Green Arrow (2010 Series) #2

August 5, 2010

Title: Into the Woods

Writer: J.T. Krul
Penciler: Diogenes Neves
Inker: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Mauro Cascioli
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Publisher: DC Comics

In the depths of the forest that has sprung up in Star City, Hal Jordan’s power ring has fizzed out of power at the most inopportune time. He and Ollie find themselves at the tree that bears the symbol of the White Lantern… but what does it mean?

Books like this one make me feel really good about J.T. Krul taking over Teen Titans in a few months. While he’s clearly got a lot of love and respect for the DC characters, but at the same time, he’s not afraid to take chances with them. Green Arrow has been placed in circumstances he’s never been in before, outed to the world and on the run from virtually everybody (despite being acquitted of a murder which he did, in fact, commit). Hal, too, is in an uncomfortable place. His ring doesn’t seem to work in the Star City forest, and when he and Ollie find themselves in danger, he can’t use his usual tricks to get out of it. The result is a very strong story that builds up to a great cliffhanger. I’ve no doubt that what happened at the end will tie into Brightest Day in a very direct fashion, but that doesn’t make the impact of those pages any less.

Diogenes Neves and Vicente Cifuentes nail the artwork here, transplanting our superheroes into a woodland setting and making a book that looks completely different from anything else currently being published. Mauro Cascioli supplies a striking cover as well, one that uses the Brightest Day trade dress to help with the composition, particularly the colors, making a book that leaps out at you.

Great issue, and I can’t wait for next month.

Rating: 9/10