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52nd out of 175 books
—
147 voters
Green Arrow: Year One
by
Andy Diggle,
Jock
Oliver Queen has been a faithful member of the Justice League of America and defended Star City with his trusty bown and an arsenal of deadly arrows for yearsnow thrill to the definitive tale of how he became Green Arrow!
Queen is a frivolous playboy with little care for anyone or anythingapparently even himself. But when he's double-crossed and marooned on a jungle islan
...moreHardcover, 160 pages
Published
April 22nd 2008
by DC Comics
(first published April 2nd 2008)
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This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Background
So in the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I picked up this comic because of the show, Arrow. Yes, the show is a bit cheesy and melodramatic, but it is a lot of fun to watch and it made really curious about the original version of this character.
The Green Arrow seems to be one of those characters that everybody knows but no one seems to read. First created in 1941 by Morton Weisinger and George Papp. He’s had a number of...more
Background
So in the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I picked up this comic because of the show, Arrow. Yes, the show is a bit cheesy and melodramatic, but it is a lot of fun to watch and it made really curious about the original version of this character.
The Green Arrow seems to be one of those characters that everybody knows but no one seems to read. First created in 1941 by Morton Weisinger and George Papp. He’s had a number of...more
"Green Arrow: Year One" повествует о начале пути Оливера Куина, супергероя под именем "Зеленая Стрела". Оливер был обычным, зазнавшимся миллионером, который получил в наследство компанию и все состояние родителей после их гибели. Однако яркая и дорогая жизнь Оливера резко меняется в худшую сторону, когда телохранитель героя предает своего клиента, выбрасывает его за борт корабля, на котором они плыли, и тем самым, обрекает миллионера на смерть. Но так уж вышло, что Оливер выживает в этой ситуаци...more
Green Arrow: Year One
Written by Diggle, drawn by Jock.
First: Having an ad every other page really detracts from the reading of the story. It's meant to deter you and grab your attention, and unfortunately it works. I despise commercials.
Second: Being spoiled on the artwork in Longbow Hunters, I find the art (by Jock) a little flat but not bad or anything. I just miss the artisticness of Mike Grell. But by #2 it kinda fits. It's sharp, dirty, like the story. I kinda like it. I don't like the way...more
Written by Diggle, drawn by Jock.
First: Having an ad every other page really detracts from the reading of the story. It's meant to deter you and grab your attention, and unfortunately it works. I despise commercials.
Second: Being spoiled on the artwork in Longbow Hunters, I find the art (by Jock) a little flat but not bad or anything. I just miss the artisticness of Mike Grell. But by #2 it kinda fits. It's sharp, dirty, like the story. I kinda like it. I don't like the way...more
Green Arrow gets the Year One treatment in Andy Diggle's retelling of the Emerald Archer's origin -- with somewhat less than legendary results. GA's one of those heroes I always had trouble taking seriously. What's a guy who shoots boxing glove arrows doing in the Justice League, other than making Aquaman feel like less of a joke? Turning him into Bam Margera doesn't help. Oliver Queen is a spoiled, rich, thrill-seeking douchebag, who gets tossed off his yacht by his head flunky. He washes ashor...more
This is one of the best year one stories I’ve ever read. There is a common trend in superhero comics to continually update a hero’s origin to fit with the times, and the work a popular writer or artist has done with the character. This doesn’t fill like one of those stories at all. In fact this story is so simple you can boil it down very fast and it loses none of its punch: Rich playboy discovers himself and his life mission while surviving on a deserted island. It is that simple.
The thing I...more
The thing I...more
The art work felt like an explosion in the sense that it really leapt off the page. The opening pages for each of the original montly issues are really special. They do, in fact, look like a disorienting explosion, and yet they convey the essence of each issue. I really love the art in this book!
On the other hand...there had to be a story too. And it is lame. Actually, it's not the story itself (sort of typical super hero fare); it's the character development and the story details that are terri...more
On the other hand...there had to be a story too. And it is lame. Actually, it's not the story itself (sort of typical super hero fare); it's the character development and the story details that are terri...more
In GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE, writer Andy Diggle puts an action movie spin on Green Arrow's traditional origin story (wealthy guy trapped on island becomes master archer to survive). And it's pretty durn good! It veers more realistic than the trick-arrow-shootin' Green Arrow stories, but not near so dark as Mike Grell's "mature readers/urban hunter" era.
I'll be honest: there's nothing groundbreaking in the presentation of Ollie as a self-involved, directionless millionaire with a character arc set t...more
I'll be honest: there's nothing groundbreaking in the presentation of Ollie as a self-involved, directionless millionaire with a character arc set t...more
I've been reading a lot of DC comics lately and this comic is not a DC comic. One thing that I'v noticed is that most DC comics are littered with words, which isn't a bad thing, they just have tons of dialog. This comic is more action packed and visual. Jock's art is beautiful. Andy Diggle's writing is amazing. This is fast marvelous read. If you like the Green Arrow this is a great origin story. I've never been much of Green Arrow fan, but this comic is great. It brings out a reason why Oliver...more
With the success of Batman: Year One it was only a matter of time before DC tried to replicate the success with another superhero. Green Arrow: Year One tells the tale of Oliver Queen's struggle to survive on an island and his eventual transformation into the hero Green Arrow. Jock provides some nice art but overall the story itself is a little rushed. It's hard to chart a character's development overtime especially one as lengthy as Green Arrow's. Writer Andy Diggle fast forwards the story so t...more
Honestly, this is really the first time I've really read anything about Green Arrow, so I can't compare it to anything else, but I really enjoyed this one! In fact, I think this is one of the better origin stories that I've read. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves to read comics.
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There is not much to recommend this. Playboy becomes superhero after spell of bad luck and a stay in the jungle, thanks largely to some sort of vague chance link to a figure associated with a modern adaptation of the legend of Robin Hood. The dialog is pretty cookie-cutter, the villain devoid of personality. And the plotting feels like it's just rushing toward the inevitable closure of the single volume.
As for the art, Jock is talented, of course, but here the pages seem roughly laid out, and t...more
As for the art, Jock is talented, of course, but here the pages seem roughly laid out, and t...more
Since I've gotten back into comics over the past few years, Green Arrow has become my favorite character/superhero. His outlook on the world, how things should be, and his defense of the poor and working class made him a very unique character in the world of capes and tights. His philosophy was also something that I really identified with. That was of course until the character was ruined in the New 52.
Green Arrow: Year One is the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths/Infinite Crisis origin of Green A...more
Green Arrow: Year One is the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths/Infinite Crisis origin of Green A...more
In general, I'm sort of "over" long retellings of superhero origins. While there's usually something interesting unearthed when the magnifying glass is brought over an origin story that only took two or three pages to cover in the 1950's, I've suffered through too many languidly paced Year One mini-series to very much care anymore.
That being said, I was surprised to find myself loving Green Arrow: Year One as much as I did. I had heard amazing things about the creative team of Andy Diggle and Jo...more
That being said, I was surprised to find myself loving Green Arrow: Year One as much as I did. I had heard amazing things about the creative team of Andy Diggle and Jo...more
A lot of times publishers try to strike lightning twice. Batman: Year One was such a huge critical and probably financial success that DC Comics and other companies have tried many times to do other properties "Year One" style. I don't think they've been successful overall. Here, however, Andy Diggle and Jock have crafted such a remarkable story that this belongs right along with Frank Miller & Davis Mazzucchelli's Batman story. Diggle's version of Oliver Queen is maybe my favorite. His turn...more
I liked this story, I find origin stories interesting usually, and knowing NOTHING about this character I am interested to read more about Green Arrow. It’s pretty much the same concept as Batman or Iron Man, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (actually that’s one of the reasons I picked Green Arrow up to begin with). I do like how Green Arrow seems to have the lowest power of the three, despite being super rich. There’s a bit where he takes off the head from one of his arrows and hits someone...more
I'm amazed this didn't turn out better. Diggle and Jock murdered the action genre with their Vertigo LOSERS series, which is perhaps one of the most surprisingly fun series I've read in the past 5 years. So one would expect their take on Green Arrow's origin to be similarly cool, right?
Wrong. Lame characterization. Lame plot. Nothing interesting about this story at all. This could be ANYBODY in the Green Arrow role. Nothing sounded remotely Ollie Queen to me. And by a different token, the charac...more
Wrong. Lame characterization. Lame plot. Nothing interesting about this story at all. This could be ANYBODY in the Green Arrow role. Nothing sounded remotely Ollie Queen to me. And by a different token, the charac...more
A retooling of the Green Arrow story, this time finding Oliver Queen as a daredevil playboy who pushes himself to do "extreme" things to feel alive. When he is betrayed by his right hand man and dumped in the ocean, left for dead, Queen's life begins to change. Washed up on the shore of an uncharted desert island, Oliver has to learn how to fend for himself. When he discovers that he is not alone on the island, Oliver discovers that he has more skills within him than he realized.
This is in an OK...more
This is in an OK...more
First Things First, this was my first time reading the full origin of Green Arrow, before reading this, I knew the basic idea of his origin, but never expierenced reading it.
I really like the Artwork and Page layout that Jock did with this book, I feel that they should do more panel layouts like this in newer Green Arrow Stuff.
The story itself is good, I see where the show "Arrow" got's it material from the appearance of China White to the Island bits..
Overall I really enjoy this and kinda wish...more
I really like the Artwork and Page layout that Jock did with this book, I feel that they should do more panel layouts like this in newer Green Arrow Stuff.
The story itself is good, I see where the show "Arrow" got's it material from the appearance of China White to the Island bits..
Overall I really enjoy this and kinda wish...more
Andy Diggle plays with the origin of Green Arrow in this Year One volume of the DCU's premier archer. Drunken billionaire Oliver Queen has everything - and nothing. Seeking thrills in order to fill that empty void within, he finds himself on the greatest adventure of his life when he is left for dead at sea. Forced to actually become something, Queen begins his transformation into a survivalist archer, assisting an enslaved people and toppling a drug empire in the process. A little Robinson Crus...more
Solo voy a reseñar por encima este cómic, que como todos los “año uno”, vuelve a reinterpretar los orígenes del personaje al que estén dedicados. No es de mi preferidos, aunque esta entretenido y se lee en un momentito, pero lo voy a reseñar porque tiene una ligera relación con el capitulo de la semana pasada (1×02) de Arrow, al salir en la serie el personaje de China White, que es propio de la isla de “Año Uno” y que según el protagonista de la serie, no va a ser lo único de la serie que vaya a...more
I've started to look at retellings of superhero origins as something akin to Shakespearean productions - not that they're similar in style, but in the sense that you know the basic story you're going to get, so you have to learn to look for the nuances and individual differences of each version.
From that perspective, this was a lot of fun to read. Diggle and Jock make a great team, and there are enough callouts to moments from Ollie's history throughout that it's clear that they're fans of the c...more
From that perspective, this was a lot of fun to read. Diggle and Jock make a great team, and there are enough callouts to moments from Ollie's history throughout that it's clear that they're fans of the c...more
I've never been a fan of Green Arrrow's and have only seen the character crop up in big events like Final Crisis a few years back, so I didn't know what to expect from the character. He's basically just Robin Hood right?
Well I was pleasantly surprised. Oliver Queen is a rich playboy who lives a directionless life until one day while practicing archery in the Pacific, his friend betrays him and leaves him for dead. He washes ashore a desert island and hones his skills with a bow and arrow until...more
Well I was pleasantly surprised. Oliver Queen is a rich playboy who lives a directionless life until one day while practicing archery in the Pacific, his friend betrays him and leaves him for dead. He washes ashore a desert island and hones his skills with a bow and arrow until...more
It's not really fair to say, because this came out first, but "Green Arrow: Year One" reminds me of the "Iron Man" movie in a couple ways. Ollie Queen's character arc is similar to Tony Stark's (irresponsible playboy discovers, through betrayal and adversity, that he has a greater purpose in life). Both are also retelling of potentially corny, highly implausible origins that make them feel like they could (almost) work in the real world.
In short, anyone who liked "Iron Man" would probably like...more
In short, anyone who liked "Iron Man" would probably like...more
I'm fairly new to comics, but saw these on sale and figured I'd give them a shot (interest piqued since the show is coming out this Fall). I think it was definitely interesting and had some great visuals. But when you compare it to some of the other origin stories, it's just a little lacking. I was able to read through at a decent clip, so it kept my attention. I just wish there was a little more depth overall. Great intro to the character for me, though. Will have to check out some more!
I would actually rate this comic 4 1/2 stars. It is a well-conceived re-imagining of the classic Green Arrow beginning story mythology. It is economically and expertly told. The tough-guy dialogue is well rendered, and only rarely feels strained. The illustrations by Jock don't just serve the story; they truly embody and move it forward. Jock is working at the top of his game in this comic. His collaboration with Andy Diggle makes one hungry for another installment of the story.
Wow, I knew that the Green Arrow had amazing abilities in archery and... jumping. But obstetrics?
Still, pretty ballsy of Diggle to co-opt the title of Frank Miller's seminal Batman comic, and he doesn't disappoint. Oliver Queen is a spoiled rich goatee brat stranded on a tropical island. He learns some arrow-shooting and survival skillz, unearths a massive heroin operation, frees some enslaved poppy workers, delivers a baby, etc. etc. Pretty entertaining.
Still, pretty ballsy of Diggle to co-opt the title of Frank Miller's seminal Batman comic, and he doesn't disappoint. Oliver Queen is a spoiled rich goatee brat stranded on a tropical island. He learns some arrow-shooting and survival skillz, unearths a massive heroin operation, frees some enslaved poppy workers, delivers a baby, etc. etc. Pretty entertaining.
I read this based on a recommendation. I'm not sorry that I did, but this was a case for me of the reader not being the least bit able to sympathize or empathize with the main character. That said, Jock's art was fantastic and his points of view just plain stunning. Baron's coloring was divine and was a great match for Jock.
Although the story itself didn't grab me, the art grabbed enough of my attention that I will continue on.
Although the story itself didn't grab me, the art grabbed enough of my attention that I will continue on.
This is my first introduction to Green Arrow, and holy crap. He might just be my new favorite superhero. Excellent writing and art throughout. I especially loved the seamless transitions from scene to scene with both the writing and art.
I'd assume this retelling is a bit different than the original, but it stands tall on its own merits. The heart of Oliver Queen's transformation into Green Arrow is intact.
I'd assume this retelling is a bit different than the original, but it stands tall on its own merits. The heart of Oliver Queen's transformation into Green Arrow is intact.
First Green Arrow origin story I read, so have no basis for comparison. On its own, I found it entertaining if slow to get "off the ground". I did not like Oliver Queen in the beginning, too obvious a playboy and peter pan type...too obvious writer setting him up for a transformation. Still overall story/artwork engaging and by the end of the book I could see myself following Green Arrow on his adventures.
Before reading this miniseries, I felt it was a bit unnecessary, since Green Arrow's origins had already been so masterfully retold by Mike Grell during the ‘80s. But the creative team behind The Losers stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun with this new revisitation of Oliver Queen's early days, telling a rollicking tale of high seas adventure and espionage.
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