Review: Green Arrow: Year One

Green Arrow: Year One
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Jock (Mark Simpson)

Jock? The Artist's name is 'Jock'? Alright...

Why am I pointing this out? Well, because like everything else about this book: it's all so much bullshit.

I don't really even feel like going over the story. Why? Well, for one, THE FUCKING NAME OF THE DAMN THING IS YEAR ONE, WONDER WHAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT!

I'm really not even that mad or anything at this book, it's a fun, fast read. Some neat action scenes. You get some - albeit pointless - insight into the character himself. My problem here is this: Origin stories, necessary? I say no. I have always said no. Why do I need to know the origin of a character? Why can't I just live with them? I don't really NEED to know their back story. My favorite books and movies just throw you in the middle of things and say: "Hey, whatever, you'll figure it out." Beside, the Green Arrow has and will always be a second tier character, everyone knows that. He has very little presence in the Green Lantern/Green Arrow crossover aside from popping up every once and a while for a fight scene or to bitch about something. His new storyline is Green Arrow and Black Canary and I think more people care about Black Canary than they do Green Arrow.

Now I really like Green Arrow, I'm one of the few, but, oh why DC? Why do we need this? I would - maybe this is awful of me for saying - call the Green Arrow a wikipedia character. You just need a quick summary of where he came from, then get into the action. I don't give a shit about this story, or whatever the fuck island he ended up on, or whatever the fuck China White did, or any of it.

I will never recommend this. Origin stories are bullshit. This Never Happened.


Note: I honestly could have torn this book apart, but my like of the character curbed that from happening. It's too short, too dull, and just unnecessary. Don't read it. Get the Longbow Hunter or Quiver instead.


And to answer your question: Yes, my hatred of origin stories is the reason - bsides the fact I hate Marvel (see: One More Day) - I will not be seeing the Wolverine movie.

Review: Superman: Secret Identity.

Superman: Secret Identity 1-4.
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Stuart Immonen


This book came out in 2004. Now, I am incredibly behind the times when it comes to certain things. Mainstream comic series is one of them. I probably should have read this before, but, as they say, better late than never.

Superman: Secret Identity tells the story of a teen-ager named - in an ironic and annoying gesture by his parents - Clark Kent from Picketsville (Smallville), Kansas. For years Clark, mostly because of his name, has been somewhat anti-social. Keeping to himself, he keeps a journal, typed out on an old typewriter he keeps in a tractor dubbed the 'Fortress of Solitude' by his father. One night, during one of the many private camping trips Kent takes and after having one of the most accurate bad dreams I have ever seen in a comic, Clark awakes to find himself floating over mid-air. He soon comes to realise he has the powers of Superman.

Now, at first this concept seems... I don't know... fucking lame? A kid from our world, named Clark Kent, gaining powers equal to that of Superman. Thin, yes, but wait, there is more to this than one would think. Each book covers roughly a decade of Kent's life, while jumping roughly a decade in between each book.

Book one deals with how Kent comes to terms with his powers, his struggle to decide if he should or should not reveal himself to the world - there is a great subplot featuring a reported trying to make Kent out himself for her own selfish gain - and the first real test of his powers. Book two covers Kent's move to Manhattan (Metropolis), his career as a writer for The New Yorker and meeting the women who will be his wife, Lois (Lane) Chaudhari and his decision to share with her his powers.

Now Book Two is probably my favorite and here's why: A subplot involving the government hunting Clark Kent. Yeah, this is kinda trait but at the same time, it works so well. It adds limited information and explanation to why Kent has his power while at the same time adds a new level of mystery. Now in book three, Lois becomes pregnant and Kent decides to reach out and help the one's after him in a deal - with conditions - to get them off his back and to protect his family.

With all this in mind, I must say that where this series really grows its legs is in its four and final book. So much is uncovered here. The origin of his powers, who the people he is working for really are and what happens to an aging superhero - seeing Superman with a giant gray beard is brilliant.

Busiek treats this story with so much care. I think he knew how flimsy the book could have been if not written with a loving hand. There are moments of real tenderness and joy mixed in with all the crash and bang we expect in a Superman comic. All the characters are human and practical and never does the story, which is mainly driven by it's characters, get outlandish or stupid.

However, I do have a few complaints. They are minor but still worth mentioning. The book's tone is very light, don't expect a brute of a main character, this isn't Watchmen. Immonen's art, at times beautiful, becomes a wash at certain spots. Also, if Clark Kent hated all the Superman joke, then why oh why would he wear a Superman costume?

Beside these minor offenses, I would highly recommend this book.