Green Arrow may have been redefined more than any single superhero in comic book history. Oliver Queen was originally introduced as an archeologist, adventurer, and expert on Native American cultures and hunting techniques. The Silver Age turned him into a carbon copy of Batman, a billionaire playboy with trick arrows in place of a utility belt. The Bronze Age reimagined him as a modern-day Robin Hood, fighting corrupt authority figures. The Dark Age developed him into a longbow-wielding hunter, stalking the predators of the urban jungle. Every series since then has moved between these extremes, with the new DC All-In Green Arrow series offering a shift towards grounded, true-crime tales.
Written by Chris Condon, with art by Montos, Green Arrow #18 finds Oliver Queen getting back to basics. Operating out of a tiny apartment in Star City, he’s separating himself from his family and the superhero community at large after the events of Absolute Power. His focus is back on protecting the common man, which typically means tracking down petty robbers. However, Ollie soon turns his attention to a strange series of murders.
Somebody is apparently targeting former executives of Horton Chemicals, a local firm with a shady past, which Oliver Queen briefly managed. Green Arrow goes on the hunt for the killer. However, it soon becomes apparent that there is more to the case than is obvious even to Ollie.
Green Arrow #18 brings Oliver Queen back to Earth.
Condon’s script draws deeply on the history of the Emerald Archer, particularly his first solo miniseries from 1983. In terms of tone, however, the issue most closely resembles the Longbow Hunters era of Mike Grell. This is a slow-boiling mystery, which finds Oliver Queen having to rely on his tracking and detective skills more than his quick draw. It is also decidedly political, with Oliver Queen speaking truth to power.
The artwork of Montos also evokes memories of the Dark Age Green Arrow comics. The style here is detailed and photorealistic with light linework. Despite this, the general aesthetic of the book tends towards darkness. This is due to the colors of Adriano Lucas, which favor deeper shades that contrast with the light source hues. Flashlights and television sets shift the tones subtly, setting up shadows that further define the finished art. There are also subtle shifts in the coloration to denote the flashbacks.
As a long-time Oliver Queen fan, I think the new direction is on-target. Those hoping to see more of Team Arrow or Black Canary after the previous run may be disappointed in Green Arrow #18. However, Noir fans who enjoy two-fisted tales of a lone wolf roaming the mean streets will love it.
Grade: 9/10
Green Arrow #18 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
