Few would choose the word “modest” in describing the hero Black Canary. Dinah Lance is a bold personality, prone to making noise even without her sonic scream. Indeed, her hero identity is defined by her provocative costume and her trademark fishnet stockings. However, Birds of Prey #7 revealed that even Dinah Lance has her limits.
Written by Kelly Thompson with art by Javier Pina, Birds of Prey #7 finds the team hunting a killer. This killer, who is apparently stalking the Birds of Prey, is revealed to be a time-traveler using The Red. This revelation prompts Black Canary and Oracle to seek out the hero Vixen. Beyond being a former Bird of Prey, Vixen also uses The Red to access her animal powers.
Vixen is happy to offer her expertise, but the model/fashion designer already has her hands full investigating a series of robberies. All of the perpetrators were wearing clothes from her line and claimed to be mind-controlled. Vixen herself had such an experience two weeks earlier, waking up in a strange house with no memory of how she got there. When Black Canary agrees to gather the rest of the team to help, Vixen concocts a bold plan to draw out their stalker.
Vixen Makes Black Canary and Birds of Prey Models
Vixen puts Big Barda, Black Canary, and Cassandra Cain to work alongside her as runway models. Surprisingly, Dinah Lance is the only member of the team who objects to walking on a stage in lingerie. This is ironic, as Vixen points out that her Black Canary costume is “basically a swimsuit.” “It has a jacket,” Dinah retorts.
While this is played for laughs, it raises an interesting point about fashion and superhero costumes. Dinah Lance doesn’t think about the sexual aspects of her costume, wearing it as a tribute to her mother, the first Black Canary. Her costume makes her feel powerful in a way that strutting on a stage before an audience does not. While her super-suit may be just as revealing as the outfit Vixen chooses for her, the context leaves her uncomfortable. It is ironic, given how brave Black Canary normally is, that she should find some sense of modesty in this moment.
Birds of Prey #7 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
