You can tell a great issue when it hits you with the action, the heart, and a huge “wait, what?” moment all at once. That’s exactly what Green Arrow #29, titled “Crimson Sands, Part Five,” delivers. Writer Chris Condon and artist Montos (along with absolutely stunning cover art by Taurin Clarke and Tirso) have crafted a chapter that is visually spectacular and incredibly emotional, perfectly setting the stage for a massive final showdown.
The issue juggles two storylines that brilliantly showcase the dual nature of the Arrow family. On one side, you have Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) in full-on detective mode, infiltrating a corporate building he suspects is tied to the deadly drug crisis gripping Star City. This sequence is pure, classic Green Arrow fun: witty inner monologue, high-tech trick arrows, and a suspenseful investigation. It’s exhilarating to watch Oliver in action, proving the versatility of his bow and arrow even as he’s forced to confront dark memories of a past CIA mission in Cambodia.
However, the climax is an absolute gut punch. Following a mysterious elevator to a hidden basement, Oliver discovers a gruesome lab, only to be dramatically interrupted by the reveal of the Crimson Archer. The villain is none other than Herb Vraney, a man Oliver believed he had killed years ago in Cambodia for war crimes. Condon masterfully ties the hero and villain together with an intensely personal, heart-wrenching link, dragging Oliver’s murky past into explosive conflict with his heroic present.
But it’s not all shadowy espionage. The B-plot, featuring Arsenal (Roy Harper) and Cheshire Cat (Lian Harper), is the heart of this issue. They’re shown assisting a woman named Caroline Lemus at a clinic. Lian, in particular, steps up, showing a high level of care and even insisting that all her bills be sent to Advance Pharmaceuticals.
Roy and Lian’s banter is charming and feels incredibly authentic, highlighting their strong father-daughter bond and reminding us that superhero work isn’t just about punching villains. It’s about compassion and helping everyday people navigate complicated situations, which is a fantastic nod to the series’ broader themes of social justice and recovery.
And honestly, this book is an absolute feast for the eyes. The art team of Montos, colorist Adriano Lucas, and letterer Buddy Beaudoin is operating at an incredibly high standard. Montos’ dynamic paneling maximizes the storytelling, keeping you hooked on every tight, suspenseful shot of Oliver investigating. The action is visceral and fluid, especially when Green Arrow lets loose a volley of arrows in the lab.
Adriano Lucas’s colors are a massive standout. He uses a rich palette of deep emerald greens for Oliver’s stealth moments, but then slams you with an intense crimson and electric pink for the sinister building interiors and the villain’s menacing aura. For the Roy and Lian scenes, the light is often brighter and softer, giving those moments a warm, nostalgic superhero feel, a perfect counterpoint to Oliver’s corporate, neon-drenched world.
Green Arrow #29 successfully delivers a classic mystery while packing a modern emotional punch. It moves the “Crimson Sands” story to a critical juncture, providing a fantastic setup for what promises to be an intense finale. Bonus points to Condon for pulling out a deep-cut piece of Green Arrow lore by reintroducing Oliver’s time with the CIA, a concept Mike Grell originally brought in to explain the darker, espionage side of the character.
‘Green Arrow’ #29 Review: Oliver Queen’s Dark CIA Past Revealed
Green Arrow #29 successfully delivers a classic mystery while packing a modern emotional punch. It moves the “Crimson Sands” story to a critical juncture, providing a fantastic setup for what promises to be an intense finale. Bonus points to Condon for pulling out a deep-cut piece of Green Arrow lore by reintroducing Oliver’s time with the CIA, a concept Mike Grell originally brought in to explain the darker, espionage side of the character.
