DC Comics reviews for 2/15/17 – Justice League, Batwoman, Super Sons

Green Arrow #17

Emerald Outlaw reaches a surprising conclusion with the final (?) showdown between Green Arrow and Malcolm Merlyn. There were some puzzling decisions, but overall this was a fitting wrap-up to what’s been a terrific storyline.

After Merlyn’s shocking actions last issue, Green Arrow is back on the wrong side of the law again. That’s probably the one misstep writer Benjamin Percy makes here. Everyone knows there’s two archers running around the city and Green Arrow fought the murderous one to a standstill. So why would Green Arrow become the prime suspect again? That was a clumsy way to keep Green Arrow from having a police force at his disposal a la Batman.

The rest of the issue played out much more sensible with Oliver rallying the troops and allies from other arenas. Percy has set up The Ninth Circle as an ongoing menace to Green Arrow and they resurface in terrifying fashion. Green Arrow recruits a new ally to help expose them. Hopefully they don’t end up in the same position as some of Oliver’s other allies.

Percy revisits a Team Arrow member with an agenda subplot previously used with Red Arrow. This one seemed a little far-fetched on the surface and included for the sake of shock value. I’m thinking Percy definitely has something in store for this twist.

Otto Schmidt’s pencils are stunning as always. His style really fits this incarnation of Green Arrow with Schmidt managing to have a distinct look that doesn’t come across too cartoonish.

Green Arrow might not have hit a bulls eye with the Emerald Outlaw finale, but this was still an enjoyable read. Percy has set things up nicely going forward for Oliver Queen and with the return of his original sidekick, the fun is only getting started.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10