BATMAN/GREEN AROW/THE QUESTION ARCADIA #3: Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Rotha’s true colors have been exposed, and his troops on Arcadia have deemed everyone is guilty until proven innocent regarding the recent bombing attack on the station. The situation has devolved into utter chaos as Batman, Green Arrow, The Question, and the surviving workers must fight for their lives if they hope to escape.

Creative Team: Gabriel Hardman (WRITER, ARTIST, and COVER) and Romulo Fajardo Jr (COLORS).

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Story:

Gabriel has done an amazing job setting up an epic final issue with this book. This entire issue is a slow descent into utter chaos from every angle, and it still finds a way to involve some personal emotional beats as well. We get a taste of Oliver Queen’s guilt with what went down with him and Dinah. The Question also reveals his Kurdish background, and while Gabriel gives us a taste of his past, if you know anything about the Kurdish people, then you know the lifetime of hardship they have faced themselves. Mix it in with Batman, and Gabriel brings in the perfect triangle of heroes.

Meanwhile, there is more that we are given as Oliver exposes Bruce’s face beneath the mask and identity. This is such gripping storytelling that it truly has me on the edge of my seat with every page turn.

The Art and Letters:

Gabriel and Romulo bring the fog of war to the panels in bursts of fiery explosions and impressively stoic moments. Despite The Question having no face, the duo still manages to deliver the emotion out of him. There are moments with Batman that will bring the kid out of you as he stands tall and even delivers classic Batman punches and cleverness. I loved the rugged feeling as we saw the group running for their lives through the snowy mountains of Greenland. All in all, this art is fantastic and gives us so much to love.

Final Thoughts:

Batman/Green Arrow/The Question Arcadia #3 is setting us up for an epic finish to this severely underrated story. There is so much emotion both through the art and the plot, mixed in with a humanistic aspect for our heroes that brings out empathy from the panels. Get this issue and get the other issues because this run has been incredible.

Overall Grade: 10/10

For more from Matt at the Hops “Geek” News podcast!