Trevor Von Eeden

Whilst working at DC Trevor became known for four characters: Black Lightning, Batman, Black Canary and Green Arrow. Black Canary was the third series that Trevor worked on, and he alternated drawing the character with and without Green Arrow in the pages of World's Finest starting in 1978 - indeed Trevor's first non-Black Lightning story, Hellgrammite is His Name Rebirth is His Game which appeared in World's Finest #248 featured both Green Arrow and Black Canary.

Initially inked by Vinnie Colletta, Trevor's pencils didn't reflect the quality that he was able to produce. Whilst Trevor was pencilling stories in World's Finest other inkers came onboard, including relative newcomers Armando Gil, Jimmy Janes, Rodin L. Rodriguez and Brett Breeding, which gave his art a very mixed feel and appearance. Over the ensuing years Trevor would sporadically return to the character of Black Canary, however in 1991 the character was showcased in a solo mini-series, which saw Trevor again paired with industry legend Dick Giordano. Despite Trevor being credited with 'layouts', Trevor provided full pencils for Giordano to ink. The direct result of the mini-series was the character being given a full-blown on-going series, again with pencils by Trevor. Ultimately Trevor would pencil eleven out of twelve issues of that series.

"Black Canary" says Trevor, "I never really related to--except for the fact that she's a martial artist. Funny thing is--I detest watching women fight (even on WWE--I fast-forward past the Divas, when they fight. Can't stand seeing women being hit.) But I like drawing women kicking ass--so I liked drawing Canary in her fight scenes.

"The design of the character doesn't really do much for me. She's obviously the embodiment of a shallow white male sexual fantasy--fishnet stockings, leather boots, and a bikini. And, of course--blonde. It's a fantasy I don't share. I like smart women, not mannequins. I mention "white" male fantasy, because--to my knowledge--the majority of super-heroes in Comicdom (and their costumes), have all been created by white men. Except for Black Lightning's original costume--which was created my me."