance ideas of what you'll be doing in the mini?

[torippu]

Yeah, I'm doing BLACK CANARY, and yeah I'm now exclusive to DC.

This BC miniseries is probably the thing I'm most excited about since Negation and Route 666 and CrossGen. Artist Paulo Sequeira, who did my backup story in BIRDS OF PREY 100, is unbelievable. He's going to be a big star, and I just hope we get to work together again. I really hope y'all check this book out!

Tony - congrats on the DC exclusive! Negation is still one of my all time favorite reads and I'll admit that I started reading Exiles when Paul Pelletier joined you as the artist on the book.

That being said, I can't wait to read this book. Paulo was just starting to click on BOP when he left/was removed from the book.

Trip

[MatthewDiCarlo]

Wow, the project you're most excited about, when you're working on Countdown and got to work on Exiles(which is pretty much the ultimate "get to do anything" MU book).

Are you that big a Dinah fan or is there something else we don't know about yet?

[General Grievous]

Tony, i hope there will be plenty of sonic screaming and kun fu to match??

will anybody be visiting sherwood forest in this mini? or her mini?

[zeroEDGE]

Sweet, a Black Canary mini-series. I can't wait to start reading it.

[General Grievous]

who's on art chores?

[Tony Bedard]

Paulo Sequeira. If you don't know his name yet, you WILL. This guy is the real deal!

[General Grievous]

Paulo Sequeira. If you don't know his name yet, you WILL. This guy is the real deal!

interesting, issue 1 will be a must have then, if it's good, i'll be coming back for issue 2

[Azrael52]

Can't find anything saying when to expect this mini.

[General Grievous]

Can't find anything saying when to expect this mini.

yeah there is no solicit for it yet, soon

[Tony Bedard]

Did y'all check out the Newsarama article about BLACK CANARY?

[torippu]

Did y'all check out the Newsarama article about BLACK CANARY?

Sure did - this looks great! I'm also very happy to see that 2 issues will be shipping in July. Paulo's covers looked great - can't wait to see the interiors.

[Azrael52]

I saw the NR article about it this afternoon. Looks good. Looks like you're really picking up where Gail left off with this character.

[eagle2000]

Yeah, I'm doing BLACK CANARY, and yeah I'm now exclusive to DC.

This BC miniseries is probably the thing I'm most excited about since Negation and Route 666 and CrossGen. Artist Paulo Sequeira, who did my backup story in BIRDS OF PREY 100, is unbelievable. He's going to be a big star, and I just hope we get to work together again. I really hope y'all check this book out!

I was wary of other writers taking on Dinah after Gail. However since it was you who wrote the backup, I am definatley buying it!

[General Grievous]

So green arrow and Black canery are going to have a baby together and she is going to be like the number one assasin in the DCU?

FRom the solicits i assume this

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I loves me Black Canary so I'm glad to hear she's getting another shot at the Big Leagues. Good luck. I'll be reading!

[thorionthei]

Newsarama has a preview

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/july07/previews/previews.html

Art looks good! His name sounds familiar. Anyone know what else the artist has done?

[General Grievous]

Newsarama has a preview

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/july07/previews/previews.html

Art looks good! His name sounds familiar. Anyone know what else the artist has done?

art looks really good, i'll defo pick this bad boy up.

[Tony Bedard]

Paulo Siqueira's done several issues of BIRDS OF PREY, among other things. On this job, he has an outstanding inker who I believe is in his studio, and the results are (for my money) his best yet.

Watch this guy, he's gonna be big.

[Night Swordsman]

I plan on buying this book. I did like your writing over at Marvel,and i am glad you are focusing on Sin in the book. Thanks. :)

[stamen]

Just finished reading the Comicon.com interview... major props to you Tony, even before I turn page one (or should I say page six thanks to the preview). You really welcomed Canary fans and honored a fellow writer -- I suspect your a real stand-up guy and

:D I WILL BE AT THE COMIC SHOP WHEN THE BOXES OPEN! :D

That's how pumped I am!

[jadrax]

I thought nothing in rest of the book could top the Ninja Elvis's from the preview, but I was wrong!

Most shocking last page since ....erm Sinestro Corps... but if you ignore that then it was the most shocking last page for years!

[stamen]

I also enjoyed the first installment of this arc.

[Azrael52]

Haven't got to read this yet. I think I should be getting it in the next day or so. I'll let you know what I think then. I know I'm really looking forward to it.

[Deathstroke]

The first issue was pretty darn good. I loved Sin in the play area...

[General Grievous]

I hope tony establishes merlyn as a bad ass villain,

[Azrael52]

Hey, I really enjoyed the first issue. Can't wait to read the rest. You do good work, sir.

[estee]

The art is fantastic in this mini.

[stamen]

Loved issue #2. Glad some of Ollie's better qualities are finding their way into ink.

[jadrax]

wrong thread

[Azrael52]

Read the 2nd issue last night. I'm really liknin' this a lot. I do think the cover should say "From the pages of Green Arrow and Birds of Prey," though. But it's really getting good. My next comic shipment will have the last 2 issues. Can't wait.

[jerrymcl89]

The third issue was also really good. I liked how Ollie, as is in character, tries to make decisions for Dinah, and Dinah, as is also in character, kicks his ass for it. My only reservation about the story remains what it has always been - the seemingly inevitable ending of this story is one I really dislike. Of course, that's probably an editorial thing, not something Tony gets to decide.

[Tony Bedard]

It's true: Editorial has instructed me that this story MUST end with Ollie pulling on the fishnets and saving the day as the "Green Canarrow." I'm not sure how I'll make this work, but I bought myself a pair of fishnet hose to see if I could get in characters. The damn things keep bunching in all the wrong places, though. Vey distracting.

[jerrymcl89]

It's true: Editorial has instructed me that this story MUST end with Ollie pulling on the fishnets and saving the day as the "Green Canarrow." I'm not sure how I'll make this work, but I bought myself a pair of fishnet hose to see if I could get in characters. The damn things keep bunching in all the wrong places, though. Vey distracting.

Fair enough :) I've enjoyed the mini a great deal, but I'll be substantially happier if it surprisingly doesn't end with Sin written out of Dinah's life so that Judd Winick doesn't have to deal with her. Time will tell.

[jadrax]

It's true: Editorial has instructed me that this story MUST end with Ollie pulling on the fishnets and saving the day as the "Green Canarrow."
Awesome!
I'm not sure how I'll make this work, but I bought myself a pair of fishnet hose to see if I could get in characters. The damn things keep bunching in all the wrong places, though. Vey distracting.

Even more Awesome!

[Captain Jim]

I think it's a given that Sin will be written out of the story. I'm just hoping that Tony doesn't do the predictable and kill her off. But then, that seems to be so obviously what we're being led to expect, I don't really think it will happen.

[Jack Zodiac]

Plus, as was demonstrated in this last issue, Ollie obviously has a plan to get the League of Assassins off Sin's back, and I really doubt it's killing her.

[jerrymcl89]

I think it's a given that Sin will be written out of the story. I'm just hoping that Tony doesn't do the predictable and kill her off. But then, that seems to be so obviously what we're being led to expect, I don't really think it will happen.

From page 1 of issue 1, I've expected that this story would involve Ollie and/or Dinah faking Sin's death, and giving her away to other parents, a la Scully's baby from The X-Files. Any other outcome would actually surprise me.

[Pink Bat Max]

One of my favorite lines of the week (and this on a week Atom came out):
"Yes, you're better than you ever were, but I'm still me."

HOWEVER...... I would give SOOOOO much to see the giant arrowhead shaped hole in the front of Speedy's costume filled in with yellow fabric. I'm down with Power Girl's, 'cause she's, like, an adult, but Speedy? I do NOT wanna be seeing that.

Still, not your fault, Mr. Bedard, and I'm adoring this series. I wish you were writing the new Green Arrow/Black Canary series.

[Captain Jim]

I wish you were writing the new Green Arrow/Black Canary series.

Ditto.

.....

[jadrax]

HOWEVER...... I would give SOOOOO much to see the giant arrowhead shaped hole in the front of Speedy's costume filled in with yellow fabric. I'm down with Power Girl's, 'cause she's, like, an adult, but Speedy? I do NOT wanna be seeing that.


Mia is definitely over 18 as of Green Arrow 73.

[Pink Bat Max]

Mia is definitely over 18 as of Green Arrow 73.

Oh.

Slightly better. Still not a fan of the titwindow, though.

[jadrax]

Oh.

Slightly better. Still not a fan of the titwindow, though.

You know, I never noticed it until you pointed it out, looking through past issues it seems to have always been part of the costume, apart from on covers when they fill it with yellow fabric.

Personally, No I don't like it either, looks better in yellow.

[stamen]

It's true: Editorial has instructed me that this story MUST end with Ollie pulling on the fishnets and saving the day as the "Green Canarrow." I'm not sure how I'll make this work, but I bought myself a pair of fishnet hose to see if I could get in characters. The damn things keep bunching in all the wrong places, though. Vey distracting.

LMAO. They make lotion for those net burns, not that I'd personally know of course. :p

I'd like to second, or third, or whatever the notion that wishes you were on GA/BC. Although I fear that my beloved Oliver is going to get the shiz kicked out of him at the wedding and get taken out of action for a bit.

I like the way Ollie is getting some panel time apart from the usual and that Dinah's wit is just as sharp as his. So many reason for Ollie to love her and when you really look at the character, there are reasons that would justify her love for him.

Oliver just has the curse of be an idealist to the extent of clouding his reason. We probably all know someone like Ollie. I think they are wonderful people, even if misguided at times.

Issue #3 had some real great moments... I just hope Merlin gets his fanny handed to him. That punk has been running around for a year getting his laughs off Ollie's woes. :mad:

Hope to get a full review of the mini up after its said and done from the perspective of a life-long GA fan.

[Linkara]

Tony, great work on #4. While Sin's predicament was predictable, you did a good job with character motivations, plus you wrote in that Dinah would still be able to see Sin. Also, much asskicking was performed by Dinah. ^_^

[Jack Zodiac]

I'd feel a lot more comfortable with that ending if it were Tony launching the Green Arrow/Black Canary title. Even if editorial made you do it, still a pretty kickass mini, Tone.

[stamen]

http://socraticbass.blogspot.com/2007/08/is-oliver-queen-redeemable-tony-bedard.html

My complaints about the mini were minor and self-absorbed. I absolutely loved it and will mark it down as some of the best Green Arrow reading in a decade and a very enjoyable arc.

Thank you!

[Jack Zodiac]

The book was about Green Arrow?

[Tony Bedard]

Hey, Stamen, nice blog.

Thanks for the kind words and insightful criticism.

Question (and this is for anyone): can we list all of Ollie's romantic indiscretions. As I looked into it, the list was shorter than I expected, but I probably missed something.


As for the mini being about GA not BC, here's my view...

I had a couple of missions here: Resolve the Sin situation and answer why Dinah would marry this guy.

The reason she'd marry him is because she loves him. That sounds simplistic, but in real life that's how it works, and when a married couple overcomes an infidelity and keeps on going, I view that as a positive thing. Forgiveness isn't an act of weakness in my book.

As for Sin, nobody gave me marching orders, but it looked to me like she was completely ignored in JLA and might not have much future in GA/BC (and that's pure speculation on my part, I am not dissing Winick, whose work I happen to love). Nevertheless, I tried to find a way that Sin could be placed in a responsible situation that would meet her needs and keep the door open for Dinah to continue her relationship with her in the future. If Judd wants to pick up on that, great. If someone else does, terrific. If not, the character is in a safe place now, and I don't think I violated Dinah's commitment to her.

But I also don't think Dinah would have voluntarily given her up, ever. This solution had to come from someone else. Dinah's big action in this story, aside from busting heads, was to see beyond the hurtful aspects of Ollie's deception to the selfless intent that motivated it. Just like she has to see past his hurtful actions of the past and see the man he's grown into. I've read a few reviews by folks who didn't buy my solution. Okey-doke. But that's where I was coming from.

[Joe Acro]

Question (and this is for anyone): can we list all of Ollie's romantic indiscretions. As I looked into it, the list was shorter than I expected, but I probably missed something.Why don't you list the ones you found? Then some people who know can fill in the rest.

[Superheroic]

I really enjoyed this series. Even gave it to my wife to read. My only disappointment was the fill-in artists.

[Tony Bedard]

Let's see...

There's Shado, but she basically raped Ollie.

There's that Marianne gal (I think that was her name) who he kissed, or kissed him, but I don't think it went any further.

There was Black Lightning's niece who he slept with and got killed by that Drakon dude.

Let the filling in begin!

[Deathstroke]

I liked the miniseries overall, but the ending of Sin's storyline, I could see coming a mile away.

[eagle2000]

Manitou Dawn.

[stamen]

Let's see...

There's Shado, but she basically raped Ollie.

Yeah, she even tries to tell Dinah that it wasn't Ollie's fault as I recall.

There's that Marianne gal (I think that was her name) who he kissed, or kissed him, but I don't think it went any further.

Ollie did end up shacking with her I believe. But it was after Dinah kicked him to the curb. A really, really bad choice on his part but it was a classic case of a guy being driven into the arms of the other woman.

When Ollie and M kissed he did try to refuse her, and had refused even further advances. Marianne got what she wanted in that she wanted Dinah out of the picture and I think she set Ollie up.

There was Black Lightning's niece who he slept with and got killed by that Drakon dude.

Probably the most damning bit of evidence on Ollie's wayward ways. He pretty much says to Mia that he did it and he didn't know why. Frustrating thing was that he had just proposed (or planned a proposal -- I am going to re-read that tonight) to Dinah a few issue before. She wanted things to slow down... and I got the feeling that she might be pushing him away.

Still, no reason to up and go find a new bed buddy.

Let the filling in begin!

It's strongly suggested that GA slept with Catwoman (Selina) in the Grell series (mid 80ish issue).

He slept with Manitou Raven's wife Dawn in JLE.

I'm sure during his playboy days (prior to the shipwreck) he was waxing prophetic on many a young red-head.

There might have been another one, but I'm hard pressed to remember it after 30-years of all things Ollie.

Dinah has been no angel in their time apart either. Maybe someone knows her list?

I think a funny issue would be having them list their bed buddies. It's always a painful conversation in relationships. And you can see it coming from a mile away. I know a guy that started a new relationship and he's dreading "the talk."

He says, "I know she's going to want a number. I just know it!"

I can only laugh because its such a hard conversation to have.

[stamen]

I had a couple of missions here: Resolve the Sin situation and answer why Dinah would marry this guy.

The reason she'd marry him is because she loves him. That sounds simplistic, but in real life that's how it works, and when a married couple overcomes an infidelity and keeps on going, I view that as a positive thing. Forgiveness isn't an act of weakness in my book.

As for Sin, nobody gave me marching orders, but it looked to me like she was completely ignored in JLA and might not have much future in GA/BC (and that's pure speculation on my part, I am not dissing Winick, whose work I happen to love). Nevertheless, I tried to find a way that Sin could be placed in a responsible situation that would meet her needs and keep the door open for Dinah to continue her relationship with her in the future. If Judd wants to pick up on that, great. If someone else does, terrific. If not, the character is in a safe place now, and I don't think I violated Dinah's commitment to her.

But I also don't think Dinah would have voluntarily given her up, ever. This solution had to come from someone else. Dinah's big action in this story, aside from busting heads, was to see beyond the hurtful aspects of Ollie's deception to the selfless intent that motivated it. Just like she has to see past his hurtful actions of the past and see the man he's grown into. I've read a few reviews by folks who didn't buy my solution. Okey-doke. But that's where I was coming from.

I can accept that BC fans probably had a tough time with it, but I really liked the fact that she's going to a very class place to train. Connor turned out great and she will too.

And folks new to the Dinah / Ollie thing probably did need a whole lot of convincing. Fans of old Ollie, know exactly why she loves him. In that sense, she is really, really good for Ollie, but he's not so great for her. I'd like to see a writer explore it from the other direction...

What does Oliver really offer Dinah? Good sex? A lot of BC fans are ticked because they see him as dead weight. Maybe they're right. I liked what Gail did in BoP when Ollie showed up... they agreed to let by-gones be by-gones, and Dinah makes the comment that things are lot more fun when Ollie is around.

I think there has to be a lot more out there for a writer to tackle about Ollie and Dinah.... the stuff between the lines. Looks like we won't be able to see it for a stretch in that "something" happens to Ollie at the wedding.

[Jack Zodiac]

Dinah has been no angel in their time apart either. Maybe someone knows her list?

Their time apart doesn't matter. It's their time together, and in their time together, Ollie was pretty damn faithful. Up until he came back from the dead. Now every writer who touches him is trying to make him into some raging fuckaholic douchebag. I mean, Jeff's niece? Fuck you in the neck, Winick.

There was also another dig at Ollie in Outsiders suggesting Grace had slept with him at some point, too. More cheap, tactless writing by Winick.

[stamen]

There was also another dig at Ollie in Outsiders suggesting Grace had slept with him at some point, too. More cheap, tactless writing by Winick.

Lots and lots of digs over the past five years. The most recent ones that I recall are Carol Ferris in John's current GL title... she's dogging Ollie when Star Sapphire says, "Hero's don't lie." Carol says, "Obviously you've never met Green Arrow."

Then in Brave and the Bold #2 Waid takes his pot shot by basically having Hal's caption say that Ollie wouldn't refuse the advances of a seventeen year old girl (Kara).

It's the new DC lens for Ollie, back-masking over the history to make Oliver a lech. And I love Waid and Johns... trashing Ollie is just "in" right now.

[shrike]

Honestly? I thought the mini was good, just a shame that Green Arrow had to be the actual hero of the story and that most of the people I know figured out the ending by issue 1.

Personally I'd like to see what you could do without editorial forcing decisions on you. *shrugs*