Comic Review – “Green Arrow: Quiver”

This was Kevin Smith’s first foray into the world of DC. Yes, that Kevin Smith.

General Information

Title: Green Arrow: Quiver
Author: Kevin Smith
Illustrator(s): Phil Hester (pencils) and Ande Parks (inks)
Original Publication Date: 2003 reprint of material first published 2001-2002
ISBN: 1-56389-965-5 (hardcover also available)
Cover Price: $17.95 US, $29.95 Can
Buy from: Amazon.com
or Amazon.ca

Premise

The last time we saw Oliver Queen in the Green Arrow uniform, he
died. Now he’s back, and he doesn’t even realize he was ever gone.

The Issues

This collects the first ten issues in Kevin Smith’s 15 issue run on
the title. The hardcover with the last five issues (Green Arrow: The
Sounds of Violence) was solicited for
June. (I’ll be picking it up as a softcover.)

High Point

The introductory conversation between Superman and Batman. (“I
believe in second chances.” “Then let’s recruit Doomsday to bring
back the sun.”)

Low Point

The trade paperback could have included a “previously in DC comics”
portion to bring new readers up to speed. The previous end of the
Green Arrow was well explained, as this one had no memory of the
event, but there were other events that would have been extremely
confusing if I hadn’t already read “The Death of Superman,” “The
Return of Superman,” and “Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight.” There are
other events that impact that which weren’t footnoted, such as “Crisis
on Infinite Earths,” so I don’t know where to track down the more
complete stories.

The Scores

I’ve seen characters come back from the dead before, but this return
was treated with all of the shock and awe such an event should have.
Stick in the amnesia that prevents the hero from explaining everything
away in a few panels, and you’re left with something
that’s original enough for 5 out of 6.

The artwork seemed a little cartoony at first, but by the end
of the set, I’d grown used to it. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is where this set shines. Smith felt no obligation
to wrap things up quickly, so it takes the full ten issues to find out
what happened to Oliver Queen, why, and how. The side plots were
interesting, too. The villain’s “secret identity” was telegraphed a
few issues before the reveal, though. I give it 5 out of 6.



The characterization is excellent. I certainly wasn’t
expecting the hero to refer to the police as the “blue fascists” all
the time. The effects of a decade of serenity on the guy were also
impressive. Some of the side characters, like Batman, also came
through very clearly. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response this produced was very good,
particularly since this was my first exposure to the main character.
The shocking reintroduction just didn’t carry the weight it should
have had. Once he opened his mouth, though, I was pulled in. This is
not a typical hero. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow was excellent. The only thing that lacked was a
sense of how quickly Oliver can deploy his arrows. I give it 5 out of
6.

Overall, this is a good collection that, while not entirely
newbie friendly, does cover the major information needed by the end of
the set. I’m definitely interested in getting the next trade. I give
it 5 out of 6.

In total, Green Arrow: Quiver receives 34 out of 42.