Title: Green Arrow.
Volume: 1.
Writer(s): Benjamin Percy.
Illustrator(s): Otto Schmidt, Juan Ferreyra & Stephen Byrne.
Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Hardcover – Deluxe Edition.
Release Date: October 23rd 2018.
Pages: 304.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781401284701.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
As part of the DC Universe Rebirth, Benjamin Percy teams up with Otto Schmidt, Juan Ferreyra and Stephen Byrne to deliver the first Green Arrow adventures. Collecting Green Arrow Rebirth #1 and Green Arrow #1-11, this hardcover contains both The Death and Life of Oliver Queen and the Island of Scars story arcs. In what might be one of the most entertaining beginnings for a hero within the Rebirth era, the Emerald Archer finds himself forced into abandoning one of his identities to save the other, but throughout this conflict, he is not alone. What he doesn’t however know is that betrayal is the flavour of the month and things aren’t looking too good for him when he finally runs into an underground organization whose up to no good.
The second story arc simply builds upon the plot initially introduced and continues to drive forward with the feet glued on the accelerator. Split in three different perspectives, each part takes the time to develop on key characters while always having the main plot in mind. What truly shines from this collection is the introduction of Green Arrow’s allies. Right from the start, Black Canary makes an appearance and clearly indicates Benjamin Percy’s intention to immortalize and build on her spicy relationship with Oliver Queen. A half-sister whose background couldn’t be more complex is also presented and offers fans the opportunity to indulge a stubborn brat whose just trying to find her place in this world. Diggle also makes an appearance and looks to remain for the long run in Green Lantern’s shenanigans.
While there is an overarching plot that is omnipresent throughout the collection, it remains that the story sometimes escapes its grip to dive into some events from the past in order to give readers an idea of the trials that some of the characters have had to face and survive. Even if it sometimes felt off-rail, it always kept an active and rapid pace to never lose the readers attention, and also succeeds in being relevant through the presentation of some lower-tier villains within Green Arrow’s realm. However, I’ll be honest and state that the story in itself and the villains aren’t the best things ever thought out out there. It’s the execution that made everything endurable and enjoyable, especially thanks to Benjamin Percy’s writing that helped convey each character’s main traits in a clear voice. With Green Arrow usually always being undermined and left aside in Justice League business, it’s simply nice to get a better idea of what he’s really about: a loudmouth who thinks with his heart and later with his brain.
The artwork also merits an applause, especially for Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra’s stylish designs. With what looks like a variant of watercolour, there’s a touch of sharpness that helps give life to the drawings, but also an attention to details that help identify the emotions flying around. The high-level of adrenaline that comes with the hand-to-hand combat, as well as the arrow-slinging action sequences is also clear and pretty thanks to their unique artistic take. Only Stephen Byrne’s artwork felt odd and that’s because it was a completely different style that was much thicker in colours, much more digital in essence and a bit more reminiscent of cartoons. While not bad at all, it didn’t help in the grander scheme, especially as his work is right in the middle of the collection and kicks off the second story arc.
Green Arrow knows a fantastic and fun debut in his Rebirth run and indicates a lot of promise for the upcoming story arcs.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
I think this is one of DC’s character that I am the most familiar with because of well of course the Arrow tv series. (Which is another one that I am shamefully behind with watching lol) While it is very unlikely I will ever read this, I’m glad that despite a few small thing you have seemed to enjoy this one for the most part. The art looks great, and you definitely described Arrow’s character in a very good way a loudmouth who thinks with his heart, and later with his brain lol😂 Great post!
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Hahahah yes! Arrow has helped launch a wonderful and fun (at least some) universe on TV. I do have to mention that his character on TV stole a lot of Batman’s lore/character instead of sticking to Green Arrow’s true colours. You’d get a better idea of what I mean by checking out animated shows/movies or comics with Green Arrow in it. 😀 He has a particular personality that no other hero really embodies hahah Thanks for reading, Michel! 😀
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I will definitely take up your advice on that: thanks for letting me know 😊
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This is another character I’m intrigued about, but haven’t spent the time to get to know.
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Fun character with great banter and friends to hang around with! 🙂
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Love the ‘second chance’ quote!
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Definitely a nice theme explored in this volume! 😀
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Great thoughts Lashaan, have to be honest I was put off reading this due to seeing some previews of what must have been Byrne’s cartoonish art style but glad to hear Percy’s writing is top-notch (he wrote the scripted ‘Wolverine: The Long Night’ podcast, well worth a listen).
I’m more of a fan of some of the older Green Arrow stuff, have you read any of Mike Grell’s run from the late 80s? I think you’d REALLY like it as it’s aimed at mature readers and deals with a lot of adult themes – the tone is not too dissimilar to Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing actually (minus the Gothic horror element). It begins with ‘The Longbow Hunters’ mini series and the rest of the run begins with Volume 1 – “Hunters Moon”. If it was adapted for tv it would be a lot more like the Netflix Marvel shows than Arrow.
Andy Diggle/Jock’s “Year One” is certainly one of the best stories of more recent years (and obviously influence Arrow) – I reviewed it a few years ago.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if it was that because it was a really random art style to suddenly change to. I’ve heard about that podcast though but I have yet to understand how that works or if it’s in continuity with anything really… Is it like some kind of audiobook type of story?
I didn’t even take a minute to explore what older titles exists with the character, although I do recognize the costume and style. I’ll definitely have to look into more now that I got a recc’ from you for it! The only other Green Arrow story I own right now is in fact Year One hahah I actually got it thanks to you. I believe your review is what made me even get my hands on it. I looked up your post and I’m laughing at how wayyyyy back we go. 😮 Almost three years ago! Good stuff. 😀
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Wow that’s awesome my friend, we do indeed go way back and long may our interactions continue! I’m humbled my review lead to you picking Year One up, I really do think you would love Mike Grell’s run, although it would be a bit of an investment as it’s currently nine volumes but well worth it as the content is VERY good.
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I’ll still keep an eye out for it. If I can find a way to get my hands on it, I’ll definitely try. Anything you give respect to is good in my books.
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P.S. The Wolverine podcast is a full cast audio drama in ten 30 minute episodes.
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Speaking of that podcast, I just saw in my feed 2 minutes ago that there’s a comic book adaptation in the works for it with Benjamin Percy and Marcio Takara on it! 😮 Sounds like something you’d be curious to pick up at some point.
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Yeah, I heard about that think I’ll give it a look when it comes out. I’ve got 4 episodes of the Long Night to listen to, pretty good – not groundbreaking but a good night time listen!
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I can’t even remember if I’ve read the older Green Arrow material. I did love the comic books when I was yay big . . . or small . . .
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This might be my first real attempt to read anything where he’s the main character too. Otherwise I only watch his TV series, and see him around randomly in other stories (like in some Justice League stories).
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