Black Canary

Green Arrow #4

/ / Comics

Green Arrow #4Continuing the opening arc of the new series, Green Arrow‘s long road back to reclaim what was taken from him leads to an encounter with John Diggle. While the initial encounter is more than a little frosty, the old allies quickly put past issues behind them to work together to take down the Ninth Circle who have kidnapped the snooping Black Canary to force Green Arrow to show himself (setting up next issue’s suicidal two-man rescue operation).

It wouldn’t be my first choice to demote Black Canary to girl hostage in the comic (maybe she’ll free herself before Ollie and Diggle arrive?). I would have preferred Ollie and Diana working together to save Diggle (or someone else), but Dinah’s capture does add extra incentive for Ollie’s upcoming confrontation with Shado and Emiko.

…

Green Arrow #4Read More »

Green Arrow #4 Read More »

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1

/ / Comics

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1Setting up the upcoming Batgirl and the Birds of Prey series, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 introduces to the three key characters of the team while explaining the past relationships of Batgirl and Black Canary. Barbara’s time as Oracle stays in the continuity as does her former partnership with Black Canary. Wiped from continuity is any official Birds of Prey team featuring other members (Huntress, Zinda Blake, and others).

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 works to get everyone up to speed on where these characters are now, with most of the focus on Batgirl. I didn’t like Dinah as much here as the version of the character we’re seeing in Green Arrow and we see so little of the new Huntress it’s too early for me to make a judgement on her quite yet. And, for me, the comic could use a firecracker like Lady Blackhawk to liven things up.

…

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1Read More »

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 Read More »

Green Arrow #2

/ / Comics

Green Arrow #2Betrayed, shot, thrown into the ocean, and left for dead, the deconstruction and rebuilding of Oliver Queen starts here in Green Arrow #2. With the world believing he’s dead, his name besmearched, and his company and fortune taken from him, Ollie awakes from two weeks after his encounter with Emiko and Shado. Still suffering from his injuries, and unable to resume his life as Oliver Queen, instead he throws on his super-hero gear and returns to action as Green Arrow.

While half of the issue deals with Ollie coming to grips with what has happened to him, the other half centers on Black Canary investigating Ollie’s “death.” Discovering the symbol of Ninth Circle, her search will no doubt bring her back into contact with Ollie to uncover just who has stolen Mr. Queen’s life and why.

…

Green Arrow #2Read More »

Green Arrow #2 Read More »

Green Arrow #1

/ / Comics

Green Arrow #1Picking up the storyline from Green Arrow: Rebirth #1, Green Arrow and Black Canary continue to investigate the underground human trafficking ring of homeless victims in Seattle. An altercation on the docks leads Ollie to also raise questions about his company which, from what we see teased here, has been corrupted by the shadowy movements of the Court of Owls.

Along with comic stealing some Bat-villains to set-up it’s initial story arc (an interesting choice), Green Arrow #1 also gives us Ollie and Dinah together both in and out of costume (although their romantic sparring still seems fairly new to them both). Fleshing out the cast we also meet Ollie’s half-sister Emiko Queen (think Arrow‘s Thea if she had been raised by someone as homicidal as Malcolm) and the appearance of Emi’s mother: Shado.

…

Green Arrow #1Read More »

Green Arrow #1 Read More »

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

/ / Comics

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1Seizing on the mission statement of DC Universe: Rebirth #1 of returning more of the classic feel to both characters and the DCU, Green Arrow: Rebirth #1 returns Oliver Queen to Seattle (rather than Star City) and rekindles a romance forgotten by the New 52.

While investigating a series of disappearances, mostly by the homeless, Green Arrow encounters Black Canary on the trail of an underground human trafficking ring selling those who will not be missed to the highest bidder. Still new to each other, there’s an obvious chemistry between the pair and a promise of things to come. With a costume redesign that purposefully makes you think of Arrow, Green Arrow reclaims some of his old liberal swagger and classic goatee. Dinah’s clothes remind you of her classic costume while still being a bit updated for the times.

…

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1Read More »

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1 Read More »