Dinah has been taken to a mysterious underground lab by Roy, which has been turned into a house of horrors showcasing the ghastly human experiments by Hammond and Dr. Iker. They’ve been experimenting on humans, and Grundy was only the beginning of something much worse that even The Green Arrow himself may not be able to stop!
This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Matt!!
Creative Team
Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque, Marcelo Maiolo, and Jeff Powell.
Writing
Matt: This run has continued to be a trip, and this issue has devolved into something so horrific that I wasn’t prepared for. Pornsak has crafted such a horrifying issue involving human experimentation, and for the first time it feels as though it overshadows the mysterious figure who is under the hood and has even become prey. In all honesty, what makes a thriller and a mystery land is the moments where you’re left wondering what’s next. And to me, this issue does exactly that because, truly, I have no idea who could be underneath the Green Arrow hood at this point. The final page itself will leave you on the hook and speechless. I loved how the issue started with Dinah having the upper hand, and then the script is flipped so suddenly it knocks us off our feet as well. I cannot express enough how glad I am that this run has been extended because I am sucked all the way in.
Megan: This was a wild issue that left me with even more questions than answers, which I love. This whole time I thought I knew who was behind the Green Arrow hood, but now I’ve come to the realization that I know nothing. That is also true for what’s been happening that Dinah assumed was trafficking but was actually cruel human experiments at the hand of Hammond. I love that you have absolutely no idea where this story will take you, but you know you’ll end up being somewhere you never even thought was a possibility. Pornsak Pichetshote creates a story that takes you through twists and turns in every issue that makes you never take your eyes off the pages.
Art
Matt: Usually, when things become grotesque or haunting, we see artists want to do a less-is-more approach. However, that is not the case here because Rafael does not shy away from body horror in this issue. Grundy’s design, when he levels up, sprouting arms and even vicious teeth in areas, expresses the extent of the experiments by Hammond. Matched with Maiolo’s coloring, which brings in an array of reds and bright colors, the duo put horror at the forefront to deliver the message. Our expressions match Dinah’s at times with how shook she becomes and the art team details violently and vividly what it is she and Arrow are up against now.
Megan: Absolute Green Arrow #4 is full of darkness, rage, and some pretty excellent action-filled moments. Dinah continues to impress by putting her fighting skills on full display and it’s drawn in a way that makes you feel as if you’re apart of the action. Playing off the darker tones of the story, the colors are a beautiful juxtaposition of vibrancy and darkness. This makes each page nothing short of stunning. The artists continue to make Absolute Green Arrow a beautiful comic that captures the darkness and the mystery of the story perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Matt: 10/10. Absolute Green Arrow #4 left me sitting there wondering just what the heck I read. I was left feeling grossed out by how good the art was at bringing these human experiments to life and at a loss for words as to who the Green Arrow is under his mask. I loved this issue a lot, and it has really sat with me for days.
Megan: 9/10. After reading Absolute Green Arrow #4, I realize that I have no idea where the story was going and I love that. I thought I had it figured out, but the creative team proved me wrong.
Overall Grade: 9.5/10
How are you liking Absolute Green Arrow? Let us know in the comments
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