50 Greatest Super Heroes In Comic Book History

13. Green Arrow

(Write-up by Nick Tylwalk, Bam Smack Pow Editor)

A funny thing happened to this hero who was created as a Batman knock-off mixed with Robin Hood. As he stuck around, Oliver Queen became his own man, with a distinct point of view that wasn’t lost despite numerous reinterpretations. Along with Marvel’s Hawkeye, Green Arrow has defied the odds and helped turn the crimefighting archer into a bona fide super hero archetype.

One thing that has helped the Emerald Archer reach that point is that he’s been as adaptable as the Dark Knight. You can use him in gritty, street level stories like Mike Grell did in The Longbow Hunters. Dennis O’Neal and Neal Adams utilized him to good effect in the 70s to tackle socially relevant issues of the time, playing off his good friend Green Lantern for some political and philosophical examination. Yet he’s still not out of place alongside the Justice League, where he was a reliable member for long stretches of time, punctuated by the occasional falling out.

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Oliver has been filthy rich, practically penniless and all points in-between. He’s been bearded and clean-shaven, and Kevin Smith even brought him back from the dead. None of it has stopped him from firing arrows (sometimes of the boxing glove variety) at the people he felt deserved it. His popularity has transcended the comic book medium as well, making him a standout character in the Justice League Unlimited animated series and the star of the current dean of live action super hero TV shows.

Not too shabby for a modern day Robin Hood. Just save the jokes about the Arrow-Plane and Arrow-Car, okay?

Next: No. 12: Much more than just a sidekick