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Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters - Book Two: Dragon Hunt

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The death count rises, while Green Arrow and Black Canary continue to probe the crime-ridden streets of Seattle for clues. And there’s another mysterious archer in town, perpetrating their own brand of violence. We learn more about this deadly killer as the investigation leads to the city docks…and to a horrific climax.

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

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About the author

Mike Grell

660 books84 followers
Mike Grell (born 1947) is a comic book writer and artist.

Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. His entry into the comics industry was in 1972, as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip.

In 1973 Grell moved to New York, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. His first assignment at DC was on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, a high-profile assignment for an artist with no prior experience illustrating a monthly comic book. Grell says he got that job because he was walking in the editor's door to ask for work, literally, as the previous artist was walking out the door, having just quit. These stories were written by Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. The Bates/Grell/Shooter run on the title is very well-regarded today by Superboy/Legion fans, who consider it one of the high-water marks in the character/team's history. Grell's work on SATLOSH is widely thought to be some of the best beefcake/cheesecake ever committed to comic book pages, and is affectionately referred to as the 'disco Legion' in retrospect by fans of the title.

A writer as well as artist, Grell cemented his status as a fan-favorite with his best-known creation, The Warlord, one of the first sword and sorcery comics, and reportedly the best-selling title published by DC Comics in the late-1970s.

The character first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov 1975) and was soon given his own ongoing title (The Warlord #1, Jan/Feb 1976). In this book, Air Force pilot Travis Morgan crash-lands in the prehistoric "hidden world" of Skartaris (a setting highly influenced by Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar). For years thereafter, Morgan engages in adventures dressed only in a winged helmet, wristbands, boots, and breechclout, and armed with a sword and (years before Dirty Harry handled one) a .44 Auto Mag.

At DC, Grell also worked on titles such as Aquaman, Batman, and the Phantom Stranger, and with writer Dennis O'Neil on the re-launch of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series in 1976.


[edit] Tarzan
Grell wrote and drew the Tarzan comic strip from July 19, 1981 to February 27, 1983 (except for one strip, February 13, 1983, by Thomas Yeates). These strips were rerun in newspapers in 2004 - 2005.


[edit] First Comics: Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer

Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.Through the 1980s Grell developed creator-owned titles such Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable Freelance was published by the now-defunct First Comics. Starslayer, a space-born science fiction series, started at Pacific Comics, but shifted to First.

The titular character of Jon Sable Freelance was a former Olympic athlete, later a African big-game hunter, who became a mercenary. First appearing with a cover date of June 1983, Jon Sable Freelance was a successful non-super-hero comic book in an era when successful non-super-hero comic books were almost unheard of, and a graphically violent comic sold in mainstream comic book stores in an era when such was as rare. Jon Sable was a precursor to what would eventually be called, by some, "the Dark Age of Comics," when even long-established super-heroes would become increasingly grim and violent.

The character was heavily influenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well as drawing on pulp fiction crime stories. Also, many of the stories of Sable's hunting exploits in Africa were influenced by Peter Hathaway Capstick's novels. At a convention in the late 1980s, Grell stated that his idea for Sable was "something like a cross between James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer."

Sable was adapted into a short-lived television series and the character's origin tale, "A Storm Over Eden," from the comic book, was expanded and novelized by Grell under the title Sable, which was publ

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
660 reviews315 followers
April 30, 2019
"Spend a life time shooting one arrow, make it that one perfect shot and expression of all that you are."

As a middle issue, I must say that it was more than what I was expecting.

I'm liking this better now. The story is starting to get more entangled and all the points are starting to connect in a very satisfactory way.

The art is still a problem for me as I don't particularly care for it, and it's not my specific brand of comic art. It most definitely does not take my breath away.

Still, it became a bit graphic in order to the deaths and that is a factor that adds to it - as I always like when something is dark - though it is not gruesome by any means.

Oliver struggling with his ages and his aspirations as he becomes older are very realistic and easy to sympathize with - even though I'm not old under any standards - I still really like his character.

Dinah, on the other hand, is a character for whom I don't care at all. I understand her reasons for refusing Oliver's proposal and respect it a lot, but there is something in her personality that I can't swallow.

The Robin Hood Assasin - which I will not say the name, because spoilers - is someone that I think we don't know nearly enough about. Her character seems really complicated and with many layers to uncover and we hadn't even reached the tip of the iceberg - at least that's my impression. I wasn't particularly shocked when we learned her name since I knew she would be important in Oliver's life, and I was already thinking of her.

All in all, I think this may turn out better than my original thoughts gave it credit for, and I will, of course, continue with the next one as soon as I can.
Profile Image for Dony Grayman.
7,186 reviews36 followers
May 12, 2024
Tengo la primera impresión, ignoro si hubo segunda pero seguro que sí. También tengo la historia completa incluida en un coleccionable de Salvat. No tiene ISBN pero es un libro con lomo.
Profile Image for Cybernex007.
2,515 reviews9 followers
August 18, 2025
With such a heavy hitting ending, that makes a lot more sense for some of the references and trauma they allude to in the main series that came after this, that was tough to read. As we jump into this issue our “Robin Hood” kills is still making her mark, but now we are starting to get glimpses into her past, specifically her training as her teacher taught her to completely loose herself with ever draw of the bow. The issue jumps between this time, ultimately drilling down to the point that she has transcended everything to become shado, the spiritual essence of the art of kudo (which is a Japanese fighting style). Basically, the archers name is Shado to signify back to her mastery in the art transcending the physical to the spiritual element of shooting the arrow. Crazy intense stuff, and I mention it so quickly so I can keep calling the character by their name. Like I said, we start this issue with Shado on the hunt. The deals these older guys are having are at risk, but they have been able to play it off as just having a “snooper.” But all of this is putting them at risk from loosing their protection while running these shipments. It seems there is one man that is outside of their inner circle threatening them with this, and as he leaves this gives some of the others a chance to talk. Especially about the one who called last night and ended up dead in his car, they specifically claim that the past is coming home. The promised one, Magnor, asks his colleague to pull in the others, but let them think it’s nothing but a snooper to handle, which is why they are bringing in someone called Jankowski. But that’s also the rest of the old bunch, the only other one left is someone they call the preacher. But as soon as Magnor’s colleague leaves and sees off to make the call, Shado put an arrow into him, leaving him to bleed out on his car. This seems like the killing order is very intentional as well.

As we jump over to green arrow, we find that he is cozying up to the local law enforcement and offering his services…and their LT can’t wait until he finishes his “vacation” in Seattle, lol…like this isn’t permanent. But GA has some very valuable services and information to provide, just by looking at the arrow (that he did steal from the crime scene, lol) he is able to tell them that it was used from a lighter bow, most likely intended for a woman but that doesn’t matter as with the proper arrow it still has the capability to kill. Alongside that the eagle feathers are meant to drive out evil, which shows intent in these killings. But then comes the topic of the victims, there is no connection to them! But then the LT points out something interesting, nine of them except one has a past military record. Now, how could a large group of men who were in their 20’s during WW2 not have military service…hmmm. But that’s even better, as the one he did mention with a military record was Budry, the tunnel rat who was really the slasher. GA quickly informs him to drop that connection, as he was a target of opportunity and is not connected to the others. But the LT isn’t so sure, they had another killing that matched the slasher’s work pop up. But that just means there is a copycat! Then this LT says something that really sets Ollie off, as he implies that maybe prostitution being down in the midst of aids isn’t such a bad thing. But you know what’s worse, spending your time chasing a dead killer than a live one! But just then another officer comes in to report the killing down at the docks from the start of the issue, and GA is off to do their jobs.

We jump over to the night life of Seattle where GA decides he is going to start making his mark, one broken finger of a would be mugger at a time as he saves another older couple from harms way. That night he returned home to find that Dinah had left a note mentioning she was going undercover and would be away but is close to unraveling the cocaine ring. Heh…happy birthday to Ollie, now he can’t stop thinking about what Dinah said about not wanting to bring kids into this world only to make them orphans. The next day we see Ollie head down to the docks to investigate only to, pretty intentionally, pass by and check on Dinah and the drug smuggler she has gone undercover with walking into a bar. But his real purpose is to go down and investigate the crime scene, where he even found the spot where the killer stood. As he returns to the Sherwood florist van, he suddenly sees something out of the corner of his eye down an alley where it looked like a figure holding a bow. He jumps into the back and hops out fully changed into his uniform, as he is climbing up the building he fully believed he has started seeing things…until he gets to the top and comes face to face with Shado! Immediately the two draw their bows back at each other. All the while, down in the street a crazed man is “preaching” about the state of the world…huh…the old guys mentioned one of the last guys was named preacher. We at least know who the next target even if GA is trying so hard to deescalate the situation and get Shado to drop their bow. But she looks into his eyes and knows his threats are meaningless…he doesn’t have the eyes of a killer. They launch their arrows at each other with both arrows going to the side of each of them. Ollie quickly drops and rolls on the ground, but Shado is able to send an arrow off during that time down towards the ground, and another special arrow Ollie’s way that snaps his bowstring! Not only does she hit her mark and kill the old man in the street, but she also takes down Ollie as he attempts to use his bow staff as a weapon.

Ollie went home that night after getting up from the pain on that rooftop and took a deep bath. “I wonder if Robin Hood has days like this?” Unfortunately it is about to get a lot worse as Ollie hears on the radio about the drug dealer Dinah was with earlier coming up dead! Ollie immediately jumps out of the barn and runs out to start investigating, he needs to find Dinah! He goes to the bar hes as them enter earlier and immediately goes to the bartender, and gets real close when asking him about the recently deceased and the girl he came in with earlier. He’s not a cop, so he doesn’t have to play by the rules and he wants to know everything. Ollie pulls out the drug filled necklace around the bartenders neck and smashes it on the table! That’s when the bartender spills everything about a spooky old guy named Janowski that the dealer was hanging out with earlier, that’s who the bartender thinks is his connection and he works at the Magnor shipping warehouse. And if you remember back to the start of the issue that is exactly who Magnor got to come in and plug their “snooper.” Oh no. With Ollie hanging around Magnor’s place he was able to overhear Magnor give his report to the guy that holds the cards for his protection, and inform him that their leak has been plugged and Jankowski’s handling the interrogation in the warehouse right now.

As Ollie makes his way over to the warehouse his sneak ability is maxed out as he ducks behind guards and their dogs, even sending them over the dock into the ships below. But Ollie is not alone, he comes around a corner to find a guard dog shot with one of Shado’s arrows and a guard tied up. But then we get a look inside the building at the drug operation and Jankowski’s torture tactics he’s been using against Dinah. It’s horrific and he gets total pleasure out of making people hurt. An absolute monster of a man, and we see as both Shado and Ollie approach and get inside the building. Ollie is horrified as he looks down at Dinah cut up and bleeding from all over while hanging from her wrists on a forklift. Right as this monster starts to make a joke about another one of the goons taking a crack while she still has a face…he suddenly looks down to find a bloody arrow coming out of his chest. Ollie crashes through the above window and goes for the second guy, sending an arrow through his leg, causing him to collapse and shoot at the flammable materials above him…causing them to collapse and light the man on fire. Now it wouldn’t be crazy to assume that Shado was the one to kill that monster, but as Ollie brings Dinah down and begins to carry her away, the man falls flat on the floor to reveal the feathers on the arrow as green. Ollie broke his oath for Dinah, and I don’t blame him in the slightest. Suddenly the chemist from the next room over runs in and starts shooting, only to end up with one of Shado’s arrows through his face. Ollie and Shado share a mutual look before heading their separate ways. They see each other one final time outside as the building explodes and Ollie holds Dinah firmly in his arms, pulling her in close as she apologizes for missing his birthday. AWWWWWW, you got me tearing up so hard over here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jerry Aguirre.
242 reviews
March 14, 2026
Great part 2. Is establishes that arrow and shado might be on the same side. Arrow is working with the police. Shado continues to kill people and we don’t know what the connection is. Arrow is looking for clues when he sees Dinah and some guy. She’s working under cover so he doesn’t want to blow it he climbs up to a roof and finds Shado. They have an intense stare down and they shoot arrows at each other. They both miss, and the Shado knocks out Ollie. Then she kills a dude, maybe on accident. Then it gets dark.

Oliver sees on the news that the guy Dinah was with was found dead with his SKIN peeled off in the dumpster. So he hurries and eventually overhears from the boss that they’re at the warehouse. He goes in and finds her being abused, stabbed, and other things. He goes crazy and kills Janowski. Then he shoots arrows at the rest, not deadly tho. He doesn’t see a guy, and Shado saves him. Then they all exit as the thing blows up.

Crazy! Dinah! Shado and arrow now have the same mission: kill and take these foos down!!!!!

What an AWESOME SERIES!
Profile Image for Devin Wilson.
649 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2023
Eh. Too much blandly tough posturing, and Green Arrow... like... basically murders two dogs for no reason? Some pretty misogynistic-feeling imagery, too. Pretty disappointing after the first book kinda grabbed me.
Profile Image for Bridgettearlee.
58 reviews
April 15, 2016
Just so well done

This story is short and intense and continues the visually interesting layouts that made book 1 so unique. The shape and placement of the panels are purposeful and really contribute to the flow of the storytelling. I love the colors, the penciling, the layout, nothing here feels like just an illustration of text but of truly visual storytelling.

The content is for an older audience. So while there is drama and a complicated romantic relationship, it feels like adults talking to adults here.
Profile Image for Michael Jacoby.
48 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2015
I love the artwork of this series. Read them they are short and entering.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews