Green Arrow’s second arc under the unforgettable pen of Chris Condon is coming to a close. Here, Green Arrow faces off against the Crimson Archer in a final showdown that will leave readers stunned. As the arc “Crimson Sands” comes to a close, I think it’s worth looking back at how unforgettable this series has been under Condon’s pen. Seeing Ollie tackle huge social issues during a time when these topics are still prevalent in society has allowed this series to make a strong argument for how flawed we are while offering hope for how we may still grow. In this issue, Chris Condon, Montos, and Adriano Lucas prepare to close the curtain on the Green Arrow series and ensure they go out with a bang.
DC
Quickly, it becomes apparent that the identity of the Crimson Archer doesn’t matter. And frankly, it never did. This story is about one angry father. Ollie’s path of vengeance may have started with Roy’s attack from the Crimson Archer, but it has since evolved into his mission to seek justice for those in Star City hurt by crimson sand. While the Crimson Archer’s capture feels inevitable throughout the issue, with every part of his plans literally burning up in flames, the sense of urgency is never lost on the reader. Condon masterfully drags out this sense of fear that the Crimson Archer has one more trick in his quiver. Seeing this urgency turn into a blatant series of attempts of desperate plays by the Crimson Archer reinforces the finality of this arc. Seeing Ollie and his family confidently corner someone who almost had their city in the palm of his hand feels very satisfying given how much the Arrow Family has gone through emotionally this arc.
That said, the final few pages of this issue are ones that I’ve reread several times, and I still can’t believe they unfolded the way they did. While not everyone will be satisfied with this ending, I think it speaks to how daring Chris Condon has been throughout his entire tenure on the series.
Montos and Adriano Lucas continue to bring their A-games to this series. I found this issue to be incredible from cover to cover, and a huge part of that is the level of detail the pair bring. While this issue carries far more action than others this arc (another similarity to the last arc), Montos is able to keep up with the accelerated pacing of this story and still delivers an issue full of detailed panels, gritty line work, and raw emotion across the board. A great example for this is when Green Arrow blows up the supply of crimson sand in the first few pages; while the explosion itself is full of thin and jagged line work, the reaction from the Crimson Archer on the same page feels just as important. Additionally, Adriano Lucas’ sharp coloring helps the story come to life. A great example of this is when Ollie, Roy, and Lian are swinging up a skyscraper, with the world below them out of focus. Thanks to Lucas’ colors, the sheer speed at which they’re moving looks far more lifelike and feels like a scene ripped out of an action movie. Altogether, this issue’s artwork helps elevate the enjoyment of a story full of action, emotion, and drama.
DC
Green Arrow #30 is a brave issue that ends the second arc of the series with a fast-paced and dramatic conclusion. While I personally don’t quite agree with the conclusion of the Crimson Archer’s story, I think it’s intended to be divisive. Whether you think this ending was right is entirely up to you, but it’s likely one meant for readers to chew on and digest for themselves. One thing’s for sure: this issue made sure to pull no stops in delivering an issue to leave readers wanting more. Luckily, there is one final issue left in the series for readers to look forward to before saying goodbye to this series.
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