Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Cover: Howard Porter
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
Sometimes when you try something new, there is that risk that it might not be what you wanted it to be, and I think for some DC readers the relaunch of GREEN ARROW it was like that. I did not fall into that camp but I will admit there did not seem to a be a connection to the character when I was reading the issues. While some of the concepts for this younger Green Arrow has potential, the execution left some to be desired. It felt like a title putting out its 300th issue, not the first arc.
That is why I embraced the arrival of a new creative team, hoping that they would be able to take what worked and take it that extra mile it needed to bring excitement and fun to the title. And with the very first issue, GREEN ARROW #7, I had the most fun reading this story than any other book this week.
The incoming writer for the series is Ann Nocenti, a long-time comic creator, former Marvel editor and even co-created the Marvel character, Longshot. Coming on to handle the art is Harvey Tolibao, who has run the comic company gauntlet in his time as artist having gone from drawing STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC for Dark Horse to THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN for Marvel just to name a few.
Immediately any reader can jump onto the series with just this issue, as you get the basics right out front. Oliver Queen is a young billionaire owner of a Seattle tech company by day, and a reckless vigilante hero by all the other time of day. He delegates most of his responsibilities for the company to his two trusted associates, so much so that it draws the ire of Emerson, the man appointed to run the company until Oliver is "ready".
What was so fun about the episode was Green Arrow's interaction with Skylark, a set of dangerous triplets that have more in store for him than even Oliver imagines. Between their first meeting, to them trying to illustrate ways they can improve Green Arrow's arsenal or the fun they have on his jet, and finally when things take that inevitable turn once they have Oliver where they want him, in just one issue there are these characters that I immediately want to see more of in this world of Green Arrow.
The art Harvey Tolibao puts on the pages has a much more fluid, static feel to it than what the title was getting before. I am reminded of issues of Justice Society of America last year but this is much more polished and fitting for the new youthful vibe to the character.
I am optimistic. I always thought Green Arrow before the DC 52 relaunch had so much baggage that he had almost become a caricature of himself, he was so predictable. Now with this fresh slate, I like the ambitiousness in relating his wealth towards current technologies and opening him up to a world with new characters in Seattle. Giving that level of grey where Oliver might make mistakes but you will not know until he does. I will be reading and I hope you will be too.
Look to buy the GREEN ARROW #7 digital comic on Comixology for $1.99
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