Black Canary began as a villian. Something in her character just didn't support the villian mentality, and she became a supporting character for Green Arrow. Like Wonder Woman, she disappeared during the early 80's. In 1989, she reappeared as the daughter of the original Black Canary. She was given her own series, which lasted through a 4 issue mini-series and a year-long regular series, until lagging sales caused DC to give up on her yet again.
DC's history of Black Canary come from their most recent reinvention of their Universe.
In her case, in actually traces back to her grandfather, a Gotham City policeman.
Richard Drake was trained in martial arts by the no-armed man of Chinatown (who also
trained Catwoman, according to one issue) and by Ted Grant, a.k.a. Wildcat. He,
in turn, trained his motherless tomboy daughter. This young girl was Diana Drake,
later Diana Drake Lance.
Diana learned detective work at her father's side as well, and applied to the Police
Academy. She was turned down because she was a woman, and they had enough receptionists
and meter maids, thank you. She then became Black Canary and joined the Justice
Society.
The Justice Society was forced to retire by the House Un-American Activities Committee,
and Diana Drake Lance settled down with her husband. They opened a private investigations
business and had a daughter, Dinah Laurel Lance.
Dinah grew up with the Golden Age Superheroes as her uncles. She grew up in awe
of them, and wanted to be just like her mother. Her mother couldn't stand the
idea of her baby risking her life like that, and railed against it.
Reverse psychology kicked in.
Dinah's father, further paving the road to hell, sought to quench Dinah's thirst
for adventure by teaching her detective and police work. He even took her out
on cases with him on the sly. Dinah took things a step further and found the
men who trained her grandfather. She proved herself to be a natural.
Diana found out, and spit hit the fan. The ensuing screaming match resulted
in Dinah's Canary Cry erupting in full force.
Shortly after this incident, Diana came out of retirement for one last adventure.
Dinah's father was killed in action. Dinah ranaway from home and married her
boyfriend. She divorced him at the age of 19. In an effort to move forward,
she became the new Black Canary and teamed up with Green Lantern Hal Jordan and
Green Arrow Oliver Queen.
When Hal and Ollie separated, Dinah stayed with Ollie. After four years of Ollie
trying to set Dinah up as a stay-at-home mundane, she kicked him out. A few months later,
the failing floral shop Ollie helped her set up was destroyed. Shortly after that,
Oracle contacted her.
Currently, she is co-starring with Oracle in their own series, Birds of Prey, after a series
of one-shots under that title did rather well in sales.
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