I am – Hercules!!


I am compelled by Nerd Law to mention that a live-action Dinah Lance meets a live-action Ollie Queen for the first time on tonight’s episode of “Smallville.”

This is not, however, our first live-action Black Canary. We saw two of them on The WB’s “Birds of Prey” a few years ago. Carolyn Lance (BC Sr.) was a metahuman who birthed Dinah Redmond (BC Jr.), who had Jean Grey powers of telepathy and telekinesis.

The Canary we get tonight is closer to the comics’ Canary in name (Dinah Lance!), superpower (the sonic scream!) and costume (fishnets and boots!).

In the CW version, Dinah makes her money as a right-wing radio personality. The “Smallville” powers did this, no doubt, to generate some pithy banter with future romantic interest Green Arrow, who (befitting his origins as DC’s Robin Hood) is famous for his anti-establishment leanings.

8 p.m. Thursday. The CW.

The Second Five Episodes of Season Eight!!