Green Arrow #28 – Review

By: Jeff Lemire (story), Andrea Sorrentino (art), Marcelo Maiolo (colors)

The Story: It’s not a great feeling when your dad chooses a pointed stick over you.

The Review: To be honest, I’m still trying to wrap my head around last month’s revelation that Ollie’s dad is still alive.  Talk about your quintessential “What the what?” moment.  More than just the sheer soapiness of it all, however, the existence of Robert Queen means that a rather predictable family conflict is in store: Ollie’s initial rage and disgust at what is obviously a painful betrayal, and a later, probably forced reconciliation amidst tragic circumstances.

This issue features the first half of that developing relationship.  I must admit, Lemire’s pretty committed to milking all the drama out of this plotline, stacking one destabilizing accusation after another.  In some ways, Ollie’s incredulousness at what his dad has done helps us deal with just how insane Robert’s whole plan to turn his son into “a weapon” is.  Insane and selfish, as almost all of Robert’s actions revolved around his own lust for the Arrow.  Ollie’s reaction is nonplussed, to say the least: “It’s just an arrow.  You left me—you left Mom—for this?”