Green Arrow #47: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

And just like that, the Benson Sisters’ tenure on Green Arrow comes to a close. As I’ve said repeatedly in the past few months, this arc wasn’t poorly written and I’ve enjoyed Peralta’s art on the past few issues, but the story failed to live up to its massive potential. Oliver’s address to the public was in keeping with his character along the lines of social justice and liberalism, but it somehow felt flat, particularly in his justification of the 1% as he was strapped to an electric chair (“But my charity helps countless people in need. Queen Industries employs thousands–“). The messages seem somewhat mixed throughout between the power of privilege and the power of the masses. In the end, justice landed on the side of privilege with a quite condemnation for the masses that voted on social media. The upcoming change in creative team has been set up quite nicely, however, as the Bensons close with the promise of a fresh start.

Of final note, I think it is certainly worth mentioning how well Julie and Shawna executed the relationship between Green Arrow and Black Canary. In the closing pages, we see the two sharing a rooftop, hopelessly in love with each other. Had this arc focused more on said relationship, I can’t help but wonder how strong it could have been?