Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection - Volume 1 (Paperback)

by Dennis O'Neil (Author), Neal Adams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
These frequently reprinted Green Lantern/Green Arrow stories from the early ‘70s are both a harbinger of things to come in American comics and a dead end. As sales for DC’s Green Lantern fell, young writer O’Neil, influenced by ‘60s liberal politics, decided to have superheroes confront real social issues of the time, including racism, political corruption and capitalistic exploitation of workers. O’Neil compared Green Lantern to a policeman, accustomed to unquestioningly accepting the status quo. Green Lantern is clued into social ills by the newly radicalized superhero archer Green Arrow, whom O’Neil revamped into a contemporary Robin Hood. O’Neil thus started a trend of "relevant" comics that quickly faded. Nor have these stories aged well. Influenced by magazine illustrators, Adams’s art was acclaimed at the time for its realism, but now seems to glamorize naturalistic subjects. Though professing to portray moral complexities, these stories make their "real life" malefactors as purely evil as standard costumed villains. O’Neil vividly characterizes his two heroes, but they still lack true depth. The writer is more successful with characterization in Volume 2, and his introductions to Volume 1 provide proof of the sophisticated author he has become. Readers interested in comics history will want to read this collection; it represents an early step toward the medium’s maturity.
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About the Author
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil is a comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s. His best works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Mike Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan, all of which were hailed for sophisticated stories that expanded the artistic potential of the mainstream portion of the medium. As an editor, he is principally known for editing Batman. His 1970s run on Batman is perhaps his most well known endeavour, turning Batman from the campiness of the 1960s TV show, to "The Batman", getting back to the character's darker roots and emphasizing his detective skills. This grimer and more sophisticated Dark Knight, as well as new villians such as Ra's Al Ghul, brought back Batman from the verge of pop culture oblivion. His work would influence later incarnations of Batman, from the seminal comic "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" by Frank Miller, to the movie Batman Begins in 2005.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401202241
• ISBN-13: 978-1401202248
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,427 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great comic series that addressed important social issues!, November 20, 2004

By	PFunkster (Iowa City, Iowa (USA)) - See all my reviews

The Adams/O'Neil Green Lantern and Green Arrow series was truly revolutionary. Although other reviews suggested that they were heavy handed and are now outdated, I think the majority of issues addressed in them are just as relevant today. I always thought that a real cool animated movie could be made from them. If you enjoy comics and care about social/political issues, you won't be disappointed with this book. Check out Volume 2. The two books compliment each other.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Relavent!, April 18, 2008

By	C. Sienkiewicz "Eric" (Clinton Twp. MI) - See all my reviews

Some say that this book collecting the O'Neil/Adams GA/GL run was outdated and lame, well they are wrong. racism and drug abuse is not something that is just forgottan about. purchase if you are a fan of either charecter.

4.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER DYNAMIC DUO, July 8, 2009

By	Darren J. Stritzinger (Sierra Vista, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Diehard comic book fans already know the special friendship between Green Lantern and Green Arrow. This book collects the stories which started it all. The book explores the social issues prevalent in the 60s and 70s, and demonstrates how these events bring the two (three, if you include Black Canary) to forge a frienship which still lasts, as is apparent in James Robinson's "Cry for Justice" JLA mini-series. Whether you read it for the purpose of nostalgia or just plain curiosity, Volume 1 of this two-volume series will not disappoint, especially with the exqusite artwork by Neal Adams.