I’ve been numbering my entries, picking up where I left off with the 2,021 COMIC BOOK QUARANTINE ODYSSEY. I’m curious to see how long it takes me to read that many comics. I want the results to be realistic so I’m not going to binge read unless I happen to be in the mood. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t end up reading some comics, so we’ll see how long this takes. The journey began with the 1,000 Comics Challenge on approximately March 15, 2020.
#451-453 GREEN ARROW Volume 7 #2, 4, 5 (DC, 2016) The beginnings of Green Arrow in the DC Rebirth era starts with Queen Industries being ripped away from Oliver Queen through the CEO’s sabotage, his going bankrupt, left for dead in an underwater grave. Eventually washed ashore and revived, he returns penniless but still Green Arrow.
I was able to piece enough together of the five-issue first story arc to follow along. The new creative team of Benjamin Percy and Otto Schmidt does a neat job of setting things up for future issues. With the help of Diggle and Black Canary, Green Arrow takes down the criminal Ninth Circle and the burned-out zombie-like minions holed up in a floating fortress called The Inferno. After the ship blows up, Oliver finds himself washed ashore on yet another island. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#454, 455, 456 GREEN ARROW #6, 7, 20 (DC, 2016-2017) The family tree of Oliver Queen has an abundance of branches. The assassin Shado was once married to Oliver’s father, making her daughter Emiko his half-sister.
During the first story arc, Emiko first betrayed her brother Ollie by acting as a mole for The Ninth Circle. Then, she betrayed her mother Shado by helping set-up the downfall of that hellish criminal cabal. Rather than be subjected to harsh punishment by her mother, it’s revealed that Shado was also acting as a double agent, working for the Yakuza as an insider to help them infiltrate and take over the Ninth Circle’s finances. So, now Shado has failed to honor her debt to the Yakuza and faces punishment. Emiko enters a battle ring in order to free her mother from lifelong servitude to them.
It’s mostly Emiko and Shado’s story in Issues #6 and #7 except for the flashback scenes that show Ollie training and then working with Emiko.The scenes with her conflicts with The Clock King make a neat side-plot.
Issue #8 apparently returns to that island of scars where Ollie washed up in Issue #5. But I don’t have any more issues until #20, so I totally missed it. I have a feeling I might have enjoyed it as much as these two issues. Issue #20 is the wrap-up of the return of Roy Harper/Arsenal and working with GA against Vertigo. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
These three issues are part of the Rise Of Star City story arc, and I like this even more than the second half of Kevin Smith’s Quiver. There is plenty of action, lots of drama, high stakes, and thoughtful soul-searching and decision making by Oliver Queen.
Seattle is being devastated by a shock event creating chaos, fatal accidents at the airport, explosions, fires, the Space Needle collapses - - and behind it all is the Ninth Circle. They employ The Four Horsemen to fan the flames of panic. Ollie learns that ley lines intersect the city, with Queen Industries at the center, his father was a member of the Circle and his family’s involvement in this going way, way back. Broderick, the manipulative CEO of the Queen Industries takeover is involved, as is the corrupt mayor of Seattle.
My favorite dialogue is the scene where a news reporter interviews the mayor. His words are prophetic, ringing true to today’s issues.
Reporter Victoria Much ask Mayor Domini this: “Online, there’s a lot of heated buzz about your response to the current crisis. Instead of reassuring people, you’re blaming the previous administration and, some say, fear-mongering.” He says he’s telling it like it is. They go back and forth. She comments: “Forgive me, but . . . you seem to be focusing more on how these terror events strengthen and embolden you, rather than laying out a clear response.” He retorts: “What are you implying?” She says: “The subtext seems to be that . . . this is the best thing that ever happened to you?” His angry response: “This interview’s over, okay? I’m so sick of this media bias.”
The final issue of this story marks a determined statement by Green Arrow and a definite change in Oliver Queen’s role, sending a ray of hope and optimism. Here’s hoping that’s prophetic as well. This story is worth seeking out. FIVE STARS.
Issues #27, 28 and 30 are part of the Hard-Traveling Hero storyline, where Green Arrow begins his quest across the country to bring down the many branches of the Ninth Circle - - the “hellish cabal, a black bank and lending institution that funds super-criminal activity.” Issue #27 takes place in D.C., then moves to Metropolis and Gotham.
I sense that Percy is concerned with the current state of political affairs and is incorporating some of his frustrations into this title. It’s not preachy, it’s relevant and done in a manner that serves to enhance the story here. I’m enjoying it. In Issue #28, GA travels to Metropolis, as he suspects that Lex Luthor is doing business with the Ninth Circle. He turns out to be wrong, as Lex makes a move that averts a tragedy and actually works alongside Superman and Ollie. I really enjoyed the way that Percy portrayed Luthor as someone who serves his own purposes, but straddles the line between helpful and harmful.
Issue #33 begins the Trail Of Two Cities, where Oliver Queen is set to begin a murder trial. While in an equally interesting side plot with Black Canary and Emi (Red Arrow) infiltrating the underground fortress of the zombified Burned (minions of the Ninth Circle) who deal in human trafficking and rescue Wendy (same person GA is accused of killing) from the Auctioneer. In a bit of irony, the release of Wendy is being kept secret in order to protect her - - so the trial will apparently continue. Moira Queen, apparently Oliver’s mother who he believes dead, has been working for the Ninth Circle. But she and Queen Industries CEO have recently disappointed them. Oh oh. That marks the end of my bargain collection of Green Arrow. I’m feeling I should have paid some attention to this title, especially Benjamin Percy’s run. Oh well. Can’t follow them all. FOUR STARS.
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