Marvel Fighters Who Could Challenge Black Canary

Black Canary (real name Dinah Lance) is one of the preeminent fighters of the DC Universe. Having trained with a wide array of DC’s greatest martial artists, she has mastered virtually every combat discipline. Additionally, she possesses a powerful meta-human ability in the form of her “Canary Cry” sonic scream. With abilities like this, the tenacious heroine is no stranger to punching above her weight class.

With her exceptional track record, many fans will inevitably ask how she would measure against some of the greatest fighters of the Marvel Universe. After all, there is no shortage of Marvel characters with both similar and contrasting skill sets to hers. Still, these characters won’t walk away without knowing they’ve been in a fight.

10 Dazzler Can Turn Black Canary’s Big Move Against Her

Created by Tom Defalco and John Romita Jr.

To the casual observer, Dazzler’s mutant power seems innocuous enough. Initially not a superhero, the music star used her ability to convert sound into light to craft an unforgettable stage show. However, as she gained experience alongside the likes of the X-Men, Dazzler refined her powers to their zenith. Holograms, blinding strobes, and piercing light beams are but a few of the many applications of her power.

Dazzler’s unique and versatile ability gives her an early edge on Black Canary, but it still isn’t a sure fight. Though she’s no slouch in hand-to-hand combat, Dazzler is outclassed in this regard by Black Canary. The biggest variable in this fight is if one combatant possesses prior knowledge of the other. Otherwise, Black Canary will want to maintain a close distance if she intends to win.

9 Elektra Will Play for Keeps

Created by Frank Miller

Elektra has never failed to live up to her reputation. As one of the deadliest women in Marvel Comics, her mastery of ancient martial arts and weaponry is without parallel. Moreover, her Olympic-level agility augments her lethal capabilities to maximum efficiency. For those fortunate enough to not be her target, witnessing Elektra in action is a thing of beauty. Those who happen to be her target generally aren’t around to comment afterward.

Should Black Canary find herself in Elektra’s sights, Elektra will have already done her homework on the veteran heroine. Still, Black Canary has met and bested fighters of a similar caliber. The biggest variable here will be the contrast of fighting styles, specifically any that are proprietary to the Marvel and DC Universes, respectively. Furthermore, Black Canary can’t afford to show any hesitation, as Elektra herself will show none.

8 Black Widow has the Edge in Experience

Created by Stan Lee, Don Rico, and Don Heck

Black Widow has been at the top of her game for a verylong time. Arguably the finest creation of the Red Room, Natasha Romanoff has had decades to master every facet of spycraft and espionage. Her mastery of various high-tech armaments coupled with her peak human physiology allows her to approach each assignment differently. Her strongest asset, however, is her unpredictable nature. Though having served honorably among the likes of SHIELD and The Avengers, the only person who knows what Black Widow wants is Black Widow herself.

The outcome of a potential battle between Black Widow and Black Canary remains uncertain. While location is a major factor, it ultimately comes down to which heroine gets to set the terms of engagement first. Black Widow is not above fighting dirty, likely opting to finish the fight before it started. Even if Black Canary can close the gap, she’ll still need every trick in her arsenal to walk away the victor.

7 Songbird’s Screams Pack a Solid Punch

Created by Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, and John Byrne

Melissa Gold understands two things very well: the hard road to redemption and sound. In her previous role as Screaming Mimi, she demonstrated a virtuosic degree of control over her sonic screams. Such was her command over sound that she could induce states of fear, dizziness, and nausea just by targeting certain frequencies. As Songbird, Melissa uses a variation of Ulysses Klaue’s technology to create hard-sound constructs, limited only by her concentration. This versatility made Songbird a cornerstone member of the original Thunderbolts.

While Black Canary’s “Canary Cry” is the stronger ability in terms of sheer output, Songbird simply possesses more utility with her abilities. Even with Black Canary’s inherent resistance to sonic attacks, she will have to keep her head on a swivel to contend with Songbird’s constructs. Dinah’s best shot at victory lies in trying to create an opening in Songbird’s defenses and finishing the fight quickly.

6 Mockingbird is an Elite SHIELD Agent

Created by Len Wein and Neal Adams

Bobbi Morse represents the very best that SHIELD has to offer. Her mastery of the martial arts is greatly augmented by the Super-Soldier serum running in her veins. However, her greatest asset is not her trademark battle staves, but her mind. Holding a Ph.D. in biology, Mockingbird is an excellent lateral thinker on the battlefield.

The parallels between these two heroines go far beyond their love of hot-headed archers. Each excelling at their craft in different ways, Black Canary and Mockingbird could truly go blow-for-blow with one another. Mockingbird would use her battle staves to try and control the spacing of the match, while Black Canary would likely aim to close the distance with her Canary Cry. The location of the fight would prove to be another huge factor, with enclosed spaces likely favoring Black Canary and open spaces favoring Mockingbird.

5 Banshee Has Air Supremacy

Created by Roy Thomas and Werner Roth

One of the longest-tenured X-Men, Banshee has the experience to match his raw power. Though his trademark sonic scream is his primary mutant power, countless hours in the Danger Room have greatly broadened its applications. He’s mastered propelling himself in the air with sound waves, making him equally adept in the sky. Additionally, Banshee’s mutant physiology grants him a large degree of immunity from high-decibel sounds, be it from himself or another source.

As long as Banshee remains aloft, Black Canary’s martial prowess will largely be moot here. Though both heroes possess a modicum of resistance against sounds, they both also possess the same weakness: any strain on their vocal cords will greatly diminish their output. If Black Canary wants to win this fight, she will either need to outlast Banshee or push him past his limits.

4 Karnak Detects the Flaw in All Things

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

One of the few Inhumans to have not undergone exposure to the Terrigen Mists, Karnak instead devoted himself to monastic teachings. It was through intensive training and self-discipline that he developed his unique ability: the ability to detect the flaws in anything. This ability ranges from the apparent to the abstract, as Karnak is equally capable of shattering Vibranium or a poor battle strategy. To this end, he has honed both mind and body to activate this ability with the minimum observation required, making him one of Marvel Comics’ preeminent fighters.

For Black Canary, the key to victory over Karnak is to overwhelm him as quickly as possible. An all-out assault combining her Canary Cry with a flurry of blows may keep Karnak from properly assessing the situation. This is one battle where prior knowledge of the combatants will be crucial. For Black Canary, prior knowledge would lead her to act fast. For Karnak, prior knowledge practically ensures victory.

3 Wolverine is the Best at What He Does

Created by Len Wein, John Romita Sr., and Roy Thomas

Very few fighters in the Marvel Universe can go toe-to-toe with Wolverine. The veteran X-Man has had several lifetimes worth of time to hone his martial skills. Plus, with his signature healing factor and unbreakable adamantium skeleton, Logan can endure beatings that others simply can’t. The select few that do manage to hurt him run the risk of inciting his Berserker Rage, a mindless state driven by anger and instinct.

Ironically, Wolverine’s assets may work in Black Canary’s favor here. If she realizes he has a healing factor (which is likely, as Logan is prone to monologuing about it), she won’t feel the need to restrain her more devastating maneuvers. Should she incite his Berserker Rage, Black Canary will need to maintain her poise to put Wolverine down for the count.

2 Kraven Hunts the Most Dangerous Game

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

For Kraven, the hunt is not a mere matter of sport. Plagued by feelings of shame and inferiority, Sergei Kravinoff is compelled to pit himself against the best of the Marvel Universe. To this end, it is not Kraven’s superhuman strength and senses that make him such a threat. Rather, it is the patience and persistence he has learned as Marvel Comics’ premiere hunter. Following his triumph over Spider-man, Kraven has since set his sights on many other Marvel heroes.

Unfortunately for Black Canary, her elite abilities would likely put her on Kraven’s radar. Being that he has held his own against the likes of Spider-Man and the Hulk, Black Canary would be in for the fight of her life. The biggest variable in this fight is how Kraven chooses to approach it. If he feels honor-bound to a fair fight, the odds likely favor Black Canary.

1 Echo Can Match Black Canary Move-for-Move

Created by David Mack and Joe Quesada

Who is more dangerous than the likes of Daredevil, Bullseye, and Elektra? Arguably, someone who can replicate all of their moves to perfection. Enter: Echo. Possessing unique photographic reflexes (similar to Marvel’s Taskmaster), Maya Lopez can recreate any physical action that she has seen. Furthermore, sufficient analysis of an ability allows her to remember it permanently, meaning her already-vast skillset is constantly growing.

In combat, Echo would pose several immediate problems for Black Canary, who is not used to having her best moves used against her. Furthermore, as Echo is a deaf person, lower-level uses of the Canary Cry would have little effect on her. As Black Canary generally hesitates to use her power to its full extent on regular people, she will instead have to rely on her maneuverability and wits. Otherwise, it will be difficult for her to come up with an answer for Echo.