When something in a story works, it shouldn’t be a surprise when creators do the same in another one.
I started Green Arrow with BIG expectations. I like the character a lot for his cruel sense of humor, the way he acts, and the way he fights. Green Arrow is someone I can identify with on some base level, so I was pretty disappointed when it comes to this issue.
The story moves along pretty well and it managed to entertain a great deal and had solid pacing. It’s not an action filled or a psychological mess as so many other books have been of late, but this story is a more personal one, full of feelings and emotions that Oliver Queen has been dealing with.
Writer Benjamin Percy was doing a great job getting things started, but in only a couple of pages things really went off the rails. I want so bad to tell you what happened (no spoilers), but I feel this is an incomplete review without spilling the beans. A spoiler may ruin the story for you (and Green Arrow fans), so I’ll keep quiet on this.
On the other hand Otto Schmidt did a great with a consistent job with the art and coloring. While night, he used a good mix between black and cold tones that genuinely made me feel the cold, night air in every panel. Those same tones are almost alive and have their own heartbeat when you look at the first daylight scene.
Do you remember that old cartoon Samurai Jack? If you add some heavy black lines you would have something very similar to this comic, despite the fact I know there is a big difference between western comics and Japanese manga / anime.
The cover has an old-school style that seems like something that is becoming a trend nowadays. It looks like a sci-fi kind of story with very classical beats, but it suits this issue somehow; comics are strange, as I’ve said many times before.
But it’s the alternative cover that I really prefer over the stock one. It’s the traditional image of Green Arrow posing and showing one of his best qualities: a dark-sensed smiled while shooting as many arrows as possible. Both covers have their strengths so collectors will be happy snagging both.
I have faith in Benjamin Percy, despite the fact that this is the first comic written by him that I have read. It wouldn’t be the first time that a inconsistent starting point continues and develops into something better, and Green Arrow is the kind of story that could do this.
Green Arrow #1 has potential, but most will probably want to wait to see how this develops. This issue is recommended for Green Arrow fans only, people that really know the character’s background even though this is a Rebirth… Shit, there’s some good material inside for those needed their Aroow fix.
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