Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

It’s the match of the millennium: Lady Shiva vs. Black Canary for the title of Best of the Best! The two martial arts masters are throwing down in a fight televised intergalactically that has seen record breaking numbers for viewership. But what would possess trained assassin Lady Shiva and superhero Black Canary to enter the ring and fight each other?

Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

Black Canary: Best of the Best is a six-issue series written by Tom King with art by Ryan Sook and colors by Dave Stewart that’s now available as a trade paperback. The full series is also available on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE, meaning that regardless of whether you prefer physical or digital comics, this is the perfect opportunity for you to move around your weekend plans and binge this thrilling comic that pits two of the very best fighters in the DC Universe against each other.
 

The Premise:

Who will take home the title for best hand-to-hand combat fighter in the universe? The brawl between Dinah Lance and Lady Shiva is the fight of the millennium and it’s televised for the entire galaxy to see. Six rounds, six issues. But why would one of the world’s greatest superheroes, a member of the Justice League and the Birds of Prey, fight the trained assassin—who’s arguably the best fighter in the entire DC Universe—on live television? Are there external forces pulling her strings, or is it something else? And with the stakes so high, will both Lady Shiva and Black Canary make it out alive? Lots of questions are answered in this tight, action-packed series!
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

Writer Tom King is a longtime DC alumnus, having written acclaimed and often award-winning titles like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Batman, Wonder Woman, Strange Adventures and Mister Miracle. King fleshes out all of the book’s characters and isn't afraid to explore the messy sides of them—the human aspects. His use of fast pacing and expertly woven scenes contributes to the cinematic storytelling of Black Canary: Best of the Best.

Ryan Sook delivers stunning art that literally packs a punch in his most substantial DC project in years. The dynamic way that Sook brings the fighting sequences to life is masterful—especially through his use of motion blur and layering to show movement. Colorist Dave Stewart adds to the visual flair with his dynamic color palettes, which invoke emotion and amplify climatic and emotional moments within the series.
 

A Few Reasons to Read: 

• Great use of nonlinear storytelling. The back and forth of the past and present fleshes out Black Canary’s motivations and gives us context while immersing readers in the fight of the millennium. However, the time jumps are always clear. Even new comic readers will have no trouble following them.
   
• Are you a fan of MMA or boxing? Then this comic is absolutely for you. With in-universe broadcasters providing narration that weaves together each scene flawlessly, the story is clearly written by and for fight fans. It's like you can hear the voices of the commentators and the ring of the bell as each round begins.

• But it’s not all about the fight, this is first and foremost a family story. Best of the Best explores Dinah’s relationship with her mother—the good, the bad and all of the nuances, particularly the aspects that have to do with being the superhero successor to your superhero parent. (Talk about pressure!) The story also explores grief—especially the grief of change, loss and aging. The central plot of this story focusing on interpersonal relationships makes you fall even more in love with Dinah as a character because you get to see her humanity and relate to the vulnerable aspects of her life.
   
• Badass fight sequences with badass women. The brutal, but beautifully crafted fight sequences make you feel like you're really watching Black Canary and Lady Shiva fight live on television. All the while, it’s exploring the gritty and thrilling elements of hand-to-hand combat and the strength of Lady Shiva and Black Canary. This is a fight between two of the most skilled fighters in the DCU, and these powerful women demonstrate strength, skill and resilience! No matter what, they’ll always get back up and show you why they are the best.
   

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Black Canary: Best of the Best is a great way to get to know the character of Black Canary in a new context outside of a conventional superhero setting. We get to explore her humanity and watch her in all of her strength and glory—but also in all of her flaws and blind spots. The thrilling action and broadcaster commentary recall the thrill of an MMA match, while answering the question comic book fans the world over delight in asking: who would win in a fight? Meanwhile, the familial plot at its heart gives readers an emotional tether and brings so much depth to the story. A must read for Black Canary fans, fight fans or anyone with a mother. In other words, pretty much everyone!
 

Black Canary: Best of the Best by Tom King, Ryan Sook and Dave Stewart is now available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.