Green Arrow #1

Cover by Dave Wilkins

Green Arrow #1 (September 7, 2011)

Writer: J.T. Krul

Penciller: Dan Jurgens

Colorist: David Baron

Letterer: Rob Leigh

Inker: George Perez

I knew something was going to be off about this comic book simply by looking at the cover. Why does Ollie Queen look Wolverine’s collar-popping obnoxious brother? I know goatees are dated now but come on, I am not feeling this frat boy look.

Okay, on to the actual comic itself. This wasn’t a bad introductory issue for Green Arrow, it just felt like Krul was trying to establish as much characterization as possible in as short a time as possible. I know the New 52 was created out of desire to draw in new comic book readers but I felt that Krul sacrificed having a solid and exciting storyline in order to achieve this. I was disappointed especially because I so love Ollie Queen.

Green Arrow #15: Endgame

Cover by R.B. Silva

Green Arrow #15: Endgame (August 24, 2011)

Writer: James Patrick

Penciller: Agustin Padilla

Letterer: Rob Leigh

Colorist: Michael Atiyeh

It truly pains me to say this but after genuinely loving this Green Arrow story arc, I was incredibly disappointed by the concluding issue. I don’t know what happened, but each consecutive issue I read seemed weaker and weaker than the previous one. Maybe I was just lucky to catch an extremely strong issue with #13 but it was a flash in the pan sort of thing. I would like to imagine that that is not normally the case: that comic book arcs can stay consistently well written and illustrated, especially when the same team is working on each new issue. But maybe, mediocrity really just is the norm.

No, I refuse to believe that! I believe in the comic book industry and the value of contemporary issues. Just not this particular one.

Green Arrow #14: Manhunt

Cover by Joshua Middleton

Green Arrow #14: Manhunt (July 27, 2011)

Writer: James Patrick

Penciller: Agustin Padilla

Letterer: Rob Leigh

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

I’ve been really looking forward to this issue as I so enjoyed the previous one. I was terribly curious to see what happened next after being thoroughly impressed with Patrick’s solid storytelling and characterization of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow as a deeply conflicted and complicated man. It was also in this arc that I was introduced to Federal Marshall Haley Donovan, a female character I was completely rooting for and loved.

So I was very excited to pick up Green Arrow #14 and quickly devoured it. When I was  finished, I felt… basically nothing. While this was still a better than average single issue, it was definitely weaker than the fabulous lead-in by #13. In fact, the entire plot seemed to go nowhere and just sort of seemed like a waste of time for Queen and the reader.

Green Arrow #13: Projectiles

Cover by Josh Middleton

Green Arrow #13: Projectiles

Writer: James Patrick

Penciller: Agustin Podilla

Letterer: Rob Leigh

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

The Green Arrow is one of those characters that I really liked watching in Justice League Unlimited; Ollie Queen was one of my favorite aspects about that show. Due to that, I never sought out Green Arrow comics because I assumed they would not be as much fun or dynamic as the Green Arrow of JLU.

That was wrong of me.

I am so glad I picked up Green Arrow #13. Though this depiction of Queen was very different from the good-hearted trickster smartass of JLU, Patrick still gave the reader a very engaging Green Arrow, one that I really care about and also am so excited to see where he goes in the next issue.