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GREEN ARROW #6
"Quiver Chapter Six: The Hollow Man"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Kevin Smith
Pencils: Phil Hester
Inks: Ande Parks
Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Sean Konot
Editor: Bob Schreck
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
I can see where this series
might be daunting or unpalatable to some, as Smith is using the seemingly
innocuous character of Green Arrow to tell a story that ranges all over DC
continuity, and for those without a grounding or interest in that continuity, a
lot of this story may seem like little more than fanboy minutia. For my part,
I'm greatly enjoying this take on Green Arrow, which plays to those with a
knowledge of the character and takes him to realms previously unexplored thanks
to his unusual recent life changes. This issue hints even further at the events
leading up to Ollie's return from the dead, setting the stage for a surprising
finale and a promising confrontation in the next issue. Along the way, it has
terrific work by Hester and Parks, some terrific little character moments and
some fun dialogue.
The opening sequence, pitting Green Arrow
and Batman against Etrigan, is stunning work from Hester, Parks and Major. It
blends the thoroughly unreal (a demon shot through with several arrows) with the
very flesh-and-blood movements of Batman and Arrow, and concludes with a clever
use of Ollie's trick arrows and a cute line of dialogue from Batman.
Introducing Jason Blood/Etrigan into this
story can only mean that occult things are afoot, and Smith takes the story into
unusual territory, exploring a bit more of what Ollie is and showing that his
memory isn't all that he's missing upon his return. And while Etrigan points out
the physical (or spiritual) reasons for Ollie to regain his missing parts, the
inclusion of Black Canary and Roy Harper shows off why it's so important for him
to regain his memories. The moment between Canary and Ollie was at once sweet
and heart-breaking, as Ollie is the eternal child who doesn't remember all the
dark times that Canary has had to live with.
The hints that Stanley might have a
sinister agenda continue in a brief two-page sequence, and at this point this is
either the most blatant red herring ever produced or indications that Smith is
going in a distasteful direction with the character. Here's hoping that it is at
least the former, and that the revelation of Stanley's behavior won't seem too
clunky when it comes.
This series rewards old-time fans of Green
Arrow who have been waiting a long time for the return of the character. It may
not be perfect, but it's been a good read month after month, and it remains one
of DC's strongest super-hero projects right now.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
