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Exclusive: Black Canary Swoops into <i>Smallville</i>

071101blackcanary.jpg
Alaina Huffman courtesy Warner Bros., Black Canary courtesy DC Comics
Smallville is expanding its superhero roster this winter. Executive producer Al Gough confirms for TVGuide.com that Black Canary will make her first appearance on the CW series in the Jan. 10 episode. Playing the role will be Canadian actress Alaina Huffman, who had a supporting role in Sci Fi Channel’s Painkiller Jane.

As comic fans know, where there’s Black Canary, the Green Arrow can’t be far behind. Indeed, the episode, titled “Siren,” will feature the return of the Emerald Archer (played by popular guest star Justin Hartley), last seen in January heading off with his newly formed Justice League.

In DC Comics lore, the two crimefighters have a long and complicated romantic history. But in a unique twist, Smallville will pit them against each other — at least initially. “When we meet her, she’s a vigilante working for Lex Luthor,” Gough says. The Justice League “has been keeping their eyes on Lex and trying to thwart him at every turn.” Fed up, Lex “will say to Black Canary, if you can bring me the head of the Green Arrow, I’ll make it very much worth your while.”

Like her comic-book counterpart, Smallville’s version is a martial-arts expert whose superpower is a “canary cry” — a high-pitched scream that can shatter objects and take down opponents. And, yes, she will sport the fishnet stockings that are a trademark of the character’s costume.

So will romance eventually bloom between Green Arrow and Black Canary? “It’s the very beginning of their relationship,” Gough says. “At the end of the episode you clearly see that they have some sparks.” —Reporting by Rich Sands


Posted by TV Guide News
Nov 1, 2007 9:07 AM
I have to admit that I liked Lori Louglin (and whoever the girl was who played her daughter) as the Black Canary on Birds of Prey. Ah, too bad that the showrunner for that series was such a problem.

-- Rob
Posted by ShutUpRob
Nov 1, 2007 2:14 PM
Black Canary is my favorite DC character, but also historically the most mis-used and misunderstood one, so I'm hoping for the best. If anyone can do her justice, it should be this show. Fishnets is a step in the right direction, anyway.

And Loughlin was great as BC, but what a shame about the Birds of Prey show in general. Thankfully, we've also had the incredible WB animated shows for great portrayals of this and other classic DC characters.
Posted by diablorobotico
Nov 1, 2007 3:51 PM
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