Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Green Arrow #42

By Koppy McFad
September 19, 2004 - 10:10

This issue showcases some of the best and worst aspects of Winick's writing. He can do moving, powerful dialogue like the exchange between Green Arrow and his new ward, Mia. He can do great characterization-- at least for the main characters. But Winick also succumbs to the temptation of cheap vulgarity and mindless violence. As if four-letter words and bloodshed somehow make his work edgy. This story has Green Arrow going up against a new crimelord called "Brick" who looks and acts like Blockbuster, relocated from the NIGHTWING comic. In a melee with Blockbuster-- I mean, Brick's thugs, Green Arrow resorts to stabbing them with his arrows in a rather uninteresting fashion. Maybe we should rename him "Green Icepick." The plot, involving Brick's consolidating his control over Star City, doesn't really take off. It is the changing relationships within the "Arrow family" that grab the reader's interest, especially since Ollie is starting to act more like a multi-faceted human being and less like a walking political agenda.

Hester and Parks do a decent job in this issue but it appears that even they find the story uninspiring. Maybe they need a change of pace-- or maybe a shot at another book.

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51