Scan barcode
joshgauthier's review
5.0
Percy continues to deliver with vol. 5 of his current and notably strong run of Green Arrow. Tying together some of the story threads of Ollie's ongoing struggle, and bringing in other members of the Justice League--Percy deepens the complexities of the plot and Arrow's personal character arc.
Personally, I've felt that Percy's writing balances on the edge of being too on-the-nose at moments, but he's never fully crossed that line for me--and the complexity of his writing and his characters is as strong as ever. This series continues to impress in both art and writing as Arrow throws himself headlong into a mystery that may well be beyond his ability to face.
Personally, I've felt that Percy's writing balances on the edge of being too on-the-nose at moments, but he's never fully crossed that line for me--and the complexity of his writing and his characters is as strong as ever. This series continues to impress in both art and writing as Arrow throws himself headlong into a mystery that may well be beyond his ability to face.
stevequinn's review
2.0
So much of this book doesn’t make sense. The Burned? Um, if I was burned within an inch of my life, I’m not fighting anyone. Ever again. Or following the people who burned me. Slurm? What kind of sound effect is that? And how about we do a quick, meaningless pairing of arrow with most of the justice leaguers? At best, I could say this read like a terrible middle grade adaptation.
spennett's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
19lindsey89's review
2.0
I didn't love this volume, but I don't love the road-trip trope. Green Arrow is road tripping and each issue he meets a different member of the Justice League. As a result, it didn't feel like much was happening.
I also think one of my biggest hangups is a carry over from the whole Rebirth run. I'm not sure what from past comics (New 52, pre-New 52) applies, and what I'm supposed to ignore. It's confusing and not working for me.
sherpawhale's review
4.0
This review slightly derailed by a top review of this book saying "Hey-o, it's Oliver Queen the road trip hoe!" and I can't stop laughing at that.
Okay, I'm good. Oliver Queen goes on a road trip (and space trip) as he teams up with the Justice League, sorta. Each individual issue has him teaming up with a different member of the OG JL. Each issue is great (I hope Ollie remembers to send Clark a Father's Day card), and highlights how Ollie works and how he's viewed. I just don't think it worked as a whole compilation, at least quite as well.
Also, there was less Black Canary than there had been before, and that's just sad.
Okay, I'm good. Oliver Queen goes on a road trip (and space trip) as he teams up with the Justice League, sorta. Each individual issue has him teaming up with a different member of the OG JL. Each issue is great (I hope Ollie remembers to send Clark a Father's Day card), and highlights how Ollie works and how he's viewed. I just don't think it worked as a whole compilation, at least quite as well.
Also, there was less Black Canary than there had been before, and that's just sad.
mcacev's review
3.0
Rise of Star City is the culmination of the series so far, as everything that Percy has introduced, every character, every plot point (except for Diggle, but we'll get to that) culminates in this volume. Was it successful? Let's find out.
The story starts with Olie finding a secret museum under his father's grave, while reminiscing about their relationship. At the same time, a group of assassins and villains, destroy various properties around Seattle. Cheshire brings down 3 planes, Eddie Fyers unleashes a ton of poisonous bugs and insects in various hotels, restaurants and stores, Danny Brickwell destroys a building and Nate blackmails various senators to lift legislation off of pretty much all the safety network Seattle has in construction, environmental protection, business protection and taxes. All this is part of the Ninth Circle's plan to rebuild Star City on top of the lay lines that go under Seattle and usher into a new judgement day.
If all that sounds convoluted... it's because it is. It also might sound familiar to those of you who have played the TellTale version of Batman; it's a very similar premise. Olie finds out his father had been a member of the Ninth Circle; in fact, his ancestor created it and the entire Queen clan was responsible for making it what it is. It's a pretty big revelation, and I thought it was handled well. There was a real sense of loss for Oliver; loss of identity, of hope and of allies. Two extremely powerful moments were the aftermath of Henry's kidnapping and Olie's subsequent fight with Eddie, as well as the destruction of the Space Needle.
Now for things I didn't like. First off, with the amount of destruction that occurs within the span of 24 h, where the hell is the Justice League? I mean it, parts of Seattle are decimated. How is no one else aware of this? Then we have Olie and Dinah's fight (again). I don't understand Dinah's motivation AT ALL. She thinks that of Oliver regains his company back, he will somehow become a fascist? Huh? I am 100% on his side in this, I don't understand the leap of logic that is required for someone to think that Olie regaining control of the company that has been sawing chaos everywhere for the past 20 issues and making it NOT do that is fascist. Does Dinah not realize how much more effective they could be as fighters if they had capital, influence and control than as a ragtag gang of vigilantes who live in a goddamn tree house? And I'm sorry but Dinah has no right to tell anyone not to seek out their literal birthright. This fight was on par with the fight between Wanda and Pietro on sheer stupidity.
Next, Dinah's whole jealousy with the reporter. You are the one who stormed off, you are the one who refuses to acknowledge that you and Olie are dating, you are the one who constantly demands to be alone and that you don't need anyone. You don't get to be jealous or suspicious of others for wanting to help THEIR OWN FUCKING CITY just because they might have a crush on a guy that you constantly reject and shut down. I was glad Olie at least for once stood his ground and refused to cave in; he is actually right in this argument. I honestly have no idea what Dinah is like in her solo series, but if she's anything like what she is here... God Rebirth did her wrong. Very wrong.
We have Roy and Emi interacting which was entertaining. I expected them to clash heads a bit more, but it was refreshing to see two characters not fighting with each other over nothing for a change.
As for the ending... it was stupid. I don't get it. Why would the police arrest Olie. He was presumed dead, why would they arrest him? I can sort of get why maybe the people would think he was maybe responsible for the destruction but even that is far fetched tbh.
Honestly, this volume was a mess. Parts were really good; all the parts were Olie was on his own, discovering his father's past and confronting Cyrus were great. I even liked Roy and Emi's little detour. But all the rest... it was rushed, sloppy and not up to par with the rest of the series. This is where the tone problems really become apparent. Percy wants this to be a fun adventure series, but at the same time he also wants it to be serious social commentary, and you just can't really do both, or at least not like this.
The story starts with Olie finding a secret museum under his father's grave, while reminiscing about their relationship. At the same time, a group of assassins and villains, destroy various properties around Seattle. Cheshire brings down 3 planes, Eddie Fyers unleashes a ton of poisonous bugs and insects in various hotels, restaurants and stores, Danny Brickwell destroys a building and Nate blackmails various senators to lift legislation off of pretty much all the safety network Seattle has in construction, environmental protection, business protection and taxes. All this is part of the Ninth Circle's plan to rebuild Star City on top of the lay lines that go under Seattle and usher into a new judgement day.
If all that sounds convoluted... it's because it is. It also might sound familiar to those of you who have played the TellTale version of Batman; it's a very similar premise. Olie finds out his father had been a member of the Ninth Circle; in fact, his ancestor created it and the entire Queen clan was responsible for making it what it is. It's a pretty big revelation, and I thought it was handled well. There was a real sense of loss for Oliver; loss of identity, of hope and of allies. Two extremely powerful moments were the aftermath of Henry's kidnapping and Olie's subsequent fight with Eddie, as well as the destruction of the Space Needle.
Now for things I didn't like. First off, with the amount of destruction that occurs within the span of 24 h, where the hell is the Justice League? I mean it, parts of Seattle are decimated. How is no one else aware of this? Then we have Olie and Dinah's fight (again). I don't understand Dinah's motivation AT ALL. She thinks that of Oliver regains his company back, he will somehow become a fascist? Huh? I am 100% on his side in this, I don't understand the leap of logic that is required for someone to think that Olie regaining control of the company that has been sawing chaos everywhere for the past 20 issues and making it NOT do that is fascist. Does Dinah not realize how much more effective they could be as fighters if they had capital, influence and control than as a ragtag gang of vigilantes who live in a goddamn tree house? And I'm sorry but Dinah has no right to tell anyone not to seek out their literal birthright. This fight was on par with the fight between Wanda and Pietro on sheer stupidity.
Next, Dinah's whole jealousy with the reporter. You are the one who stormed off, you are the one who refuses to acknowledge that you and Olie are dating, you are the one who constantly demands to be alone and that you don't need anyone. You don't get to be jealous or suspicious of others for wanting to help THEIR OWN FUCKING CITY just because they might have a crush on a guy that you constantly reject and shut down. I was glad Olie at least for once stood his ground and refused to cave in; he is actually right in this argument. I honestly have no idea what Dinah is like in her solo series, but if she's anything like what she is here... God Rebirth did her wrong. Very wrong.
We have Roy and Emi interacting which was entertaining. I expected them to clash heads a bit more, but it was refreshing to see two characters not fighting with each other over nothing for a change.
As for the ending... it was stupid. I don't get it. Why would the police arrest Olie. He was presumed dead, why would they arrest him? I can sort of get why maybe the people would think he was maybe responsible for the destruction but even that is far fetched tbh.
Honestly, this volume was a mess. Parts were really good; all the parts were Olie was on his own, discovering his father's past and confronting Cyrus were great. I even liked Roy and Emi's little detour. But all the rest... it was rushed, sloppy and not up to par with the rest of the series. This is where the tone problems really become apparent. Percy wants this to be a fun adventure series, but at the same time he also wants it to be serious social commentary, and you just can't really do both, or at least not like this.
birdmanseven's review
3.0
The over-arching story feels a little tired here, but the team-up element of each issue more than makes up for it. Plus, the book looks great. The Green Arrow/Superman issue brought back fond memories of Smallville. That was a nice nostalgic bonus.
For more on this series, tune in to our special Green Arrow spotlight over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-233-green-arrow
For more on this series, tune in to our special Green Arrow spotlight over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-233-green-arrow
bangarang's review
4.0
HEYOOOO! Road Trip Hoe ™ Ollie Queen is back in action. And he’s teaming up with everyone on the JL.
“I don’t do teamwork!” Ollie says grumpily as he effectively teams up with Barry, Diana, Lex, Clark, Bruce and Hal.
Plus Emi and Dinah have a lot of great moments together, and that’s 100% what I’m about. A bit filler, but still a solid 3.5 stars — that said, I will happily round up to 4!
My one complaint: no Dinah/Ollie reunion! Guess I’ll have to wait for the next one.
“I don’t do teamwork!” Ollie says grumpily as he effectively teams up with Barry, Diana, Lex, Clark, Bruce and Hal.
Plus Emi and Dinah have a lot of great moments together, and that’s 100% what I’m about. A bit filler, but still a solid 3.5 stars — that said, I will happily round up to 4!
My one complaint: no Dinah/Ollie reunion! Guess I’ll have to wait for the next one.
peregrineace's review
4.0
On par with the previous collection. The story really soars when it focuses tightly on the characters and their relationships. This was obviously and excuse to do a big character crossover but it actually works pretty decently.