Green Arrow: Quiver

Rating:
Summary: This Quiver is Short a Couple Arrows
Review: I know Kevin Smith has a huge following and is one of the best things to hit the world of comics in ages but I have to say his Green Arrow: Quiver didn't do much for me. Smith again works in plenty of religious angles and symbolism (much like he did in the far better Daredevil: Guardian Devil). However after 2 comics storylines and a movie (Dogma)...it's starting to get tired. I'm glad Kevin enjoys religion and feels like he can work it into every storyline but it doesn't work for Green Arrow. Why doesn't it work? Because Green Arrow is essentially a guy with a bow. Putting him into a storyline that involves Heaven and Hell and the life ever after is just silly. Keep that stuff for the cosmic characters.

Other areas that Quiver comes up short a few arrows? Well, for anyone that is not familiar with the DCU (DC Universe Characters) then this storyline is a horrible starting on point as too many characters to count show up continually with little or no introduction. The villain in the story is weak and doesn't do much to leave the reader anticipating any form of confrontation with Green Arrow. It also takes Green Arrow way too long to figure out what is happening or to listen and start believing what other characters are telling him(I believe 7 of 10 chapters)! As a reader I was caught up well in advance and found myself saying to Green Arrow, "Will you please just shut up and accept that you don't know what is happening!" The ending of the storyline is also rushed and doesn't really give much character development of Green Arrow, other than he's still selfish and could care less about informing his friends how things turned out, and that he doesn't mind some cold-blooded vigilante justice that most "heroes" would not only frown upon but all in all fight to stop.

Now, there are a few minor spots that do help the storyline. First, Kevin Smith is a good writer for dialogue and he does deliver some funny scenes (he certainly understands what makes Batman so cool). Second, Smith is a good staple for comics and should continue to write for characters that need to be "made cool" for new readers...he obviously revived the dead characters of Daredevil and Green Arrow(just avoid relgion). Third, Smith knows his way around the DCU and does an excellent job of showing us how numerous characters interact with each other (I enjoyed seeing Black Manta, Aqua Man, Arsenal, and Superman most of all). But in this TPB there are just too many weak points to recommend that a comic fan throw down their $

Rating:
Summary: Green Arrow by way of Mallrats...?
Review: I may be a little biased since I'm a huge Kevin Smith fan, but I never had any interest in the Green Arrow before. So sue me. All I know is that this 10 issue story arc brought back Ollie, and made me feel like he was a real, intelligent character that I had known for years, even though my knowledge of the DC universe is incredibly limited. I believe it was Phil Hester doing the pencil work, though I may have some names bacward in head regarding their work on this book. Regardless, the art is superb. The story is great, and the infusion of humor every here and there really makes this an enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Not good if you're unfamiliar with the characters
Review: I picked up this comic book without ever reading a Green Arrow book before. Maybe if you're familiar with the Green Arrow and the rest of the characters in the series, this would be entertaining. Also, i may be biased, as i'm not a guy and it's the guys who this is geared to. However, I found it annoying the author wouldn't take the time to include a brief synopsis regarding both plot and characters, at the beginning of the book. I had a very difficult time following what was going on. Additionally, the Green Arrow himself did not appeal to me. It just wasn't a protagonist i could care about. I must admit though, i did not actually finish this book as i decided it was not worth my time. If you've never heard of the Green Arrow before now is not the time to get into the series.

Note- fellow females- check out 'Meridian' instead. It is way cool.

Rating:
Summary: Satisfying story which makes me want more
Review: I was a Green Arrow fan way back when comics were 12 cents. I have been catching up with graphic novels. The story is well developed, and you dont have to know all the continuity background. The story stands alone as a complete story. It is worth the time and money. It makes me want to read more Green Arrow books.

Rating:
Summary: Green Arrow is back from the grave, and better than ever!!
Review: I've been reading comic books since almost a year ago, and i've got some pretty good ones, i'd have to say; but Green Arrow: Quiver is the best one!!! Ever since i started reading comics i saw Green Arrow comics but thought best not to jump in it, especially since i haven't read the issues before he actually died. I was in Borders before going to movies, and on a quick impulse, i bought it! I started reading it INSIDE THE MOVIE THEATER, and I COULDN'T STOP!!! Even when the lights were turned off and the comercials started, i couldn't stop reading!!! the book had to pried from my hands when the movie started, because i just couldn't stop! I enjoyed the movie, but i ould have enjoyed it more had i not started reading Quiver. Through out, the movie my mind keep racing back to what i had just read and thinking hat ould happen next. i didn't really see the movie, cause i as thinking about Quiver and how much i wanted to keep reading! That night i didn't really sleep, at about two am my mom had to take the book from me and hide it so i would go to bed, but i didn't really sleep cause i as going over the story in my head over and over again, remembering every line, every stupid joke, every scene. though i didn't really like the drawing (i would have enjoyed it a little bit better if the drawings had been more realistic)it didn't bother all that much (though it as hard to get used to)ith hat the story arc being so great!!!

i recomend it, truly. i say buy it, read it, and read it over and over again, just like me! when you begin to read it, you are at once caught up in the drama and situation. i think every should buy it, anyone who's into comics, and even those who don't like comics would appreciate the story. i wasn't drawn to it by the name of the writer (Kevin Smith, God bless him and his writing i was drawn by the Emerald Archer, and Kevin Smith did not dissapiont me, he raised my expectations of great comics. now every time i read the name Kevin Smith as the writer of a comic i jump at it once!

the story is very different from what you get from ordinary comics, but that doesn't mean it will always be remembered. Great story, man. from 1 to 10, i give it 100!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Smith can't hit a deadline, but man, can he tell a story!!
Review: Kevin Smith has an inability to meet deadlines with regard to comics published monthly. Just ask comicbook shop owners and fans of recent comics like "Spider-man and the Black Cat." Why then, do readers not just give up on his works? Because the man is a very talented creator, and "Green Arrow: Quiver" is Kevin Smith at his best. This book is a compilation of Smith's first story arc as the writer on the "Green Arrow" comic book. Smith literally resurrected the Green Arrow character and the Green Arrow comic book with this masterful arc.

So often in comic universes, characters killed off - only to be brought back to life. Readers have become almost de-sensitized to these deaths only because they know that eventually the character will be brought back, and a weak explanation will be offered that explains away the "death." Here, the Green Arrow is brought back from the dead, but Smith's familiarity with the supernatural lend this resurrection much more credence than most other stories in which dead heroes are given a new lease on life. The scenes in which Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) learns what had happened to him reminded me of something out of one of those old "Twilight Zone" episodes, yet Smith made all of it so plausible.

Smith's name and his storytelling abilities are the marquee draw here, but Phil Hester's pencils have made their mark on the Emerald Archer. Hester, whose work in this book is slightly more realistic looking than the Justice League cartoon on the Cartoon Network (this is not a slam, by the way), has truly made the Green Arrow his character. Rarely in my short history as a comic book reader have I strongly associated an artist with one of his characters. I will forever associate Hester with the Green Arrow, much like I associate Jack Kirby with the Fantastic Four, Steve Ditko, Romita, Sr. and Jr. with Spider-man, and John Byrne with the X-Men. In short, I can't imagine what the book would look like without his touch.

"Green Arrow: Quiver" is the best of what comic books are all about. I won't spend much time on the plot because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who plans to purchase this book. All you need to know is this: The Green Arrow has come back to life, and he must learn how he ended up where he is now - did he really die? How did he return? What the heck is going on? Add to this the fact the Ollie's family and extended family must also deal with his "resurrection," and you've got yourself a first-rate tale. Oh, yeah, and there is a bad-guy killing kids that needs to be captured, too! The book is full of great story-telling, great art, and the list of guest-stars like Superman, Batman, The Spectre, Etrigan the Demon, etc. is as long as Giant Man's sleeve! If you've been away from comics for a while, or if you do not usually buy trade compilations, reach into your wallet and give this one a try. You will be glad you did, and you may find yourself making a weekly trip to the local comic shop a regular part of your regime!

Rating:
Summary: Green Arrow is one of my favorite comic books out today
Review: Kevin Smith has done an amazing job letting the Emerald Archer come back into our lives. I had never read Green Arrow before, but it has to be one of my favorite books comic books out today. I would recommend any fan to pick this book up. Smith has references to older situations like Paralax and The Sandman which older readers will enjoy seeing and yet keeps the younger readers up to date on DCU history. I enjoy seeing this comic in my pull every month.

Rating:
Summary: An avergae poorly written comic book.
Review: Smith once again shows us how poorly and shallow he can write characters in this DC book about the return of Oliver Queen. Guest staring a lot of DC heroes and a weak storyline similar to Smith's own film, Dogma. Then again AOL Books works with no talent to begin with.

Rating:
Summary: Keeping Body and Soul Together....
Review: Some readers consider the Green Arrow to be one of the more minor components of the DC universe, in spite of the fact that he was one of the earliest Silver Age characters. This excellent graphic novel should make them re-evaluate his importance. I know it confirms my high opinion of the character. Oliver Queen is the living archetype of Robin Hood in the modern world. With no more than consummate mastery of the long bow he still managed to fight side-by-side with beings of almost inconceivable power as a team member and as an equal. In fact, he was always the moral conscience of the Justice League. This was because he was always, above all, the People's Champion. He actually believed in fighting for the underdog with all his being. You have to admire a character who used his great wealth to first fund the JLA- then give it all away to the poor. This man truly was Robin Hood.

This is a story of mythic proportions. It takes place on both the earthly and supernatural planes- in heaven and hell. You have the classic founding Justice League characters, the new members, as well as the shadowy supernatural figures that skirt the margins of this world and the next.

I suppose some readers might find it difficult to follow all the characters and story arcs that are touched upon. I managed to keep track of about 90% of it all. The most important thing to keep in mind is that Hal Jordan, the original Green Lantern, was Oliver Queen's best friend. While Jordan went bad and betrayed everything he once believed in (while almost destroying the universe itself) the friendship with Queen remained- in spite of the fact that the latter was forced to try to destroy his old friend to save the totality of existence. This friendship held firm even after both old friends left this world- for both returned to serve a higher purpose.

Finally, it surprised me to find that Kevin Smith of "Clerks" and "Jay and Silent Bob" fame wrote this story. If this sort of idealism lurks at the bottom of the slacker soul, then perhaps there is still some hope for the world....


Rating:
Summary: The best written DC Comic of the past ten years
Review: Ten years...it's been ten years since I've read a comic book. I'm 28 years old now, but I remember that one of my favourite past times when I was a teen was reading comic books. Batman, Superman, Green Lantern (aka Hal Jordan), the Flash (aka Barry Allen)...I remember them all. I also remember discovering the Crisis of Infinite Earths, and finding out how DC management had used that mini-series as an excuse to kill off or change the histories of my favourite heroes. I resolved never to read another DC Comic book until the powers-that-be had changed their editorial direction.

Over the years, I would keep track of events in the DC Universe, and watch as the body count of dead superheroes continued to rise. It seemed that each time a DC Comic book needed a boost in ratings they would kill off a superhero. Eclipso, the War of the Gods, Armageddon 2001...and finally Zero Hour - they all had their share of superheroic deaths. As far as I was concerned, in Zero Hour, DC Comics had hit it's lowest point. I was appalled when I heard that DC were using this mini-series as an excuse to turn one of DC's most beloved heroes - Hal Jordan (Green Lantern), into a godlike super-villain. Shortly afterwards they killed Oliver Queen, the original Green Arrow. Along with Hal Jordan, I felt that the Green Arrow represented all that was good about DC Comics. As far as I was concerned, from that point on there was no turning back.

However, in 2001, all that began to change. I'd heard that Grant Morrison had been hired by DC Comics to revive the Justice League of America in 1997, and that this team wasn't a group of second-stringers (like Justice League International), but would comprise all of DC Comics most powerful heroes. And then I'd heard that Chuck Dixon had been busy writing stories for a new Robin, and Peter David was writing stories for Young Justice. It looked as though DC Comics had finally turned a corner. With the advent of the new millenium, they were returning to what they did best - writing superhero adventures, and turning away from the high body-count and apocalyptic events of past years.

The final event that got me interested in reading DC Comics again, was the news that Kevin Smith (the creator of Dogma and Chasing Amy) would be writing a new Green Arrow comic. I'd assumed that they were referring to Connor Hawke, Oliver Queen's illegitimate son and his successor. But no, they were referring to Oliver Queen - they were going to revive the original GA, and re-introduce him to the DC Universe. About a year after the saga had been published, I picked up the entire collection as a hardcover - and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

The new Green Arrow comics are a combination of sweet nostalgia and the pleasant shock of the new. A recently revived Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) finds himself back in Star City, with no memory of any events in the last ten years of his life. The monumental events in "The Longbow Hunters", the "Zero Hour" crisis...as far as he's concerned, none of these things ever happened. As a result, this is the Ollie Queen we all knew and loved from the seventies - the man who believed that "all police are blue fascists". Welcome back, Oliver.

Part of the fun is seeing Ollie's reactions to the changes that have taken place over the last ten years. His encounter with Aquaman during a battle with the Black Manta. His first meeting with the brand-new Justice League, and the most important event in the book - his encounter with Hal Jordan, who is now the Spectre. All the events take place in the new DC Universe, but they're written in a style that many fans of Neal Adams and Dennis O'Neil will find very familiar. Kevin Smith even uses "Hard Travelling Heroes" as the title of one of the issues. Along with the plotline and characterisation, his dialogue is to die for. For instance, the dialogue during Green Arrow's first encounter with the new Spectre (aka Hal Jordan) -

Oliver: Yeah, right! You? The original wet blanket himself? Brother, you're more averse to change than a money clip! What'd you do -- make your mask bigger? Let your sideburns go a little gray? What's the big surprise?
Spectre: Yes, I'd say "big" is the operative word here.
Oliver: ...
Spectre: Imagine that. I've left the little motor-mouth speechless. Someone alert the media.

It's dialogue like that, that makes this story so entertaining. It's obvious that Kevin Smith has a huge amount of affection for these characters. Best of all, we get to see cameos from all the major players in the DC Universe - Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman. Aquaman, Batman, Arsenal (Roy Harper, Green Arrow's original sidekick), Black Canary and Connor Hawke - they all have major parts to play in this book. It's wonderful seeing what Kevin Smith does with these superheroes that we've known and loved for so long. His characterisations are spot-on - Batman is and always will be the badass, Aquaman and Hal Jordan are Oliver's best buddies, and Black Canary still has a soft spot for Oliver Queen, even after all these years.

Quiver isn't just another well-written comic book story. For me, it's the magical and miraculous resurrection of all that is great and good about reading comic books. It's a rebirth of the spirit of adventure that seems to have been missing from DC comic books for a very, very long time. Welcome back, Green Arrow. Welcome back, DC Comics.