How much can a fighter’s heart take? That is the question posed to Dinah Lance. With her mother’s health failing, time is not on her side. Lance has challenged Lady Shiva to a fight. The most dangerous fighter in all the DCU is ready. Who will walk away the victor in this epic face-off?
BLACK CANARY: BEST OF THE BEST #3 by Tom King, Ryan Sook, Dave Stewart, and Clayton Cowles serves up another round of emotion and excitement.
Let’s take a closer look at where things stand now.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
King twists events around with a few notable guests stopping by. The addition of Batman into the equation elevates Lance’s plans. Who else knows how to fight Shiva better? Their banter exposes Lance’s lies for the fight. Batman knows this match has never been about self-pride. Lance sticks to her guns even though the foundation cracks. It leaves the pair at a stand-still. This is reflected with Lance’s deal with a savage devil.
Using her mother’s health as a weapon, Savage throws down his deal. It plays into Lance’s struggles. Readers watch as the end justifies the painful means. The result puts Lance on her painful collision course. King handles the fight pace with a touch of wrestling flare. Wildcat’s interview style will win over readers. It doesn’t work so well on Shiva. Once in the closing pages, the pendulum swings. It leaves events pushing Lance into a new course. Whether she survives is long enough is anyone’s guess.
Sook and Stewart keep the best of the squared circle in the spotlight. The interview page with Wildcat is a fun start. Readers sit back and watch the action fly. The art locks in on Shiva’s confidence beaming. Her dive to the outside of the ring is prime example. A subtle panel of a devilish smirk speaks volumes. Lance is not to be outdone. A page close up shows Lance is broken but ready to fight. This might have something to due with a sparring partner.
Once the flashback hits, Batman is welcomed with a full page shot. Their sparring session is more than technique. The art closes in on Lance trying to keep up the deception. As readers see Vandal Savage make his offer, things become clear. The images are straight forward as both don’t want to tip their hands. It results in a set-up in brutality. The Wildcat fight is crushing. It spawns two full page images of the fight turning. The chapter closes on a quieter moment. A small conversation grows more doubts as events conclude. The art packs an overhand right for this sequence.
FINAL POINT: 9
The truth starts coming to light in another round of combat for Dinah Lance. King balances the brutality with Lance’s internal struggle. Sook, Stewart and Cowles amp up the combat as the fight escalates forward. Gear up for another round because no final bell has rung yet!
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