Green Arrow #28, “Crimson Sands, Part Four,” is a fantastic issue that feels both classic and totally relevant. It’s a real shame this incredible run is wrapping up with issue 31, especially since the creative team has been absolutely killing it for the past 11 issues. The team of Chris Condon, Montos, Adriano Lucas, and Buddy Beaudoin really brings it in, focusing on what makes Green Arrow such a great hero: his fight for the little guy.
Right from the start, we’re thrown into the action. Green Arrow is in a frantic race against time, rushing a guy who’s overdosing on a new drug called “Crimson Sands” to the nearest police station. At the station, Green Arrow’s urgency is met by a cop who not only has naloxone ready but says this kind of thing happens “damn near every day.” He explains that it’s not just the people using the drug who are suffering, but their families and even kids who find them. Here, Green Arrow isn’t just fighting one bad guy; he’s up against a widespread public health emergency.
While G.A. is dealing with that, we get a cool side story with Arsenal and his daughter, Lian (Cheshire Cat). They’re on a stakeout for a drug deal, and Lian is super eager to prove herself. She’s a little naive, while Arsenal is the seasoned, slightly impatient mentor and dad. It’s a nice change of pace from Green Arrow’s heavy investigation and a great reminder of the legacy and family that surround him.
The mystery deepens when a detective takes Green Arrow to the evidence room to check out the mystery drug. They find out that the drug is the same one the Crimson Archer uses in his arrows. It looks like heroin but is way more potent and dangerous, made from a rare flower called Aleria. This plant was once used as an opioid in some Asian countries before being banned for being too harmful.
The biggest shocker is the reveal that the Crimson Archer isn’t just a rival drug dealer, he’s a genius and vicious killer who’s using the same poison to kill his competition. The issue ends on a killer cliffhanger, pointing to a much bigger corporate conspiracy.
The art by Montos is perfect for this story. It’s gritty and realistic, with characters that feel substantial. Montos is a master at showing emotion through facial expressions, from Green Arrow’s worried eyes to the raw fear on the overdosing man’s face. The action scenes, like Lian’s acrobatic jump, are dynamic and full of energy. The panels flow so well, pulling you through the story effortlessly.
Adriano Lucas’s colors are a huge highlight. He uses a striking palette that perfectly sets the mood. The opening pages are soaked in a sickly pink and purple, capturing the chaotic danger of the street. In the police station, the colors become cold and sterile with blues and grays, a stark contrast to the warm, rich night sky when Arsenal and Lian are on patrol. The most unforgettable use of color is in the final pages, where the villain’s face is bathed in a sinister red, a sign of the danger he represents.
Buddy Beaudoin’s lettering ties the whole book together. The dialogue is clear, but the sound effects are where it’s at. The WHAAAAM as Green Arrow busts through a door is loud and impactful, while the soft PLINK of a key card is subtle and effective. Even the shaky font for the terrified drug user on page 13 adds to the emotional weight of the scene.
Green Arrow #28 is a standout issue and a great example of how to tell a personal story that’s also part of a larger epic. Condon’s writing is sharp and compassionate, and the art team is completely on fire. This comic is about more than just a superhero saving a life; it’s about the everyday tragedies and the broken systems that make heroism so necessary. It’ll leave you excited to see what happens next.
‘Green Arrow ‘#28 Gets Real in “Crimson Sands”
Green Arrow #28 is a standout issue and a great example of how to tell a personal story that’s also part of a larger epic. It’ll leave you excited to see what happens next.
