JSA Special #1: Bye Bye Black Bird

In issue #50 of The New Outsiders the original Black Canary, Dinah Drake Lance, passed away after a long battle with cancer. As the news spreads across the land, people in every part of the country take a moment to mourn the loss of a hero. For those in the superhero community it is a time to gather together to say goodbye to a friend.


“... And finally this evening - we here at Channel Four News are saddened to report the passing of an American Hero. She was known as Black Canary to those whose generation watched the horrors of Nazi Germany march across Europe, a member of the original Mystery Men whose physical beauty was shadowed only by her never ending desire to save and protect those in need. All we can wish is that she has finally found a place where there is no danger, no need to protect anyone, and she is embraced with the eternal love that she deserves. This is Charlie Goode saying goodnight until tomorrow.”

Cyclone turned off the television, her eyes going to the old framed pictures of the original Justice Society members that adorned the walls in the lounge. She had never actually met the original Black Canary, but like all the youngest members, she couldn’t help but listen with fascination when Ted, Allan, Jay, and Wesley would reminisce about the early days.

“You okay in here, Red?” She recognized the voice before she even turned to see Wildcat leaning against the doorframe.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just thinking about... well... you know.”

“Sure do, I’ve been thinking about ‘well, you know’ a lot myself today.” He walked into the room, leaping over the back of the couch to take a seat. Sometimes Cyclone was amazed at just how agile Ted still was.

“Is it easier for you to think about... you know... with your nine lives and everything?”

He removed his cowl, letting it hang between his shoulder blades so he could give her his full attention. “Nah, you misunderstood me; I don’t think about my own death. That’s going to happen eventually no matter what. My ‘you know’ is more about the rest of the team. Way I look at it, death is a lot harder on the living then it is those who moved on.”

“Do you really think we move on?” Jesse asked as she sat on the other side of the couch.

“Course I do... you don’t?”

She looked down, a bit embarrassed. “I’m not sure anymore. I used to think so, but after everything I’ve seen since I joined the team... I... I’m just not sure.”

“Well I am.” The voice of David Knight said as he entered the room, interrupting them. “In fact I’m positive that whatever she’s doing right now, she’s doing it with my father. In fact I’d bet money that he was waiting for her when she arrived.”

Jesse smiled at him. “That’s a nice thought.”

“What’s the word, David?” Ted asked him.

“Dr. Fate is almost ready. He said once the spell is cast anyone who attends the memorial will be protected from prying eyes. We should be safe from the media and enemies alike.”

Ted got up with a grunt. “Anymore it’s hard to tell the difference. Alright, Dinah’s daughter should be here at any time. I’m going to touch base with the Jade in the monitor room; make sure none of our guests get an unpleasant surprise when they walk up to the building.”

David and Jesse watched him leave, noting the slump in his shoulders. He may have had a strong exterior, but Ted was hurting like the rest of them.



“How many times did we save the world together? All those missions that nearly cost us our lives... she survived it all only to die like this.” Jay was saying to Alan as they leaned on the railing of the second floor as the two elder statesmen gazed down at the front foyer.

Alan Scott, also known as the original Green Lantern, sighed heavily. “I don’t know, Jay. The way I see it she survived all of that was able to raise her child and grow old gracefully; in our line of work I think that constitutes a miracle.”

The speedster nodded. “You got a point there I suppose. I know this sounds horribly morbid, but I’ve often wondered who would go first – me or Joan. For the longest time I always assumed it would be me, what with my occupation and all, but as the years move along I find myself wondering more and more.”

Alan patted his oldest friend on the shoulder. “And that’s why we embrace our loved ones every day like it’s going to be our last. You just never know what fate has in store for us, my friend.”

There was a clearing of a throat behind them and they turned to see Captain Marvel standing just far enough back so not to have interrupted or eavesdropped. Jay motioned for him to join them and he did, taking a leaning position next to Alan.

“Sorry to interrupt but I was hoping to talk to you two alone for a second.”

“Well, you got your wish son. What’s on your mind?” Jay asked as the three watched Cyclone and Starman walking together out the front door, deep in discussion.

“Somebody should speak on behalf of the JSA and I was hoping to get one of you two for the honor.”

Alan raised an eyebrow. “Well since you’re the chairman I would think that duty falls on your shoulders.”

Marvel nodded. “That was my first thought as well, but I didn’t know Black Canary like you two did. I really don’t think it’s my place to do it. If you don’t want to, though, I can see if Rex or Wesley would. It’s just that you two seem to share the mantel of patriarch in the team.”

The original Flash couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “How about that Alan, we made it to patriarch status.” He gave Captain Marvel a wink. “Don’t worry we’ll take care of it.”

The Captain smiled. “Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to go check on Ma in the kitchen. She’s been up for almost twenty four hours straight preparing for the gathering afterwards.”

Alan waited until he was down the steps and out of sight before turning to Jay. “You’re going to do a great job with that.”

His friend stood up straight in shock. “I thought we were going to do this together?”

“I think you got this one covered. Let’s face it; you’ve always been the gentle ‘dad’ while I’ve been more of the stern one. Why ruin it after all these years.” Alan patted his friend on the shoulder, walking away before his oldest friend could respond.



Strong, succulent odors wafted through the building and could be traced back to the industrial size kitchen in the Society’s headquarters. Wildcat peeked around the corner, the scent of homemade fried chicken, several casseroles, boiling potatoes that Ted knew would evolve into some of Ma’s famous sour cream and mashed potatoes. He could smell the pies cooling on the counter before his gaze landed on them; a vast assortment of fruit and sugars, each with a golden crust.

None of this surprised him at all. Ma was in mourning like the rest of them, and when she was, she cooked. What did surprise him was seeing Karen working the chopping block as she diced celery as skillfully as Julia Childs.

“Karen, sweetheart, if there’s something else you need to be doing, please don’t think you have to do this.”

“Nothing else needs to be done at the moment, Ma. We’re all set up and just waiting for the guests to arrive at this point. Anyway, it’s been ages since I made oyster dressing.”

“And that’s the only reason?” Ma asked as she continued to stir something in a large pot. Ted couldn’t help but smile as he listened in. It was typical Ma Hunkle, the way she was pulling it out of Power Girl without the young woman even realizing it. She was good, scratch that, she was the best.

Karen grabbed another stalk. “Of course not; this team went through a hell of lot in the last week, just to arrive home and discover that one of our oldest and dearest members lost her battle with cancer. Sometimes it feels like we’re on a rollercoaster that can’t stop.”

Ma grunted in agreement as she searched the spice rack for what she needed. “Are you wanting to get off the ride?”

Her chopping stopped as she considered the question, but only for a second. “Absolutely not, but is it too much to ask for even a short break?”

Ma stopped what she was doing, finally turning to Karen and wrapping her arm around the young girl’s shoulders. “Oh honey, this is the way life is. You know that old saying that it never rains but it pours. It’s said for a reason. Things will calm down, I promise.”

Giving Ma a rare smile, Karen reached up and grabbed her hand. “I know. Now do you think we should invite Ted in or just let him keep eavesdropping in the hallway?”

“Well damn!” Wildcat’s voice came from the entryway.



Mourners began to trickle in late morning, but not before the original Black Canary’s daughter, Dinah, appeared with several friends. When Alan opened the door to greet her he found Rex Tyler to her right and Eel O’Brien to her left. Behind them were members of the Outsiders that Alan recognized from the time they shared together during the Starro Invasion. He hugged Dinah before motioning them to enter. Huntress, Red Tornado, and Grace followed the others in.

“How is she holding up?” Alan asked Rex after pulling him aside when the other members of the Society came out to greet Dinah with words of condolences.

“She’s doing okay for now. She’s in shock. The hard part will be after today.”

“And how are you doing?” Alan asked, looking directly into his eyes.

Rex held the gaze with his own eyes that looked out from the hood of his original Hourman costume. They had all decided that costumes were the best way to go with such a small, intimate group of friends like this.

“I’m fine.” Rex said, the statement feeling more like a warning to his old friend.

If Green Lantern heard the obvious warning in Rex’s voice, he chose to ignore it. “You’re talking to me, Rex. We both know how you felt about Dinah – the times you shared together. You loved her as much as Larry did.”

“That was supposed to stay between us.” The original Hourman said under his breath; his eyes blazing for a moment.

Alan raised his hands in front of him. “Whoa pilgrim, it has and always will. But don’t get upset with me just because I’m worried about you.”

Hourman relaxed a little. “I’ll be fine. It’s cliché but the fact that she isn’t in pain anymore is almost a comfort. It was really hard at the end, but you know what Alan? She never lost that inner or outer beauty that she carried.”

It came out of Rex’s mouth without him really thinking about it, but after he spoke, the words he had said hit him. There was no fighting it as he the tears streamed down his face. Alan put his arm around his friend’s shoulders and led him into a small office out of sight of everyone else.

“Oh God, Alan, I’m a horrible person.” Rex said slumping into a chair as he regained his composure. “How could I do this to Wendi?”

“Do what, Rex?” Alan asked. “You never even told Dinah how you felt about her. You’ve honored your marriage from the very beginning and that has never changed. Listen, I’ve never been in love with two women at one time, but I’ve been around long enough to see how it could happen. But you never said anything to Dinah, never acted on it. Don’t be ashamed at what is in your heart. You can’t stop that anyway.”

He sat silent for a moment, staring off. “I’m going to miss her.” He finally said with a heavy sigh.

“I know... we all are. Get yourself around and I’ll meet you out back.”

After Alan had left, Rex stood up, straightening his uniform and walking out the door. He passed by one of the first pictures the team had ever taken together and stopped, touching Black Canary’s face. Then he went to where the heroes were gathering.



“Dinah Drake Lance would have wondered why we are standing out here in this private cemetery on such a beautiful spring day.” Jay Garrick began from the podium in front of more than three dozen of the world’s greatest heroes. “In fact I can hear her now, ‘Look at that blue sky, that warm sun, what are you doing here being sad. Go out there and enjoy it. Live your life.’ Yet here we all are, old friends and new, saying our final goodbyes to one of the greats.

Dinah was many different things to all of us, a friend, collogue, mentor, wife, and mother. She was an amazing woman who seemed to be the prototype for the women of today. Strong, independent, able to juggle a career, a marriage, and parenthood with a constant smile on her face and a song in her heart; not only in her heart, but usually on her lips as well, actually.”

The crowd chuckled softly at that.

“She was such a talented lady, in so many ways. Able to belt out a torch song that would have brought Etta James and Peggy Lee to their knees, then turn around and hand Sportsmaster his keester on a silver platter. The late Larry Lance, her devoted husband, once told me the story of the night they went out on the town only to run across a bank robbery. She didn’t hesitate, took right off, captured the thief’s without ruining her formal and was back in his arms with that same sweet smile on her face as if she had just returned from the powder room. He always told me that her beauty ran deeper than the furthest depths of the deepest ocean. He loved her with all his heart, a love that was returned by Dinah.

It’s hard to believe that in a few months, right behind me, the statue of the original Black Canary will stand here next to our other friends who have gone on before us. It’s true what all the philosophers, singers, playwrights have said about time down through the ages. It really does wait for no man. One minute we are here, the next it seems that we are moving on to the final part of our journey; leaving behind those who we love, who love us, and hopefully those who have learned something from us. I think we all learned something from Dinah in her time with us. We learned that above all else in this world, there is nothing more precious than unconditional love. If you’ll bow your head in silence for a moment as we say goodbye to a dear, dear friend.”

The community that came bowed their heads as one, all lost in their final goodbyes, reflecting on their times with their friend.

After a few minutes Jay cleared his throat. “Now, Dinah Laurel Lance has asked to speak. Dinah?”

The daughter of the original Black Canary stood up and squeezed Eel’s hand before walking up to the podium. It wasn’t until she was standing in front of the group that she realized just how many legendary figures were there. Her mother had touched so many lives; not just the ones here but all the ones she had saved, the ones who had listened to her beautiful voice in the clubs where she used to entertain. Fear struck here suddenly and for a moment she wondered if she could do this. Then she heard her mother’s voice of reassurance in her ear.

“My mother had a few songs that she would put in every one of her acts; ones that she loved so much she just wouldn’t switch them out. Out of those few there was one in particular that when she sang it... it... it would always effect me in a way that the others never did. It was her song and I think she knew that. I apologize for this, but here it goes.”

She closed her eyes, lifted her chin slightly above the crowd and began to sing the song.

“Blackbird, blackbird singing the blues all day
Right outside of my door
Blackbird, blackbird why do you sit and say
There's no sunshine in store
All through the winter you hung around
Now I begin to feel homeward bound

Blackbird, blackbird gotta be on my way
Where there's sunshine galore
Pack up all my care and woe
Here I go, singing low
Bye bye blackbird

Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is he
Bye bye blackbird”

All eyes were glued on Dinah, shock on some of their faces as they had never heard her even sing one note in her entire life. Yet there she was singing, not to them, but to the heavens themselves. She was saying goodbye to her mother.

“No one here can love and understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light
I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye bye”

“Did you know she could do that?” Huntress whispered to Plastic Man.

He couldn’t speak; his eyes were transfixed, tears pouring freely from them. His heart swelled and for the first time in decades Patrick “Eel” O’Brien realized that he was falling in love.

“Bluebird bluebird calling me far away
I've been longing for you
Bluebird bluebird what do I hear you say
Skies are turning to blue
I'm like a flower that's fading here
Where ev'ry hour is one long tear

Bluebird, bluebird this is my lucky day
Now my dreams will come true
Pack up all my care and woe
Here I go, singing low
Bye bye blackbird

Where somebody waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye bye blackbird”

Her last notes seemed to soar on the wind. The silence that followed, broken only by the sniffling and chocking back of tears, was reverent for now both mother and daughter. She said nothing else, her own eyes now wet as she opened them. A sad smile briefly flashed on her face before she went back to her seat.
When she got to her chair Huntress was standing, waiting for her. They embraced as sisters would.

“Let’s continue...” Jay finally said, though he regretted breaking the spell that had covered the private funeral service.



After the service most of the mourners gathered in the brownstone for the feast that Ma and Karen had prepared. Though it was a solemn occasion, there was also a feeling of joy that came from the group as they celebrated the crossing of paths that had brought them to this point.

The one and only Black Canary stood apart from the small clusters that enveloped the rooms; watching her friends, young and old alike, as they reminisced as well as caught up with each other.

“Weddings, funerals or an Earth shattering crises – the only three things that seem to bring us all together.” Wildcat said quietly from behind her.

She nodded sadly. “We tell each other that we’ll get together, but it never happens. Karen and I have promised each other a girl’s night out for over a year now, but something always seems to get in the way.”

“You know what your mother would say to that?” Ted asked.
Dinah nodded. “Oh sweetheart, find the time and just do it. The music’s going to stop soon enough and then the dance is over.”

Ted chuckled. “Word for word.”

They stood their together watching a small group that included Superman, Kid Flash, Robotman, and Nightwing who seemed to be sharing some rather amusing antic dotes with each other.

“You know kid,” Ted started. “You’re one of the lucky ones.”

“How so?”

“Your mom lived a pretty long life. You had a lot more time with her than a lot of them ever did with their folks.”

“Yeah.” She agreed.

“Doesn’t really help right now does it?”

She shook her head, feeling the tears swelling up again. “No.” She whispered.

He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her for comfort. “Trust me... someday it will.”

She turned to face him, the tears running down her face. She was tired of crying. It would have made her mother sad to have seen her like this.

Ted watched that determined look cross Dinah’s face; a look that he was familiar with. “What do you need to do, sweetheart? Name it and we’ll do it.”

She didn’t answer him right away, but walked over to the stereo system that stood in the corner of the room. She switched it on; turning the volume up as she found the song she was looking for. Another classic that her mother would sing in her act: “Thanks for the Memories.”

Walking back to Ted she raised her hands to him. “I want to dance.” She said simply.

He nodded, taking her in his arms as they began to sway to the music. The others in the room watched for a moment, then slowly they began to partner up, joining Wildcat and Black Canary until the entire first floor of their home was covered in dancing couples and “Thanks for the Memories” played as outside the sun began to set on the brownstone.

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