By the standards of modern weapons, the humble bow and arrow is rather low-tech. Despite this, the technology has still been refined, with stronger shafts of aluminum and carbon largely replacing wooden arrows. Yet, DC’s Green Arrow still makes a point of keeping some wooden arrows in his quiver.
The reason why was revealed in Batman/Santa Claus – Silent Knight #2 by Jeff Parker, Michele Bandini, and Trevor Hairsine. The first issue of the series revealed that Santa was one of Bruce Wayne’s teachers, when Batman traveled the world training. It was also revealed that Santa devoted his life to hunting monsters, when he was not delivering toys to good children.
Santa came to Gotham City, tracking a horde of Draug; the bat-like vampires of Norse myth. Batman put out a call for aid to his allies, and Green Arrow answered. Of all the assembled heroes, it was Oliver Queen who proved best suited to fighting the Draug.
Wooden arrows are the perfect anti-vampire weapon
The rules for slaying vampires vary from setting to setting. In most mythologies, however, a wooden shaft to the heart can incapacitate a vampire, even if it will not kill them outright. This makes a bow an ideal weapon for fighting vampires from a distance. Green Arrow specifically noted that he was glad he didn’t replace all his wooden shafts with sturdier metal ones upon returning to civilization, having grown used to wooden arrows on the island where here was shipwrecked.
Teamed with Black Canary, Green Arrow was particularly effective against the bat-like Draug. The Canary Cry threw off the Draug’s radar, helping Oliver Queen make the perfect shots needed to put them down. There is, however, still the question of whether Green Arrow has enough wooden arrows to last the night.
Batman/Santa Claus – Silent Knight #2 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
