Snow falls on Seattle as its mayoral race heats up with a rash of murders that implicate a deadly archer. As a city wonders what's become of its Emerald Archer, Green Arrow and Black Canary race to rule out their prime suspect: Emiko Queen.
DC Universe: Rebirth continues with this fresh take on Green Arrow from horror novelist Benjamin Percy!
Benjamin Percy is the author of seven novels -- most recently The Sky Vault (William Morrow) -- three short fiction collections, and a book of essays, Thrill Me, that is widely taught in creative writing classrooms. He writes Wolverine, X-Force, and Ghost Rider for Marvel Comics. His fiction and nonfiction have been published in Esquire (where he is a contributing editor), GQ, Time, Men's Journal, Outside, the Wall Street Journal, Tin House, and the Paris Review. His honors include an NEA fellowship, the Whiting Writer's Award, the Plimpton Prize, two Pushcart Prizes, the iHeart Radio Award for Best Scripted Podcast, and inclusion in Best American Short Stories and Best American Comics.
"Are you kidding? He's a normal dude - no powers - who fights for the disenfranchised. He's the greatest hero out there!" -- Comic Con cosplayer dressed like Green Arrow
"Incorrect. Batman is. Green Arrow is a second-rate Batman." -- Comic Con cosplayer attired as Batman
"Batman is mean, and has, like, a conservative ideology. That is totally at odds with Arrow's SJW big-heartedness." -- 'Green Arrow,' again
"I loathe SJWs. Also, Batman would win in a fight. Just sayin'." -- 'Batman,' in firm rebuttal
That pointedly humor-laced conversation early on in the story, in addition to some big damn action scenes throughout, were pretty much the only things I liked about this volume. The graphic violence and several cold-blooded murder sequences, as well as corrupt political or powerful figures making life miserable for the title character, made this book rather downbeat and a chore to finish. Not even a supporting appearance by Black Canary - who unforgivably commits a couple of felonious assaults on innocent folks to advance the plot help her boyfriend - could help salvage Emerald Outlaw.
I do find it funny there a whole hate groups on Youtube hating Marvel for talking politics but never raise their voices on DC doing the same thing in Green Arrow (and action comics, batgirl, aquaman, and much more) ANYHOW...
Ollie is the protector of his city. So when he sees a cop use his power the wrong we he brings a stop to that. Soon after the police stations catch wind and it stirs up a lot of talk of "who's right" and "who's wrong" kind of like the society we live in today. Then another Archer comes into the fold and betrayals, twist and turns, and death soon consumes Green Arrow's life once more. This guy just can't catch a break huh?
Good: I love talking social issues. It blows my mind sometimes of the way people view the world but I'm always eager to hear their view even if I disagree. So seeing a full issue highlight a lot of real world problems but not just settle on "well this is wrong" but more of "this is how they view it" and not feel heavy handed is nice. I really love the art here too, it's always so stylish and clean. Also Emi returns, sorry for spoilers, but I love this girl! Also that ending was...wow!
Bad: I didn't love the way they made a certain villain in here. He felt kind of lame compared to how they've done him in the past.
Overall this was super fast paced fun action adventure story with political side of things (which Green Arrow usually is, calm down people) and really just a joy to read. It helps the art is fantastic too. Can't wait for volume 4!
So as a new candidate goes to campaign for being mayor, we see them work with the ninth circle and well Ollie has to stop them only to find that someone else has been comitting murder with an arrow and so the fault lies on him and thus we have him on the run and trying to evade the accusations and all while on the hunt for this killer only to find its the dark archer, Merlyn and its an epic face-off between two arch-foes and I love the way this whole thing plays out, the way they battle and all and we get the return of Emmie too and its awesome and a great twist in the end and the big story with the Ninth Circle continues!
Great volume and I love the focus on supporting characters as well as the ones who make him GA and the renewed focus on Merlyn is great and I love the twist and at the same time the art just gets better with every issue and its a delight to look at! A definite recommend from me!
** received ARC copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
4.5 stars.
So, this is probably my third favorite Rebirth series after Super Sons and Detective Comics. I am in love with this version of Oliver Queen and that’s particularly amazing to me because my only real introduction to this character is his brief appearances in Young Justice and that terrible version of him in CW’s Arrow. I get why he may be off putting to some people: Benjamin Percy set out to make Oliver an unapologetic Social Justice Worker and he ran with it. However, that’s precisely what I appreciate about him. There’s even a scene here where he takes down a violent police officer and I don’t have to explain how relevant that is to today’s time. Oliver wants to help everyone, he stays in his lane and he listens to the people he’s trying to protect and that makes him a fantastic hero! It also makes him incredibly attractive to me but that’s not the point.
This picks up where the last one left off: Oliver’s company has been taken over by corrupt business men and he’s fled Seattle to try to fix it. He’s building a treehouse in the woods with Diggle and Dinah. These scenes are pretty cute as they talk about what to do next and Ollie worries over Emi. As this is happening, the public is questioning whether Green Arrow is someone they should praise or arrest. Then, green arrows are found in several of these people discussing Ollie’s work. It’s a frame up and Ollie has to find out whodunit.
As a plot, this has been done before in some capacity in Batman and I’m sure it’s been done to other heroes. It’s still interesting, though. Ollie and Dinah try to investigate who’s trying to frame him and avoid the police at the same time. There’s a lot of emphasis placed on Ollie’s name in this book. He’s “technically” dead to the public with the family biz in the wrong hands so his real name is tarnished. He’s being framed for several murders so Green Arrow is tarnished. He’s just trying to clear his name, both of them and that’s an okay theme for this book.
Emi doesn’t really show up for a while which is a shame because I really like that character. I feel like she only works with Ollie for like two issues in this series. Still, I love her relationship with Oliver. She saves his butt quite a few times in this series.
The conclusion to the frame up plot is pretty satisfactory. Probably the most satisfactory out of the last 2 arcs, in my opinion. This ends on a cliffhanger for the next arc and I’m really excited for it!
I’ve been really loving this series, so far! The art is wonderful, Ollie is a fantastic character and I adore Emi! I’m still iffy on Rebirth Dinah but she’s growing on me, I guess.
The verdict is still out on Green Arrow with the public. Then someone starts killing people with green arrows. So Ollie has to catch the real killer. While this is going on, there's also a group called Vice Squad who is going around murdering criminals.
The Good: Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreya make this book look fantastic. Better than it's looked in years. Ollie is returning to his bleeding liberal origins.
The Bad: The story isn't bad, but it's very predictable. I knew exactly where everything was headed as soon as it was introduced.
The Ugly: It's bad enough I have to hear about Trump daily in the news. I don't need Trump-lite running for mayor of Seattle as well.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I always impressed with Otto Schmidt's artwork. The story also has relevance to the current political circumstances in the United States. Green Arrow goes head-to-head with a squad of brutal cops who believe that criminals need to be eliminated. As these cops attack a prison, one inmate makes a really good point--he's in jail for selling marijuana, but now selling it is legal. There are probably a lot of people who fall through the cracks like that who are still being punished for things that other people are allowed to do. Also, there is a mayoral candidate who is suspiciously Trump-like that clashes with Green Arrow. It's nice to see Green Arrow embracing his "liberal agenda." Keep it up!
Benjamin Percy wons the award of the shittiest writer I've read in years and probably ever.
First, he's as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Even I, who would naturally lean towards his view, get sick of seeing them so heavily handed without an ounce of subtlety whatsoever.
Second, he just can't tell a story. The pacing is off, the characters are caricatures, the situations are beyond improbable, and the concept of suspension of disbelief is apparently totally unknown to him. The already thin plot he starts with is undermined by everything he writes around it.
Third, he contemptuously mocks his readership. After the stupid tricks of last volume he pulled another one here: at some point Oliver runs faster than an arrow. Not simply jump in front an arrow. No, friend, no. That would be suspension of disbelief. No. Oliver actually outran a fucking arrow and overtook it before jumping in front of it. What. The. Fuck??
Percy shouldn't have the right to write so shitty stories. Shame on him and the sad excuse of an editor who gave him the green light.
The only thing to salvage from from this pile of junk is that Otto Schmidt illustrates most of it. Juan Ferreyra and a bunch of illustrious guys I've never heard of do 2 issues but I can't care less.
[Read as single issues] You've probably read this story before - Green Arrow gets framed for murder because someone else decided to use arrows to kill people. It's happened in the TV show, and in previous Green Arrow storylines, so that's not new. Neither is the ultimate villain, since that one's telegraphed from the beginning too. The real draw for this story is the relationship between Green Arrow and Seattle, as he interacts with the police force, the reporters, and even the bigwigs at Queen Industries too. This volume doesn't feel very important on its own, but it lays the groundwork for the upcoming Rise Of Star City storyline, which wouldn't have worked out the same way without the events of this story.
For the faults of the story, the artwork can barely be faulted. Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra, who have already proven themselves stellar artists, pencil the majority with an issue by Eleanora Carlini, whose art doesn't really fit, but she pops back up for the Roy Harper story in the next volume to much better effect.
Bit of a dip, but still good fun. Stick this one out so you can get to the next arc, which is much better.
World: Otto is back as artist yeah! I love the framing and the colors it's just gorgeous. Also the characters are so great with the emotions. The world building is good. This us more grounded than the fun crazy arc we just had. It's more Seattle based and it's more ground level which I love. The pieces are all placed will for a solid foundation for the story to take place in. Good stuff.
Story: Fantastic! It was paced well, full of heart and just plain fun. The characters were solid and made the reader care for the cause. It is slightly preachy but that fits the SJW character that Percy is doing with Ollie and I like it. He feels different from other DC heroes and that's a great thing. The villain was fantastic and the emotions...that hospital scene, that monologue, nearly brought me to tears. It's fun, there are consequences. It's a bit seesawy with the public perception but I like it. Wow that end was good.
Characters: Ollie is great, he's very straightforward and it allows him to anchor the book. I like how he is in this book. Much more street and also much more interesting. It also allows for Dinah to shine and be so much more. I said Ollie anchors the book, but it's Dinah that anchors him. She's just so good, that shower scene shows everything about her. Emiko comes into her own and Diggle is solid. I don't want to say so much. Percy is just great with characters. The villains the chief. Just enjoy it.
This series is fantastic and I wish the TV series was like this.
I liked this and am enjoying where the story is going with Green Arrow. I do have to admit, though, that I much preferred the New 52 Green Arrow to this one. This volume especially turns the story into more of a political thriller/mystery than a superhero one. Queen Industries has been taken over and there are nefarious things going on while the plot is beset with corrupt politicians and bad cops. If you've ever read DC then you know they wear their liberal pov on their sleeve, but this volume was steeped in so much liberal agenda that I found myself rolling my eyes many times. I don't like to mix politics into my reviews but when the book itself is doing so I can't not mention it. Throughout the whole book, the reader is being "taught" that conservatism equals careless and bad, while liberalism equals revolutionary and good. There is only so much of that I can wade through in a comic and they crossed the line here as to be disrespectful of a good portion of their readers. What I do like about this story and especially in this volume is the relationship between Oliver and Black Canary. Just the right amount of time is spent on their being a couple without interfering with their superhero duties. Mixed feeling about this volume but I'll keep reading as Green Arrow has been one of my faves.
Up to this point, Green Arrow has been one of my favorite of the Rebirth titles. This is by no means a huge letdown, it's just predictable. A superhero getting framed for horrible crimes has happened so many times that I've seen it used as a joke in other books, and this version isn't appreciably different. The execution is decent, it's just that I've read this story so many times that it needed something special to really keep my interest. And the fact that this volume starts with Ollie being framed, has him getting cleared in the middle, and ends with him getting framed again in the exact same way by the exact same character... It just didn't do it for me.
In this volume, the series picked up a bit. The story is more streamlined focusing on Seattle and the various powers at play there. This read more like the type of stories I think fit Green Arrow best, a street level type story. There's some true emotion here with the loss of some characters as well. The best volume of the Rebirth series so far.
Green Arrow Vol. 3 Emerald Outlaw collects issues 12-17 of the DC Comics series written by Benjanin Percy with art by Otto Schmidt.
The Vice Squad, a group of vigilante police officers, has taken it upon themselves to take out the scum of Seattle. Meanwhile, someone is killing Seattle citizens with arrows trying to frame Green Arrow for the murders.
Finally Green Arrow is really getting back to its liberal hero roots. I really feel this is when Green Arrow is at is best. The story was pretty predictable but I'm liking where the series is heading. Otto Schmidt is really hitting his stride with the art with great looks for Green Arrow and Black Canary.
Ollie becomes an outlaw.. again.. but seriously... on a whole new level... Great story - loved it from beginning till "end" .. can't wait to go read the next part..
Benjamin Percy & Otto Schmidt are building towards something truly epic as the Green Arrow Rebirth series continues to be one of the most surprising success stories for the DC Comics line. Oliver Queen is really being put through the ringer as he tries to protect Seattle from the corrupt forces and deadly actions of the Ninth Circle. Things only get more complicated as in this volume we find a murderous group of cops have gone rouge and are on a killing spree taking out criminals and anyone they feel are a drag on society. And then there is a mysterious archer who is killing people who are critics of the Green Arrow's actions. Green Arrow just can't get a break. Lucky for Ollie he has some truly loyal friends which includes John Diggle, Black Canary and Ollie's kid sister, Emi, aka Red Arrow. Percy has taken the best things about Lemire's run thrown in a little of the CW show and old school Green Arrow comic storytelling for a truly unique superhero experience. Longtime fans will find some familiar story beats here but Percy builds a new world with new villains & a straight from the headlines feel to the book. I really like the unique style of Schmidt's artwork. But the colors are the real star of this series. I mean the colors make the book feel cinematic and fit well with the emotion that Percy is trying to convey. I can not wait to see where Percy is going to take the story next.
'Green Arrow, Volume 3: Emerald Outlaw' by Benjamin Percy collects Green Arrow 13-17. Oliver still has no money, but he's still got his makeshift family.
There is a mayoral race in Seattle and one of the candidates wants to ban the Green Arrow. There is a rogue vigilante group called the Vice Squad, and they just want to rid the city of its useless elements. There is also a mysterious archer setting Green Arrow up to turn the city against him. Green Arrow and Black Canary seem to have their hands full this time around.
I live near Seattle and I love how Oliver's Seattle seems so much like mine. There are a lot of familiar landmarks. There are also similar problems. I also like this version of the Green Arrow. He has lost his fortune, but that has seemed to free him up. I like this story with it's politics and set ups. The surprises weren't overly surprising, but the story and the art kept me turning pages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Basic plot: Green Arrow is back in Seattle and dealing with his trashed reputation, ex-cops who want to clean up the city, and someone who's been shooting important people with green arrows.
There are a lot of parallels with the mayoral race of Seattle in these books with the presidential race in the US. It can't be an accident with such an unabashedly political character as Green Arrow. He is one of my favorite characters and his politics are one of the reasons for that. Ollie Queen is still believed to be dead in this arc, and he's setting up camp in the woods with Canary and company. There are some lovely moments of peace, but Arrow is tortured by his current situation. There's a lot of pathos in this arc. This was really the first very solid arc in the GA: Rebirth series, and I'm looking forward to what else is to come.
It's good to have Ollie back in Seattle, and it's good to get a more substantive story. Merlyn makes a good enemy, and offers a rather surprising ending. I also enjoy the set of characters (a "family') that Percy is developing.
But Percy's writing continues to be sooo uneven. The biggest problem here is that we have the plot being artificially pushed along rather than it depending on our characters. So Ollie suddenly becomes an outlaw due to Merlyn's attack, and we have to bite our tongues over any disbelief on how folks are behaving.
It also feels like the main plot of everything being taken from Ollie is going way too slow, just barely touched upon here and there.
No surprises here, but at least it's consistent. Green Arrow is the only vigilante I've seen who actually self-identifies as an "SJW." So it makes sense that some of his enemies are caricatures of conservative assholes. Why anyone would think it's a bad or weak position to be a warrior of social justice is mind-boggling to me, but in this day and age, that acronym is usually used as a pejorative. A true SJW is nothing like the typical neo-liberal democrat common in recent years. Ollie's principled love for the police is one of the main things holding him back and preventing him from more accurately representing a fighter for the disfranchised.
Still really enjoying this series and fantastic art from Juan Ferreyra again - but the story itself is very generic and I've seen it a million times before.
Really, really liked the story, but the art was all over the place. Some was fantastic, others, really not my liking. But solid story. This seems to be the most evenly good Rebirth run overall. Good job Green Arrow team.
Bur nothing new here. Actually, it's a old formula, but still works. Great artwork, nice characters, Black Canary is still awesome, so, it's a Rebirth title that i will continue to follow.
This story was really just the second act of a bigger over arching story. In act one, they steal Green Arrow's fortune and in act two they steal his reputation. The problem is, we don't read comic books to watch the hero lose. We get enough of that in real life.
I am usually not a fan of Green Arrow comics, never really liked the artwork but this once I decided to give a chance. Ok, guilty! The cover was gorgeous so I wanted to read it!! I know, I know…
Well, to begin this review, you have to know that this volume has a political feeling tackling some serious themes. We start this volume learning about Green Arrow’s situation is peaceful but he will have to pick his bow and intervene in order to quiet the part of him which craves justice.
This comic has the cutest introduction possible for Green Arrow. The design starts with a set design of a forest, green colors everywhere, in every shade. The set leaves a very Tarzan and Jane feeling who live in a cute little treehouse. I loved it! I thought that this choice reflected a strong identity vibe from Green Arrow. He knows who he is, and the set is here to remind us that green or emerald, well it has to be associated with him in every way possible! That’s when all hell broke loose!! Starting from Oliver Queen’s backstory, the reader knows his link and passion for his city. Oliver and Dinah are comfortable in their tree-home in the forest, the romance is introduced into the writing in a cute way to identify who says what. Dinah and Oliver are adorable like that. However, as you can guess, nothing goes happily ever after, peace and quiet in the jungle for so long… So that’s why the couple needs to jump right in and have to deal with themes we actually see nowadays on TV. Important themes: police brutality, problem between divergence of opinions, there’s no longer an agree to disagree saying, the people in this fictional world have a hard time to think in grey, they see it as black and /or white, resulting in a division of the population of the city. This volume highlights the problem of division and even more of police brutality with the case of Sergeant Notting. The artwork is sharper there, with a specific color choice for every character. The creators chose to design artworks with specific shot choices. The same goes for the color choices, on numerous scenes with no apparition of the Green Arrow, they are toned down. The grids are following a scheme of intent of colors. You can feel it directly right by the change of style. Indeed, the lines are rounder for the body posture and character’s face, the writing is more aggressive.The page layouts look like it is paintbrushes and it stands out from how the creators combine the panels. The actions are reproducing some slow motion to highlight the plan of our famous couple. The set design manages to reproduce the effect of a fog, like a nightmare. Green Arrow arrives in the middle of trouble, so everything is foggy, messy. The point is achieved with success by the artists!
The artists convey the perfect tone and the reader directly knows that something major, bad and/or dangerous is going to happen or is happening in the panels. You go from bright and pop colors for Team Arrow to dark, darkish blue, brown and warm orange, like soothing flames practicing a lullaby for a future outlaw or illegal activity. A clear example of color play is the scene of police brutality which was contrasted with dark colors, directly after the green world, a bubble of happiness we saw Green Arrow living in. The contrast is surprising.
The plot has some good twists, hella good even!!! Especially in part five. The story challenges Oliver Queen with new trouble and guess who has decided to be the troublemaker? The League of Assassin’s! Attention seeker as always! You got to leave this specific character to have a theatrical, full grid entrance!
The WTF minute: Honestly, I don’t know about you guys but I had a small problem with the hair color of our dear Dinah and Oliver. They are identical in some page, very Lannister!
Another one would be the déjà vu plot. The famous I have been framed, someone took my arrows, I promise it’s not me who killed, then I have to clean my name story, all over again.
What I liked the most: ⁃ The splashes are delightful. ⁃ Part 2, the cover. It is gorgeous, all the lines are creating a rushing movement, like you can hear the wind! ⁃ Smart dialogues and the jokes! And the puns which are good. ⁃ The ART, the ART, and the ART!!! The artists created sharp lines to reflect rush and speed (movements, and body gesture). Some scenes make the art looks like it’s straight out from a movie with car chasing to the program. ⁃ Dinah and Oliver are one cute couple! ⁃ The design for the characters’ faces is just as I like. They have a nice edge, more soft but also more expressive to display emotions. ⁃ The captions to distinguish Green Arrow from Black Canary are sooooo cute! They are adorable and have this romantic dialogue going on, so sweet.
A word on the cover: Wonderful!!! love the effect with the glass shattering. the colors are sweet what a contrast with Oliver’s expression.