Starling

Origin

Starling was a new character introduced with the relaunch of the DC after the events of Flashpoint. She was inserted into continuity as an old friend of Black Canary who is considered an outlaw by the Government. She appears to be religious, worrying about her eternal soul and claiming that she had no idea where to even “start to confess a sin like this” when she drove her car through a church.

Creation

Starling was created by writer Duane Swierczynski and artist Jesus Saiz and first appeared in “Let Us Prey” in 2011. With the launch of the “The New 52” in September 2011, the long tenured team that was the Birds of Prey, was re-imagined by new series writer Swierczynski. Starling was a new addition to the team which featured longtime member Black Canary, along with Katana and Poison Ivy.

Major Story Arcs

Birds of Prey

When Starling first joins Black Canary’s newly formed Birds of Prey, they’re being trailed by a reporter hired by a group of assassins known as the Cleaners. However, both she and Canary are aware of the plan against them, and use the reporter to drawn the Cleaners out into the open. Starling and Canary manage to save the reporter from the Cleaners, but later, when sending the reporter out of the country, he gets a message on his phone and shortly after spontaneously combusts in an explosion. Black Canary called a meeting introducing the group to the newest member Poison Ivy who Starling doesn’t trust due to Poison Ivy’s background being a villain. Starling even called Poison Ivy “the talking salad“.

Skills and Abilities

Starling is shown to be highly adept in both armed and unarmed combat, being seen taking out several thugs at once. She also displays improvisational skills, helping distract several police officers from Black Canary.

Other Media

Arrow

Starling is extremely different character than her CW TV counterpart. On CW’s Arrow, Evelyn Crawford is Evelyn Sharp. Her first appearance is in season 4. She does not know Black Canary personally, but is inspired by her. Evelyn begins her career as a misguided vigilante. She is played by Madison McLaughlin.

In season 5, after the team disbands, Arrow recruit new member with Ev taking the codename of Artemis and starts using a bow and arrows.