A DC artist has taken their appreciation forBlack Canaryto the next level by chronicling her entire costume evolution in two stunning variant covers for Dinah Lance’s upcoming solo series. This impressive showcase brings over 110 unique depictions of Black Canary’s iconic looks to life, celebrating decades of style and character history in an unprecedented display of artistry.
Set for release on July 18, 2025,Black Canary: Best of the Bestby Tom King, Ryan Sook, Dave Stewart, and Clayton Cowles will put Dinah Lance’s combat skills to the ultimate test in a showdown with Lady Shiva to determine the greatest hand-to-hand fighter in the DC Universe.
The series also marks the return of Dinah’s mother, the original Black Canary, promising fans at least two iconic Black Canary looks. Adding to the excitement,Otto Schmidt’s variant cover for the inaugural issue takes Dinah’s wardrobe to new heights by showcasing every costume and redesign she’s ever worn.
Black Canary: Best of the BestArt Features Over 110 Costumes
Cover C Otto Schmidt Wraparound Card Stock Variant forBlack Canary: Best of the Best#1 (2024)
Schmidt’s wraparound covers feature eight rows of 14–15 costumes each, which, with some quick math, brings Black Canary’s total costume and redesign catalog to over 110 distinct looks. Originally created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, Black Canary first appeared inFlash Comics#86 (1947), so while her history in DC Comics is long, having over 100 unique designs is still an incredible achievement. Though primarily showcasing comic-inspired looks,Schmidt’s art extends across various mediums, including costumes from animated and live-action TV series, movies, figurines, video games, and more.
Each costume and redesign appears in Schmidt’s signature art style, with each design receiving equal attention and detail. They are meticulously lined up side by side, with no single design overshadowing the other in size or prominence. This consistent treatment is impressive, making the cover both visually striking and a fantastic reference for fans. While the cover’s"cool factor"is undeniable,many fans would certainly appreciate a key or guide from DC that identifies each costume’s origin—something that would undoubtedly enhance the experience for those exploring Black Canary’s rich wardrobe history.
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EVERY Black Canary Costume & Redesign Gets Spotlighted In Otto Schmidt Cover (Which Is Your Favorite?)
Main Cover by Ryan Sook forBlack Canary: Best of the Best#2 (2024)
As previously mentioned, the two covers showcase Black Canary’s costumes across various mediums. Among the most notable and recognizable are her two outfits fromBirds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn(2020), her pin-up look from DC’s BOMBSHELLS figurine line, her fierce style from theInjusticevideo game series, Alaina Huffman’s portrayal inSmallville(2001-2017),her iconic looks from the animated seriesBatman: The Brave and the BoldandJustice League Unlimited, and, of course, her Arrowverse costume worn by Katie Cassidy.
In addition to these featured looks, the covers also spotlight the vast array of costumes Black Canary has worn in the comics.Schmidt’s cover begins with her original Golden Age look fromFlash Comics#86, which established her signature stylewith leather and black fishnets. Other standout comic looks include her boldGotham City Garage(2017) design, her gold and blackNew 52redesign, and her high ponytail look fromBirds of Prey(2004). With so many memorable costumes featured, fans are encouraged to explore the cover and spot their favorites.
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Otto Schmidt’sBlack Canary CoverIs an INCREDIBLE Feat of Research and Artistry
Cover B David Nakayama Card Stock Variant forBlack Canary: Best of the Best#1 (2024)
DC has released countless awe-inspiring variant covers by incredibly talented artists, yet Schmidt’sBlack Canary: Best of the Bestvariant is undoubtedly one of the most impressive. Not only are the costumes fantastically rendered, but the sheer amount of research that must have gone into this project is astounding. While it’s unclear if Schmidt had assistance in tracking down every Black Canary costume, any possible teamwork involved only adds to its impressiveness. And while it may be a bit greedy, fans can only hope Schmidt creates similar covers for otherJustice Leaguemembers.
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Black Canary: Best of the Best #1is available August 05, 2025, from DC Comics!
