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Review: Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

The Social Justice Warrior is back

Together again for the first time, the Emerald Archer meets Black Canary. Questioning everything Green Arrow believes in, Dinah Lance throws the hero’s world upside down, forcing him to question what he cares about more: his morals or his money?

While I haven’t follow Green Arrow as much as some other DC Comics characters, I know he’s one of the most political of the bunch, with a proud left bent to his politics. During his New 52 run, the character slid from those roots, but as stated in Green Arrow: Rebirth #1, the Social Justice Warrior is back and wearing that badge with pride.

The comic just begins with those politics thrown right into our faces which not just sets up Green Arrow’s politics, but what we should expect that sets him apart from so many other hooded heroes. This is one who justifies his wealth to help fund his actions and those actions extend beyond just his bow and arrow.

The comic also sets up a lot with the reunion of Green Arrow and Black Canary. Without me knowing a lot of the history, the connection between the two doesn’t quite hit me like it would others, but it’s a nice way to really set up Green Arrow’s philosophy and his actions.

The comic also has some nice symbolism as it transitions from the old to the new with Oliver shaving and returning to the somewhat iconic goatee.

Writer Benjamin Percy does what he needs to do here for me, getting me interested in seeing what’s to come and at the some time taking the character back to his front and center politics. It’s something that isn’t common in comics and I want to see where it goes.

Otto Schmidt on art has a cool style about it that reminds me more of what we’ve seen in Black Canary’s recent series than Green Arrow’s. It’s a cool look that just feels like it fits the vibe of the characters and issue.

The issue has me wanting to see what comes next and has me interested in checking it out. While it feels more like a fresh start than some of the other Rebirth titles, it achieves its goal in getting me interested. It looks like Green Arrow is going back to being the Social Justice Warrior, and that’s something I can’t wait to see in comics.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Otto Schmidt
Story: 7.7 Art: 7.9 Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

By Brett

Brett is a political consultant who resides in Arlington, VA. He grew up in Cleveland, OH and Buffalo, NY and attended the University at Buffalo, majoring in Political Science.
Since then Brett has made his mark on politics working in various positions such as a Legislative Staffer for the Erie County Legislature, Special Assistant for Senator John Kerry, as the Database Administrator for Forward Together PAC, Database Director for Chris Dodd for President, and Internet/Database Director for Virginians for Brian Moran, and Email Deliverability Czar for Salsa Labs and NGP VAN.
In 2007 Brett formed 5B Consulting providing his expertise on database solutions, new media and email strategy.
He's a long time geek, reading comics since he was a child and learning to spell his name on an Atari 800. When he's not working, he's reading comics, playing video games and relaxing with a nice cup of tea.
You can follow him on Twitter @bhschenker

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