Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Green Arrow # 31

By Koppy McFad
October 26, 2003 - 10:43

This issue finally gives us a martial arts showdown between super-assassin Drakon and Green Arrow' son Connor. Winick and Hester give us a fight that lives up to the hype while confounding expectations. The snappy dialogue and the pacing as well as the clever use of each character's abilities make this confrontation stand out from the usual superhero slugfests.

At the same time that he gives us one of the best fights in years, Winick also gives us one of the most infuriating endings in years. Once again, a fan-favourite character is misused just for some cheap "dramatic" ending. The big surprise about the villain's motives sound forced, as if the writer felt he had to wrap things up and add some "relevant" touches to boot. And in the end, it isn't even Green Arrow who brings the baddie to "justice." Makes you wonder why he had to be the hero of this story in the first place.

Hester's thick, heavy art gives this book a serious, noirish tone which almost makes one overlook this issue's defects. But if this book wants to become more than just a series of exciting action sequences, then Winick's plots are going to need some serious sharpening.

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51