Written by Brendan Deneen
Art by Bell Hosalla
Published by DC Comics
The Young Adult adaptations of DC characters range from fine to stellar. (Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass and Superman Smashes The Klan being the ones that are stellar) With that in mind, Green Arrow: Stranded ends up being fine. It isn’t particularly memorable, but the story it tells is entertaining and will keep young readers engaged.
While accompanying his father on a trip, Oliver Queen’s plane crashes on a remote island.
On this trip, they are accompanied by Mr. Queen’s business partner, Sebastian, and his son Tyler. Tyler initially serves as a foil to Oliver. Once the plane crashes, Oliver is forced into survival mode. He both has to stay alive and care for his injured father.
All the while, Tyler is antagonizing Oliver and making a bad situation worse. Can Oliver overcome his fears, use his archery skills, and get help before his father’s condition deteriorates?
Brendan Deneen and Bell Hossala have put together a story full of adventure and excitement. Most stories that feature Oliver Queen’s time on a deserted island usually are about coming of age, but they usually handle it with grit and violence.
Brendan Deneen is giving us, not the Oliver we are used to, but an Oliver who is a scared kid. This scared kid is given fears to overcome and problems to solve. By humanizing Oliver, we are shown a kid taking past lessons and growing into the hero this moment needs.
Bell Hossala understood the assignment, and it shows. The island is full of danger, and the art shows it. The use and lushness of the surrounding greenery is both inviting and dangerous. The way the characters appear on the page, you really feel the danger they are in. The characters are fully emotive, so you are there when Oliver’s father is unwell and when Oliver is fearful.
Green Arrow: Stranded is a solid addition for any young reader. The art, while aimed at younger readers, is impressive on its own. The story, while it entertains, is a straightforward tale of a young man overcoming his fears.
Grade: B
