Just when you thought it was over… a new killer emerges, and he’s not fighting solo. Green Arrow #21 sees Condon and Montos dive deep into the darkness of masks and the price of justice.
A heated community meeting is underway at Fresh Water Community Center. Residents are furious with a senator’s spin and are demanding accountability for the escalating health crisis, particularly a young girl fighting cancer. Personal stories of illness, including little Kenny’s, paint a grim picture of Horton Chemical’s impact. The senator’s empty words do little to quell the growing outrage.
We’re then thrown into a fight between Oliver and the new killer. Swiftly, he dispatches his assailant with a powerful takedown, incredulously asking, “Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Blow after blow rains down as he demands answers. The attacker, defeated, begs for mercy, revealing his identity and the reason for his lethal intent: Oliver’s past as an executive at Horton Chemical.
Meanwhile, at SCPD, Detective Benitez, accompanied by Arrow, her loyal canine partner, and her colleague, discuss another Horton Chemical executive’s murder. A chilling pattern emerges, suggesting a coordinated campaign of targeted killings. Finally, the comic ends with the assailant’s chilling words to Oliver, a cryptic message about ‘masks’ – both used as a way to hide and be disturbingly visible.
Credits: DC Comics
Chris Conton continues to weave a powerful narrative, each issue expanding the story’s scope with increasing impact. The opening scene at the community center, where the townspeople confronted the senator, was gripping. You could practically feel the raw anger, frustration, and grief hanging in the air. It was a portrait of people facing real problems, desperately seeking solutions and finding none, left only with the possibility of taking matters into their own hands.
Conton introduces a compelling theme of citizen-led justice, blurring the lines between vigilantism, justice, and revenge. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of how far people will go when they feel abandoned. The discussion surrounding masks and their symbolism within the story and the broader context of superheroes adds a fascinating layer. The mask becomes a potent symbol, amplifying the narrative’s power and sparking many interpretations.
On a lighter note, the detective’s playful teasing of Detective Benitez about her “superhero boyfriend,” Green Arrow, provided a welcome moment of levity. Moreover, Montos’s layout truly shines in this issue. The silhouette of the “Fresh Water Killer’s” mask, used as a backdrop for the intense conversation between the killer and Oliver, is a stroke of genius. The subtle details, like Oliver’s sneakers and tripping over a bowl, demonstrate Montos’s dedication to immersive storytelling. These seemingly small touches add depth and authenticity.
Credits: DC Comics
The action sequences were equally impressive. The visceral sound effects—the resounding “Krash” of Oliver’s body slam, the sharp “Kraack” of the pipe against his laptop, the brutal “Krnnch” of a kick, and the shattering “Krsshhh” as Oliver crashes through the window—brought the fight to life. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s innovative lettering, utilizing Adriano Lucas’s dark shadows as a backdrop for dialogue instead of traditional word bubbles, was a stroke of creative genius.
Green Arrow #21 intensifies the series’ exploration of justice and masks with a new, vengeful killer with ties to Oliver’s past while simultaneously highlighting the community’s desperate fight against corporate negligence. The issue expertly blends tense action with poignant social commentary, using striking visuals and innovative lettering to amplify the narrative’s emotional impact.
‘Green Arrow’ #21 Review: A Community on the Brink
Green Arrow #21 intensifies the series’ exploration of justice and masks with a new, vengeful killer with ties to Oliver’s past while simultaneously highlighting the community’s desperate fight against corporate negligence. The issue expertly blends tense action with poignant social commentary, using striking visuals and innovative lettering to amplify the narrative’s emotional impact.
