From the ruins of Hub City, Vic Sage drops into a dangerous undercover mission, following the trail of a human-trafficking ring that stretches all the way to the Arctic’s icy wastes. At the same time, Oliver Queen finds his life unraveling after being pushed out of his company’s leadership, only to discover that Queen Industries may be tied to a cryptic initiative known as Arcadia. The Question’s relentless pursuit of the truth draws Green Arrow into the investigation, but their search quickly runs into a formidable barrier in the form of Batman, whose presence complicates every step of their inquiry.
Writer and artist Gabriel Hardman reinvents this trio of fiercely individual vigilantes for a contemporary audience, with a clear, unflinching vision that echoes the mood of classic DC social thrillers while tapping into modern concerns about widening economic gaps and a planet under strain. The story gains extra weight because this is a team-up that hasn’t truly been explored since Dennis O’Neil’s 1980s arc titled “Fables,” reminding readers that these characters share a long yet rarely revisited history. Bringing together three of the most popular non-superpowered members associated with the Justice League naturally steers the narrative toward grounded, street-level conflicts where moral tension and social commentary thrive, and Hardman uses that foundation to full effect.
The issue begins with Vic Sage uncovering troubling government activity in a deserted warehouse in Hub City, a trail that leads him to the Juno Corporation, a militarized enterprise that has quietly seized control of Queen Industries. When he turns to Oliver Queen for clarity, he learns that Oliver has been sidelined from his own company, deepening the mystery surrounding Juno’s influence and its connection to federal power. Meanwhile, Batman is guided by a group of young activists toward an extravagant gathering in Belize where global elites are preparing to discuss climate solutions. Traveling undercover as Bruce Wayne, he discovers Arcadia, a floating city funded by wealthy investors and developed through Queen Industries. Though advertised as a bold response to environmental and housing crises, the secrecy surrounding the project and Juno’s armed oversight signal a far more ominous purpose.
Hardman uses their individual investigations to explore contemporary social anxieties while building steady suspense. Sage becomes the voice of ground-level resistance, Oliver reflects the dilemma of a reformer trapped within corporate machinery, and Bruce offers the complicated perspective of a billionaire attempting change from the inside. Their journeys move at a thoughtful pace that favors dialogue and deduction, with well-placed humor revealing the friction between Sage and Oliver. Batman hovers at the narrative’s edges as a potential adversary, which gives the story an unexpected charge. Hardman weaves their histories together into a tightly constructed mystery infused with depth, intrigue, and the promise of something memorable.
Hardman’s artwork embraces a gritty, atmospheric quality that recalls beloved prestige format stories from the past while still feeling entirely of the moment, blending modern techniques with echoes of vintage noir. Green Arrow and Batman benefit especially from this approach; each rendered with practical and striking designs that feel cohesive within the world he is shaping. The different settings allow the art team to capture everything from cramped urban corners to wide open landscapes.
Romulo’s colors and Simon’s lettering complete the effect, grounding each environment with textured detail. Deep blacks, muted greys, and cool blues dominate the palette, interrupted only by sharp bursts of orange or red when violence intrudes, and the heavy shadows enrich the noir sensibility that the Question’s narration reinforces.
Overall, Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1 delivers a gripping mystery that fuses classic DC imagery with a moody noir sensibility. Hardman places Batman, Green Arrow, and the Question at the center of a shadowy conspiracy rooted in real-world anxieties, using each hero’s contrasting strengths and flaws to drive the narrative forward. His artwork reinforces the tone with expressive, brooding visuals and sharp bursts of action that keep the story pulsing with energy.
The deeper the investigation goes, the more the web of powerful elites comes into focus, setting the stage for an inevitable clash among the three vigilantes that promises to be as rich in ideas as it is in physical conflict.
‘Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia’ #1 Review: Speak Truth to Power
Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1 delivers a gripping mystery that fuses classic DC imagery with a moody noir sensibility. Hardman places Batman, Green Arrow, and the Question at the center of a shadowy conspiracy rooted in real-world anxieties, using each hero’s contrasting strengths and flaws to drive the narrative forward.
