Superhero Origins: The Green Arrow

Superhero Origins: The Green Arrow

He’s a modern day Robin Hood and the DC Universe’s finest archer. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be exploring the comic book origins of Oliver Queen, otherwise known as The Green Arrow.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline that unfolded in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73, which expanded upon in 1959’s Adventure Comics #256 and 2007’s “Green Arrow: Year One.”

One of the earliest comic book heroes from the 1940s, Green Arrow was first introduced as an already established character. A green clad vigilante who could solve any problem with archery, he fought crime alongside his red-wearing sidekick named Speedy.

Though the hero became a popular comic staple, fans had to wait nearly two decades to discover the origin of The Green Arrow. This untold story eventually revealed him to be Oliver Queen, an orphan and playboy millionaire turned world traveler who fell from his yacht, before ending up stranded on a deserted island.

There, he survived by crafting a bow and arrows from stones, wood and vines. Becoming an expert marksman, he even forged trick arrows to tackle obstacles and better help him acquire food. These included rope and net arrows to catch fish, and a drill-arrow made from the elastics of his socks that he used to drill into coconuts. He likewise began camouflaging himself in an outfit made of green leaves to better hunt his prey.

After months of isolation, Oliver eventually happened upon a ship, discovering that a mutiny threatened the lives of its crew. Using anchor chain grease to create a mask, he boarded the vessel and used his special arrows to save the day. In return, the crew took him back to the mainland, where he devoted his life to serving society, taking on the identity of The Green Arrow.

Decades later in 2007, this origin story was expanded to include several notable change. This revision saw him stumble upon a murderous gang of drug lords on the deserted island after having been dropped in the ocean by a friend who had betrayed him. Crafting a bow from a broken generator, he defeated the drug lords and used their ship to return home to Star City.

There, the millionaire used his vast resources from Queen Industries to create trick arrows and vehicles to fight crime, including the Arrow car. Eventually, Oliver’s quest caused him to shed his fortune, having found out that his company manufactured weapons, and accepted the new life of a street dweller and crusader for the working class.

A long-running and popular comic mainstay, The Green Arrow continues to appear in various media. He currently serves as the most outspoken and left-wing member of the Justice League of America.

Are you a Green Arrow Fan? For more origins of your favorite comic book characters, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com