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Green Arrow #20 Review: A Tense, Emotional Chase

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Green Arrow #20 Credit DC Comics

In Green Arrow #20, Oliver Queen takes on one of his most emotionally charged challenges yet. The Fresh Water Killer haunts not only the streets but also Oliver’s conscience, forcing him to confront his role in a tragedy tied to an environmental disaster. As the Emerald Archer navigates the fallout, the weight of responsibility bears heavily on his mission, blending a tense chase with a moral reckoning.

The issue dives deep into themes of justice, societal disparity, and personal guilt, creating a narrative that feels eerily relevant to today’s world. Condon and the creative team deliver a story that resonates on multiple levels, offering a gripping mix of action, character exploration, and atmosphere.

Creative Team: Chris Condon (Writer), Montos (Artists), Adriano Lucas (Colors), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letters)

Green Arrow #20 – DC Comics

******Potential Spoiler Warning******

The Writing:

Chris Condon crafts a tale that is as much about Oliver’s internal struggles as it is about the hunt for the Fresh Water Killer. The pacing is deliberate, with world-building and character moments carefully layered to build emotional and narrative stakes.

Green Arrow #20 Credit DC Comics

Condon leans into Green Arrow’s history as a hero defined by his empathy and sense of justice. The writing emphasizes how justice is unevenly distributed, a concept Oliver wrestles with throughout the issue. As the mystery unravels, the killer’s motives and the systemic failures behind the environmental disaster come into sharper focus, making Oliver’s pursuit feel both personal and urgent.

The dialogue is sharp, reflecting Oliver’s frustration and determination while painting a vivid picture of the larger societal failures at play. It’s a reminder of why Green Arrow has long been a hero grounded in real-world issues, and Condon’s take feels authentic to that legacy.

Check Out Green Arrow #19 Review Here!

The Art, Colors and Letters:

Montos’s art elevates the storytelling, capturing the intensity of Oliver’s journey through detailed facial expressions and carefully rendered body language. The close-ups of Oliver’s anguish and the people affected by the disaster add layers of emotional depth, ensuring every panel feels purposeful.

The panel layout is straightforward, reminiscent of older Green Arrow runs. This structure gives readers a clear view of key moments, whether it’s an intense conversation or a tense rooftop sequence. The lack of flashy layouts emphasizes the raw emotion in each scene, letting the characters and story take center stage.

Adriano Lucas’s colors are a standout feature. A red-dominant palette during key moments conveys anger, danger, and the weight of the narrative. The rooftop sequence is particularly striking: Oliver, silhouetted against a fiery red-orange sunset, mirrors his inner turmoil and the burning consequences of his past decisions.

Green Arrow #20 Credit DC Comics

One innovative sequence sees Oliver’s head in shadow as he practices his archery, with smaller inset panels showing him smashing the target in frustration. The combination of shadows and a vibrant red background perfectly encapsulates his inner conflict.

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering brings subtle nuance to the story. Changes in font weight and spacing amplify emotional beats, from whispered regrets to shouted frustrations. The lettering never overpowers the art but complements it, adding to the issue’s immersive quality.

Final Thoughts:

Green Arrow #20 excels in blending emotional stakes with a relevant and thought-provoking narrative. The story’s focus on environmental justice, societal inequality, and personal guilt feels timely and universal, while the creative team’s execution ensures it hits with full impact.

This issue also demonstrates how well Green Arrow’s stories can thrive without relying heavily on action. The tension and suspense come from the emotional and thematic weight, making the eventual confrontations all the more meaningful.

Chris Condon, Montos, Adriano Lucas, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou deliver an outstanding chapter in Green Arrow #20. It’s a story that honors the Emerald Archer’s legacy while offering fresh, modern perspectives.

Thanks for checking out my review for the NI Comics Bullpen. Let me know what comics you’re reading and hit me up on any social media platform here! Till next time…

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martystoked
martystoked
Your friendly neighborhood SCUBA Instructor that loves comic books, movies and casual gaming. Data Engineer by day comic book reader by night! Comic Reviewer for Nerd Initiative! Also into show skiing, wakeboarding and snowboarding

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