[Criticism] Green Arrow Rebirth – Volume 1: Life and Death of Oliver Queen

After The Flash, it is the turn of Green Arrow to enjoy the Rebirth with the publication of volume 1 at Urban Comics. What's new on the side of the green archer in Seattle? Our review.

Green Arrow is currently in the spotlight thanks to the series dedicated to him on the American channel CW. But we must not forget that before being embodied by Stephen Amell it is at the turn of the comics shelves that it was necessary to bend to follow his adventures. In 2016, DC Comics' Rebirth event gave a new lease of life to superheroes and especially Green Arrow. The publisher Urban Comics has just published in France the first volume of these new adventures, Life and Death of Oliver Queen. It's been some time since the American public discovered this title and sang its praises as one of the best Rebirths. It must be recognized that Oliver Queen's passage in the New 52 did not bring only good things. Here, we almost make a clean sweep of the past and above all we witness the return of a character that we missed so much: Black Canary.

The character and his relationship with Green Arrow was sorely missed. The chemistry between the two is one of the cements of Oliver's story. Remember, this is still the only superhero couple to have been married, long before the disappearance of the character. A quasi-cult relationship that gradually finds its stripes for our greatest pleasure. Add to that the return of the goat for Green Arrow and we dive back with nostalgia into the beginnings of an excellent run. Keeping Emiko's character was a no-brainer too. Oliver Queen's hidden little sister was an interesting narrative addition during the previous run and it would have been a shame to do without it. Direct impact of the TV series, the character of John Diggle is also present. His treatment is rather interesting at the moment, perhaps a nice surprise for the future.

Green Arrow has always been about social. This theme, as well as that of money, is present here and used wisely. Oliver is both a vigilante in costume but also in the civilian, by his various actions. Screenwriter Ben Percy pushes his characters to understand their mistakes, to fall to get back on their feet. The Ninth Circle, rather shady company, should be a good opponent.

The graphic part is provided by two artists with diametrically different styles, Juan Ferreyra and Otto Schmidt. The latter offers us a simple and fine line, bordering on the cartoon. Ferreyra, for his part, has a much more imposing line, with an impeccable sense of framing as well as a very particular characterization of the characters. The colorization is also provided by the duo and ensures the title a very current freshness.

Urban Comics does not think outside the box to offer us an edition in its purest tradition. A cover honoring the green archer entices the eye of fans. Inside, preparatory work on the characters as well as alternative covers will finish to satisfy the most difficult.

In conclusion, Green Arrow Rebirth – Volume 1: Life and Death of Oliver Queen is probably THE Urban Comics release of the moment. The storyline lives up to expectations, including the treatment of the characters. The drawings are not far from perfect. The character takes full advantage of the Rebirth despite some small scripting facilities that do not taint the story. A word of advice: go to your bookseller!