We added Green Arrow to our pull list thanks to Smallville’s depiction of Oliver Queen as a literal modern-day Robin Hood and less Errol Flynn-ish.  When we learned that DC’s reboot had The Emerald Archer trading in his cap and van dyke for his hood and goggles we thought the powers that be were attempting to capitalize on Smallville’s success, thus making this comic a sure bet.

The mutton chops on the cover should have been our first clue to run.

This is our brief critique.

[Spoiler Alert]

What can we say about Green Arrow #1 that won’t make our mothers cry?  It’s $2.99, so that’s reasonable.  It’s colorful, which is always nice.  Oh!  Reading it is better than removing a tattoo with an X-Acto knife. 

Ummm… that’s about it.

To cut to the chase, neither the artwork nor storyline impressed us as the comic had an overall look and feel of a 1990s mag.  The protagonist was about as intriguing as dry toast, the antagonists were seemingly pulled from the cheese bin of a Shop ‘n Save, the dialogue wasn’t witty or engaging, the sidekicks forgettable and the seduction to buy Green Arrow #2 was nil.

Here are some pics from the comic to help illustrate our point.

Why does a million dollar arrow need antennae when free cell phones don’t?

Dual word balloons?  Is this necessary?

Does Green Arrow somehow gain super strength when blocking attacks from no-neck behemoths with his bow?  Is he even blocking this attack, because it looks like the opposing fist is about to land on his leg!

Green Arrow’s knockout punch lights up the night with a J.J. Abrams lens flare.


And if the artwork wasn’t bad enough, audiences had to read lines like…


Green Arrow: You’re right.  I have a lot of toys.  But I don’t play games.

Dynamix:  I’m stronger than ten of you.  I get my hands on that bow, I’ll wrap it around your stupid neck!

Green Arrow:  Why don’t you all just sign up for a reality show.  It’d be a much easier way to get the attention you wannabes obviously crave.


This last line eluded to Oliver Queen’s motives throughout the entire plot: to chastise the enemy into shame and regret for their misdeeds.  After reading Green Arrow #1 we can’t help but wonder if Ollie was actually addressing us.