Warning: SPOILERS for Black Canary: Best of The Best #6The battle to determine the true champion of the DC Universe has finally ended, leaving one hero to claim the title. The fight wasn't easy, and proved to be more brutal than any comic fans expected, but there is no denying it: Black Canary has defeated Lady Shiva to claim the crown as DC's best fighter.

The dramatic victory arrives in the final issue of Tom King and Ryan Sook's stellar Black Canary: Best of The Best, chronicling the prize fight seen around the world, in which former Justice League leader Dinah Lance stood against Lady Shiva, famous as the world's most deadliest assassin. While squaring off against the most skilled killer on the planet would be doom for some, Black Canary went the distance to beat Shiva to a pulp, and put her down for the count.

As can be seen from the state of the fighters in the bout's final moments, this (mostly) hand-to-hand brawl took its toll on both fighters. And even if there is something of an asterisk on Black Canary's victory, fans will always know the victor is undisputed.

Black Canary Beats Shiva To Become DC's Best Fighter

Black Canary: Best of The Best #4 by Tom King, Ryan Sook, Dave Stewart

The damage visible on the faces of both Lady Shiva and Black Canary tell just a fraction of the fight's story, putting both contenders through a devastating gauntlet of brutality. With the story of the fight told in parallel to Black Canary's own training, the series has helped to reshape Dinah's relationship to her mother, the original Black Canary. So it's no coincidence that the removal of Canary's blonde wig, her mother's signature, proves to be Shiva's worst mistake. That, and trading punches with the woman who Wildcat, DC's resident fight coach, calls his "teacher."

Black Canary stands victorious in the end, proving that her skills and training make her the most gifted hand-to-hand fighter among all DC characters. That's a distinction from say, the DC's most powerful heroes, either. But when it comes to the heroes or villains capable of defeating their opponent in a knockdown, drag-out fistfight, Black Canary claims the title... unofficially.

Black Canary's Title is Unofficial, But Untouchable

The Outcome of The Fight Was Rigged, But The Winner Wasn't Close

The mystery of the series, as readers will know, is the actual reason Dinah would accept this showdown at all. The final issue reveals the full truth, showing Dinah agreed to the fight as a bargain with the immortal Vandal Savage: surrender to Shiva in the sixth round, and Vandal would cure her mother's terminal illness. With the sixth round proving to be the most brutal, seeing Dinah beaten with her own corner stool (and her wig painfully removed), it seemed she would go through with the plan.

Instead, Black Canary delivered a knockout kick straight to a gloating Shiva's jaw, sending the villain into dreamland. And while Dinah chose to then "surrender" rather than claim victory, thus fulfilling the contract, there is no disputing the true winner of the bout. The only real question is now that Dinah and Shiva have settled their debate, who will be the next DC hero or villain to challenge Canary for top spot?

Black Canary: Best of The Best #6 is available now from DC Comics.