Kevin Smith reinvigorated Green Arrow, both creatively and financially, and the big question has been, can unknown (to comics) writer Meltzer keep that spark alive? The answer, in short: It's good. It's very, very good. In fact, without denigrating a fine run by Smith, so far I'm liking it better than the first fifteen issues of the new title, as Meltzer introduces a fascinating mystery, keeps up the same fun banter that Smith brought to the book and also does a terrific job on a few big guest stars. In addition, with Hester and Parks remaining on board, the book still looks as great as it reads.
Given the number of resurrections that happen in super-hero continuity, it makes absolute sense for some of these characters to wonder who was at their funeral. Meltzer does some great work on this first issue, setting up that while Smith's run was largely about Ollie coming back and jumping back into life, his arc may be more about Ollie readjusting to being alive. The identity of the mystery guest was a surprise, and a clever use of a B (maybe even C) class character, and Meltzer paces the plot just right, not giving too much away but leaving me anxious to find out why he was there.
Actually, my favorite part of this issue isn't even the plot and the mystery, despite how much I liked it. It was the characterization. The interaction between Superman and Green Arrow is terrific, helped along by the role Superman played in Ollie's "death" and the death experiences that both men have shared. And the joking and leg-pulling that goes on between Superman (and later Oracle) and Ollie is really fun. Like Smith, Meltzer seems to have an "outsider" view of super-heroes that lets him crack new jokes based on the inherent goofiness of super powers and super technology, but it never comes across as mean-spirited; there's definitely an affection for the genre in Meltzer's work.
Also, while Smith teamed up Green Arrow and the new Green Arrow, Meltzer explores the current relationship between Green Arrow and his former sidekick, now known as Arsenal. Hester and Parks give Arsenal a slightly tweaked look that really establishes his roots as Green Arrow's sidekick while letting him stand as an adult at the same time, and their take on Ollie looks more and more definitive the more I see of it. Despite plenty of shadows and an angular, very stylized approach, the work is easy to read, action-oriented when it needs to be and expressive when dealing with the dialogue scenes. Replacing Smith on the title must have been tough; replacing Hester and Parks, when they eventually leave, is going to be excruciating.
That's down the road, however, and it's too early to begin speculating about who's next on Green Arrow. Instead, sit back and enjoy, knowing that DC has hit the bullseye again, following up a highly acclaimed creative team with another writer who seems very comfortable with the book and whose style should please fans who have been enjoying Green Arrow up until now.
