After a spell of time-traveling and cosmic adventures, Oliver Queen, a.k.a. Green Arrow, returns to what he does best: protecting the little guy. The eight-issue run of Green Arrow Vol. 4: Fresh Water Kills (issues #17-24) by writer Chris Condon and artist Montos is a welcome return to form, a back-to-basics approach that grounds the character in the very issues that make him so compelling. Eschewing the fantastical for the painfully real, this arc focuses on Green Arrow as a modern-day Robin Hood, and it’s a stunning success.
The story begins with a grim discovery: buried chemical barrels on a school playground. This leads to a series of unsettling events, including the discovery of chemically contaminated water poisoning children and a string of targeted murders of corporate executives. We quickly learn these killings are the work of a mysterious vigilante dubbed “The Freshwater Killer,” a persona adopted by a group of citizens who have been failed by a system designed to protect the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable.
Condon’s writing is the bedrock of this series’ success. He perfectly captures Green Arrow’s voice right from the start, blending his trademark righteous indignation with a healthy dose of witty banter. The dialogue between Oliver and the new detective on the case, Detective Benitez, is a particular highlight. Their chemistry is electric, a mix of grudging respect, exasperation, and playful teasing that sparks off the page. Condon also weaves in powerful social commentary, using the narrative to ask poignant, relevant questions about corporate negligence, citizen-led justice, and the very definition of “vigilantism.” When a town’s senator offers empty platitudes in the face of widespread illness, the raw anger and frustration of the community are palpable, making their eventual turn to vigilante justice understandable, if not condonable.
But Condon doesn’t just rest on timely themes. He masterfully humanizes the antagonists. We discover that the first “Freshwater Killer” is a terminally ill schoolteacher, a tragic figure driven to desperate acts by a terminal diagnosis. This nuanced portrayal adds a layer of uncomfortable empathy to the story, transforming the conflict from a simple hero vs. villain showdown into a complex exploration of how loss and trauma can radicalize ordinary people. The story’s culmination in issue #24 is particularly powerful. Oliver’s conversation with Kenny, the leader of the vigilante group, explores the roots of desperation and the flawed attempts to enact change when systems fail. This powerful culmination firmly plants the story’s feet in the classic Green Arrow tradition of socially conscious storytelling.
Montos’s art is the perfect visual partner to Condon’s gritty script. He blends superhero dynamism with a powerful sense of realism. The world of Fresh Water Kills is a shadowy, tangible place where the weight of corporate negligence feels oppressive and real. Colorist Adriano Lucas amplifies this mood with a relentlessly dark palette, using stark blacks and muted shades that make Green Arrow’s vibrant green costume pop brilliantly against the menacing bright red of the Freshwater Killers. This is a story you can feel as much as you can see, a credit to the entire artistic team.
The action sequences are explosive and visceral, but it’s the quiet moments that truly resonate. Montos excels at conveying raw emotion on his characters’ faces, from the horror of the terminally ill killer’s final moments to the quiet frustration in Detective Benitez’s eyes. The artistic choices, such as the silhouette of the “Freshwater Killer’s” mask used as a backdrop for a tense conversation or Oliver’s wonderfully campy but cool arrow bike, are strokes of creative genius that elevate the storytelling.
Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s innovative lettering adds another layer of brilliance. Instead of relying on traditional word bubbles, he often uses the dark shadows and negative space to house dialogue, creating an immersive, almost cinematic feel. The onomatopoeia is equally creative and impactful, from the sounds of a grappling hook escaping to the shattering crash of a window breaking, and much more. These small details reward close attention and further draw the reader into the world.
The run isn’t without its minor gripes. The capture of the first killer in issue #19 felt a bit rushed, and the one-sidedness of the final confrontation in the warehouse lessened some of the immediate tension. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise near-perfect run. Condon and Montos, along with the rest of the creative team, have delivered a story that not only serves as a fantastic Green Arrow tale but also as a poignant and relevant commentary on real-world issues of environmental negligence and social injustice.
Green Arrow Vol. 4: Fresh Water Kills is a shining example of a superhero comic with a conscience. It takes a beloved hero, grounds him in reality, and uses his platform to tell a powerful story that will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down.
For fans who’ve been waiting for a return to the character’s more grounded, politically charged roots, Green Arrow Vol 4: Fresh Water Kills is a powerful return to form. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a great mystery with a lot of heart, guts, and a whole lot of green arrows.
‘Green Arrow Vol. 4: Fresh Water Kills’ TP Review: Return to the Roots
Green Arrow Vol. 4: Fresh Water Kills is a shining example of a superhero comic with a conscience. It takes a beloved hero, grounds him in reality, and uses his platform to tell a powerful story that will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a great mystery with a lot of heart, guts, and a whole lot of green arrows.
