Green Arrow #50 is available now where all good comics are sold!
Synopsis
Spinning out of the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE and HEROES IN CRISIS! When a black ops organization discovers Green Arrow’s long-held secret-a mysterious weapon in the form of a box, given to him by the Justice League-they’ll deploy their top undercover agent: Black Canary! On opposite sides of this festering secret, Green Arrow and Black Canary will clash as only two lovers can-by aiming straight for the heart! A mystery six months in the making, the box that can destroy the Justice League will be opened…and the Emerald Archer’s world will be forever changed. This extra-sized anniversary issue of Green Arrow’s life isn’t just ending…it’s burning to the ground!
Review
It’s always with mixed emotions that a comic book series comes to an end. I first started reading Green Arrow back during the New 52 era of DC Comics and I’ve followed him ever since.
This Rebirth era has been one of my go-to books every time it is released. At times I’ve even rushed to this book ahead of my all time favourites, yes even Batman.
So upon hearing that his Rebirth series was coming to an end I couldn’t help but feel the character was being done a disservice. Although it remains to be seen where he will go from here I can’t help but leave issue #50 with a sense of achievement as well as a sense of grief.
Writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing really backed Oliver in to a corner. By the time this issue picks up he has nowhere to run. With Dinah on his tail and under orders to take him out there’s a definite sense of impending doom to the story.
Most importantly this issue isn’t played for spectacle only. Despite some heavy action sequences and a fair amount of travel this episode still puts the emotional impact on its characters at the forefront.
There’s plenty of room for Dinah to feel torn over her duty to apprehend Oliver. Likewise there’s time for them to ruminate on the state of their relationship before they are utterly torn apart.
If you look at the cover for this issue (below) then it perfectly encapsulates the turmoil that Oliver Queen is facing. Without Roy and without Dinah just who is Oliver Queen? And who is the Green Arrow?
It all culminates in an emotional moment with Oliver alone in the woods before he disappears in to the dreary night… for now.
The artwork is equally devoid of bright colours. The cover once again reflects much of the look inside the book. Set mostly at night there’s little hope and little light portrayed in the artwork.
It all adds to a thoroughly emotional goodbye to the Rebirth era Green Arrow.
Verdict
Though I’m sad to see Green Arrow come to an end Kelly and Lanzing have crafted an excellent final issue. The story is figuratively and literally explosive and certainly brings closure to this chapter of Oliver Queen’s story. It will be interesting to see where the character will turn up next.
8/10
Green Arrow #50 is written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Pencils and inks are by Javier Fernandez with colouring provided by John Kalisz. Cover art comes from Kevin Nowlan.
