Posted in: Comics, DC Comics | Tagged: Benjamin Percy, black canary, dc comics, emiko, green arrow, jamal campbell, oliver queen, rebirth, red arrow

Green Arrow #33 Review: Green Arrow Is Back In Seattle

Green Arrow is back in Seattle and ready to make things right in his hometown. First on that list is making up with Black Canary with the aid of Emiko, who has a new Red Arrow costume.

The Ninth Circle is turning on Broderick and Moira Queen, who is apparently alive by the way. The two must decide their next move, and it may not be done together.

Elsewhere, Shado is visited by an old associate with a new proposition.

All the while, the trial of Oliver Queen is under way, and public opinion is not in his favor.

I can't stop being impressed and amused with how nakedly this book wears its political opinions. When an angry police officer calls Green Arrow an "SJW," I can't help but grin. I deeply appreciate its proud liberalism.

But, beyond that, this is actually one of the stronger issues of Green Arrow in some time, or at least since is team up with Wonder Woman during "Hard-Traveling Hero."

It slows down to take stock of everything Green Arrow and Seattle have been through, it sets up some interesting plots in the comic issues, and it has decent character moments, particularly between Green Arrow and Black Canary. They've always made a good couple, and this comic reminds me why that is.

Emiko is really growing on me as a character. She's charming, and it's fun watching her get under Ollie's skin.

Moira Queen will be an interesting baddie to stand in Ollie's way. He thinks she's dead, and she seems especially sinister. Given all the things Oliver has learned about the Queen family in recent issues, Moira may be one of the worst people he's dealt with yet.

Green Arrow has dealt a lot with the issue of human-trafficking, even if it's only on the end of an arrow. It's attempted to really dig into the physical and emotional toll, but this issue may be its best attempt at that yet.

Emiko and Oliver's lawyer visit Wendy Poole, the woman whom Oliver was accused of killing. It's a rough scene; Wendy is curled up, panicking constantly, and not speaking or eating. All the while her father holds her while crying. It's an extremely sad and effective scene and even more so when you remember how real and terrible an issue this is.

It also handles the old "so why didn't the villain kill her argument." The Ninth Circle didn't kill Wendy because they didn't consider her a person. They looked at her as a product to be sold. She was literally more profitable to them alive than dead.

Jamal Campbell handles the art on this issue, and it looks really good. It's stylized and full of personality. Characters are very expressive, and the action is very fluid. The one problem is how bloodless the fights are, considering this is a comic where the hero shoots pointy things into people. There should be at least some indication of blood loss. However, beyond this problem, the art and coloring are both stellar.

Green Arrow #33 moves the saga of the Emerald Archer into its next stage, and it looks to be just as challenging as ever. This issue has sweet moments, heartache, and great action sequences. This is a great comic, and it's a good time to jump on with the new arc starting here. Give it a read.

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