REVIEW: ‘Green Arrow’ Issue #15

Green Arrow #15 is published by DC Comics. It is written by Joshua Willaimson, with art by Amancay Nahuelpan, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr., and letters by Troy Peteri. This issue is part of the Absolute Power event. In it, Team Arrow finds themselves facing both the Tomorrow Woman and Bright as they try to enlist the help of Professor Ivo.

Green Arrow #15 moves frantically, pitting the team against multiple enemies in incredibly hostile locations. The comic starts with most of the team plummeting out of the air, and their antics get even more ridiculous and intense. Just as they think their latest predicament has concluded, another figure makes their presence known and starts causing trouble. While outside the main fights within Absolute Power, the stakes still feel high, and the mission is essential.

The second half of Green Arrow #15 takes the heroes back into the air, utilising multiple aerial vehicles. At no point is Team Arrow somewhere comfortable, forcing them to think on their feet. It’s a set of exhilarating action scenes that never get stale or dull. And as the intense battle rages, there is the equally vital storyline of Oliver Queen and his alliance with Amanda Waller. It bookends the comic, appearing at the beginning and end of the issue, but the consequences of both could change the course of the whole event.

Green Arrow #15 brilliantly deals with the huge cast. Where the previous issue struggles to bring all the supporting cast along, the pace and action within this chapter allow all the characters to do something. They are separated, with most of the archers dealing with the Tomorrow Woman, while Cheshire and Cheshire Cat sneak off on their task with Ivo. Whether it be a sensitive moment or a throwaway gag, all heroes make their voices heard, and the book feels spacious and complete. In the absence of Green Arrow, Arsenal and Chesire have stepped up as the group’s leaders.

Roy was the team’s vocal rebel in the last issue, but here, he has to actually direct them in battle. He’s excellent at thinking on his feet and protecting the whole flock. The villains themselves are varied and terrifying for their own reasons. The Tomorrow Woman is confused, abused, and controlled but immensely powerful. Bright is meticulous and savage, delighting in causing pain and misery. Williamson balances the two confrontations nicely, embracing those individual personalities.

The art is fantastic. Even within the main group, the characters are given their own space. When they are shown together, the fight scene is frenetic and exciting. The eyes can scan over the page, finding the members of Team Arrow as they move like individual limbs of a single body. But Nahuelpan can also get closer, showing powerful moves or fantastic athleticism. The facial expressions are fantastic, rife with emotion and drama.

The villains look terrific. Tomorrow Woman is a cruel creation, turned into a sinister robot with limbs missing and half a silver skull visible. This is my first time seeing Bright, but the design is phenomenal. Genuinely frightening, the character is encased in metallic armor. He is massive, with claws and a mouth that makes the skin crawl. The villains in this piece are all freaky and impressive,

The colors are exceptional. This book requires the heavy use of red and green, with the heroes and some villains covered in it. The vibrancy of those shades is maintained throughout the issue, and it is always enjoyable to see those bright costumes. There is a brief scene that takes place inside the fuselage of a plane. It is solely colored in red lighting until Bright comes, piercing through the atmosphere with intensity and instantly making his presence known. The lettering is interesting, with fonts unique to the rest of the DC books.

Green Arrow #15 embraces its slice of the DC Universe. It’s a book that relishes intensity, keeping the pressure and the pacing high from start to finish. The action has magnificent ferocity, using villains that feel fresh and intriguing. It’s a tie-in that, while being an intrinsic part of the event, still feels self-enclosed. It never appears like another hero will step in and offer relief because those heroes are no longer around. So, it is up to the archers and the canaries to save themselves.

Green Arrow #15 is available where comics are sold.