REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Arrow’ Issue 2

Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2 is published by DC Comics. Written by Pornsak Pichetshote, art by Rafael Albuquerque, colors by Marcelo Maiolo, and letters by Jeff Powell.

Dinah and Hector Hammond search for subjects, trying to discover the identity of the Green Arrow.

Some time has passed heading into Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2, not too much to lose momentum, but enough to promote Dinah’s standing within the organization. She is working for the bad guy, which leaves a bad taste. Hammond is most definitely hiding something sinister, but there is the matter of identifying the Green Arrow and preventing him from killing more people. There is a great pacing and structure to the issue, as Dinah and Hammond try to narrow down the culprit from a selection of familiar faces.

Roy Harper and Mia Dearden are mentioned early on, and the protagonist pays Mia an extended visit. It creates an intriguing murder mystery within the comic, as the true identity of the archer could be any of those mentioned, or even someone else. The flashbacks reveal multiple histories, some even contradicting one another, all of which are centered on Oliver Queen. He is told about the horrific acts his business partners are committing, but initially declines to do anything about them.

There is another character who is visited by Dinah, one who again delves into the many, many secrets Oliver Queen hid. That newcomer becomes the central figure, a focal point of conversation within the book, which makes what happens such a sudden and devastating surprise. It derails any leading theories and demonstrates a ruthlessness within Pichetshote’s writing.

There is a dirty, seedy tone within Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2, and the characters reflect that. There are no good guys, not really. Dinah is the bodyguard of an awful man, and the Green Arrow is a ruthless killer who has a moral compass that can’t be pinned down.

Each conversation, past and present, reveals more about the inner workings of Oliver Queen, Malcolm Merlyn, and other major elements of the comic. Each character has a grit in their voice, filled with pain and history that we don’t even know yet. Dinah is the one person who seems to be trying to do good, or at least help. But because of who she works for, she’s met with aggression and violence instead.

The art is terrific, creating a gothic experience. Dinah enters Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2 looking smart and prepared. She’s now donned a suit that protects her from arrows and bullets. Every figure involved looks angry and traumatized, with no one enjoying their existence in this world. The first fight, a sparring match between Dinah and Mia, highlights that there is very little safety within this corner of the Absolute Universe. They really swing for each other, trying to take each other’s heads off.

Mia actually resembles Dinah, to the point where it was confusing at first glance. What separates them is Mia’s pigtails, which signal she is much younger than the experienced bodyguard. The rest of the book then moves to an abandoned mansion, and the image is haunting. The house, once a symbol of opulence and greed, is now empty and contains horrific discoveries.

The fight that occurs in this house is an example of the bloodiness within this series and the true extremes of the action. The arrows don’t just puncture the body; the poison inside induces a grotesque reaction. It’s visceral and disgusting, heightening the drama even further.

The colors are phenomenal throughout Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2. It’s not just the shades themselves, which are always evocative and captivating. It’s the technique in which the colors are applied to the page. The lighting seems airbrushed in, giving the rays a sense of direction. It genuinely looks like the sun casts light inside a dingy boxing gym. In the mansion, where the shadows are thick and heavy, the torchlight is incredibly intense and blinding. It cuts through the darkness, powerfully illuminating bodies within cones of light. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2 continues a grisly murder mystery. The thriller elements of the story are sensational. The tone is gritty and nasty, embroiling the characters in a ferocious, violent comic. That darkness clings to the pages, keeping the story suffocated in hostility. There is no escape, no reprieve, just a constant push towards murder and mystery.

Absolute Green Arrow Issue 2 is available where comics are sold.