It’s Finally Time For My Long-Delayed Absolute Green Arrow #2 Review

I’ve been meaning to read and review Absolute Green Arrow #2 on here for months. I’ve been sitting on my copy of the comic from nearly since it came out, but every week it got pushed to the back burner because I had something more timely to review or talk about. This week, I can finally give my thoughts on it. The best part about reviewing a comic or book is that there’s no real urgency to do it because once the book is out, it’s out. It isn’t limited in the same way a movie is, or as pricey and hot to talk about like a video game. Absolute Green Arrow #2 set me back $5.99, and only because I had to buy a variant cover. That’s not a bad price, and one I definitely didn’t mind paying.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

The story of Absolute Green Arrow #2 picks up in the wake of the revelations of #1. Dinah is trying to come to grips with finding the dead child covered in eyes in Oliver Queen’s doomsday bunker and questioning who Ollie was as a man, all while searching for any leads she can on the Longbow Killer, while simultaneously hating her job and the fact that she has to work for Hector Hammond. Dinah pursues a few leads, talking to Mia Dearden about her history with Ollie. Mia denies being the Longbow Killer, but she does detail her history working with Ollie and coding for him until she left because Jubal Slade and his sexual misconduct disgusted her and she wanted Ollie to cut him out or do something about it. Mia gives Dinah a lead on Ollie’s son, so Dinah begins following him. Dinah makes her move, trying to talk to him when she sees him go to an abandoned mansion, but the two are attacked by the Longbow Killer inside. Connor, the son, is killed, and the Longbow Killer makes a comment about Hector Hammond and how he’s up to something so vile that he needs to be stopped for good before leaving Dinah. With less leads and more questions than ever, Dinah decides that it’s time she figured out what Hector was up to.

Absolute Green Arrow #2 is still really good. It maintains a lot of the darkness and thematic tones as the first one, not shying away from the conflict of the ultra-rich vs. everyone else. The central tension at this story still seems to be about the rich and powerful abusing their power with no consequences, and how to rectify that evil with them receiving their just desserts. On the one hand, Dinah despises them; she abhors the fact that she has to work for Hammond. On the other hand, she just can’t wrap her head around people justifying and rooting for a brutal serial killer. It’s a genuinely interesting question that I think has a lot of value being asked given the state of modern society and the romanticization, and even celebration, of the rich and powerful getting killed. In my opinion, the most thought-provoking media is the kind that holds a mirror up to society/relatable problems, and Absolute Green Arrow #2 expertly continues the work begun in #1.

I like the plot. I think that it’s gripping and well-told. The pacing is excellent, neither feeling too rushed or like a slog. The mystery developing is interesting and really quite enjoyable to read. Each issue just makes me more interested in the next. Grounding the perspective in Dinah’s character is a great choice because it means that the audience knows everything that she does and discovers answers as she does. It doesn’t feel like anything is being held back or information is being denied to us.

I’m also coming to like Dinah’s character more and more. She’s relatable. She’s just trying to do her best and get by in corrupt world run by the wicked and powerful. It’s easy for the reader to sympathize with her plight and want her to succeed in her goals of tracking down and unmasking the Longbow Killer. Turning to him, he’s great. Sure, he only shows up for a few brief pages at the end of the comic, but his presence continues to loom large throughout the narrative. He ends up becoming the ever-present boogeyman who always shows up at the worst possible time, and he will always show up. I’m really curious to see who he ends up being, and I know that that reveal is going to carry a lot weight. I’m confident that the comic can pull it off. The Longbow Killer’s identity is THE reveal that the story is working towards. Uncovering his identity and motivations is why I turn the page, and I know that once those answers are revealed, the driving force of interest will likely shift to watching Hector Hammond’s downfall, but I’m getting ahead of myself and the story.

Turning to the art, it is fantastic. I’ve been loving the art used for the different Absolute comics, and Absolute Green Arrow #2 is no different. It has a layer of realism and grittiness to it while still remaining stylized. The Longbow Killer in particular looks incredible in every scene he’s in, dominating it with a truly menacing aura. I cannot emphasize enough just how good these comics in particular look, and it has retroactively made me realize that some comics I’ve read in the past honestly leave something to be desired in the art department.

SPOILERS END

I know that this review is late. In fact, #5 drops later this month. I’m currently sitting on #3, so I may be able to get a review for it out either next week or the week after. I’ve been wanting to post my thoughts on this comic for months, but between crazy busyness and just having other things to review, it’s been hard to find the time. But overall, Absolute Green Arrow is still shaping up to be one of, if not my very, favorite Absolute comics. It’s gritty and realistic while still remaining beautifully stylized. It tackles deep and interesting themes. And it’s just fun and easy to read. It had been so long since I had read some of these comics that I forgot how much I enjoyed them. If you like comics and superheroes, I implore you to try the Absolute comics, and especially Absolute Green Arrow.