Green Arrow hits the bull’s-eye

AMELL. Portrays the bow-and-arrow-wielding superhero.

Last Sunday, we made it a point to catch the premiere telecast of CW’s “Arrow,” 8 p.m. on Jack TV. The sleek, action-packed series shines the spotlight on Oliver Queen aka The Green Arrow, who’s best known in the comics universe as the bow-and-arrow-wielding other-half of The Black Canary. The new series’ pilot episode became the network’s most-watched new show in three years!

As a comic-book character, The Green Arrow was first seen in 1941, developed by Mort Weisinger and George Papp as a Robin Hood-like analogue of Batman—to represent the “voice of left-wing or progressive politics.” Like Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark, he’s a billionaire playboy with a dark past, so he assumes a secret identity to defend the working class and the disadvantaged.

Vocation

Played by the dashing Stephen Amell, Queen learns about his superhero vocation the hard way, when his father’s boat sinks and leaves him stranded on a deserted island—for five years! But, his “epiphany” comes after his dad, who was with him on the yacht, gives him a list of names, then confesses to his criminal wrongdoings, just before he commits suicide!

Five years later, Ollie returns to Starling City and sets out to right his father’s wrongs and atone for his own sins of omission. But, his former girlfriend, Dinah Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy), is none too pleased about seeing him again—because her sister, who “stole” Oliver from her, was among those who died at sea!

Will viewers see Dinah turn into The Black Canary? We don’t have the answer. What we know is that an intriguing reel was shown at the recent New York Comic Con showing clips that feature the Well-Dressed Man (John Barrowman), Deadshot (Michael Rowe), Deathstroke (Jefferey Robinsosn), China White (Kelly Hu) and The Huntress (Jessica De Gow), who, on Earth Two, is the daughter of Batman and Catwoman! In another incarnation, she was Batgirl. Which Helena will De Gow breathe life into? Stay tuned!