Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

Having been around since 1941, it's surprising that Green Arrow, DC Comics' Robin Hood inspired Emerald Archer, never had his own self titled series until 1983s Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1. The comic starts out with Oliver Queen fighting crime as he recounts his origins wherein he was left stranded on an island and learned to hone his archery skills before being rescued. Later, Oliver learns of the death of an old friend of his, an elderly woman named Abigail Horton, whose daughter he got close to before he ended up on the island. When Oliver attends the reading of Abigail's will, alongside the rest of her family, it's revealed that, much to his and her family's surprise, Abigail left a large sum of her inheritance to him. Soon after, Oliver survives an explosion and is nearly killed by hitmen, leading him to don his Arrow suit and set out to investigate who in Abigail's family was angry enough to want to kill him. 42 years after his first appearance, Green Arrow's first self titled comic and the start of a four issue limited series, this hits it out of the park thanks to its Agatha Christie inspirations. Writer Mike W. Barr manages to put together a debut issue that has equal amounts of exposition of the title character's past and crafting a mystery that is highly inspired by the works of Christie and neo-noir that was popular at the time. Barr's narration and dialogue never feels forced when giving exposition and helps make many of the characters, including the antagonists feel very rounded. Another aspect that helps this comic give it a very neo-noir vibe is the combinatory work of the art by Trevor von Eeden, inking by Dick Giordano, and coloring by Tom Zuiko. Their work certainly brings the characters to life and keep the backgrounds fresh while managing to give many of the scenes match the moody tone of the writing. Being only the debut of a four part series, Green Arrow Vol. #1 grabs you immediaetly and keeps you wondering how the rest of the story will play out. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

2. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

3. Deadman: Love After Death #1

4. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

5. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

6. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

7. The Yellow Kid

8. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

9. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674