Review: Green Arrow Vol. 9- Outbreak
Quick Summary
Pros: The story here is entertaining and filled with action and suspense. The social commentary is well executed and manages to feel powerful without being overbearing. The artwork looks good and helps enhance the story.
Cons: The book’s conclusion feels slightly rushed.
Overall: The final volume in this series ends up being one of the best. This is a book that uses a unique premise to launch an examination into society that fits Green Arrow perfectly. However, this social commentary does not undercut the action or drama, as both of these elements appear in full strength. This mix of morality and entertainment works very well and turns this into a collection that any fan of Green Arrow should appreciate.
Review Notes
Most of this collection includes comic issues from the Green Arrow Vol. 5 comic book series. However, this collection also includes a preview issue of the Green Arrow Vol. 6 series, the series that immediately follows this one. We will not be including this preview issue of Green Arrow Vol. 6 in this review. Instead, we will include it in our review of Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen (Review), where it is a part of the actual storyline instead of simply a preview.
This review will cover issues #48-52 of Green Arrow Vol. 5.
Story
Green Arrow Vol. 9: Outbreak is a solid Green Arrow story and a viable contender for the best Green Arrow book in this series. Benjamin Percy takes all of the positives about the previous volume and amplifies them while simultaneously minimizing the negatives. The story is more clear and focused, the social message is more concise and relevant, and both the heroes and villains are more entertaining. The only problem is that the ending is somewhat abrupt, though not quite as abrupt as the last volume. Overall, this is a good read that anyone with a remote interest in Green Arrow should consider picking up.
(spoilers start here)
The vast majority of this collection follows the story of a mysterious virus that has been slowly infecting members of the Seattle population. This virus gives people wolf-like characteristics, making them stronger and giving them enhanced senses but also making them more prone to aggression. The infected, known as wargs, are ostracized by society and even hunted by militant gangs, called the Patriots. This causes some infected to rise up and form a resistance, called the Berserkers.
Despite the large numbers present in both groups, the characterization of the members is done surprisingly well. Percy does this by distilling the entirety of both groups’ morals and opinions into their respective leaders. Both leaders are routinely focused on and have a personal vendetta against each other that adds to the groups’ overall feud. This makes it more meaningful when the leader of Berserkers is shot or when the leader of the Patriots has his arm cut off. It also gives readers a name and a face to connect with each group and brings abstract ideas into a more concrete reality.
The dynamic of both groups, and the setting of the environment as a whole, also allows for social commentary to flourish. Issues like the AIDS crisis, the role of oppression in radicalizing people, white privilege, and humanity’s fear and hatred of what they do not understand are all broached in some way. These elements come together well and perfectly match Green Arrow’s penchant for approaching liberal policies. In addition, Percy never writes these elements in a way that feels preachy or forced. He naturally weaves them into the narrative and simply gives readers the ability to learn something if they choose to do so. This allows the social elements to enhance the story without completely overwhelming it.
This book isn’t all morals and messages though; there is still plenty of old fashioned comic book action as well. At first, this is pretty standard for Green Arrow: bad guys are quickly dispatched with a bow and arrow. However, after Oliver is infected with the virus, the action takes on a more visceral tone. Archery takes a break as physical brawls dominate the collection’s fight sequences. Then, a guest appearance by Deathstroke elevates the book’s energy level even further. This ensures that the book stays exciting for those who like a little action with their social commentary.
My only real complaint is that the book’s finale feels a bit rushed. Every character’s story receives resolution, but it happens rather quickly. This makes the end average but also leaves it with a slight feeling of untapped potential.
(spoilers end here)
Art
The artwork in this volume sees the return of Patrick Zircher for the book’s first half. Like the previous volume, Zircher’s work here looks good and helps to amplify the horror undertones of the work. The wargs are all drawn as terrifying as they are described, and the radical humans simply have an aura of creepiness about them.
The book’s second half continues this quality level as Szymon Kudranski takes over art. Kudranski’s work has many of the same positives but manages to take it all even further. Detail is more apparent, especially on characters’ faces, and the paneling is more helpful in providing a pleasant reading experience. It also helps that Gabe Eltaeb’s colors remain consistent through both artists’ work, thus making the transition between styles almost nonexistent.
Continuity
Green Arrow Vol. 9: Outbreak continues the story from Green Arrow Vol. 8: The Night Birds (Review).
This Green Arrow series ends with this volume. However, a new one immediately starts again with Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen (Review).
This volume also references another comic book, detailed below:
- The Black Canary poster seen here is a small reference to the beginning of Black Canary’s music career in Black Canary Vol. 1: Kicking and Screaming.