Arrow: 5 Characters That Would Make A Better Black Canary

Since its premiere in 2012, DC's flagship Arrow has maintained a healthy audience as it tells the tale of Oliver Queen's reckoning against the criminals of Starling City. The series has drawn on the source material for inspiration rather than adaptation, and the fundamental basis in reality has set a precedent that works. Oliver doesn't just jump out of windows and zipline off of rooftops and beat enemies into submission; Oliver hones his body like the weapon that it is through strict self-discipline and ridiculously rigorous workouts. There are no superpowers on this superhero show, and the series allows the good guys to actually earn their abilities so that audiences can believe. Usually. By virtue of her name, Laurel Lance had a comic destiny to one day take up the mantle of master martial artist Black Canary. Unfortunately, the character was never adequately prepared on screen. The fact that Laurel - 30 years old and canonically only trained in basic boxing and self-defense - is now able to hold her own alongside the Arrow rankles in the worst way. The show is ignoring its own precedents with Laurel's transition into vigilantism, and the contrivances that sent her there have shaken the faith of plenty of viewers. So, to add a bit of fun to the ongoing fiasco, here is a look at five living characters who would make more sense than Laurel Lance as Black Canary.