Green Arrow #11 – Joshua Williamson, Writer; Sean Izaakse, Phil Hester/Eric Gapstur, Artists; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: The first ten issues of this series sent Oliver across the world and beyond, seeking out his lost family members, until everyone was back together last issue. But now, it’s time for Oliver to go on a solo quest—after one last mission with the fam. They’re invading the base where the Sanctuary files are being kept, guarded by a massively powerful AI that sends holograms of the Justice League after them. Ollie and Roy are massively outmatched—until the rest of the Arrow crew bursts in, ready to take the fight to the machines. It’s great to see the whole crew together, and the escape from the base is one of the best scenes of the series so far. But now Waller wants the files—and Oliver has a quid pro quo. Malcolm Merlyn was working with Waller in the first arc, and they have unfinished business. Merlyn is the closest thing Green Arrow has to a nemesis, and this is the most focused showdown they’ve had.
Merlyn has escaped from the void where he was left at the end of the first arc, but he’s scarred and more deranged than ever. The segments focusing on him are illustrated by iconic Arrow artist Phil Hester, who has come in and out on the series, and the origin here is intriguing. It uses some of the early elements like him being a circus performer turned assassin, but it also adds his corporate background from the TV series—including the presence of his son, Tommy Merlyn, who was one of Ollie’s best friends and now runs Merlyn’s company. Makes me wonder if he’s still alive—and if so, what role he’ll play in the series going forward. Williamson has always been very good at exploring the intricacies of hero-villain relationships, as we see with his work on both Luthor and Thawne. This is one where there hasn’t been as much to explore yet, so I can’t wait to see it evolve as the big fight kicks off.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
