Arrow: 3 major things we learned from the Season 8 premiere photos

2. Laurel Lance Is Officially The Black Canary

Earth-2 Laurel Lance’s redemption came full circle last season when she finally overcame the Black Siren within and became the hero that fans knew she was capable of being. This eventually resulted in her following in the footsteps of her Earth-1 doppelganger to become the Black Canary – as she took the original Laurel’s suit to Earth-2 with her before donning it upon her return in the finale (not-to-mention in the 2040 flashforwards).

That, however, won’t be Laurel’s only wardrobe change this year, as the Season 8 premiere photos feature Laurel sporting a badass new haircut and clad in a brand new Black Canary uniform.

While there has been speculation that this isn’t the same Laurel and is, in fact, another earth’s version of her, it’s worth noting that Black Siren previously revealed that Earth-2’s Star City is still named Starling City. So if Oliver is indeed on Earth-2, chances are that he’s going to run into the Black Canary that returned home in Season 7, right? In addition, the photograph’s official caption still bills the character as Laurel Lance/Black Siren.

Look, we all know that Laurel Lance is Arrow‘s definitive Black Canary (it doesn’t matter which one), but it’s more than fulfilling to finally see the incomparable Katie Cassidy Rodgers reclaim the mantle that was unjustly ripped away from her in the questionable fourth season.

With yellow accents and fishnet callbacks, this new outfit is perhaps the most comic-accurate Black Canary outfit the show has ever produced, and it’s undoubtedly going to be a joy to see it in action.