Scan barcode
fandom4ever's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Green Arrow: Year One was one of the influences for the television show Arrow, (they even created a brand new character named Diggle after this story’s writer)and I finally got around to reading it. I really enjoyed Year One. It was the first Green Arrow comic I’ve read and I’m glad I started with his beginnings because while I knew about Oliver’s time on an island I didn’t know all the rest of it. It was a pretty fast set-up of Ollie being the typical reckless billionaire who doesn’t care about anyone or anything until he’s betrayed and left for dead. I loved finding out how he had been given archery lessons when he was young and was really good at them but never continued with it. It helped to flesh out his skill when he’s forced to learn how to survive on an island that turns out isn’t as abandoned as he thought.
The story drew me in, though I feel it could have been a few issues longer as the story happened quite fast. The art on the other hand, I thought was just okay. The people weren’t bad but the backgrounds were rather plain, either being completely white or very basic. Sometimes there were empty panels or the action in them was very small in the rectangle. I guess it was a choice but meh.
If you’re looking to try out some Green Arrow stories, I would definitely recommend starting here. It gives you all the backstory you need to see how Oliver got his start and where he picked up the green hood and name ‘Green Arrow’.
janeymacd's review against another edition
4.0
A fun adventure and introduction to Olliver Queen.
This story was not what I had expected. Having first followed the TV series I had expected a more familiar story line. I didn't get that, but I was not disappointed. It is always interesting to see other versions of characters you love.
I will definitely continue following this story line to see what the Green Arrow does now that he can get off this island.
This story was not what I had expected. Having first followed the TV series I had expected a more familiar story line. I didn't get that, but I was not disappointed. It is always interesting to see other versions of characters you love.
I will definitely continue following this story line to see what the Green Arrow does now that he can get off this island.
mikibooks's review against another edition
4.0
Este Oliver no estará tan bueno como el de la serie pero al menos actúa mil veces mejor...
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Background
So in the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I picked up this comic because of the show, Arrow. Yes, the show is a bit cheesy and melodramatic, but it is a lot of fun to watch and it made really curious about the original version of this character.
The Green Arrow seems to be one of those characters that everybody knows but no one seems to read. First created in 1941 by Morton Weisinger and George Papp. He’s had a number of image changes over the years, but I’ve always associated as someone who dresses like Robin Hood, sporting a gravity defying beard. His real name is Oliver Queen and he is a billionaire living in Star City. In many ways he’s the bow and arrow version of Batman – using his wealth to be a defender of morality and the every day citizen.
His character developed a reputation of being pretty left wing and progressive, especially in the 1970s when he was briefly paired with the Green Lantern. From there he remained in regular circulation until Oliver Queen was killed off in the 1990s and replaced by his son – Connor Hawke. Connor, however, wasn’t quite a hit with the fans and Oliver was eventually brought back in 2001 by Kevin Smith. He is regularly paired with Black Canary (one of my loves from Birds of Prey) and they were married in a 2007 plot arc written by Judd Winick. However, in 2011, like many other DC Comic characters his series was relaunched but unlike some of the other characters it’s been a rocky transition. Originally written by J.T. Krul and then by Ann Nocenti the series wasn’t very well received but it’s found a new writer in Jeff Lemire and things seem to be getting better since then.
Story
I chose to go with the story arc “Year One” because it’s Oliver Queen’s origin story. It isn’t connected to a larger series so I figured if I enjoyed it I could move on to a bigger series and if I didn’t then it’s wholly self contained and I could move on.
The premise of this comic is similar to that of the current CW show. Oliver Queen, a reckless, billionaire playboy finds himself lost on a seemingly deserted island. Although in this case it wasn’t a storm that brought him there – it was out and out betrayal. He’s already pretty proficient with a bow and arrow (rich kids and their hobbies) and fashions himself one from the wreckage.
It doesn’t take long for Oliver to find out that something much more sinister is going on. I loved the way the plot is constructed. Step by step pieces of information are revealed to the reader. I couldn’t imagine reading this book when it first came out and waiting for the next issue. I devoured the whole thing so quickly because I wanted to know what was at the heart of this crazy conspiracy.
Characters
I really liked the development of Oliver Queen throughout this plot arc. In the beginning you can’t stand him. He’s spoiled and annoying and I kind of wanted to push him off the boat. But as events transpire he really grows as a person. It wasn’t just a matter of him deciding to right some wrongs and fight evil. He changed as a person. By the end I found his respectable and even a bit admirable. It made sense to be why he became the Green Arrow. And in the end that’s what you want. Not just an explanation but the motivation and drive behind it.
Artwork
I liked the artwork in Year One. It wasn’t overly busy or cluttered. It was only what I needed to see. I also really liked the vibrant colours that were used through out. Bright purples and greens and reds. It was very eye catching. Since the majority of the story takes place on the island I thought the artwork would be gritty and rough so it was a surprise to find the opposite – and thankfully a surprise that worked out.
Final Thoughts
I think the Green Arrow: Year One is a good example of what a super hero origin story should be. It allows for character development, introduces the world and some of the secondary characters as well. And since Oliver Queen doesn’t have any super natural powers it also felt pretty believable.
Background
So in the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I picked up this comic because of the show, Arrow. Yes, the show is a bit cheesy and melodramatic, but it is a lot of fun to watch and it made really curious about the original version of this character.
The Green Arrow seems to be one of those characters that everybody knows but no one seems to read. First created in 1941 by Morton Weisinger and George Papp. He’s had a number of image changes over the years, but I’ve always associated as someone who dresses like Robin Hood, sporting a gravity defying beard. His real name is Oliver Queen and he is a billionaire living in Star City. In many ways he’s the bow and arrow version of Batman – using his wealth to be a defender of morality and the every day citizen.
His character developed a reputation of being pretty left wing and progressive, especially in the 1970s when he was briefly paired with the Green Lantern. From there he remained in regular circulation until Oliver Queen was killed off in the 1990s and replaced by his son – Connor Hawke. Connor, however, wasn’t quite a hit with the fans and Oliver was eventually brought back in 2001 by Kevin Smith. He is regularly paired with Black Canary (one of my loves from Birds of Prey) and they were married in a 2007 plot arc written by Judd Winick. However, in 2011, like many other DC Comic characters his series was relaunched but unlike some of the other characters it’s been a rocky transition. Originally written by J.T. Krul and then by Ann Nocenti the series wasn’t very well received but it’s found a new writer in Jeff Lemire and things seem to be getting better since then.
Story
I chose to go with the story arc “Year One” because it’s Oliver Queen’s origin story. It isn’t connected to a larger series so I figured if I enjoyed it I could move on to a bigger series and if I didn’t then it’s wholly self contained and I could move on.
The premise of this comic is similar to that of the current CW show. Oliver Queen, a reckless, billionaire playboy finds himself lost on a seemingly deserted island. Although in this case it wasn’t a storm that brought him there – it was out and out betrayal. He’s already pretty proficient with a bow and arrow (rich kids and their hobbies) and fashions himself one from the wreckage.
It doesn’t take long for Oliver to find out that something much more sinister is going on. I loved the way the plot is constructed. Step by step pieces of information are revealed to the reader. I couldn’t imagine reading this book when it first came out and waiting for the next issue. I devoured the whole thing so quickly because I wanted to know what was at the heart of this crazy conspiracy.
Characters
I really liked the development of Oliver Queen throughout this plot arc. In the beginning you can’t stand him. He’s spoiled and annoying and I kind of wanted to push him off the boat. But as events transpire he really grows as a person. It wasn’t just a matter of him deciding to right some wrongs and fight evil. He changed as a person. By the end I found his respectable and even a bit admirable. It made sense to be why he became the Green Arrow. And in the end that’s what you want. Not just an explanation but the motivation and drive behind it.
Artwork
I liked the artwork in Year One. It wasn’t overly busy or cluttered. It was only what I needed to see. I also really liked the vibrant colours that were used through out. Bright purples and greens and reds. It was very eye catching. Since the majority of the story takes place on the island I thought the artwork would be gritty and rough so it was a surprise to find the opposite – and thankfully a surprise that worked out.
Final Thoughts
I think the Green Arrow: Year One is a good example of what a super hero origin story should be. It allows for character development, introduces the world and some of the secondary characters as well. And since Oliver Queen doesn’t have any super natural powers it also felt pretty believable.
metalandteacups's review against another edition
4.0
Fast read, however, I found the story lacked substance. The character development seemed rushed.
enzan's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful art, a gorgeous story, and definitely a modernized take on Oliver Queen. He is quite different from other takes on Oliver, but I liked seeing his direct growth of understanding he is not as helpless as he let himself believe as a young man. I think Ollie shines his best in stories where he is older and has been through a lot, so while this isn't my favorite comic it did shine through as unique.
tmwebb3's review
5.0
I see why they named a character after Andy Diggle on the CW show Arrow. This was outstanding, both the writing and the art. Wish I had read this before Season 1 of Arrow, since this was much better.
karliclover's review
4.0
I think the only thing wrong with this was that it was too short. It was only six issues long and I feel like it could have been better with an extra issue or two. But it was still really cool. The TV show Arrow has been getting me interested in reading more Green Arrow and Year One has not let me down.