Absolute Green Arrow #1 Is Worth All the Hype (Review)

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I’m completely blown away by what DC is doing with their Absolute editions! It feels like they’ve become a force unlike anything we’ve seen in comics, and honestly, they’re leaving Marvel in the dust. For the first time in ages, DC is consistently putting out some of the most incredible comics I’ve ever read. The Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Absolute Superman – they’ve all been phenomenal, bringing these iconic heroes to life in completely new ways. It’s like they have unstoppable momentum; just when you think things might cool off, they come back even stronger. Seeing Absolute Green Arrow finally arrive after waiting so long was a real treat, and it was absolutely worth the wait!

Before this book, readers met – and lost – Absolute Oliver Queen in Absolute Evil #1. Now, DC presents a fresh take on Green Arrow with Absolute Green Arrow #1, a collaboration between Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque. Advertised as a horror comic, this first issue truly delivers on that promise, blending realistic elements with thrilling action.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Pichetshote hits the bullseye, using real world issues to create an amazing new Green Arrow
Albuquerque brings his usual excellence to the story, capturing the emotion and the bloody action perfectly
Absolute DC strikes again, facing its mirror at the 1% and using ideas ripped from the headlines to inform this amazing issue

Absolute Green Arrow Is an Absolute Thrill Ride

I’ve been so excited for this book ever since I heard about it! What really grabbed me about The Absolute Universe is how it portrays a world completely dominated by Darkseid – a place where evil always triumphs. But it’s not just grimdark for the sake of it; the creators have grounded it in a scary reality. Phillip Kennedy Johnson really takes that idea and runs with it, basing the story on the actual wrongdoings of the ultra-rich. This version of Green Arrow is going after the powerful people who think they can get away with anything, and honestly, reading this in 2026 feels incredibly… fitting. There’s a real sense of karmic justice at play that’s just powerful.

When Absolute Black Canary was announced, all eyes were on her, and thankfully, she delivers as the central character. We see Dinah Lance working as a bodyguard, desperately trying to cover her father’s medical bills, and she’s a genuinely compelling protagonist. The mystery surrounding Green Arrow is important, but smartly kept in the background. Honestly, making Dinah the focus was brilliant. Pichetshote really nails her as a relatable character – someone working incredibly hard just to get by while everything else feels like it’s falling apart. This book has a real mood, and it’s just flawlessly executed. Pichetshote expertly blends horror with a strong sense of social awareness, and it feels like DC’s answer to titles like The Ultimates – establishing a really compelling world and doing it exceptionally well.

Albuquerque’s Art Hits the Target

Rafael Albuquerque first gained recognition for his work on American Vampire, so it’s exciting to see him return to DC’s horror comics. While he recently worked on Superman Unlimited, his artistic style is an even better fit for this series. This comic blends intense violence with deeply emotional stories, and it requires an artist who can handle both effectively – Albuquerque is perfect for the job. He collaborates seamlessly with colorist Marcelo Maiolo; Albuquerque’s detailed pencils create a strong foundation, and Maiolo’s colors perfectly capture the mood of each scene.

There’s a particular scene in this book that really stuck with me. After Black Canary rejects Hector Hammond’s job offer, he does something truly awful – I won’t give it away – and does it with a disturbing level of enjoyment, just casually flexing his power over her. The artists, Albuquerque and Maiolo, nail the sheer monstrousness of the moment. Later, during Green Arrow’s second confrontation, the art team delivers a perfect payoff, a moment of satisfying schadenfreude that writer Pichetshote expertly built towards. Honestly, this story needed art like this, and that’s saying something.

Absolute Green Arrow #1 truly showcases the potential of the Absolute format. It garnered over a million dollars and 300,000 pre-orders based on excitement alone, and it absolutely earns that level of support. While I often enjoy each new Absolute release, this one feels special – a strong contender for a permanent spot among my all-time favorites. I love comics that deliver a beautifully crafted story with meaningful connections to both the fictional world and our own reality.

Absolute Green Arrow #1 is on sale now.

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2026-05-20 16:10