The 2011 comic book film Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, was supposed to be the original starting point for the DCEU cinematic universe. Most fans just pretend it never happened. The failure of the Green Lantern film was so radioactive in the cultural zeitgeist that the TV show for the CW’s Green Arrow, starring Stephen Amell, dropped the “Green” from its title. If the only thing you know about Green Arrow is Stephen Amell, then you need to learn more about the best Green Arrow comics.
Before 2008’s Iron Man, there were plans for a Green Arrow film. It was going to be called Green Arrow: Escape From Super Max. It was a prison escape film featuring Green Arrow. But the film was never made.
Still, there are many classic storylines about the Emerald Archer that you may find interesting as a comic book fan or collectibles investor. In this article, you will learn about two of the best Green Arrow comics that you should know about.
The Best Green Arrow Comics (Green Arrow 101)
In CW’s Arrow, Stephen Amell’s Arrow is basically Batman with a bow and arrow. The corporate owners of the character don’t know how to introduce the character to a wider audience.
Before we tell you about two of the best Green Arrow comics, let’s first talk about the origins and history of the character.
Brief Bio and History: Green Arrow
Green Arrow’s alter ego is billionaire Oliver Queen, protector of Star City and founder of Queen Industries. The aesthetics of Oliver Queen were also based on Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood films of the 1930s and 1940s.
Oliver Queen is basically Robin Hood in an urban setting. The character had simplistic adventures during the Golden and Silver Ages of comic books. But Green Arrow came of age in the 1970s during the Bronze Age of comics.
During the Bronze Age of comics, comic creators made stories that mirrored what was going on in society. Green Arrow lost his fortune for a time in the 1970s. Then, he would team up with Green Lantern to deal with societal and political problems in the streets. (More on that below)
Unfortunately, Green Arrow was never very popular outside of comic geek culture. Green Arrow was killed off in 1995’s Green Arrow #100. His son Conor took over the role until 2000, when Oliver came back.
A 9.8 CGC of Green Arrow #100 has a current value of $65.
In the current comics continuity, Green Arrow is a street-level vigilante in Star City. He is romantically involved with Black Canary and enjoys cult-like popularity.
So, now that you have a little backstory, here are two of the best Green Arrow comics.
1. Green Lantern/ Green Arrow #76 (April 1970)
In 1970, writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams added Green Arrow’s name to the title in a bid to boost popularity. The inaugural storyline, “Hard Traveling Heroes,” would last between issues #76 through #87 and issue #89. This storyline is one of the best Green Arrow comics ever.
Green Lantern was a space cop. Oliver Queen was an archer vigilante and billionaire. Queen temporarily lost his fortune, and Jordan chose to spend more time on Earth.
The storyline features the duo walking across America and dealing with street-level problems that were politically roiling the country at the time. This includes problems like racism, pollution, sexism, drug addiction, poverty, and the myth of the American Dream relative to status.
Jordan was out of touch with the reality of life on Earth, while Queen was too myopic in his beliefs and morals. Both men would bicker, trying to find solutions to problems that had no easy solutions.
A 9.8 CGC copy of this comic is worth $10,600. Any copy of this issue under a CGC 9.0 can be bought for a few hundred dollars and would be a worthwhile investment.
This 168-page paperback collects the entire storyline. Buy it at Amazon now for $52.
2. Green Arrow: Year One (September 2007)
Canon is basically the traceable narrative history of a comic book character. But the weight of decades of storytelling can sometimes restrain character development.
So, in 2007, Green Arrow was given a new origin and superhero purpose. If you love the CW Green Arrow, then you may recognize this story.
Green Arrow: Year One is a six-issue limited series written by Andy Diggle and drawn by Jock. In this reimagining of the series, Oliver Queen is portrayed as a selfish, crass, egotistical one-percenter.
After being betrayed by a confidant, Queen is marooned on a deserted island for months. Cut off from his life of excess, Queen makes a rudimentary bow and arrow, teaches himself archery, and learns to live off the island.
After his rescue, Queen learns to become a better human being. He soon assumes the Green Arrow alter ego in Star City.
The CW’s Arrow would not exist if not for this miniseries. It is undeniably one of the best Green Arrow comics.
You can get the 160-page hardcover collecting all six issues for $23.72 at Amazon.
First appearance of Green Arrow
The DC Comics character Green Arrow made his first appearance in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. Aquaman also made his first appearance in this issue.
This is an extremely rare and valuable comic book – a 4.0 CGC-certified copy is worth $23,000. A copy of this issue with a 9.2 CGC rating of 6.0 is worth $161,000. If you find a copy with any CGC rating below 4.0, I’d get it.
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