REVIEW: Green Arrow #50
Well, this has been a tough week for fans of the Emerald Archer. First, the final issue of the “Rebirth” era hits the rack and the next day, it is announced that the hit TV show Arrow’s next season, truncated much like this run, will be it’s last.
In this final, double-sized and more expensive issue, Oliver is indeed a popular guy. Having been entrusted with a certain box, the “powers that want to be” have decided that they want the box, and it’s power, back. In order to get it, they enlist the help of none other than Black Canary. So this issue is set to be a fight of the ages and the love birds clash.
Writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, who were reportedly scheduled to be on this book for a while have had the rug pulled from under them, and in all honesty it shows. When news hit that that this book was getting cancelled the rumour mill went bananas with ideas that Oliver and Dinah would either be celebrating a pregnancy, a marriage or a spilt up. In the end, we get neither; nothing; nada. In fact, this issue underscores how little hay DC have made from one of their characters who has more airtime than Batman and Superman put together. In place of anything happening, we get pages of Canary and Oliver debating what should happen, before Oliver slinks of into night. Dialogue wise, this feels heavy handed when compared to the lightness of Ben Percy’s earlier issues.
The art is supplied by Javi Fernandez whose work doesn’t really bring the best out of Black Canary. The Green Arrow panels are full of a decent amount of action and movement. The problem is then, that as this isn’t just an action book; there is the emotional aspects of this pair. Unfortunately, this aspect of the art falls into a house style that lacks any of the charm inherent in the character, with blank detail-less faces. It is a shame as Fernandez can certainly capture the vigilante element of Green Arrow. Maybe the panel structure could’ve helped, is it appears that Fernandez is trying to utilize smaller panels on the page which gives the impression of trying to squeeze as much story into this final issue. John Kalisz provides an excellent color scheme; you can practically feel the world close in on Oliver. Andworld Design are on letters and do their usual fantastic job.
Recently I have criticised Marvel for the number of times books like Captain Marvel have gone through a restart, failed then restarted again. This phenomenon isn’t just a Marvel trend; Green Arrow is certainly on the same list. Additionally, for such a popular character, this is the second book within a year featuring Black Canary that has been cancelled, not counting her own pre-Rebirth book. Maybe these types of characters, Green Arrow included, work better as ancillary characters, characters that can bounce of others. Hopefully this isn’t the last the we see of Ollie and Dinah, but for their books to work the pair need top tier creators.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 2.5 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing
Art by; Javi Fernandez
Colors by; John Kalisz
Letters by; Andworld Design
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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