Reviewer: Mathan ” I Did Demand It” Erhardt
Story Title: Southern Comfort
Written by: Judd Winick
Penciled by: Tom Fowler
Inked by: Rodney Ramos
Colored by: Guy Major
Lettered by: Rob Leigh
Editor: Bob Schreck
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue begins with a nifty little one-page recap of how Ollie Queen became Green Arrow. Then we peek in on Star City crime lord Brick, find out a bit about his past and how it relates to his dealing with Green Arrow as a threat to his “productivity.”
We then see an abnormally tall Texan enter a bank, crack the heads of security and tear off the vault door. We then find ourselves in Oliver Queen’s mansion, where Roy “Arsenal” Harper explains his dissatisfaction with Mia’s taking up the mantel of Speedy. Ollie explains his side of things, and Roy sees things in a new light. Mia then interrupts the conversation with news about the situation at the bank.
Back at the bank The Duke is holding patrons and employees hostage. Fortunately Team Arrow (Green (Ollie) Arrow, Arsenal, Green (Connor) Arrow, and Speedy) arrives to save the day. Unfortunately Team Arrow doesn’t know who they’re facing, and are surprised by their failed efforts to stop them.
Connor, Ollie and Mia lure him outside the bank, while Arsenal looks after the hostages. Outside the bank Mia, Connor and Ollie do their best, but The Duke keeps going. Suddenly the banks security measures kick in, leaving Arsenal and the hostages trapped in the bank. Unfortunately the person who put the security measures into play is…Constantine Drakon! To Be Continued!
Winick does a great job with his dialogue, as always. His handling of Roy’s realization about HIV, was very well done. Hopefully he’ll get around to explaining why Duke of Oil is in Star City (it better be part of Brick’s machinations.) But geez, Winick makes the Duke very annoying to read.
Poor Fowler and Ramos. They’ve got to follow a critically acclaimed, fan loved art them that has been on the book since issue #1. It is a bit more “cartoon-y” than the previous team’s work, but it’s not unpleasant to look at. Hopefully fans will be more receptive in coming months.
