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DC Anniversary Celebrations
Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years
Armed with only his bow and quiver, Oliver Queen has been targeting the criminals of the DC Universe for seventy-five years as the Green Arrow.
First appearing in 1941 as a twentieth-century Robin Hood in a tale by Mort Wesinger and George Papp, the Emerald Archer has grown to a be a wisecracking, hot-blooded, and sometimes radical counterpoint to more straight-laced superheroes. This collection features the Green Arrow in all his many forms, from the zany, boxing-glove-arrow wielding adventurer of the Silver Age to the gritty urban vigilante of the 1980s and beyond.
GREEN ARROW: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS is a crash course in the history of the Battling Bowman from origin to death to rebirth, featuring an all-star cast of comic talent including Mike Grell, Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, Jack Kirby, Alan Moore, Kevin Smith, Phil Hester, Brad Meltzer, Amanda Conner, Jeff Lemire and more.
First appearing in 1941 as a twentieth-century Robin Hood in a tale by Mort Wesinger and George Papp, the Emerald Archer has grown to a be a wisecracking, hot-blooded, and sometimes radical counterpoint to more straight-laced superheroes. This collection features the Green Arrow in all his many forms, from the zany, boxing-glove-arrow wielding adventurer of the Silver Age to the gritty urban vigilante of the 1980s and beyond.
GREEN ARROW: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS is a crash course in the history of the Battling Bowman from origin to death to rebirth, featuring an all-star cast of comic talent including Mike Grell, Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, Jack Kirby, Alan Moore, Kevin Smith, Phil Hester, Brad Meltzer, Amanda Conner, Jeff Lemire and more.
500 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2016
18 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,758 books276 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 4, 2019
Questa raccolta contiene le seguenti storie:
- More Fun Comics #73 - "Case of the Namesake Murders"
- Leading Comics #1 - "Blueprint for Crime"
- More Fun Comics #89 - "Birth of the Battling Bowmen"
- Adventure Comics #256 - "The Green Arrow's First Case"
- Justice League of America #4 - "Doom of the Star Diamond"
- Brave and the Bold #85 - "The Senator's Been Shot!"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #85 - "Snowbirds Don't Fly"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #86 - "They Say It'll Kill Me... But They Won't Say When!"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #90 - "Those Who Worship Evil's Might!"
- Detective Comics #549 - "Night Olympics, Part One"
- Detective Comics #550 - "Night Olympics, Part Two"
- Detective Comics #559 - "It Takes Two Wings to Fly"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #24 - "Blood of the Dragon, Part IV: Hanare"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #100 - "The Trap, Chapter One: The Plastic Eater"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #101 - "Run of the Arrow"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #4 - "Quiver, Chapter Four: Membership Has Its Privileges"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #18 - "The Archer's Quest, Chapter Three: Grundy No Like Arrows in Face!"
- Green Arrow: Year One #2 - "Green Arrow: Year One - Part 2"
- Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special #1 - " And They Said It Wouldn't Last: The Wedding of Green Arrow and Black Canary"
- Justice League (Vol. 2) #8 - "Team-Up: Green Arrow" [16-page excerpt from 20-page original story]
- Green Arrow (Vol. 5) #24 - "Dissonance"
C'è di brutto di questa raccolta, che qualche storia è troncata e sono state inserite solo alcune pagine, mentre altre storie arrivano da archi narrativi più corposi, come Green Arrow (Volume 3) #4 che arriva da "Quiver", seminale storia di Kevin Smith e Phil Hester che riportò Oliver Queen dalla morte in modo plausibile e ingegnoso, senza scadere nei soliti cliché supereroistici; inserirli così, a gamba testa... Insomma, non mi è sembrata una gran scelta. Di brutto c'è anche che molte storie saranno si in ordine cronologico, però passano di palo in frasca da uno status quo all'altro, senza un minimo di contesto e il lettore neofita può trovarsi un attimo spaesato nel leggersi, che so, prima la seconda parte di Green Arrow: Year One - che racconta in salsa moderna le origini dell'Arciere di Smeraldo - e poi il Wedding Special del suo matrimonio con Black Canary.
Per chi non conosce l'intricata continuità dei fumetti Marvel/DC (soprattutto quella DC e dei suoi continui reboot) può uscire dalla lettura di Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years con un gran mal di testa.
Nonostante ciò, per chi non ha mai letto proprio nulla di Freccia Verde e vuole conoscerlo meglio - magari perché dirottato in acque fumettistiche dal serial Arrow - questa collection è perfetta per iniziare e capire bene o male il personaggio, anche perché vengono proprio prese in considerazione le storie che hanno caratterizzato e forgiato il personaggio dalla sua prima apparizione (More Fun Comics #73 del 1941) fino all'ultima degna di nota a livello cronologico (Green Arrow (Vol. 5) #24 del 2013, in piena gestione Jeff Lemire/Andrea Sorrentino: l'unica cosa buona del New52 di GA). Come detto prima, è vero che ci si può confondere alla grande, soprattutto da "Blood of the Dragon, Part IV: Hanare" in poi, non solo perché la continuità di Freccia Verde diventerà sempre più fitta e corposa, ma anche perché cambierà il modo di fare fumetti supereroistici e le storie si dipaneranno anche su più numeri e tagliare pagine o selezionare solo una parte di esse, 'somma, non giova tanto alla salute.
Però, come recita il sottotitolo, è una "celebrazione dei 75 anni" di Freccia Verde, quindi il volume si limita a fare un excursus dell'evoluzione caratteriale-psicologica-editoriale di FV, passando per i momenti seminali della sua storia come il suo primo esordio, l'entrata nella JLA, il cambio di costume e l'acquisizione di una ideologia politica, il radicale cambio operato da Mike Grell, la morte, la resurrezione, il matrimonio e "l'odierno" reboot. E' una presentazione, un open day, di un grande - e sottovalutatissimo e mai giustamente calcolato - eroe, spesso decisamente più sfaccettato e profondo dei tanto decantati Batman e Superman. Quindi, nonostante tutti i difetti della collection, va bene così. Per chi poi è veramente un cultore del fumetto, si può divertire ad analizzare il cambiamento nella narrativa fumettistica nell'arco di 75 anni, osservando il cambiamento del taglio narrativo dagli anni '40 agli anni '2010, ma anche dell'impostazione artistica dei disegnatori.
...Tuttavia! Essendo un die hard fan di Green Arrow, è un vero peccato vedere una storia di Mike Grell presa accazzo da una saga. Ce ne sono molte altre autoconclusive che esprimono comunque ugualmente il senso del suo iperrealistico GA. Inoltre, è un altro vero peccato non vedere qualche storia (una di quelle belle) presa dalla gestione di Judd Winick, autore che ha scritto una Grande Run di Freccia Verde, così grande che una porzione di essa è stata utilizzata anche nel tv show Arrow (la trama di Oliver come sindaco viene da lui). E di nuovo, non c'è - nemmeno in questa raccolta - qualche straccio di tavola dalle miniserie in quattro parti di Mike W. Barr e Trevor Von Eeden del 1983, il primo tentativo della DC di far uscire l'Arciere in solitaria.
Chissà se la vedremo mai raccolta!
- More Fun Comics #73 - "Case of the Namesake Murders"
- Leading Comics #1 - "Blueprint for Crime"
- More Fun Comics #89 - "Birth of the Battling Bowmen"
- Adventure Comics #256 - "The Green Arrow's First Case"
- Justice League of America #4 - "Doom of the Star Diamond"
- Brave and the Bold #85 - "The Senator's Been Shot!"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #85 - "Snowbirds Don't Fly"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #86 - "They Say It'll Kill Me... But They Won't Say When!"
- Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #90 - "Those Who Worship Evil's Might!"
- Detective Comics #549 - "Night Olympics, Part One"
- Detective Comics #550 - "Night Olympics, Part Two"
- Detective Comics #559 - "It Takes Two Wings to Fly"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #24 - "Blood of the Dragon, Part IV: Hanare"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #100 - "The Trap, Chapter One: The Plastic Eater"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #101 - "Run of the Arrow"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #4 - "Quiver, Chapter Four: Membership Has Its Privileges"
- Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #18 - "The Archer's Quest, Chapter Three: Grundy No Like Arrows in Face!"
- Green Arrow: Year One #2 - "Green Arrow: Year One - Part 2"
- Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special #1 - " And They Said It Wouldn't Last: The Wedding of Green Arrow and Black Canary"
- Justice League (Vol. 2) #8 - "Team-Up: Green Arrow" [16-page excerpt from 20-page original story]
- Green Arrow (Vol. 5) #24 - "Dissonance"
C'è di brutto di questa raccolta, che qualche storia è troncata e sono state inserite solo alcune pagine, mentre altre storie arrivano da archi narrativi più corposi, come Green Arrow (Volume 3) #4 che arriva da "Quiver", seminale storia di Kevin Smith e Phil Hester che riportò Oliver Queen dalla morte in modo plausibile e ingegnoso, senza scadere nei soliti cliché supereroistici; inserirli così, a gamba testa... Insomma, non mi è sembrata una gran scelta. Di brutto c'è anche che molte storie saranno si in ordine cronologico, però passano di palo in frasca da uno status quo all'altro, senza un minimo di contesto e il lettore neofita può trovarsi un attimo spaesato nel leggersi, che so, prima la seconda parte di Green Arrow: Year One - che racconta in salsa moderna le origini dell'Arciere di Smeraldo - e poi il Wedding Special del suo matrimonio con Black Canary.
Per chi non conosce l'intricata continuità dei fumetti Marvel/DC (soprattutto quella DC e dei suoi continui reboot) può uscire dalla lettura di Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years con un gran mal di testa.
Nonostante ciò, per chi non ha mai letto proprio nulla di Freccia Verde e vuole conoscerlo meglio - magari perché dirottato in acque fumettistiche dal serial Arrow - questa collection è perfetta per iniziare e capire bene o male il personaggio, anche perché vengono proprio prese in considerazione le storie che hanno caratterizzato e forgiato il personaggio dalla sua prima apparizione (More Fun Comics #73 del 1941) fino all'ultima degna di nota a livello cronologico (Green Arrow (Vol. 5) #24 del 2013, in piena gestione Jeff Lemire/Andrea Sorrentino: l'unica cosa buona del New52 di GA). Come detto prima, è vero che ci si può confondere alla grande, soprattutto da "Blood of the Dragon, Part IV: Hanare" in poi, non solo perché la continuità di Freccia Verde diventerà sempre più fitta e corposa, ma anche perché cambierà il modo di fare fumetti supereroistici e le storie si dipaneranno anche su più numeri e tagliare pagine o selezionare solo una parte di esse, 'somma, non giova tanto alla salute.
Però, come recita il sottotitolo, è una "celebrazione dei 75 anni" di Freccia Verde, quindi il volume si limita a fare un excursus dell'evoluzione caratteriale-psicologica-editoriale di FV, passando per i momenti seminali della sua storia come il suo primo esordio, l'entrata nella JLA, il cambio di costume e l'acquisizione di una ideologia politica, il radicale cambio operato da Mike Grell, la morte, la resurrezione, il matrimonio e "l'odierno" reboot. E' una presentazione, un open day, di un grande - e sottovalutatissimo e mai giustamente calcolato - eroe, spesso decisamente più sfaccettato e profondo dei tanto decantati Batman e Superman. Quindi, nonostante tutti i difetti della collection, va bene così. Per chi poi è veramente un cultore del fumetto, si può divertire ad analizzare il cambiamento nella narrativa fumettistica nell'arco di 75 anni, osservando il cambiamento del taglio narrativo dagli anni '40 agli anni '2010, ma anche dell'impostazione artistica dei disegnatori.
...Tuttavia! Essendo un die hard fan di Green Arrow, è un vero peccato vedere una storia di Mike Grell presa accazzo da una saga. Ce ne sono molte altre autoconclusive che esprimono comunque ugualmente il senso del suo iperrealistico GA. Inoltre, è un altro vero peccato non vedere qualche storia (una di quelle belle) presa dalla gestione di Judd Winick, autore che ha scritto una Grande Run di Freccia Verde, così grande che una porzione di essa è stata utilizzata anche nel tv show Arrow (la trama di Oliver come sindaco viene da lui). E di nuovo, non c'è - nemmeno in questa raccolta - qualche straccio di tavola dalle miniserie in quattro parti di Mike W. Barr e Trevor Von Eeden del 1983, il primo tentativo della DC di far uscire l'Arciere in solitaria.
Chissà se la vedremo mai raccolta!
June 7, 2022
So, on the whole, this is a reasonably good representation of a long-lived character. In the old days, DC shared reprinted stories (sans royalty payments, in those pre-enlightened publishing moments) in anniversary giant specials, first 80 pages, then 64, then 52, then 100... these hundreds of pages are a well-intentioned nod to a b-list character who never got one of those, consigned to backup stories and team membership for decades, who then grew. Then, went away, regressed, and grew younger... but, it is comics.
You get some of the great reinvention by Neal Adams here, the two part story with script by Denny O'Neil in which sidekick Speedy is addicted to heroin and must go cold turkey with Black canary's help. I loved the first half, and truly, only bought the second half when it was first reprinted in 1982-3. These stories still instilled the fear of that drug in me.
You do not get another favorite story I would have picked, "What Can On Man Do?" from that fabled run, featuring the first published script by Elliot Maggin and great art by Neal Adams. SPOILER ALERT: As a response to a tragic violent loss, Green Arrow , in his identity as Oliver Queen, decides he can run for elected office in Star City.
You do get my favorite Bob Haney/Neal Adams story, the first Batman/Green Arrow team-up from The Brave & The Bold in 1969, "The Senator's Been Shot." GL adopts his costume and beard, thanks to the late, great Neal Adams. Haney's script is among his best, though, unlike the real events of the 1960s, this Senator gets all better.
Earlier, you get the story of Green Arrow's origin from Jack Kirby's late-1950s period, from a script by Ed Herron. You also get an earlier origin, by others, that combines as an origin of sidekick Roy Harper as Speedy. No need to resolve contradictions, as in long-running characters, contradictions continue to pile up.
I really liked the small taste of Chuck Dixon's run, which I bought, and have now misplaced. I'd love to reread all those stories featuring the young Green Arrow, son of Oliver Queen, Connor Hawke in a new edition.
Recommended.
Thanks to Fulton County Public Library for the loan.
You get some of the great reinvention by Neal Adams here, the two part story with script by Denny O'Neil in which sidekick Speedy is addicted to heroin and must go cold turkey with Black canary's help. I loved the first half, and truly, only bought the second half when it was first reprinted in 1982-3. These stories still instilled the fear of that drug in me.
You do not get another favorite story I would have picked, "What Can On Man Do?" from that fabled run, featuring the first published script by Elliot Maggin and great art by Neal Adams. SPOILER ALERT: As a response to a tragic violent loss, Green Arrow , in his identity as Oliver Queen, decides he can run for elected office in Star City.
You do get my favorite Bob Haney/Neal Adams story, the first Batman/Green Arrow team-up from The Brave & The Bold in 1969, "The Senator's Been Shot." GL adopts his costume and beard, thanks to the late, great Neal Adams. Haney's script is among his best, though, unlike the real events of the 1960s, this Senator gets all better.
Earlier, you get the story of Green Arrow's origin from Jack Kirby's late-1950s period, from a script by Ed Herron. You also get an earlier origin, by others, that combines as an origin of sidekick Roy Harper as Speedy. No need to resolve contradictions, as in long-running characters, contradictions continue to pile up.
I really liked the small taste of Chuck Dixon's run, which I bought, and have now misplaced. I'd love to reread all those stories featuring the young Green Arrow, son of Oliver Queen, Connor Hawke in a new edition.
Recommended.
Thanks to Fulton County Public Library for the loan.
May 21, 2017
Another great showcase from the "A Celebration of 75 Years" from DC Comics. This collection highlights from the Golden Age through the New 52 era of Green Arrow. My favorite part of these books has to involve the collection development. In this volume we get to see Green Arrow's early Golden Age days as essentially a fusion of Batman and Robin Hood. Then in the 60's we witness Oliver's transformation focusing on the rights of the people and social justice. We also get to see the beginning and continuing friendship of Green Lantern and Green Arrow.
The issues in this volume, and in other Celebration books contain parts of different story arcs. The goal is to show the development of the character and draw interest to different stories throughout the character's past. After reading this collection I have become interested in reading more into Green Arrow. I'm specifically looking at the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. Additionally Kevin Smith's "Quiver" series is another must read. The issue from Kevin Smith's Quiver series has humor and deals with the return of Green Arrow. Also noteworthy was Green Arrow: Year One and Green Arrow: The Archer's Quest.
The issues in this volume, and in other Celebration books contain parts of different story arcs. The goal is to show the development of the character and draw interest to different stories throughout the character's past. After reading this collection I have become interested in reading more into Green Arrow. I'm specifically looking at the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. Additionally Kevin Smith's "Quiver" series is another must read. The issue from Kevin Smith's Quiver series has humor and deals with the return of Green Arrow. Also noteworthy was Green Arrow: Year One and Green Arrow: The Archer's Quest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2017
Some of the best comics I've ever read were included in this collection. Classics such as "It Takes Two Wings to Fly" in which Arrow and Batman have an ideological showdown in the 1980s that still rings surprisingly relevant to this day, and of course "Blood of the Dragon" from the incomparable Mike Grell era.
While it was nice to read various takes on the character and see his evolution throughout the years (and the evolution of comics in general), the writing in some parts is just not very good as it succumbs to overly simplistic characterizations and flat storylines.
Unfortunately, a large collection spanning a near-century tends to sacrifice depth for breadth. If you're interested in the Green Arrow's evolution, you might like this book as a primer to jump to other stories. But if you're looking for a "best of the best" Green Arrow celebration, this (while sprinkled with true gems) simply isn't it.
While it was nice to read various takes on the character and see his evolution throughout the years (and the evolution of comics in general), the writing in some parts is just not very good as it succumbs to overly simplistic characterizations and flat storylines.
Unfortunately, a large collection spanning a near-century tends to sacrifice depth for breadth. If you're interested in the Green Arrow's evolution, you might like this book as a primer to jump to other stories. But if you're looking for a "best of the best" Green Arrow celebration, this (while sprinkled with true gems) simply isn't it.
January 25, 2019
I loved getting to see firsthand the changes made to GA over the past few decades and especially enjoyed reading the classic stories where he was just a goofy guy with a bow and a desire to stop bad guys.
My favorite story was his team up with Batman in brave and the bold, where he and Batman both reveal their identities to someone close after a senator has been shot. GA and Batman work together to track down this threat to his cavernous lair.
If you’re new to the DC comics universe like I am, these collections are a great way to find a run that you want to dig into and explore.
My favorite story was his team up with Batman in brave and the bold, where he and Batman both reveal their identities to someone close after a senator has been shot. GA and Batman work together to track down this threat to his cavernous lair.
If you’re new to the DC comics universe like I am, these collections are a great way to find a run that you want to dig into and explore.
December 27, 2016
Decent
This could have been much better if the editors had more from the Mike Grell era which is, in my humble opinion, the best green arrow ever.
This could have been much better if the editors had more from the Mike Grell era which is, in my humble opinion, the best green arrow ever.
July 5, 2018
Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years is a compilation of some of the best representative of Green Arrow stories over the years to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary debut of the Emerald Archer (2016). This collection features the Green Arrow in all his many forms, from the zany, boxing-glove-arrow wielding adventurer to the gritty urban vigilante.
This anthology is divided into five sections or more precisely comic eras. The first section depicts the Green Arrow in the Golden Age of Comics, then the Silver, Bronze, Modern, and Rebooted Ages of Comics. It is very interesting to see how Green Arrow's evolution through the years from zany and often funny archer of Robin Hood to a dark brooding vigilante.
As a whole, Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years is a balanced book, showing each section rather evenly and not placing any favoritism in any of the eras. It gives us a nice perception of the era in which these stories were produced – a reflection of the times.
Story selection must have been difficult to say the least. Green Arrow has a long and varied history and has been featured or cameos in many stories over many titles and it is no easy feat to pick out the best or favorite from the masses. The thing is those measuring sticks are subjective and will never reach perfect consensus. Actually, we all can agree that in an anniversary collection like this, we could all agree on one story: More Fun Comics #73 – the first appearance of Green Arrow – the rest is debatable.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, would I swapped some stories out for others – sure I have my favorites, but it is difficult if not impossible to please everyone, since everyone is different. On the whole I was really happy of which stories were presented.
All in all, I think Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years is a wonderful selection of stories over the three-quarters of a century that the Emerald Archer has been around. It is a good anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
This anthology is divided into five sections or more precisely comic eras. The first section depicts the Green Arrow in the Golden Age of Comics, then the Silver, Bronze, Modern, and Rebooted Ages of Comics. It is very interesting to see how Green Arrow's evolution through the years from zany and often funny archer of Robin Hood to a dark brooding vigilante.
As a whole, Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years is a balanced book, showing each section rather evenly and not placing any favoritism in any of the eras. It gives us a nice perception of the era in which these stories were produced – a reflection of the times.
Story selection must have been difficult to say the least. Green Arrow has a long and varied history and has been featured or cameos in many stories over many titles and it is no easy feat to pick out the best or favorite from the masses. The thing is those measuring sticks are subjective and will never reach perfect consensus. Actually, we all can agree that in an anniversary collection like this, we could all agree on one story: More Fun Comics #73 – the first appearance of Green Arrow – the rest is debatable.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, would I swapped some stories out for others – sure I have my favorites, but it is difficult if not impossible to please everyone, since everyone is different. On the whole I was really happy of which stories were presented.
All in all, I think Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 Years is a wonderful selection of stories over the three-quarters of a century that the Emerald Archer has been around. It is a good anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
October 6, 2019
As others have already pointed out, the character of Green Arrow started out as a knock-off of Batman. G.A.'s secret identity was as wealthy playboy Oliver Queen, he had a gadget-filled car called the Arrowplane (that really needs to be brought back), and like Batman and other superheroes of the time, G.A. had a youthful sidekick to constantly expose to lethal danger.
Then in the Seventies Green Arrow went really dark by turning Speedy (the youthful sidekick) into a drug addict. I have mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand I feel compelled to tip my hat to D.C. for daring to go there. But on the other hand this Green Arrow is a complete butt munch. He's always running off to rescue people he doesn't even know, but when someone close to him truly needs help, G.A. turns his back on Speedy and throws the kid out. Butt munch.
Then we get the inevitable death of Green Arrow but I have no time to mourn as I'm totally distracted by Superman and his Fabio mane of hair. When did this happen? Why did this happen? Green Arrow gets brought back to life, has some lightweight adventures, gets ruined like everything else by The New 52 (I'm not a fan) and is further ruined by the same artist who did Secret Empire.
As for the collection itself, the samples used in this book are short sections of much larger and longer stories. We're given the dramatic endings but I have no idea who any of these characters are or what is going on.
Then in the Seventies Green Arrow went really dark by turning Speedy (the youthful sidekick) into a drug addict. I have mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand I feel compelled to tip my hat to D.C. for daring to go there. But on the other hand this Green Arrow is a complete butt munch. He's always running off to rescue people he doesn't even know, but when someone close to him truly needs help, G.A. turns his back on Speedy and throws the kid out. Butt munch.
Then we get the inevitable death of Green Arrow but I have no time to mourn as I'm totally distracted by Superman and his Fabio mane of hair. When did this happen? Why did this happen? Green Arrow gets brought back to life, has some lightweight adventures, gets ruined like everything else by The New 52 (I'm not a fan) and is further ruined by the same artist who did Secret Empire.
As for the collection itself, the samples used in this book are short sections of much larger and longer stories. We're given the dramatic endings but I have no idea who any of these characters are or what is going on.
April 2, 2021
A great collection of Green Arrow with some unfortunate racism (and not just in the early age comics).
This collection is a fantastic overview of Green Arrows career and has quite a lot of winners. Unfortunately, there's some outright racism with a native american character in the early comics. On top of that, there's some stereotypical, borderline racist depictions of Asian people in Blood of the Dragon. There's nothing egregious but the yellow coloring to the asian character's skins struck me the wrong way.
Despite that, most of the comics included here are great representations of their time with some being outright classics, such as Speedy, Green Arrows sidekick, being a heroin addict and a Batman, Catwoman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary team up. The collection unfortunately ends on a bad note as the last two "modern" comics were pretty bad.
Overall, this is a great time capsule going through some of Green Arrows past but be sure to be prepared for some racism before reading. Recommended for newcomers.
4/5
This collection is a fantastic overview of Green Arrows career and has quite a lot of winners. Unfortunately, there's some outright racism with a native american character in the early comics. On top of that, there's some stereotypical, borderline racist depictions of Asian people in Blood of the Dragon. There's nothing egregious but the yellow coloring to the asian character's skins struck me the wrong way.
Despite that, most of the comics included here are great representations of their time with some being outright classics, such as Speedy, Green Arrows sidekick, being a heroin addict and a Batman, Catwoman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary team up. The collection unfortunately ends on a bad note as the last two "modern" comics were pretty bad.
Overall, this is a great time capsule going through some of Green Arrows past but be sure to be prepared for some racism before reading. Recommended for newcomers.
4/5
July 7, 2017
My only knowledge of the Green Arrow came from watching Justice League Unlimited, Batman: the Brave and the Bold, and Arrow. It was finally time to expand my knowledge of this interesting character.
If you want to know more about the Green Arrow, but don't know where to start, then look no further. This collection of stories provides a great overview of the character, starting with his first adventure, his origin story, and a whole host of interesting adventures leading up to his current place in the New 52.
If you want to know more about the Green Arrow, but don't know where to start, then look no further. This collection of stories provides a great overview of the character, starting with his first adventure, his origin story, and a whole host of interesting adventures leading up to his current place in the New 52.
May 5, 2024
Very interesting to see how Green Arrow progressed from his first appearances to current-day, as well as comics as a whole (Superman with long hair just does not work, people). Some was unbelievably corny, especially the earliest ones (and I may or may not have even managed to read the wedding special bit), while some were very well done.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
November 14, 2025
Fun to walk through decades of changes and see what about the character has stuck around. There are some iconic issues included here, but a few that feel random without including the context of the other issues in their respective series. So the book ends on a puzzling cliffhanger we'll never understand. But I have new appreciation for GA and his rich history standing next to the Big 3.
December 9, 2017
Well, I was never a big GA fan growing up but I have a new respect for him after reading this graphic novel. So many reboots and rebirths over the years make a book like this necessary so you can have an idea of what is going on.
March 13, 2017
So much camp in his early years.
Loved all the Dinah appearances and Roy.
Loved all the Dinah appearances and Roy.
October 25, 2017
The later parts are better than the earlier ones, but really what this book does is confirm that Green Arrow is not actually that interesting.
September 12, 2018
We're watching "The Arrow" tv show, so had to definitely had to catch up on the real thing.
August 25, 2019
A representative sampling of Green Arrow stories over the last 75 years. It is interesting to watch the character change from essentially a Batman clone into his own distinctive character.
December 23, 2020
Good Green Arrow comic book read. Enjoyed the 75 years review.
January 8, 2017
This was a nice Christmas present and an enjoyable read. I especially liked that they included both origin stories as I had forgotten about the older origin that covered Green Arrow and Speedy at the same time.
Whilst this does have a good cross-section of stories, the big jump from 1943 to 1959 was a bit disappointing as I would've appreciated a couple more older stories.
Whilst this does have a good cross-section of stories, the big jump from 1943 to 1959 was a bit disappointing as I would've appreciated a couple more older stories.
May 17, 2022
Not really my thing. The last piece was amazing though.
September 15, 2022
I've not read alot of Ollie so I grabbed this book for a good price. Its a collection of rando stories from the 1940's thru the 20 teens. It has some classics in here but mostly leaves you unfulfilled since the stories rarely get wrapped up. But overall this book captures how he started and evolved. Its good.
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