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Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus #2
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2
Oliver Queen is the Emerald Archer, Green Arrow! He's ready to fight for the people against corruption!
Oliver is faced with all new challenges in Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2. While Oliver is confronting the reality of his identity—and the repurcussions of his actions—he's also being hunted by the CIA after being framed for a murder he didn't commit.
And that's not all! Oliver and Dinah find themselves traveling back to the days of Robin Hood! Find out all that happens in Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2 collecting Green Arrow #51-80; Green Arrow Annual #4-6; Who's Who #14; The Brave and the Bold #1-6; Shado: Song of the Dragon #1-4; Green Arrow: The Wonder Year #1-4.
Oliver is faced with all new challenges in Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2. While Oliver is confronting the reality of his identity—and the repurcussions of his actions—he's also being hunted by the CIA after being framed for a murder he didn't commit.
And that's not all! Oliver and Dinah find themselves traveling back to the days of Robin Hood! Find out all that happens in Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2 collecting Green Arrow #51-80; Green Arrow Annual #4-6; Who's Who #14; The Brave and the Bold #1-6; Shado: Song of the Dragon #1-4; Green Arrow: The Wonder Year #1-4.
1480 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2021
About the author
Mike Grell
660 books84 followersMike 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
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 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 7, 2022
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2 collects Green Arrow #51-80; Green Arrow Annual #4-6; The Brave and the Bold #1-6; Shado: Song of the Dragon #1-4; and Green Arrow: The Wonder Year #1-4.
Here we are, the conclusion of Mike Grell's six year run of Green Arrow plus some odds and ends. Grell writes or co-writes everything in here. Dan Jurgens, Rick Hoberg, Shea Pensa, and others supply the art. There's not a good credits page in this one like there was in the last one.
Anyway, Green Arrow returns to Seattle and Black Canary and resumes his life as an urban hunter. Old frenemies like Eddie Fyres and Shado return. Lots of people get shot with arrows in Green Arrow's war on street crime.
There's a lot more to it than that. Grell weaves some great crime tales. I'm floundering here trying to quantify why I liked this so much. I will tell you that I did not care for the Brave and the Bold miniseries featuring Green Arrow, The Question, and The Butcher. The story and art were all over the place and I can't imagine anyone involved was satisfied with it.
Back to the good stuff, Grell is a masterful writer, even though some of the subject matter is a bit dated by now with so many references to Vietnam. Other than that, it feels pretty timeless. A guy trying to do his best to fight crime and corruption is as timely then as it is 3o years later. While I'm curious as to what happened after Grell left the book, I don't think I'll be seeking that stuff out.
Four out of five stars.
Here we are, the conclusion of Mike Grell's six year run of Green Arrow plus some odds and ends. Grell writes or co-writes everything in here. Dan Jurgens, Rick Hoberg, Shea Pensa, and others supply the art. There's not a good credits page in this one like there was in the last one.
Anyway, Green Arrow returns to Seattle and Black Canary and resumes his life as an urban hunter. Old frenemies like Eddie Fyres and Shado return. Lots of people get shot with arrows in Green Arrow's war on street crime.
There's a lot more to it than that. Grell weaves some great crime tales. I'm floundering here trying to quantify why I liked this so much. I will tell you that I did not care for the Brave and the Bold miniseries featuring Green Arrow, The Question, and The Butcher. The story and art were all over the place and I can't imagine anyone involved was satisfied with it.
Back to the good stuff, Grell is a masterful writer, even though some of the subject matter is a bit dated by now with so many references to Vietnam. Other than that, it feels pretty timeless. A guy trying to do his best to fight crime and corruption is as timely then as it is 3o years later. While I'm curious as to what happened after Grell left the book, I don't think I'll be seeking that stuff out.
Four out of five stars.
June 18, 2022
(Zero spoiler review) 3.25/5
It's a rare thing indeed that I start reading a book as soon as it enters into my collection. Considering I have hundreds of books, some of which I've had since I started reading hardcover collected editions, it takes something pretty special to get me to put off whatever my next read was to pick up a new arrival. But that was the impact that The Longbow Hunters omnibus 1 had on me. It tickled me in a way few 'superhero' stories do. Grounded, gritty and very well written. You want me to fall in love with a caped and costumed crusader, that's the way to go about it. And whilst the strengths of Grell's run tapered off towards the end of omnibus 1, I was still well and truly looking forward to volume 2. Ad now that its here, and I've read it, I must say, I kind of wish I didn't. Granted, its not terrible by any means, but so much of what I fell in love with in that first book is absent here, or at least significantly watered down. It started off well enough with a return to the simple strengths of volume one (once that weird Robin Hood story was done), and that initial fizz of the first volume was back. Small, quaint tales of Oliver Queen and the dark, yet very normal denizens of New York. Sadly, it didn't take long for the tables to turn, and Grell's stories drifting into more and more absurd territory. And what was worth, his writing went with it. When I read a book, I like to read it, so it was somewhat strange that Grell's very sparse, simplistic style appealed. It certainly made the 1400 or so pages fly by all the quicker. But there was beauty in that simplicity, like I'd seen few writers capable of. Most writers write little because they're not very good. But there was a competent restraint to Grell. He could do with few words what others needed many to do, if they even could at all. But it all just got a bit... dumb, really. Stories stopped being quick, dark urban fantasies, and became contrived and convoluted. And, god help me, we even got a few Scooby Doo type Saturday morning mysteries that I would rather exorcise from my memory. Sure, there were a few highlights to rival some of omnibus 1's better arcs, which I won't go into detail on to avoid spoilers, but the entire second half of this book was a steady decline into the kind of mediocrity I wouldn't have expected after volume 1. Not only did Grell's writing fall away, but the art dipped as well. Hoburg, who I really liked, drew less of this, with some of the fill in artists being atrocious. Some of the worst art I've yet seen. Whether this book was losing sales, so they kept cutting corners to keep it going, I don't know. But if that was the case, I really wish they let it end when it was a much better book. And the character and narrative decisions towards the end... don't even get me started. They were poorly planned, ineffectually executed, not to mention highly angering to me, as I sat there unable to believe what they were doing to such a great cast of characters. I was glad when it was over, and very sad to see what it had become. I wanted and expected more. Sigh. 3.25/5
OmniBen.
It's a rare thing indeed that I start reading a book as soon as it enters into my collection. Considering I have hundreds of books, some of which I've had since I started reading hardcover collected editions, it takes something pretty special to get me to put off whatever my next read was to pick up a new arrival. But that was the impact that The Longbow Hunters omnibus 1 had on me. It tickled me in a way few 'superhero' stories do. Grounded, gritty and very well written. You want me to fall in love with a caped and costumed crusader, that's the way to go about it. And whilst the strengths of Grell's run tapered off towards the end of omnibus 1, I was still well and truly looking forward to volume 2. Ad now that its here, and I've read it, I must say, I kind of wish I didn't. Granted, its not terrible by any means, but so much of what I fell in love with in that first book is absent here, or at least significantly watered down. It started off well enough with a return to the simple strengths of volume one (once that weird Robin Hood story was done), and that initial fizz of the first volume was back. Small, quaint tales of Oliver Queen and the dark, yet very normal denizens of New York. Sadly, it didn't take long for the tables to turn, and Grell's stories drifting into more and more absurd territory. And what was worth, his writing went with it. When I read a book, I like to read it, so it was somewhat strange that Grell's very sparse, simplistic style appealed. It certainly made the 1400 or so pages fly by all the quicker. But there was beauty in that simplicity, like I'd seen few writers capable of. Most writers write little because they're not very good. But there was a competent restraint to Grell. He could do with few words what others needed many to do, if they even could at all. But it all just got a bit... dumb, really. Stories stopped being quick, dark urban fantasies, and became contrived and convoluted. And, god help me, we even got a few Scooby Doo type Saturday morning mysteries that I would rather exorcise from my memory. Sure, there were a few highlights to rival some of omnibus 1's better arcs, which I won't go into detail on to avoid spoilers, but the entire second half of this book was a steady decline into the kind of mediocrity I wouldn't have expected after volume 1. Not only did Grell's writing fall away, but the art dipped as well. Hoburg, who I really liked, drew less of this, with some of the fill in artists being atrocious. Some of the worst art I've yet seen. Whether this book was losing sales, so they kept cutting corners to keep it going, I don't know. But if that was the case, I really wish they let it end when it was a much better book. And the character and narrative decisions towards the end... don't even get me started. They were poorly planned, ineffectually executed, not to mention highly angering to me, as I sat there unable to believe what they were doing to such a great cast of characters. I was glad when it was over, and very sad to see what it had become. I wanted and expected more. Sigh. 3.25/5
OmniBen.
April 4, 2023
There are all kinds of hunters. Some hunt to survive...
Some just like to watch things die..
And some hunt the hunters.
Mike Grell's Green Arrow run is a underated one i think. The 90s get there fair amount of flack, and its only right i guess, but this early 90s run is fantastic. Grell loves the character and it shows, its a really grounded run, which i love, its just Oliver Queen fighting baddies mostly in Seatle. Grell uses reall time newspaper articles for his stories in the first omnibus, and makes it a realistic run sort of. He also shifts easy going stories with more social commentary in a great way. Its action packed but also with alot of heart. Olivers relationship with Dinah Lance is also really well done. This is a comic run that could make you a fan of the character, check it out !
Some just like to watch things die..
And some hunt the hunters.
Mike Grell's Green Arrow run is a underated one i think. The 90s get there fair amount of flack, and its only right i guess, but this early 90s run is fantastic. Grell loves the character and it shows, its a really grounded run, which i love, its just Oliver Queen fighting baddies mostly in Seatle. Grell uses reall time newspaper articles for his stories in the first omnibus, and makes it a realistic run sort of. He also shifts easy going stories with more social commentary in a great way. Its action packed but also with alot of heart. Olivers relationship with Dinah Lance is also really well done. This is a comic run that could make you a fan of the character, check it out !
September 28, 2024
I feel like the adventures of Green Arrow got even better with this volume. I thought the format would get reptative but the suprisingly, it did not. The Song of the Dragon story was beautiful. Both the narrative and the art.
November 29, 2024
Mike Grell's illustrious and powerful epic of Oliver Queen comes to an end. While it wasn't as strong as the first omnibus, it's still a continuation of the grounded, realistic take of the Emerald Archer in the emerald city, Seattle.
April 15, 2023
Mike Grell is master storyteller. You can experience Good to Great stories with beautiful artwork throughout both omnibuses. Vol. 1 was a Masterpiece. Vol. 2 lives up to its greatness.
July 27, 2022
The back half of Grell's run continues the usual standard of excellence seen in the first half. The only things that bring this collection down is a tie-in for DC's underwhelming Bloodlines event. Not only does it clash with the more grounded setting the book has, the event as a whole just wasn't very good.
April 8, 2023
The second half of Mike Grell’s amazing run of Green Arrow. Also includes a story from the 75th anniversary special. A great run overall!
November 3, 2025
This book collects the second half of Mike Grell’s Green Arrow run and is a good continuation, but does feel like a slight step down.
Ollie returns to Seattle and embarks on more well told crime stories, but for whatever reason they aren’t quite as gripping or memorable as the first volume’s. Like I said, still good and worth reading but not quite as captivating as their predecessor. I also wasn’t really a fan of the two Annuals collected, with the Bloodlines tie in being pretty jarring compared to the rest of the book in how crazy it gets.
This volume also collects several other miniseries that Mike Grell did in his time on the book, some of which I believe have never been reprinted.
The Brave and the Bold features a team up between Ollie, The Question and a character named the Butcher who I was unfamiliar with. Unfortunately the book seemed to assume I had heard of him, and it really felt more like a Butcher story than either of the other two characters. Mike Baron co-wrote this story and that’s quite apparent in how different it feels from the rest of the book. I wasn’t really a fan of this mini and ended up skimming it to get back to the main series.
Shado: Song of the Dragon is a mini focusing on that character introduced in the first volume. The art was fantastic and the story was fine but doesn’t really impact the main series at all.
Then closing off the book is Green Arrow: The Wonder Year which is Mike Grell’s version of the early part of Oliver’s vigilante career. It brushes a lot of the same strokes as the Secret Origins issue from the first volume, and honestly I think I enjoyed that story’s pacing and structure a little bit more. I also feel it could have done with another issue as it ends a little abruptly.
Overall though this book is still worth reading if you enjoyed volume 1. The main Green Arrow series is still consistent, with the Shado arc in this book: Hunt for the Red Dragon being one of my favourites of the run.
The book’s conclusion definitely feels like a “and now a new writer continues this story” type ending rather than how more modern runs tend to end. It’s more a conclusion to this part of Oliver’s life than a conclusion to the character overall.
As with the rest of the series the art in this book is fantastic and consistent with Rick Hoberg doing an excellent job emulating the styles that came before while putting his own spin on things. Not once in either volume was I taken out of the story by a change in artists.
Overall I’d you’re a fan of Green Arrow you need to read these two volumes, there isn’t a better place to start.
Ollie returns to Seattle and embarks on more well told crime stories, but for whatever reason they aren’t quite as gripping or memorable as the first volume’s. Like I said, still good and worth reading but not quite as captivating as their predecessor. I also wasn’t really a fan of the two Annuals collected, with the Bloodlines tie in being pretty jarring compared to the rest of the book in how crazy it gets.
This volume also collects several other miniseries that Mike Grell did in his time on the book, some of which I believe have never been reprinted.
The Brave and the Bold features a team up between Ollie, The Question and a character named the Butcher who I was unfamiliar with. Unfortunately the book seemed to assume I had heard of him, and it really felt more like a Butcher story than either of the other two characters. Mike Baron co-wrote this story and that’s quite apparent in how different it feels from the rest of the book. I wasn’t really a fan of this mini and ended up skimming it to get back to the main series.
Shado: Song of the Dragon is a mini focusing on that character introduced in the first volume. The art was fantastic and the story was fine but doesn’t really impact the main series at all.
Then closing off the book is Green Arrow: The Wonder Year which is Mike Grell’s version of the early part of Oliver’s vigilante career. It brushes a lot of the same strokes as the Secret Origins issue from the first volume, and honestly I think I enjoyed that story’s pacing and structure a little bit more. I also feel it could have done with another issue as it ends a little abruptly.
Overall though this book is still worth reading if you enjoyed volume 1. The main Green Arrow series is still consistent, with the Shado arc in this book: Hunt for the Red Dragon being one of my favourites of the run.
The book’s conclusion definitely feels like a “and now a new writer continues this story” type ending rather than how more modern runs tend to end. It’s more a conclusion to this part of Oliver’s life than a conclusion to the character overall.
As with the rest of the series the art in this book is fantastic and consistent with Rick Hoberg doing an excellent job emulating the styles that came before while putting his own spin on things. Not once in either volume was I taken out of the story by a change in artists.
Overall I’d you’re a fan of Green Arrow you need to read these two volumes, there isn’t a better place to start.
July 16, 2024
When it is all said and done, Mike Grell's work on Green Arrow is absolutely wonderful and well worth the read. Grell wrote a mature Oliver Queen making him a darker, grittier, older version of Oliver Queen that exists as part of a gritty world and taking away a lot of his silly gimmick arrows was an inspired choice, and things get even better here. And not just the subject matter: topics ranging from serial killers, abuse, PTSD, environmental concerns, drug running, political conspiracies, sexual predators, and very, very complicated relationships, but also Oliver himself. It’s insane how over the course of 80 issues there really weren’t any bad stories. Not crazy about the annuals in this book but I loved the mainline title as well as the inclusion of the Shado mini series and The Wonder Year for Ollie’s origin. It retains so much of Oliver’s personality, he’s still smug and sarcastic but more reflective here. It’s also probably the most depressing Green Arrow comic I’ve read with an ending for issue 80 that hits like a freight train. Grell really does so much with this character and his experience as an artist mean that he has great instincts on when to just sit back and let his collaborators do the talking, which happens quite often and allows for just some beautiful, unobstructed action. I could talk all day about how much I love this run, it’s a masterclass in comics. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year thus far and probably one of my new favorite reads ever. Gray morality, political intrigue, strong characters and gorgeous art are all found throughout this book. It’s not for the faint of heart but The Longbow Hunters Saga is a truly special comic that fans of GA new and old should seek out. Cannot recommend this enough, easily one of my favorite reads of the year thus far and probably one of my new favorite reads ever, this series mesmerized me.
August 15, 2023
While Grell's seminal Green Arrow run isn't quite as strong as it was in the first couple years, in totality there is a lot to love about Grell's six year tenure on this title. While Grell famously mentions that his version of Oliver Queen tackles crime ripped straight from the headlines, there is a decent amount of over-sensationalization going on to really make that feel true. Nonetheless, when Grell tackles issues like the Vietnam draft (Green Arrow #61 - "Sign of the Times") it's clear just how sharp of a writer he is - especially when compared to many of the works around this time. While those masterful issues become less frequent in the back half of this run, the overall quality is still quite good. My favorite thing about this run is how insulated it is from the broader DC universe, with only tangential connections to other events. Other highlights include the "Hunt for the Red Dragon" arc which brings back Shado (my personal favorite character in the entirety of Grell's run), as well as the "Shado: Song of the Dragon" miniseries which features amazing artwork from Michael Davis Lawrence.
The many other artists who contribute to the series are all great, but it's Rick Hoberg's layouts that make this a pretty memorable time. The plain backgrounds allow for some of the urban dreariness to steep through the many stories collected here, giving this fictionalized version of Seattle a much more lived in but grimy feel to it. It reminds me a lot of how Denys Cowan handled the layouts for Denny O'Neil's The Question run, which is an apt comparison for more than just artwork alone. Grell's Green Arrow stands out because it sticks to its uncompromising grim tone from start to finish.
The many other artists who contribute to the series are all great, but it's Rick Hoberg's layouts that make this a pretty memorable time. The plain backgrounds allow for some of the urban dreariness to steep through the many stories collected here, giving this fictionalized version of Seattle a much more lived in but grimy feel to it. It reminds me a lot of how Denys Cowan handled the layouts for Denny O'Neil's The Question run, which is an apt comparison for more than just artwork alone. Grell's Green Arrow stands out because it sticks to its uncompromising grim tone from start to finish.
June 25, 2024
By no means bad, but this did not hit the same notes that the first omni did. The charm was lost and the thought-provoking issues that the first omni captivated you with were far and few in between.
This is still a better read than a lot of other stuff going on, but I found myself reading this at a much slower pace than the first one. There was so much growth that happened to Oliver and Dinah in the first omni and it was almost insulting to see what happens to them at the end of the omni. I like Oliver being a flawed man, but his moments should've happened with someone else if they wanted to go down that route.
I still believe that Mike Grell knows how to write Oliver, but the first 50 issues of his run are what really prove that.
3.25/5
This is still a better read than a lot of other stuff going on, but I found myself reading this at a much slower pace than the first one. There was so much growth that happened to Oliver and Dinah in the first omni and it was almost insulting to see what happens to them at the end of the omni. I like Oliver being a flawed man, but his moments should've happened with someone else if they wanted to go down that route.
I still believe that Mike Grell knows how to write Oliver, but the first 50 issues of his run are what really prove that.
3.25/5
June 26, 2022
Not as good as the first volume. Very boring stories and even more atrocious ending.
February 27, 2025
Amazing
March 15, 2025
9/10
i am so thankful for this book. for both volumes really. i LOVED experiencing these stories for the first time. most of these stories are better when you can read them back to back really. almost every story takes two issues and you need the second one for satisfaction. anyways, this was just so great. the stories were just as risky and exciting to read as in the first omnibus. i think the first one was slightly better but i still loved this. The trippy annual to start, Ollie’s return to Seattle and reunion with Dinah, the Shado mini and 4-part yearly special with her, the wonder year, ISSUE 75, and the tragic end all came together beautifully. also the short story with Grells return all those years later the end was great and nostalgic for se reason even tho i read it back to back. The Brave and the Bold mini was okay, not as great as the rest but still enjoyable. Grell is just amazing at cinematic storytelling, and creates something you wont really find anywhere else at DC. I appreciate that so much about this run. Taking real serious topics and just putting it out there. I love this character because of him. Man im sad it’s over. it was a great ride. issue 75 was a great send off and real finale to this whole run! Reuniting us with the great characters that Grell introduced and expanded, Dinah, Shado, Cameron, even bringing back Osborn and Arsenal, it was just amazing and emotional at the end for me. It was an interesting choice by Grell to end it on a sour note like that but I am not mad at all about it. the last 5 issues were kind of an epilogue i think with Ollie kind of moving on and being with the only guy left out of 75, Fyers. Just a definitive, defining run on Ollie overall. Thank you Mike Grell for the 6 year run!
The main artist and inker of the book Hoberg and Nyberg are great and consistent throughout. The letterer Haynie and editor Mike Gold too! But the real MVP for me (besides Grell) is Julia Lacquement. I have never heard of her before but her colors really make this story and is here the ENTIRE time. vibrant, unique, it really makes the vibe of the story and makes the entire run stand out more than it did already.
the extras and essays included are great too. i only wish everything from the Seattle era was included even tho its a big book so i understand. I understand leaving out the first 3 annuals and they are included in The Question omnis so it’s okay. But, The Butcher mini wouldve been a good prequel to Brave and the Bold and it is one of the few comics Ollie shows up in outside his own during this time. “Batman/Green Arrow: the poison tomorrow” as well bc the same reason.
Annual 5 and the two Black Canary series, and her story secret origins #50 is also from this era and wouldve been cool but they definitely should get their own collection.
Anyways, this is still a spectacular book anyone who likes Green Arrow or just good comics should get.
i am so thankful for this book. for both volumes really. i LOVED experiencing these stories for the first time. most of these stories are better when you can read them back to back really. almost every story takes two issues and you need the second one for satisfaction. anyways, this was just so great. the stories were just as risky and exciting to read as in the first omnibus. i think the first one was slightly better but i still loved this. The trippy annual to start, Ollie’s return to Seattle and reunion with Dinah, the Shado mini and 4-part yearly special with her, the wonder year, ISSUE 75, and the tragic end all came together beautifully. also the short story with Grells return all those years later the end was great and nostalgic for se reason even tho i read it back to back. The Brave and the Bold mini was okay, not as great as the rest but still enjoyable. Grell is just amazing at cinematic storytelling, and creates something you wont really find anywhere else at DC. I appreciate that so much about this run. Taking real serious topics and just putting it out there. I love this character because of him. Man im sad it’s over. it was a great ride. issue 75 was a great send off and real finale to this whole run! Reuniting us with the great characters that Grell introduced and expanded, Dinah, Shado, Cameron, even bringing back Osborn and Arsenal, it was just amazing and emotional at the end for me. It was an interesting choice by Grell to end it on a sour note like that but I am not mad at all about it. the last 5 issues were kind of an epilogue i think with Ollie kind of moving on and being with the only guy left out of 75, Fyers. Just a definitive, defining run on Ollie overall. Thank you Mike Grell for the 6 year run!
The main artist and inker of the book Hoberg and Nyberg are great and consistent throughout. The letterer Haynie and editor Mike Gold too! But the real MVP for me (besides Grell) is Julia Lacquement. I have never heard of her before but her colors really make this story and is here the ENTIRE time. vibrant, unique, it really makes the vibe of the story and makes the entire run stand out more than it did already.
the extras and essays included are great too. i only wish everything from the Seattle era was included even tho its a big book so i understand. I understand leaving out the first 3 annuals and they are included in The Question omnis so it’s okay. But, The Butcher mini wouldve been a good prequel to Brave and the Bold and it is one of the few comics Ollie shows up in outside his own during this time. “Batman/Green Arrow: the poison tomorrow” as well bc the same reason.
Annual 5 and the two Black Canary series, and her story secret origins #50 is also from this era and wouldve been cool but they definitely should get their own collection.
Anyways, this is still a spectacular book anyone who likes Green Arrow or just good comics should get.
July 10, 2023
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2 is a thrilling and action-packed continuation of the story that began in volume 1. This edition is a must-have for any fan of Green Arrow or for anyone who enjoys a good comic book series.
The story in this volume is just as thought-provoking and intense as its predecessor, picking up right where the previous volume left off and taking us on a wild ride through the criminal underworld of Seattle. Green Arrow faces new challenges and adversaries, each one more dangerous than the last. What sets this edition apart is the emotional depth of the story. We get to see a more vulnerable and human side of Green Arrow, which is a refreshing change of pace from the typical superhero narrative.
The artwork in this volume is stunning, with expertly choreographed action scenes and beautifully drawn characters. The colors are vivid and eye-catching, making every page a true work of art.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2. The story is gripping, the artwork is fantastic, and the emotional depth of the characters is moving. If you're a fan of Green Arrow, this is a must-read. Even if you're new to the character, this series is a great introduction and well worth your time. I highly recommend picking up a copy today.
The story in this volume is just as thought-provoking and intense as its predecessor, picking up right where the previous volume left off and taking us on a wild ride through the criminal underworld of Seattle. Green Arrow faces new challenges and adversaries, each one more dangerous than the last. What sets this edition apart is the emotional depth of the story. We get to see a more vulnerable and human side of Green Arrow, which is a refreshing change of pace from the typical superhero narrative.
The artwork in this volume is stunning, with expertly choreographed action scenes and beautifully drawn characters. The colors are vivid and eye-catching, making every page a true work of art.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 2. The story is gripping, the artwork is fantastic, and the emotional depth of the characters is moving. If you're a fan of Green Arrow, this is a must-read. Even if you're new to the character, this series is a great introduction and well worth your time. I highly recommend picking up a copy today.
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