Green Arrow – Issue 27 – The Outsiders War: Part 2

The Outsiders War – Part 2

Summary: Green Arrow fights for his life against the head of the Shield Clan, the deadly Kodiak. Plus, learn the tragic secret that turned Oliver Queen into Green Arrow.

Story: Jeff Lemire
Cover: Andrea Sorrentino
Artwork: Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterist: Rob Leigh
Page Count: 20 Pages
Print Release Date: Jan 8th 2014
Digital Release Date: Jan 8th 2014

Grade: A+

Reason: It always surprises people that I’m such a huge comic book geek, considering my favorite author is Fyodor Dostoevsky. Literary snobs just never seem to really get it; neither do a lot of my highfalutin art world friends. This issue is a perfect example I would use to illustrate just what the comic book art form is all about. Jeff Lemire’s storytelling run on Green Arrow in the New 52 universe is genius. He really understands the ebb and flow of a serialized story and certainly isn’t afraid to drop bombshells early on.

Last month’s issue was a setup issue but I became thoroughly engrossed and enthralled by it nonetheless. That does not happen often, most setup issues lull and become tedious. This month’s issue was mind blowingly good. It packed a jaw dropping twist in its final pages that punched me in the gut and has me super stoked for issue #28.

Can we just clap it out for Jeff? So thankful for him not glossing over how super convenient it was for the arrow totem to be on the same island that Green Arrow was stranded on years ago? Not to mention throwing Katana in the mix, adding another strong kick butt female is always a good choice. However, I must say that Shado was more than enough on that front in the previous issue. I find myself absolutely in love with Ollie and Shado interactions. Not to mention that the big reveal was a bold move. A lesser storyteller might have saved that for the very last issue, so now I can only imagine what waits for us at the end of this arc.

OK, let’s move on to talk about the artwork. There is no denying that Andrea Sorrentino is masterful when it comes to crafting fresh and exciting panels, which can be hard in a format that is all about sequencing. My favorite pages happen to be 8-9. I love the decision to do something bold and different by not opting to do a big two page splash. Instead, they give us 6 horizontal rows that lends an air of frenzy to the situation. Another good executive decision was to give Ollie and Shado their own colors so you don’t get confused as to who’s doing what. Lots of interesting art choices were made in this issue and the variety was very much appreciated.

This was a perfect issue in my mind and my heart. I have yet to find someone who didn’t like the issue and in the new 52 universe for a title to have near universal approval speaks volumes. Hats off to all involved in this wonderful issue. Keep up the good work!