DC Comics has had many iconic couples over the years — Superman and Lois Lane, Batman and Catwoman, Wally West and Linda Park, to name a few. The relationship between Green Arrow and Black Canary, however, is especially unique: As superhero lovers, they can take part in many more aspects of each other’s lives than other comic book couples can. They’re also exceptionally quick-witted and warm individuals, with a passion for protecting those who cannot easily protect themselves.
On top of that, the two are a blast to draw, as they boast some of the best costumes in comics. That and their loving (albeit sometimes quite complicated) relationship has made Ollie and Dinah a favorite among fans, including artists.
10 Green Arrow & Black Canary by Matthew Orders
Original image from Order’s DeviantArt page.
Aside from being a fantastic couple, Green Arrow and Black Canary also make an efficient crime-fighting pair. Here the two are ready to take on all challengers, with Dinah facing one side with hands up in a fighting pose, while Ollie has her back and already has his arrow ready for launch.
Funnily enough, the Oliver in this picture is the New 52 version, who never dated Black Canary. However, he’s not a long way off, as the DC Rebirth relaunch would bring the couple together once more and for the first time in the current continuity.
9 “Green Arrow + Black Canary” by Sandeson Gonzaga
Original image from Gonzaga's DeviantArt page.
Ollie and Dinah are in full-on action poses, with Green Arrow having just fired an arrow while Black Canary is mid-strike. Both are dressed in very classic versions of their costumes, with Dinah rocking the blue uniform, black jacket, and fishnets she’s worn many times throughout her career.
Ollie wears his Neal Adams uniform with his G belt buckle dyed green to somewhat reflect how Matt Wagner has depicted it. The piece is also a reminder of just how good the two are at what they do: Oliver Queen is one of the best archers alive, while Dinah Lance is one of the world’s top martial artists.
8 “ARROW” by Chubeto
Original image from Chubeto's DeviantArt page.
Another Green Arrow and Black Canary action piece, with the city as their backdrop. Ollie’s just let his arrow fly at what presumably is an evildoer, while a grinning Dinah is clearly ready for some martial arts action.
Dinah’s smirk is very indicative of her general style of crimefighting: She loves what she does, and has no problem jumping into dangerous scenarios and letting her knack for improvisation lead from there. Both characters are drawn in a style similar, albeit not identical, to how they’ve been depicted in the animated series Young Justice.
7 “Green Arrow and Black Canary” by CrimsonArtz
Original image from CrimsonArt's DeviantArt page.
While both Green Arrow and Black Canary appear, the two aren’t actually with each other in this piece. CrimsonArtz seems to be portraying the two thinking of each other from a distance, or perhaps Ollie specifically thinking about Dinah (explaining why she doesn’t appear in full and is both a little larger and just above him, like a thought balloon).
Perhaps the two are busy fighting crime in separate places or are going through a rough patch, which has been known to happen. Either way, the love they have for each other is still clear.
6 “Call Me ‘Pretty Bird’ Again” by Kate Shuch (ThePrincessNightmare)
Original image from Shuch’s DeviantArt page.
Sure, Black Canary and Green Arrow fight well together, but they certainly know when to take the time to be romantic toward one another. “Pretty Bird,” of course, is the loving epithet Ollie has called Dinah since the earliest days of their relationship.
There is an undeniably sensual element to the piece; unsurprising, as Ollie and Dinah have always been one of DC’s more openly intimate couples. Dinah’s costume is one of the uniforms she wore when drawn by Ed Benes, while Ollie’s looks not unlike the costume he wore while mayor.
5 “Reboot Idea 14” by Hyperkid37
Original image from Hyperkid37’s DeviantArt page.
Dinah finally gets to show off her superpower, the sonic scream she calls the Canary Cry. While a much better fighter than Ollie, Dinah’s power gives her a ranged attack, which Ollie’s weapons provide him by default. Plus it can cover a much wider range than Ollie’s non-trick arrows.
Green Arrow’s costume should be quite familiar to longtime viewers of The WB and The CW, as it’s identical to the suit Justin Hartley wore when playing the character on Smallville. It even has the side holsters Hartley’s Green Arrow would keep his crossbows in.
4 Ollie & Dinah by Sarah Brumlik
Original image from Brumlik’s DeviantArt page.
As iconic as Dinah’s fishnets, bodysuits, and jackets might be, they don’t necessarily make for the most practical costumes. Perhaps with this in mind, Brumlik has removed those elements altogether.
In their place is a streamlined blue uniform whose sleeveless shirt allows Dinah's arms maximum movement. For the first time since her ‘80s costume, Dinah also has a black canary symbol on her shirt, adding a superheroic fashion sensibility to the look. Ollie, on the other hand, is wearing his most iconic costume from the comics, although Dinah is holding his mask — a sign of the trust the two have for one another.
3 “Tangled Canary” by Chrissy Albertson (Winged Warrior)
Original image from Albertson's DeviantArt page.
Unless someone is Batgirl, it’s probably not the best idea to wear their superhero uniform to a costume party. Luckily, Ollie and Dinah have happened upon a solution: Disney characters! Specifically, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from the classic film Tangled.
Dressing as Flynn clearly suits Ollie fine: They’re both swashbucklers and dress very similarly. Dinah, conversely, has gotten the short end of the stick, or rather, the long strands of the wig. While Dinah has worn many hairpieces while in Black Canary costume, a Rapunzel wig is understandably heavier, and something even skilled martial artists could inadvertently trip over.
2 “(Green Arrow & Black Canary) Ollie love Dinah” by KumiEevee
Original image from KumiEevee's DeviantArt page.
Proof that Ollie and Dinah can show each other just as much affection when not in uniform. The two’s relationship extends far beyond their superhero lives, having lived together and even gotten married on one occasion. Unlike some of the other superheroes they tend to work with, Ollie and Dinah generally act the same in costume as they are out of costume.
The heart-shaped image just above them also has little Easter Eggs specific to their relationship. While the arrow is likely meant as Cupid’s, it could also be interpreted as one of Ollie’s. Also…is that a “pretty bird” watching over them?
1 “Black Canary Throwdown!!!” by mitchatt
Original image from mitchatt's DeviantArt page.
Are they in Star City? Seattle? Elsewhere? Wherever this power couple may be, they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves, wandering around what is likely a city park. The piece has been edited to look like an aged photograph, suggesting that maybe it’s something Ollie and Dinah have kept in a scrapbook.
A scene from a picnic with the Justice League, perhaps? Most importantly, the two appear as happy as can be, clearly in love and enjoying each other’s company. Also, given how everything around this is very green, Ollie would be at a distinct advantage if one of their foes decided to pick a fight…