Green Arrow #9 is written by Joshua Williamson and published by DC. Artwork is by Sean Izaakse and colours are by Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letters are by Troy Peteri. Main cover art (left) is by Sean Izaakse and Fajardo Jr.
Green Arrow #8 is available now, in print and on digital, where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
BEAST WORLD FALL OUT! After months of searching, the Emerald Archer has found Amanda Waller at her new hideout. Oliver Queen has his sights set on taking her out and demands answers for why she messed with his family, but what does Ollie do when Amanda Waller offers him the deal of a lifetime?
Review
This is a moment in Dawn of DC history. This is the moment that Green Arrow goes from a good book to a great one. As Joshua Williamson’s story intersects with the fallout of Titans: Beast World it becomes shocking, compelling and even more vital to DC’s ongoing storytelling.
Rather than picking up directly where we left off last month, Green Arrow #9 starts out with some well placed narration from the Emerald Archer. Ollie laments the history of the Justice League and their connection to the people of Earth-1. With the events of Beast World and the disbanding of the League that connection has been lost. Trust has been eroded and in its place, Amanda Waller has taken control of the Hall of Justice alongside Peacemaker and her goons.
Williamson splits this month’s issue between Ollie and Waller in order to properly setup the current status quo. It’s a dialogue-heavy issue but that happens to be something which Williamson is rather good at. It’s clear that Waller is revelling in her successes so far. Williamson portrays her with a conviction to the cause which is undoubtedly unwavering. She’s exactly how a Waller who’s getting her own way would be and it’s fun to read her as more of a moustache twirling villain. Her straight-man approach is balanced well by the more comedic portrayal of Peacemaker. Following his own TV series, Peacemaker could easily be written perfectly in the mould of that John Cena portrayal. But Williamson avoids that trap, instead finding a successful balance between the James Gunn-style humour and something more dangerous.
In drops Ollie, hellbent on finding Roy and now convinced that he is being forced to work for Waller against his will. Having spent plenty of time in the Hall of Justice he knows his way around and is quickly able to get the upper hand on some of Waller’s men. It adds a level of action and versatility to an otherwise very stationary, but pivotal, issue. With Peacemaker and Peacewrecker quickly getting the upper hand it allows the book to get down to the serious business of putting Ollie and Waller in the same room to thrash out their issues.
These are two very strong characters both with unwavering conviction to their cause. Ollie isn’t willing to budge on what he thinks Waller has done to Roy. Meanwhile she isn’t willing to budge on her stance about superpowers after her experiences on Earth-3. So the two are really only left to speak AT each other rather than TO each other. Spitting out exposition but in amongst plenty of revelations which stop the book from becoming a chore to read.
Of course that point is also backed up by having Sean Izaakse back in charge of the artwork this month. Green Arrow #9 looks fantastic. Even in very still moments there’s plenty to digest between facial expressions and fine detail. As always, Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s colours are also an excellent strength which makes the book more dynamic.
Verdict
Green Arrow #9 is a scintillating issue putting Oliver Queen at the centre of events across the DC Universe.
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