Mar 08, 2022
This is a kids book. I understand that, I will try to take it into account when reviewing the book, but still I will not pull my punches. I've read Year One, some time ago, but I don't remember much of it, so I won't compare the two books, which even without that, would not be fair.
I've read this in one sitting and this is a pretty quick read, it took me probably 25 minutes to get through the whole thing. As a typical gen z, I generally like to get the information fast, but of course that has it's drawbacks. Some of which can be noticed here. Honestly not much happens here, so much so that most of some chapter can be removed, without impacting the story much. And that's the main problem with this book for me, it focused too much on the
wrong things. Things are supposed to be simple, for the kids to understand, but in the moments where nothing or nothing of importance happens, we could have delved further into the lives of Ollie and his dad, to get a better look at relationship, their relationship with his mom, which is only mentioned, when she is so important to the story. Also the decision Ollie's dad takes to transform his company into a company that helps people, again it's not heavily motivated or even at all from the story perspective. Just so much things established as a problem in the first chapter, do not get a middle part and exploration and in the end are wasted. I understand that this book is more focused on showing us the survival aspect and that's okay, it does a fine job at that, after all that was what keep me reading, but even the survival aspect can be better if it was delved more into the things surrounding it.
Probably the main things that Ollie has to surpass is his fear to take a life. While I like this idea and it makes sense for a character like Green Arrow, who is a protector of the human rights, too much time was spend on it and unnecessary, with no new information added, just the same struggle over and over again. This way the struggle loses it's power. Actually the first time he takes a life, it's like nothing happens and I mean I get that because it was a snake, which in general is not considered a noble animal, again not much of an excuse, but again it's a kid's book.
The art is pretty much one would expect for a novel like that. It's simplish, especially in the background and a little bit wonky at times. For me it's alright, it convey what it has to, most of the time, the expressions are good, but the things that carries here is the coloring. It sets the vibes really well and it's probably the most consistent thing about the art. I would have liked a little more experimentation with the art, because a lot of the time used the same angles and had that stiff feel because of it. Again i get, that this is a kid's book and that things are supposed to be simpler and probably there is not as much effort put in it as with the normal comics( pure speculation ofc), but this it could have been more effective.
I understand that maybe I am too harsh, but there are somethings I liked like the friendship between Ollie and the other kid. I liked that because there was a progression there and it felt natural for me at least, although when thinking about it was not so natural. Sharing their fears and them caring about each other was heartwarming. I liked that the other kid surpassed the bully cliche and in the end became a vulnerable and caring friend to Ollie, not also because the circumstance made it necessary, but because he saw that Ollie is a nice kid too, that tries to help. I liked that there was not backstabing and stuff like that. Also I liked that there were tense moments, which were nicely presented.
All in all actually i did not dislike the book that much, I had fun reading it and again reading it so quickly definitely helped me. Still the I would have liked to see Ollie grow more at the end of his journey, apart of becoming more resourceful. Probably the biggest plus from this book is that it made me want to reread Green Arrow: Year One. Maybe I will post a review about it in the coming days. more
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