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For over seven decades, I’ve been captivated by the archery-skilled crusader known as Green Arrow. Debuting during the Golden Age of Comics, he was designed as a fusion between Batman and Robin Hood, complete with a sidekick and an underground lair called the Arrowcave. As the Golden Age progressed, Green Arrow seemed to vanish, only to reemerge in the Silver Age, solidifying his status among DC’s cherished heroes.

Throughout the years, Green Arrow has experienced both triumphs and setbacks; he was even pronounced dead during the ’90s when DC Comics was obsessed with revamping their icons, replaced by his previously unseen son Connor Hawke. Yet, the Emerald Archer remains a vital figure in the expansive DC Multiverse, playing pivotal roles in many of DC’s most celebrated events. In my opinion, Green Arrow is nothing short of legendary.

For a variety of compelling reasons, Green Arrow has endured throughout the years and graced us with extraordinary narratives. Although other DC characters may boast a more illustrious history of exceptional stories, Green Ararrow, the skilled archer vigilante, certainly has his own captivating tales worth noting. Here are some outstanding Green Arrow stories that serve as a testament to why fans adore Oliver Queen so much.

7) “Crawling Through the Wreckage”

The “Infinite Crisis” significantly shaped the direction of the DC Universe. It paved the way for the revival of the DC Multiverse and reintroduced concepts from the Silver and Bronze eras. Following “Infinite Crisis”, a time leap called “One Year Later” occurred, with all comics set a year after the event. This sparked excitement for the weekly series “52”, and established fresh situations for DC’s top heroes. Green Arrow received a compelling narrative to start his post-“One Year Later” journey – “Crawling Through the Wreckage”, written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Scott McDaniel. During that year, Oliver Queen was elected as the mayor of Star City. Deathstroke, seeking revenge for being blinded by Green Arrow in “Identity Crisis”, targeted Queen, prompting the hero to devise strategies to outsmart Deathstroke. “Crawling Through the Wreckage” is a standout story that showcases new dimensions of Green Arrow. Although it’s often overlooked, it holds an important place among the greatest Green Arrow tales ever told.

6) “Sounds of Violence”

The 2000s represented a golden era for comic enthusiasts, as the industry was on a rebuilding spree following the challenges of the ’90s. This period saw the emergence of numerous talented creators who produced exceptional comics. Among other developments, DC had some unexpected twists for its fans, including the return of Oliver Queen, whose death in Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #100 was followed by his son Connor Hawke taking up the mantle. The popularity of Connor’s Green Arrow tenure made Ollie’s return a surprise to many. Filmmaker Kevin Smith and artist Phil Hester collaborated to bring Ollie back (more details later), with “Sounds of Violence” being one of their stories. In this narrative, Green Arrow confronted a brand-new villain, Onomatopoeia, who communicated through sound effects. This silent adversary targeted Queen and his family, injuring Connor Hawke, making Ollie’s fight against him deeply personal. Smith and Hester made an impressive team; while Smith is known for his sometimes juvenile humor, he also excels in portraying emotions, which is evident throughout the story. Hester’s Green Arrow artwork is exceptional, characterized by its stylized and fluid quality, while Onomatopoeia’s design is spot-on. “Sounds of Violence” encapsulates the best of Green Arrow.

5) “Quiver”

In a past era, Kevin Smith sought something beyond the ordinary for his subsequent comics venture. Having established himself narrating tales within his View Askewniverse at Oni Press, then collaborating with Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti on Marvel’s Daredevil, which achieved best-seller status, Smith yearned for a genuine test of skill. This ambition led him to take on the Green Arrow project. Smith and artist Phil Hester were assigned to this book, launching with the ten-issue storyline titled “Quiver”.

In “Quiver”, it’s revealed that Hal Jordan, prior to giving his life to rekindle the sun in Final Night, had resurrected Oliver Queen. However, without his soul. Upon his return to Star City, Oliver Queen became a mark for a long-forgotten DC character, who desired to seize Oliver’s body for himself and provided him with a new sidekick. “Quiver” may be edgy due to its early 2000s origin, a time that produced some of the most daring comics, and because it was penned by Kevin Smith, who was renowned for testing boundaries in his work. Yet, this doesn’t diminish the remarkable quality of the story.

Smith and Hester craft an unforgettable Green Arrow comic that any fan will appreciate.

4) “Night Olympics”

Alan Moore, often regarded as the greatest comic book author in history, initially made his mark in the UK before gaining recognition in the US through his groundbreaking work on ‘Saga of the Swamp Thing’, which revolutionized comics. His popularity soared, leading him to write numerous DC characters beyond just Superman, Batman, and Swamp Thing. One lesser-known but exceptional piece is a two-part Green Arrow story titled “Night Olympics”, illustrated by Klaus Janson. This story was published as a supplement in ‘Detective Comics’ #550-551. In this tale, Green Arrow and Black Canary are pursued by Pete Lomax, who sought to prove his archery skills surpassed those of Green Arrow. The short narrative is a thrilling game of cat and mouse between the two characters. For years, this Moore masterpiece was overlooked, seldom mentioned when fans discussed Green Arrow or Alan Moore. However, it found new life in ‘DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore’, a compilation that included both well-known and lesser-known stories. This collection introduced a new generation to its charms, rekindling interest in this underrated gem. Moore and Janson’s collaboration is truly remarkable, leaving fans wishing they had worked together more often, given the quality of “Night Olympics”.

3) Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters

After a long hiatus from his solo series, Green Arrow found himself in a new universe following the events of “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” This transformation of the DC Multiverse into the DC Universe breathed fresh life into many characters, and Green Arrow was no exception. Writer/artist Mike Grell reintroduced Green Arrow with the three-issue series titled “Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters.” This comeback saw Ollie as a more mature vigilante and established a new status quo for him. Familiar Green Arrow themes, such as Ollie’s proposal to Black Canary, his costume change, and his struggle to live up to his heroic image, were present in the story. It also introduced the influential character of Shado into the Green Arrow mythology. Taking advantage of the mature readers comic revolution, “Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters” presented a more violent Green Arrow that fit well with Grell’s interpretation of the character. This legendary DC story skillfully blended nostalgic elements and new ideas to restore Green Arrow’s prominence in the post-“Crisis” DC Universe.

2) “The Archer’s Quest”

Brad Meltzer, a well-known novelist, attended college with Judd Winick, who gained fame as a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World” Season Three and a comic writer. Winick paved the way for Meltzer at DC Comics, and Meltzer’s debut title was the highly successful “Green Arrow” in the 2000s. The storyline by Smith/Hester was widely popular, with many readers purchasing it from their local comic shops. Meltzer, being a big fan of Green Arrow, collaborated with Hester on the acclaimed “The Archer’s Quest.” In this tale, Ollie, the Green Arrow, embarks on a journey with his former sidekick Roy Harper, encountering significant artifacts from Queen’s past as a superhero and battling various villains like Catman and Solomon Grundy. “The Archer’s Quest” is a remarkable blend of thrilling superhero action and emotional depth, leaving readers both entertained and moved by Ollie’s motivations for his journey, as well as the poignant truth that unfolds along the way. This story is truly unique and will continue to captivate fans long after they’ve read it.

1) Green Lantern/Green Arrow

In the realm of comic book history, Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams are two towering figures often referred to as legends. O’Neil, with a unique blend of maturity and emotion in his creations, was an exceptional talent at DC Comics during the Silver and Bronze Ages. Unlike many writers of his time, he didn’t patronize his readers but provided them with stories that evolved alongside their personal growth. On the other hand, Neal Adams is hailed as one of the greatest comic artists ever – a title few can claim equally with Jack Kirby. His work has significantly influenced numerous artists who followed him.

The duo collaborated on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, breathing new life into characters that were relatively unpopular in 1970. Their collaboration resulted in stories considered among the best in comic book history. These stories tackled real-world issues such as racism and drug addiction, while still delivering the superhero action that was scarce elsewhere.

DC Comics has kept this series in print for many decades now, ensuring its accessibility to readers. It’s widely acknowledged as the finest Green Arrow comic ever published.

2025-05-31 16:14