Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, dc, denny o'neil, entertainment, George Papp, green arrow, Mort Weisinger, neal adams, oliver queen
75 Years Of The Emerald Archer
It's been 75 years since Mort Weisinger and George Papp saw the publication of their More Fun Comics #73 (Nov 1941). It was the first time readers got to see billionaire businessman Oliver Queen done the Robin Hood inspired costume of the Green Arrow. Weisinger drew inspiration from more than just Robin Hood, there are elements that are very similar Batman as well as elements from The Green Archer, a movie serial based on a novel by Edgar Wallace.
The character has a moderate level of success in the early years, becoming the cover character for More Fun Comics and appearing in other series including joining the Justice League of America. But it wasn't until 1969 when the Emerald Archer was placed in the creative hands of Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams and teamed with the Green Lantern that the character grew into prominence, having his fortune stripped away and turning him into a crusader for the common man.
Runs by the likes of Mike Grell, Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer and Phil Hester along with live-action appearances first on Smallville and then on his own series Arrow have elevated the character to being one of DC's most popular.
The below video by DC shows Oliver Queen over the seven and a half decades and just how long he's had that goatee.