Green Arrow 2024 Annual #1 – Joshua Williamson, Writer; Sean Izaakse, Amancay Nahuelpan, Artists; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: Josh Williamson only stuck around on Green Arrow for a little over a year, but he made a big impact in that time – restoring the Arrow fam and even adding a few new members, plus putting Ollie through a true trial by fire that helped to settle his role in the larger DCU. Now, before he makes way for what looks like a darker run by Chris Condon and Montos, he’s giving us one last oversized story – and it’s one of the best Green Arrow stories since Brad Meltzer had his say. Set a few decades in the future, it finds an aged Green Arrow on the island that’s haunted him and saved him. But he’s not alone this time – he’s joined by five kids, who are implied to be the next generation of his family. And as he tries to catch some rays, they want to know more and more about his past as a hero. So he breaks out one of his darkest tales – the story of Firestarter, the one villain who he could never catch.
This is a pretty bold story – attempting to create a new decades-long arch-nemesis for Ollie all in one issue, and it’s a testament to Williamson’s skill as a writer that it works. This twisted arsonist is extremely good at covering his tracks, and he manages to stay one step ahead as he escalates. All three of the suspects Ollie investigates have alibis, and it remains his one greatest regret. Along the way, Williamson takes us through Ollie’s strange history, complete with several brilliant double-paged spreads by the duo of talented artists he has working with him. They recap the past, preview the future, and give us glimpses of stories that might never come to be. I certainly didn’t expect to see Bloodlines make an appearance in DC books again any time soon! It all comes full circle with a great reveal about Firestarter, and a fantastic closing act that pays tribute to the family that Ollie has built around him. My only regret is that I’ve never been this excited about Williamson’s Green Arrow!
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
