Scan barcode
A review by hebrideanreader
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Gold, Lurene Haines, Mike Grell, Julia Lacquement
3.0
I love Graphic Novels. I love Green Arrow. I did not love this. Yes I know it’s a classic and marked part of the re-emergence of DC into a tougher grittier world looking at big issues but there was something flat here.
The storyline was fine, a pretty standard underworld crime syndicate plot comprised of the usual megalomaniacs and with a revenge story thrown in for good measure. The relationship between Oliver and Dinah was very well written and one of the few notable highlights. They were funny and respectful of each other, and there was clearly a genuine fondness between them. Shado was intriguing and by far the most interesting character. But I suppose there lies the problem. I spent a Green Arrow story wishing I was reading a Shado story.
I felt as though Oliver was a passenger in his own story, although maybe not as much as Dinah was; When the author has to explain in the introduction why the main female character was put through such subjugating abuse despite being a heroine in her own right it’s not a good sign. I’m not sure I completely bought their motivations, except for Shado.
I’m very aware that I read The Longbow Hunters 30 years later than its time, but for a classic I’m not sure it’s held up that well. I found it…forgettable.
The storyline was fine, a pretty standard underworld crime syndicate plot comprised of the usual megalomaniacs and with a revenge story thrown in for good measure. The relationship between Oliver and Dinah was very well written and one of the few notable highlights. They were funny and respectful of each other, and there was clearly a genuine fondness between them. Shado was intriguing and by far the most interesting character. But I suppose there lies the problem. I spent a Green Arrow story wishing I was reading a Shado story.
I felt as though Oliver was a passenger in his own story, although maybe not as much as Dinah was; When the author has to explain in the introduction why the main female character was put through such subjugating abuse despite being a heroine in her own right it’s not a good sign. I’m not sure I completely bought their motivations, except for Shado.
I’m very aware that I read The Longbow Hunters 30 years later than its time, but for a classic I’m not sure it’s held up that well. I found it…forgettable.