Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Straight Shooter: Part 2 – Not In My Backyard
Written by: Judd Winick
Penciled by: Phil Hester
Inked by: Andre Parks
Colored by: Guy Major
Lettered by: Sean Konot
Editor: Bob Schreck
Publisher: DC Comics
Judd Winick did outstanding work on GREEN LANTERN. He took up the reigns after a 70 plus issue run by the man who forever changed GL, Ron Marz. Winick, much like Geoff Johns following in the footsteps of Mark Waid’s monster run on Flash, didn’t sit back and leave the book to the status quo. Judd took Kyle Rayner to new places, especially during the storyline where Kyle was endowed with godlike powers and became Ion. I’ve looked forward to Judd taking over GA, as I also was saddened by his departure from GL.
After the mostly uninspiring events that unfolded throughout the Black Circle: Urban Knights GL/GA crossover, I was happy to see Judd Winick get his feet wet in the pages of his new home. Last issue Ollie got back to crusading for the common man, aiding Black Lightning’s niece Joanna in a fight to stop a new malls construction thus putting a lot of people out of there homes.
Winick dealt with homosexual themes in GL, so it should come as no surprise when he steps up to handle another difficult subject, racism. The way he integrates corporate greed, racism, and political maneuvering into a comic story are well done. The monsters that inhabit the building site are what make this a more everyday comic story. Winick once again is able to tackle important issues, while still maintaining an entertaining story.
The thing that I like most about Winick’s GREEN ARROW so far is that he’s letting Ollie’s life settle down some. After the excellent runs by Kevin Smith and Brad Meltzer’s, which dealt mostly with the events and situations caused by Ollie’s resurrection, it’s good to see the title character back stirring things up with his left wing beliefs. Some of Green Arrow’s most classic moments concern his work as an activist, and I like the way Winick has integrated this into his early stories. One of Judd’s strengths as a writer has been his ability to get to the heart of what a character is, and take them to the next plateau in their development.
I enjoy Phil Hester’s artwork a great deal. His style has grown on me quite a bit. I really enjoy the combination of animated series and realistic renderings. I think Hester has a style that sets him apart from most of the guys out there. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy who used to draw the Clerks comics. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I love those books, but Hester has really progressed as an artist in a short time.
This issue did seem to spin its wheels quite a bit, offering very little new information. In fact the idea that there is actually more than one creature was strongly implied last issue, and GL finds out for sure at the end of this issue. Ollie as the battler against corporate greed is advanced more, and that’s about it. Yet I’m very happy with the issue. Judd Winick has four more issues to tell this story, and I like the way he’s developing the characters. So he can spin his wheels a little. I just hope he doesn’t do it again.
