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Review: Green Arrow #13

By Philip Schweier
December 20, 2016 - 03:31

One thing people love about Green Arrow is his altruistic nature. Not the Boy Scout in blue that we see in Superman, but the left-leaning, help-the-little-guy sentiment that makes him a hero, with or without his bow and collection of trick arrows. But when the city of Seattle has decided that Green Arrow is now a loose cannon to be reigned in, well, where does Green Arrow hide from such public disapproval.

Simple. He doesn’t. Rather than remove his mask to become Oliver Queen, he comes right out in the open and challenges public opinion in the way that only someone as bull-headed as Oliver Queen can. Frankly, it’s something that’s missing from the TV show. I wish they’d do even a little bit of it.

But another archer is targeting people of Seattle, in the grand “you have failed this city” tradition. They mention Shado, Ollie’s sister Emi, Merlyn the Dark Archer. But Roy goes unmentioned (by name, anyway), so is it possible that Speedy/Arsenal/Red Arrow is the culprit behind smearing Green Arrow’s reputation? Doubtful.

What I like about the current Green Arrow series is how it respects the history of the character while continuing to blaze a new trail. Few of the Rebirth series I’ve read seem to be able to do that. They either disregard the legacy altogether, or allow it to become a burden. Granted, it’s a fine line to balance, but very few have pulled it off as effectively as Green Arrow.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12