The Green Arrow is one of DC’s most consistently underrated superheroes, largely due to earlier portrayals that depicted him as a gimmicky, inferior substitute for Batman. However, just before the Bronze Age of Comics, Neal Adams revitalized the character, introducing his iconic goatee and updated costume while working alongside Batman in The Brave and the Bold. It has been 57 years since then, and the Green Arrow series has experienced numerous transformations and reinventions, with perhaps its most radical change occurring in Absolute Green Arrow.
This latest evolution of the Green Arrow legend is intentional within the Absolute Universe. The story, crafted by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque, presents an undeniably thrilling mystery. Instead of focusing on the significantly less funded Bruce Wayne or the timing of Kal-El’s arrival in Kansas, this origin story diverges from Oliver Queen’s survival on Starfish Island; he does not survive at all. An unknown masked archer adopts his motifs and mission, seemingly stepping in as Oliver Queen’s replacement. The biggest mystery revolves around the identity of this new figure.
Four Issues In: The Green Arrow’s Identity Is DC’s Most Tantalizing Summer Mystery
Living up to its best Slasher Summer potential, Absolute Green Arrow has enjoyed remarkable sales, often ranking just behind Absolute Batman in overall comic sales across the market. This success is largely attributed to its strong writing, intense combat visuals, and central mystery that continues to undermine any misplaced faith in Queen surviving his initial fate of washing ashore with a head injury inflicted by Hawkman. Killed before he could properly bring Jubal Slade to justice, his ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance experiences haunting visions of Queen, afflicted with similar Miraclo traits as those of Absolute Solomon Grundy, leaving little room for doubt by issue #4.
The discovery of Oliver Queen’s dismembered remains during Hector Hammond’s research into immortality indicates that the Green Arrow Killer stalking Star City’s elite is undoubtedly Oliver Queen’s replacement. Multiple suspects have been considered, and now with the masked slasher having one hand poetically severed after recently removing Hammond’s hand, the identity of the Green Arrow will soon be revealed.
The Green Arrow Killer’s Identity Will Be Revealed This Fall
After an exhilarating four issues of Absolute Green Arrow, theories are progressively being ruled out while suspects are narrowed down. The identity of the Green Arrow Killer suggests more than one candidate for Oliver Queen’s “clone.” This copycat takes his passion for archery to a bloody extreme as he targets Star City’s corrupt elite one by one. Suspects include Roy Harper, Mia Dearden, or Tom Hallaway—three archery-themed fighters with various connections to Queen and GreenArrows Trading.
However, recent developments make certain connections unlikely unless the Green Arrow Killer is a title adopted by all three. Hallaway has fallen victim to Dr. Iker’s Moreau-esque experiments, losing feeling in his legs and having six hands grafted onto his torso as a twisted nod to his spider emblem. Dearden appears to be in hiding and does not match the killer’s physique—though comics have found ways around that before. Harper seems a legitimate candidate since he conveniently disappeared before the resurfacing of the Green Arrow Killer, prompting Dinah to check for both of his hands in their next encounter.
03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, her mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining her warrior spirit.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through.
The answer is Kelly Thompson.
While all four writers are acclaimed,
it’s Thompson who helms this title crafting a bold new vision.
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