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Green Arrow (2011)
Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Midas Touch
Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Midas Touch (The New 52) by J.T. Krul(2012-06-05)
Unknown Binding
Published June 5, 2012
32 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jurgens
2,231 books288 followersDan Jurgens is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for his work on the DC comic book storyline "The Death of Superman" and for creating characters such as Doomsday, Hank Henshaw, and Booster Gold. Jurgens had a lengthy run on the Superman comic books including The Adventures of Superman, Superman vol. 2 and Action Comics. At Marvel, Jurgens worked on series such as Captain America, The Sensational Spider-Man and was the writer on Thor for six years. He also had a brief run as writer and artist on Solar for Valiant Comics in 1995.
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February 7, 2015
So Green Arrow is not the best thing to come out of the New 52, but it's not the worst thing, either.
It lives in the Land of Meh.
As other people (Sam) have pointed out, the Billionaire Playboy/Costumed Avenger thing has already been done. And, let's face it, done better. In a world where Iron Man and Batman reign supreme, Dan Jurgens is going to have to work hard to carve out a niche for Oliver Queen.
Did he manage to do it in The Midas Touch?
Ehhhh. Not so much.
I will say that Jurgens tried to make him cooler, and there were a few things that I really liked about this new Green Arrow. Unfortunately, they were mostly cosmetic changes.
The retarded goatee? Gone, and replaced by stubble.
The goofy Robin Hood hat? Gone, and just...gone, thankfully.
Beyond that, however, there's still a lot of room for improvement.
For starters, I'd like to see GA fight a villain that wasn't totally lame.
Reality TV Killers?
Are you serious, Mr. Jurgens?
As much as I think reality tv will be the downfall of modern civilization, I don't think the idea worked well in this story. The villains came off more like punks, and less like a threat to be taken seriously.
Midas (the toxic swamp dude), was just pathetic. Really. You felt sorry for the poor guy. Not sure what we're supposed to think about his ninja/cyborg girlfriend, but I'm assuming the story will unfold a bit more in the coming issues.
As a side note, I was somewhat annoyed by the abrupt outfit change when they switched artists toward the end. On the last page of one issue GA is facing off with Ninja Rose (or whatever her name was), and their costumes were one way. In the next page (new issue, and artist), the look of the costumes were different. I understand what happened, but since the scene flowed between two issues, it was jarring. Not to mention, Oliver Queen went from a handsome young man, to a slightly older dude that looked like his nose had been broken in too many bar fights. The petite ninja chick suddenly looked like a stocky bodybuilder, and Naomi (Queen's own personal Oracle) was transformed from a tech-geek in a vest, to a chick who painted her clothing on. I was not a fan of the new look.
I'm not giving up on Green Arrow or Jurgens, but there are definitely some things that can be improved on in this comic.
Here's hoping Volume 2 will be better!
It lives in the Land of Meh.
As other people (Sam) have pointed out, the Billionaire Playboy/Costumed Avenger thing has already been done. And, let's face it, done better. In a world where Iron Man and Batman reign supreme, Dan Jurgens is going to have to work hard to carve out a niche for Oliver Queen.
Did he manage to do it in The Midas Touch?
Ehhhh. Not so much.
I will say that Jurgens tried to make him cooler, and there were a few things that I really liked about this new Green Arrow. Unfortunately, they were mostly cosmetic changes.
The retarded goatee? Gone, and replaced by stubble.
The goofy Robin Hood hat? Gone, and just...gone, thankfully.
Beyond that, however, there's still a lot of room for improvement.
For starters, I'd like to see GA fight a villain that wasn't totally lame.
Reality TV Killers?
Are you serious, Mr. Jurgens?
As much as I think reality tv will be the downfall of modern civilization, I don't think the idea worked well in this story. The villains came off more like punks, and less like a threat to be taken seriously.
Midas (the toxic swamp dude), was just pathetic. Really. You felt sorry for the poor guy. Not sure what we're supposed to think about his ninja/cyborg girlfriend, but I'm assuming the story will unfold a bit more in the coming issues.
As a side note, I was somewhat annoyed by the abrupt outfit change when they switched artists toward the end. On the last page of one issue GA is facing off with Ninja Rose (or whatever her name was), and their costumes were one way. In the next page (new issue, and artist), the look of the costumes were different. I understand what happened, but since the scene flowed between two issues, it was jarring. Not to mention, Oliver Queen went from a handsome young man, to a slightly older dude that looked like his nose had been broken in too many bar fights. The petite ninja chick suddenly looked like a stocky bodybuilder, and Naomi (Queen's own personal Oracle) was transformed from a tech-geek in a vest, to a chick who painted her clothing on. I was not a fan of the new look.
I'm not giving up on Green Arrow or Jurgens, but there are definitely some things that can be improved on in this comic.
Here's hoping Volume 2 will be better!
January 9, 2015
I've mentioned that Green Arrow is my favorite character ever, so it's quite a shame that I've only read this one now. After reading though, all I can say is that this is the worst New 52 volume I've read as of right now.
I've read a few other Green Arrow comics and I'm a huge fan of the TV show, so I have a good background of him. This volume didn't do him justice, not even one bit. He was unlikable, and more so were the supporting characters. No one will ever beat Felicity. Back to Oliver. He was somewhat like Tony Stark. He was so full of himself, and he was way cocky that usual. This latest addition to the Green Arrow series is not that promising.
The plot was mediocre. The villains were not that interesting. The walking toxic garbage thing was a bit interesting, but Blood Rose just didn't do it for me. She was boring and didn't strike me as a major villain. Honestly I was hoping deep inside that Deathstroke would make an appearance, but sadly he didn't. The TV series showed a lot of interesting villains, so maybe this New 52 series can still make a good comeback.
The artwork was good, at least. I liked how the artist made Oliver look younger and removed the awful beard. His costume was an improvement of the others I've seen. He also used a variety of arrows so the artwork looked alive.
2.5/5 stars. Rounded up because Arrow will always be my favorite character. I'm really hoping volume 2 would be a huge improvement over this mediocre crap. I guess I'm not giving up on the series and the author just yet.
I've read a few other Green Arrow comics and I'm a huge fan of the TV show, so I have a good background of him. This volume didn't do him justice, not even one bit. He was unlikable, and more so were the supporting characters. No one will ever beat Felicity. Back to Oliver. He was somewhat like Tony Stark. He was so full of himself, and he was way cocky that usual. This latest addition to the Green Arrow series is not that promising.
The plot was mediocre. The villains were not that interesting. The walking toxic garbage thing was a bit interesting, but Blood Rose just didn't do it for me. She was boring and didn't strike me as a major villain. Honestly I was hoping deep inside that Deathstroke would make an appearance, but sadly he didn't. The TV series showed a lot of interesting villains, so maybe this New 52 series can still make a good comeback.
The artwork was good, at least. I liked how the artist made Oliver look younger and removed the awful beard. His costume was an improvement of the others I've seen. He also used a variety of arrows so the artwork looked alive.
2.5/5 stars. Rounded up because Arrow will always be my favorite character. I'm really hoping volume 2 would be a huge improvement over this mediocre crap. I guess I'm not giving up on the series and the author just yet.
October 5, 2025
"This is what you wanted, isn't it? What do you think? Realizing that you bit off more than you can chew? With or without teeth." -- our title character, kicking the wannabe supervillain 'Rush' in the mouth
I see lot of so-so reviews of The Midas Touch, and I'm really sort of perplexed - jumping into this without any expectations, I found it to be an entertaining graphic novel that appears to take much inspiration from the glut of those late 80's / early 90's action blockbusters starring guys like Sly and Arnie, right down to the heroes spouting one-liners (see the quote above) and/or scenes of jumping away from frame-filling explosions (Green Arrow gets a particularly nice one at the climax, described with the indelible onomatopoeia 'Buh-TOOOM!'). Writer / artist Jurgens and company are not trying to change the world here, but just to please comics readers looking for a pleasant diversion. With its wisecracks and showdown scenes, it WAS a fun time to be had with the emerald-clad crimefighter.
I see lot of so-so reviews of The Midas Touch, and I'm really sort of perplexed - jumping into this without any expectations, I found it to be an entertaining graphic novel that appears to take much inspiration from the glut of those late 80's / early 90's action blockbusters starring guys like Sly and Arnie, right down to the heroes spouting one-liners (see the quote above) and/or scenes of jumping away from frame-filling explosions (Green Arrow gets a particularly nice one at the climax, described with the indelible onomatopoeia 'Buh-TOOOM!'). Writer / artist Jurgens and company are not trying to change the world here, but just to please comics readers looking for a pleasant diversion. With its wisecracks and showdown scenes, it WAS a fun time to be had with the emerald-clad crimefighter.
October 12, 2012
Oliver Queen is a billionaire playboy by day, daring vigilante known as Green Arrow by night… hey wake up! I know, it’s kind of cliché to have the superhero be a billionaire playboy what with the far more popular Batman and Iron Man already representing that niche but look, Green Arrow’s different: he has a bow and arrow! Hmm. Ok, how to interest the reader… he puts different pieces of tech on the end of his arrows so they do different things, say an ice arrow or an airbags arrow. No? How about a series of nondescript villains he fights? Yeah you’re right, this book is kind of lame.
Having read Andy Diggle’s far superior Green Arrow book “Year One” I knew how Queen became Green Arrow but for those coming to this character cold, you’re never told so you’ll have to figure it out yourself. The book is divided into 2 storylines: the first, written by JT Krul, has GA take on a team of bad guy supervillains who broadcast their misdeeds online – saucy (and riddled with plot holes)! The second, written by Keith Giffen, involves some kind of Toxic Avenger knockoff and a ninja.
As expected, GA takes ‘em all down by shooting various tech at them embedded in the tips of his arrows. In between naps I looked up to read Oliver Queen getting lectured by his CEO about running his company. Because that’s what you want to read about in a superhero comic – corporate rules.
This isn’t the worst superhero comic book but it is undeniably bland. Even the great George Perez’s artwork can’t save this snooze-fest as Krul or Giffen fail to show the reader why Green Arrow is a superhero they should care about or even why he’s a semi-famous character who’s recently been given his own TV show. With no large storyline, interesting villain, or particularly original character in the driving seat, Green Arrow is a limp and disappointing start to the series.
Having read Andy Diggle’s far superior Green Arrow book “Year One” I knew how Queen became Green Arrow but for those coming to this character cold, you’re never told so you’ll have to figure it out yourself. The book is divided into 2 storylines: the first, written by JT Krul, has GA take on a team of bad guy supervillains who broadcast their misdeeds online – saucy (and riddled with plot holes)! The second, written by Keith Giffen, involves some kind of Toxic Avenger knockoff and a ninja.
As expected, GA takes ‘em all down by shooting various tech at them embedded in the tips of his arrows. In between naps I looked up to read Oliver Queen getting lectured by his CEO about running his company. Because that’s what you want to read about in a superhero comic – corporate rules.
This isn’t the worst superhero comic book but it is undeniably bland. Even the great George Perez’s artwork can’t save this snooze-fest as Krul or Giffen fail to show the reader why Green Arrow is a superhero they should care about or even why he’s a semi-famous character who’s recently been given his own TV show. With no large storyline, interesting villain, or particularly original character in the driving seat, Green Arrow is a limp and disappointing start to the series.
September 5, 2013
It's a younger Green Arrow this time around who has his own “Batman Oracle” to help him while he deals with overpowered super villains and then a lover super villain couple. He's still alter-ego billionaire playboy, Oliver Queen, who is at odds with some of the higher ups, adding minor tension to the tales. I suppose he's something like a Bruce Wayne character in that regard.
The super villains tale (who liked to post on Youtube) was more interesting than the latter one. One could certainly argue the latter had more depth but how many times has such a tale been done? Too often in my readings.
Written by Dan Jurgens, J.T. Krul and Keith Giffen. Artwork by a number of people and some of them were Dan Jurgens, David Baron, Rob Leigh and George Perez.
Note that this is a reboot of Green Arrow following “52”.
STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B to B plus; ARTISTIC PRESENTATION: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; DC MYTHOLOGY: B; OVERALL GRADE:B to B plus; WHEN READ: early to mid March 2013.
The super villains tale (who liked to post on Youtube) was more interesting than the latter one. One could certainly argue the latter had more depth but how many times has such a tale been done? Too often in my readings.
Written by Dan Jurgens, J.T. Krul and Keith Giffen. Artwork by a number of people and some of them were Dan Jurgens, David Baron, Rob Leigh and George Perez.
Note that this is a reboot of Green Arrow following “52”.
STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B to B plus; ARTISTIC PRESENTATION: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; DC MYTHOLOGY: B; OVERALL GRADE:B to B plus; WHEN READ: early to mid March 2013.
April 9, 2021
This series serves as a reboot for Ollie in the new 52 and starts off with him teaming with Naomi, his computer expert and Jax, his gadgets guy and him fighting a bunch of villains who wanna livestream and provide people entertainment and also there is the case of too many villains like Rush, Supercharge, Dynamix and more and its so awesome to see Ollie go against a buncha villains but then he meets Blood Rose, whose a robot assassin and her lover Midas, who is monstrous looking and can melt things with his touch and also is super strong. Its interesting to see how Ollie fights them using trick arrows and/or with assistance from Naomi and Jax. And in his personal life, he dealing with the pressure of being CEO and Public face of Q-Core and butts heads with Emerson. Its a good start and in this era especially taking Ollie's fights to the next level and then there is the case of new rogues gallery which is awesome and the art is just so awesome throughout! Plus Ollie relying on friends is a good change of pace!
August 27, 2018
Whoa...what happens when mix awful writing with stocky art? You get...this? What is this? This takes everything Green Arrow was and throws it out. I'm not the hugest fan of Arrow the TV show anymore but least that tried something new. This didn't try anything new. It was terrible. This is terrible. Skip this and go right to Lemire's run.
April 5, 2021
I enjoyed my first foray into the New 52 Green Arrow series. It starts off with Green Arrow battling an "internet fight club" of supervillains who have become internet celebrities by filming their destructing acts and posting the videos online. They film a murder to draw Green Arrow out, wanting to film his murder as well. He isn't down with that plan and reacts accordingly.
Then we see the duo of Midas and Blood Rose after Green Arrow (and Oliver Queen) as well in another decent story.
The art is by Dan Jurgens, and I've been of fan of his since the 90s. (He illustrated the famous Death of Superman issue.) His art still looks the same, so I enjoyed it.
They seemed to try to make the comic Green Arrow slightly more like the TV version, in physical appearance if nothing else. I've never been a fan of that, as while I enjoy the Arrow show, I liked the comic version of Oliver Queen the way he was.
Overall I think I enjoyed this volume slightly better than most, as I am a longtime Green Arrow fan. If you're a Green Arrow fan I think you'll enjoy this volume. It's nothing ground breaking, but still a good old school story.
Then we see the duo of Midas and Blood Rose after Green Arrow (and Oliver Queen) as well in another decent story.
The art is by Dan Jurgens, and I've been of fan of his since the 90s. (He illustrated the famous Death of Superman issue.) His art still looks the same, so I enjoyed it.
They seemed to try to make the comic Green Arrow slightly more like the TV version, in physical appearance if nothing else. I've never been a fan of that, as while I enjoy the Arrow show, I liked the comic version of Oliver Queen the way he was.
Overall I think I enjoyed this volume slightly better than most, as I am a longtime Green Arrow fan. If you're a Green Arrow fan I think you'll enjoy this volume. It's nothing ground breaking, but still a good old school story.
September 25, 2013
Green Arrow #1
Super rich superheroes who are more vigilante than hero (a DC specialty) are tough to enjoy, but their increasing willingness to break laws, to employ their riches to behave like a state with a state, to surveille, to torture, to coerce -- all illegally -- all with the breezy justification, "At least we're the good guys," is making their ilk almost unreadable for me.Green Arrow #2
When Marvel pauses to consider their "privileged" heroes, it feels like there is much more criticism going on, a recognition that they may not be as "good" as they themselves think, but DC's rich boys -- especially Green Arrow, but Batman too -- just seem to be propagandizing for the goodness of the rich, for their moral superiority, for their protection of the capitalist ideal. I need one of these joker's allies, like Naomi Singh or Alfred to do more than tell the hero they're supporting that they are uncomfortable with something they're doing; they need to remove their support and take a stand. I need them to do this if I am going to like these superheroes anymore. I suppose I will have to write a story like that myself, though.
So a pack of jackpot supervillains, beaten up and dispatched by Green Arrow in Issue #1, set a trap for him with a young fan of theirs murdered on the internet as bait for the Emerald Archer. Arrow springs the trap, finds himself surrounded by this pack of super-jackpots, and it's all being live streamed (Ooo! How hip and relevant). It's all set up for Green Arrow to take a beating, and it is all a yawn.Green Arrow #3
This comic is moving the plot along too quickly and expecting us to follow without earning our commitment. Issue one hurt my brain a touch, but I am entering full migraine zone now.
poor action, a preachy monologue of Ayn Rand proportions. What's to like? In addition, if you're one of those who complains about the way people are inexplicably fooled into missing the fact that Clark Kent is Superman, don't read Green Arrow. Oliver Queen/Green Arrow makes Clark Kent/Superman look like Clayface. There is NO WAY anyone who meets Oliver then seens Green Arrow one second after Oliver disappears should or could ever be fooled. It is fucking idiotic.Green Arrow #4
Enter Blood Rose and a new arc. She's okay with guns, super strong, in love with a freak, and is yet another moron fooled into missing the Ollie connection by Green Arrow's silly green goggles. The writing has now moved from JT Krul (who did as marvelous a job on Captain Atom as the shitty job he did here) to Keith Giffen, and it is in no way an improvement. Is it the writers? Is it just the nature of Green Arrow? I think it could be the latter. I think Green Arrow, at least outside the Justice League, simply sucks.Green Arrow #5
Toxic Sludge Freak, who likens himself to Swamp Thing (you're not you douchebag) happens to be the boyfriend (lover?) of Blood Rose, comes to kick Oliver's ass. They fight. There's a banal end twist. Thrilling. Next ....Green Arrow #6
So the Toxic Sludge Freak is Midas, the titular villain of this volume, and his love affair with Blood Rose turns out to be a somewhat promising storyline -- but that is the only positive I can take away from Green Arrow. I hate this version of Oliver Queen; I hate the corporate machinations; I hate Green Arrow's support team (computer genius girl and tech genius boy); I hate the villains; I hate the action; I hate the book's politics. I pretty much hate this book. I was about to add Green Arrow to my file at Black Bowser. Nope. Not now.
July 19, 2017
Above average art and some snappy dialogue, but also some distinctly un-interesting (and in a lot of cases, redundant) secondary characters and villains.
Still, gotta love the final reveal of what those canisters on Ollie's belt the whole time actually were!
Still, gotta love the final reveal of what those canisters on Ollie's belt the whole time actually were!
March 29, 2017
It happened by accident.
I had ordered a stack of Incredible Hulk back issues on Ebay. As an added bonus the seller tossed in a copy of Green Arrow: Quiver. I was just starting to get back into comics, and I had never paid any attention to DC. But, it was free and it was written by Kevin Smith. I figured I’d give it a shot.
By the end of the month I had picked up every single Green Arrow trade I could get my hands on. Kevin Smith did an outstanding job bringing Oliver Queen back into the world of DC, but it was Winick that really ran with the character. He was everything that other heroes weren’t.
I ran out and started to pick up Mike Grell’s run. Green Arrow Year One, Longbow Hunters and Grell’s run are an astounding portrait of the character. The aging Green Arrow struggles to find his place in the world. He starts to realize he isn’t going to be around forever and spends the run looking for ways to leave his mark on the world.
Back in the present,
Oliver Queen was the super-powered bad ass. He wasn’t dark and brooding. Oliver was an aging super hero with the best of intentions. The story Winick told was the story of a powerless superhero that was finally starting to grow up and move forward in his life. His family developed and assembled around him. He was a man preparing for the next big stage in his life, whatever that may have been.
And then something changed.
I suppose it started with the Wedding. Winick’s post-wedding stories were still good an entertaining, but they just lacked the same feel as before. Every few issues boasted a new guest star.
They handed the book to Kriesburg with the promise that we’d get a new and exciting side of Green Arrow. Kriesburg promptly ditched the entire supporting cast and took away the family aspect of the story. The stories weren’t bad, it just lacked that something special.
Then things got even worse. Green Arrow, who had slowly been built into an integral part of the DC Universe was now “that guy everybody can fuck around with.” Editoral needs a hero to cross the line and kill a bad guy. Let’s use Green Arrow. We need a guy to stand around the White Lantern tree. Let’s use Green Arrow.
They used them because people cared about Green Arrow, but evidently not THAT much.
So I am going to be honest. When I heard about the reboot, I thought at the very least, Green Arrow would be given a fresh start. It was sad to see the light-hearted buy gruff veteran fade away, but I figured the future brought with it new potential.
In the end, they “killed” Green Arrow.
This new Arrow might wear the same colors. He might have the same name, but it is NOT the same Oliver Queen. I gave it all of four issues to impress me and I eventually walked away. Every aspect of Oliver Queen’s character had been changed. For decades writers have tried to pull GA out of his former shadow of a “thinly veiled Batman rip-off” his own unique entity.
And we’ve take a few steps back. The NEW! Oliver Queen is young and Spunky. He has lots of money and he isn’t afraid to use it. He runs an entire division of his company and all they do is make his gizmos and tech (straight out of Nolan Batman). And he runs around doing superhero stuff, battling complete nobodys.
As a huge fan of Green Arrow, I was crushed. This and the complete erasure of Wally West had pretty much ruined the two characters who really made me care about DC comics.
I came across this trade the other day, and I decided to give it another shot. With how amazing the television show is, could I find a way to appreciate this new Oliver Queen?
At this point, I can deal with it. I’m not going to run out and pick up all the other issue (though I might pick it up starting with the latest arc, Lemire tends to do a good job). He’s not the Green Arrow I’ve come to love, and these stories aren’t exactly amazing, but I think with the right hand to guide it, perhaps we can enjoy the experience of watching Green Arrow evolve back into hero we know him to be. His early years are not very well documented, and he only really started to matter once he teamed up with Green Lantern.
So, I’ve come to think it isn’t the end of the world, I try to remain optimistic. Perhaps as we proceed he’ll get a better supporting cast, some interesting new bad guys to take on. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime the ARROW television show is OUTSTANDING (and does a better job rebooting the character than the comic is now), and there is always HAWKEYE’s series if you’re jonzin’ for an archer.
I had ordered a stack of Incredible Hulk back issues on Ebay. As an added bonus the seller tossed in a copy of Green Arrow: Quiver. I was just starting to get back into comics, and I had never paid any attention to DC. But, it was free and it was written by Kevin Smith. I figured I’d give it a shot.
By the end of the month I had picked up every single Green Arrow trade I could get my hands on. Kevin Smith did an outstanding job bringing Oliver Queen back into the world of DC, but it was Winick that really ran with the character. He was everything that other heroes weren’t.
I ran out and started to pick up Mike Grell’s run. Green Arrow Year One, Longbow Hunters and Grell’s run are an astounding portrait of the character. The aging Green Arrow struggles to find his place in the world. He starts to realize he isn’t going to be around forever and spends the run looking for ways to leave his mark on the world.
Back in the present,
Oliver Queen was the super-powered bad ass. He wasn’t dark and brooding. Oliver was an aging super hero with the best of intentions. The story Winick told was the story of a powerless superhero that was finally starting to grow up and move forward in his life. His family developed and assembled around him. He was a man preparing for the next big stage in his life, whatever that may have been.
And then something changed.
I suppose it started with the Wedding. Winick’s post-wedding stories were still good an entertaining, but they just lacked the same feel as before. Every few issues boasted a new guest star.
They handed the book to Kriesburg with the promise that we’d get a new and exciting side of Green Arrow. Kriesburg promptly ditched the entire supporting cast and took away the family aspect of the story. The stories weren’t bad, it just lacked that something special.
Then things got even worse. Green Arrow, who had slowly been built into an integral part of the DC Universe was now “that guy everybody can fuck around with.” Editoral needs a hero to cross the line and kill a bad guy. Let’s use Green Arrow. We need a guy to stand around the White Lantern tree. Let’s use Green Arrow.
They used them because people cared about Green Arrow, but evidently not THAT much.
So I am going to be honest. When I heard about the reboot, I thought at the very least, Green Arrow would be given a fresh start. It was sad to see the light-hearted buy gruff veteran fade away, but I figured the future brought with it new potential.
In the end, they “killed” Green Arrow.
This new Arrow might wear the same colors. He might have the same name, but it is NOT the same Oliver Queen. I gave it all of four issues to impress me and I eventually walked away. Every aspect of Oliver Queen’s character had been changed. For decades writers have tried to pull GA out of his former shadow of a “thinly veiled Batman rip-off” his own unique entity.
And we’ve take a few steps back. The NEW! Oliver Queen is young and Spunky. He has lots of money and he isn’t afraid to use it. He runs an entire division of his company and all they do is make his gizmos and tech (straight out of Nolan Batman). And he runs around doing superhero stuff, battling complete nobodys.
As a huge fan of Green Arrow, I was crushed. This and the complete erasure of Wally West had pretty much ruined the two characters who really made me care about DC comics.
I came across this trade the other day, and I decided to give it another shot. With how amazing the television show is, could I find a way to appreciate this new Oliver Queen?
At this point, I can deal with it. I’m not going to run out and pick up all the other issue (though I might pick it up starting with the latest arc, Lemire tends to do a good job). He’s not the Green Arrow I’ve come to love, and these stories aren’t exactly amazing, but I think with the right hand to guide it, perhaps we can enjoy the experience of watching Green Arrow evolve back into hero we know him to be. His early years are not very well documented, and he only really started to matter once he teamed up with Green Lantern.
So, I’ve come to think it isn’t the end of the world, I try to remain optimistic. Perhaps as we proceed he’ll get a better supporting cast, some interesting new bad guys to take on. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime the ARROW television show is OUTSTANDING (and does a better job rebooting the character than the comic is now), and there is always HAWKEYE’s series if you’re jonzin’ for an archer.
October 26, 2022
2nd read: Ouch that story did not improve with age. I would say two stars now. Most of my previous review stands when I was expected my opinion to change over time but no much room or need for improvement. The whole spoiled rich kid trope was even done badly. Green Arrow is not Batman, sigh.
1st read below:
I have often enjoyed the antics of the Green Arrow (no Not Mavels Hawkeye). I had heard good things about this reboot. But I was really disappointed in the first half of the collection. Here we see why Green Arrow is a 3rd rate super, he is fighting the Jersey Shore of 5th rate loser super villains and almost loses. Then most of these issues his biggest fight is with his employer who spends pages of text complaining that Green Arrow sucks. Not real inspiring or interesting.
The 2nd half of the book is much more interesting. Fighting two rather more respectable villains. The dialog and story are much improved in this part of the book. My only real complaint is with:
Anyway I am glad I waited on the collected trade paperback for this new52 reboot.
1st read below:
I have often enjoyed the antics of the Green Arrow (no Not Mavels Hawkeye). I had heard good things about this reboot. But I was really disappointed in the first half of the collection. Here we see why Green Arrow is a 3rd rate super, he is fighting the Jersey Shore of 5th rate loser super villains and almost loses. Then most of these issues his biggest fight is with his employer who spends pages of text complaining that Green Arrow sucks. Not real inspiring or interesting.
The 2nd half of the book is much more interesting. Fighting two rather more respectable villains. The dialog and story are much improved in this part of the book. My only real complaint is with:
Anyway I am glad I waited on the collected trade paperback for this new52 reboot.
August 15, 2015
Oh I'm sorry. I seemed to have taken a wrong turn into the kids section of the New 52. This just seemed like a silly cartoon. Dumb villains, dumb story. Poor effort.
December 19, 2012
Not the best New 52 collection, but not the worst either. This reboot starts out slow, with Green Arrow taking on some seriously lame villains that double as wannabe Youtube stars. Meanwhile, Oliver's boss (the CEO of Queen Industries) is constantly nagging at him for not pulling his corporate weight. Neither storyline is all that interesting, although the back-and-forth behind Arrow and his helpers (Naomi and Jax) is kind of fun and the art is solid. Fortunately, things pick up in the second half when a mysterious woman named Blood Rose and her partner Midas arrive to up the ante:
I enjoyed this storyline much more. Midas was a cool villain and his weird relationship with Blood Rose was interesting. It all builds to a very satisfying finale which was just enough to raise this from a 2.5 star read to a 3 for me. One note about the final issue: Ignacio Calero takes over the artwork for that one, and while he does a good job there are some inconsistencies with the first 5/6 of the collection that can be kind of jarring.
I haven't read enough older Green Arrow stories to compare this to what has come before. This was not as good as the very strong Green Arrow Year One, but I thought it was solid. Many readers think differently, and after this collection a new creative team was assigned to the title. It will be interesting to see where they take the story in volume two. 3 stars.
I enjoyed this storyline much more. Midas was a cool villain and his weird relationship with Blood Rose was interesting. It all builds to a very satisfying finale which was just enough to raise this from a 2.5 star read to a 3 for me. One note about the final issue: Ignacio Calero takes over the artwork for that one, and while he does a good job there are some inconsistencies with the first 5/6 of the collection that can be kind of jarring.
I haven't read enough older Green Arrow stories to compare this to what has come before. This was not as good as the very strong Green Arrow Year One, but I thought it was solid. Many readers think differently, and after this collection a new creative team was assigned to the title. It will be interesting to see where they take the story in volume two. 3 stars.
September 26, 2021
What an absolute train wreck, the fact that DC thought this was a good idea to introduce new readers to Green Arrow is baffling. I was so done with it mid way through I had to skim through some pages to put me out of my misery.
June 10, 2015
UGHHH. I picked this up because I started watching the TV show Arrow and I thought I'd give the comics a try. This is vol one of the New 52 reboot so THEORETICALLY it should have been approachable to me, a first time Green Arrow comics reader, because that was like, the whole point of the New 52. But it was not. There was no explanation about who Oliver's support team is? I would have accepted a one panel text box. Where did they come from?? On the show, his Batcave friends are my favorite part.
Also, on the show, Oliver is like a rich playboy but I find him likeable? Here he's PRETTY GROSS and calls women "skanks" and "attention whores". Like... in the show we see him kind of like that BEFORE his Island adventure that turns him into a hero. Now he's already a heroic figure, why is he still gross.
Also let's not... talk about how the main villains here are a sexy lady robot and her lover who is made out of toxic waste....?
Anyway, I'm aware that this came out a year or so before the show premiered, but I don't care. I like the show, I don't like this, I won't be picking up any more Green Arrow comics unless I hear that it's significantly changed. (Although I have heard that Felicity is in the comics now so maybe I'll pick them back up when she comes in. Or maybe I'll just keep watching the show.)
These have been my thoughts about new 52 Green Arrow vs Arrow the TV show, good night.
Also, on the show, Oliver is like a rich playboy but I find him likeable? Here he's PRETTY GROSS and calls women "skanks" and "attention whores". Like... in the show we see him kind of like that BEFORE his Island adventure that turns him into a hero. Now he's already a heroic figure, why is he still gross.
Also let's not... talk about how the main villains here are a sexy lady robot and her lover who is made out of toxic waste....?
Anyway, I'm aware that this came out a year or so before the show premiered, but I don't care. I like the show, I don't like this, I won't be picking up any more Green Arrow comics unless I hear that it's significantly changed. (Although I have heard that Felicity is in the comics now so maybe I'll pick them back up when she comes in. Or maybe I'll just keep watching the show.)
These have been my thoughts about new 52 Green Arrow vs Arrow the TV show, good night.
January 3, 2015
I should had probably started reading Green Arrow with something else. I kind of knew was I was getting into and still...
My first contact with Green Arrow was the CW tv show (which is pretty cool) therefore I always picture Stephen Amell in the role. And frankly, he's much more interesting than this one. Also, there's no Felicity Smoak in the comics. Felicity FTW!, btw.
Anyway, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. The villains are laughable morons and the art change for the final issue was bad timed.
My first contact with Green Arrow was the CW tv show (which is pretty cool) therefore I always picture Stephen Amell in the role. And frankly, he's much more interesting than this one. Also, there's no Felicity Smoak in the comics. Felicity FTW!, btw.
Anyway, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. The villains are laughable morons and the art change for the final issue was bad timed.
January 18, 2015
I'm not sure why people are hating on this, personally it's good to me. Sure that this wasn't really the best start but I like this one better than the flash. And I'm really excited to be able to pick up next volume next week!
April 25, 2016
Not the best, not the worst GA story. I did not go into expecting anything spectacular, and I believe that helped me enjoy the (mostly) mindless violence. Have to agree Oliver is too much of a rich jerk here though.
February 2, 2020
The best I can say for this is “eh.” It was a page turner, and the artwork is good, but otherwise, it’s just okay. Of course, I’m spoiled by the great storytelling on CW’s Arrow, so I’m biased but still. I wouldn’t recommend this, but it wasn’t terrible.
September 7, 2012
Of the Nu52 books, the very best have reintroduced the characters in conjunction with well-known villains, excepting Snyder's Batman. So I have to ask- where is Merlyn and why is DC not setting him up as GA's arch-nemesis from the start?
Some of these reboot books seem to be Rewriting their characters with a Marvel spin- Superman feels more like Peter Parker/ Spider-Man than he does the Man of Steel- and GA is no different. what we're getting in this book is like the early 90's Punisher, only G-rated. He's got a hi-tech sidekick feeding him info just like Micro. Only, GA always worked better as a lone wolf. Even when he worked with Speedy, it seemed begrudging because he is a narcissist of the highest order. So this comes off like a cheap way to maybe involve some kidnapping or hostage stories later on.
And seriously don even get me started on this costume. He's starting to look like Mac Gargan. God, I'm reminded of all those terrible new heroes that came out of that atrocious 'Bloodlines' mega-crossover 15 years ago. It's not 'hi-tech', Jim Lee, it looks cheap and has none of the classic hallmarks of his old costume. For chrissakes, put your damn hood up once in a while and grow the &@$"ing goatee back and go back to being a moody lady's man who thinks he's better than everyone else.
There's little here for the reader to grab onto. There are too many villains, too many people in GA's corner and not enough room to make it seem worthwhile. I would have loved to see Roy somewhere in here and a showdown between them because he's running with the Red Hood, but no. We get lame villains whose names and abilities I've already forgotten, Ollie trying to be a saint in both his personal and professional lives, and a ton of empty calories. It's the equivalent of eating rice cakes. Just too damn bland and not at all satisfying.
I want Merlyn. I want Roy. I know this is a reboot, but all the other iconic characters have been reintroduced in a way that has at the very least satisfied me, and at times, thrilled me. I just don't get how had it is to write this character. You're on track with the Punisher idea, only lose the home-base tekkie, and start in on some mafioso crime families, introducing Merlyn as a Bullseye type character.
Jesus, just hire me already, Dan Didio.
Some of these reboot books seem to be Rewriting their characters with a Marvel spin- Superman feels more like Peter Parker/ Spider-Man than he does the Man of Steel- and GA is no different. what we're getting in this book is like the early 90's Punisher, only G-rated. He's got a hi-tech sidekick feeding him info just like Micro. Only, GA always worked better as a lone wolf. Even when he worked with Speedy, it seemed begrudging because he is a narcissist of the highest order. So this comes off like a cheap way to maybe involve some kidnapping or hostage stories later on.
And seriously don even get me started on this costume. He's starting to look like Mac Gargan. God, I'm reminded of all those terrible new heroes that came out of that atrocious 'Bloodlines' mega-crossover 15 years ago. It's not 'hi-tech', Jim Lee, it looks cheap and has none of the classic hallmarks of his old costume. For chrissakes, put your damn hood up once in a while and grow the &@$"ing goatee back and go back to being a moody lady's man who thinks he's better than everyone else.
There's little here for the reader to grab onto. There are too many villains, too many people in GA's corner and not enough room to make it seem worthwhile. I would have loved to see Roy somewhere in here and a showdown between them because he's running with the Red Hood, but no. We get lame villains whose names and abilities I've already forgotten, Ollie trying to be a saint in both his personal and professional lives, and a ton of empty calories. It's the equivalent of eating rice cakes. Just too damn bland and not at all satisfying.
I want Merlyn. I want Roy. I know this is a reboot, but all the other iconic characters have been reintroduced in a way that has at the very least satisfied me, and at times, thrilled me. I just don't get how had it is to write this character. You're on track with the Punisher idea, only lose the home-base tekkie, and start in on some mafioso crime families, introducing Merlyn as a Bullseye type character.
Jesus, just hire me already, Dan Didio.
January 23, 2021
If you’re going to reboot a character from the ground up, you better replace what you threw out with something of substance. This was not it. I’m amazed at how bored I was reading this.
Green Arrow has a reputation among DC fans for being the social activist in the superhero community (and for being a brooding diet Batman if you watched the early seasons of Arrow). Starting with the New52, the writers decided to toss everything recognizable about the character out the window and start from scratch and what they gave us feels soulless and uninspired. The first three issues are VERY bare bones. The book skips Oliver Queen’s backstory (not a bad decision on its own, Batman by Scott Snyder did this as well in its first volume), but the story doesn’t give us a clue about his motivations as a character or why his antics of being a superhero are more important than his responsibilities at his company (something that you’d think would be pretty important since they threw out all the old continuity and have established NOTHING about the lead character). And if you’re wondering why I haven’t brought up the antagonists yet it’s because just like Green Arrow they have no distinguishing character or personality either. They exist because it’s a superhero story and the artist needs to fill up a few pages of action before picking up their paycheck.
We’re introduced to an entirely new supporting cast, but they don’t get explored beyond establishing their cookie cutter “nerd in the chair” stereotypes. The idea of a pacifist designing Oliver’s tech is cool, but it’s never explored just like the plot’s stance against violence in video games (which was an outdated topic, even when this book was published).
Afterwards, the main writer leaves and the remaining issues are juggled between 2 writers who seem more interested in filling space waiting for the next person rather than writing a coherent story. I remember people saying New52 Green Arrow was bad, but I didn’t know it was THIS bad. This reboot was a HUGE misfire and I don’t think I’ll be reading more Green Arrow anytime soon.
Green Arrow has a reputation among DC fans for being the social activist in the superhero community (and for being a brooding diet Batman if you watched the early seasons of Arrow). Starting with the New52, the writers decided to toss everything recognizable about the character out the window and start from scratch and what they gave us feels soulless and uninspired. The first three issues are VERY bare bones. The book skips Oliver Queen’s backstory (not a bad decision on its own, Batman by Scott Snyder did this as well in its first volume), but the story doesn’t give us a clue about his motivations as a character or why his antics of being a superhero are more important than his responsibilities at his company (something that you’d think would be pretty important since they threw out all the old continuity and have established NOTHING about the lead character). And if you’re wondering why I haven’t brought up the antagonists yet it’s because just like Green Arrow they have no distinguishing character or personality either. They exist because it’s a superhero story and the artist needs to fill up a few pages of action before picking up their paycheck.
We’re introduced to an entirely new supporting cast, but they don’t get explored beyond establishing their cookie cutter “nerd in the chair” stereotypes. The idea of a pacifist designing Oliver’s tech is cool, but it’s never explored just like the plot’s stance against violence in video games (which was an outdated topic, even when this book was published).
Afterwards, the main writer leaves and the remaining issues are juggled between 2 writers who seem more interested in filling space waiting for the next person rather than writing a coherent story. I remember people saying New52 Green Arrow was bad, but I didn’t know it was THIS bad. This reboot was a HUGE misfire and I don’t think I’ll be reading more Green Arrow anytime soon.
July 18, 2013
For a kick off to a new series/volume of a familiar title, I would have expected a bit more. But this just makes it obvious to me that Green Arrow is not as big a character in the New 52 to start with as others. That's OK. That being said, this is a decent, old-school book in many ways with new school storylines. Some of the stuff is borderline boring, but it reminds me of when I was younger with the art, pure classic 80s comic look in a good way. I would be more interested in the Oliver Queen backstory this time, as well as where he ends up. There is only a passing mention of him meeting a "Mer-man" so perhaps he met Aquaman that I can't recall? Either way, not an essential New 52 title, but not third tier (Grifter/Blue Beetle)
June 2, 2016
cheesy to say the least. The writing is pretty juvenile and the art matches. I know I should of read some Smith or jungers green arrow but I was impatient. The only story worth a damn is the blood rose part and that isnt saying much. The dialogue is silly and stupid and it probably appeals to younger teens more than anything. It reminds me of bad comics from the early 90's.... Dont read it.
January 4, 2019
Compared to the Green Arrow I grew up with this one is pretty cool. Tech driven and with fewer gimmick arrows it is a good reboot of an old character. However, I like the CW version more. Maybe the origin of this GA will be a bit more like it I don't know. Volume 1 covers very little as to why Oliver does this or who he even is other than a rich technology guy.
August 16, 2014
I love the tv show. Its one of my favorites to be honest, but i cant say the same of this comic.
This comic was a little bored, and i was expecting for more having in count the tv show. This was a high-expectation for me, but like I say, It was really disappointing.
This comic was a little bored, and i was expecting for more having in count the tv show. This was a high-expectation for me, but like I say, It was really disappointing.
February 1, 2016
Not to bad nice artwork, good story on internet fame and culture. Wish they ahad stuck with the old look though and not tried to mimic the tv show
January 7, 2018
This first volume makes up issues 1 through 6 of DC’s New 52 relaunch of their Emerald Archer- Green Arrow. After a disappointing slip with the first volume of New 52 Superboy, this volume puts me back on a trajectory of enjoying most of these reboots that I have read so far. Don’t press me for a lot of details on why I like this one so much, because there’s not a lot going on story-wise, but there is plenty of action in every issue. I like the simplicity of Oliver trying to run a company by day and fight crime by night, while keeping his secret identify a secret. Some of these basic (and fun) superhero staples are often stripped away in today’s stories.
Much like the first volume of Batgirl New 52, DC wants to let its new readers know that they are cool and trendy and hip to social media, but whereas I found Batgirl's selfie’s and check in’s a little annoying, the writer’s of GA created some nice social commentary by adding a villian that is obsessed with putting his crimes on social media to see how many likes and followers he can reach. His ego eventually has him plotting to kill the Green Arrow in real time while his fans watch, and sadly, tweet him on with supportive cheers.
The artwork of the cover of this volume and the cover of the issues, was a big turn off to me, and perhaps while it’s taken me a while to get to this title, but the art inside the books is actually detailed, stylish, and beautiful. My main complaint- Green Arrow needs to have a Van Dyke!
November 19, 2021
Green Arrow Vol. 1 The Midas Touch collects issues 1-6 of the DC Comics series written by Dan Jurgens, J.T. Krul, and Keith Giffen with art Dan Jurgens, Ignacio Calero, George Perez, and Ray McCarthy.
The first volume of Green Arrow in the New 52 Universe has our Emerald Archer battling a superpowered gang that likes to stream their violence on social media, the assassin Blood Rose, and the decaying monster Midas.
Ugh. Not a good start for Green Arrow in this new series. The relaunch changes a lot about Olliver: he has aot more help behind the scene, he isn't the champion of the down trodden and forgotten, and he is wearing so much armor that I find it hard to believe he can move. I also really hate the goggles. The costume in general is just way too busy. The book doesn't really give you any reason to care for this version of Olliver Queen - He seems to just be another rich kid playing vigilante at night. There isn't any meaning behind what he is doing. All the villains were just kind of there. It didn't feel like organic storytelling. Hopefully the series will get better as it goes.
The first volume of Green Arrow in the New 52 Universe has our Emerald Archer battling a superpowered gang that likes to stream their violence on social media, the assassin Blood Rose, and the decaying monster Midas.
Ugh. Not a good start for Green Arrow in this new series. The relaunch changes a lot about Olliver: he has aot more help behind the scene, he isn't the champion of the down trodden and forgotten, and he is wearing so much armor that I find it hard to believe he can move. I also really hate the goggles. The costume in general is just way too busy. The book doesn't really give you any reason to care for this version of Olliver Queen - He seems to just be another rich kid playing vigilante at night. There isn't any meaning behind what he is doing. All the villains were just kind of there. It didn't feel like organic storytelling. Hopefully the series will get better as it goes.
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