Green Arrow #23

The Good

Andrea Sorrentino continues to knock issue after issue out of the park with his creative paneling and character expressions. Sorrentino makes the best use of panels that really showcases movement and it creates a lot of excitement as you look at the pages. He also manages to give character expressions that really make the reader sympathize with them. Sorrentino also has six pages in this issue that are extremely creative and interesting. Marcelo Maiolo's colors should be noted as they fantastically highlight the important moments. Jeff Lemire continues expanding the story as well as giving us some new details from the past. Shado really shines in this issue and reveals a lot about the past without it feeling forced. The best part about this issue is flashback scenes where Lemire reveals tons that really enriches Oliver's past. The Outsiders are also become a very interesting group of people that readers will no doubt want to see soon. The new discoveries about the past make you more excited about the future of this series.

The Bad

The scene with Fyff and Naomi felt really cliche. It also took away from more interesting parts of the story and really didn't have a purpose other then spelling-out that Fyff has feelings for Naomi when readers have been picking up on them for a while. Perhaps this scene will have more meaning in the next few issues but it dragged the issue down slightly. I also felt Count Vertigo was dealt with fairly easy when he should have been a bigger threat. (Hopefully Count Vertigo #1 will have some awesome things for the characters?!)

The Verdict: 4/5 (Great)

Despite a few problems, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino have finally made Green Arrow work in the New 52. They have created new concepts that really give the character a whole new layer of purpose. Every months this book delivers with reveals and new questions that you want to come back for more adventure. If you aren't reading this, I highly recommend that you go to your comic store and pick up this issue. This isn't a good jumping out point so if you want to start reading, pick up Issue 17 and start from there. Another great issue in what is sure to be a great run.