Looks like Deathstroke isn’t the only character getting the TV bump.
As announced at Hero Complex, two writers from the CW’s Arrow, Andrew Kreisberg (who also serves as executive producer) and Ben Sokolowski (who wrote “Identity” and “Keep Your Enemies Closer” in season two, among other episodes) will be taking over the book, replacing current writer Jeff Lemire starting at issue #35. Both have written for the “Arrow” digital comic, and Kreisberg used to write for “Green Arrow/Black Canary,” specifically the arc that featured Ladronn on art, which is a great book to have on your bibliography.
Joining them will be Daniel Sampere, artist on “Trinity of Sin: Pandora,” who will be replacing Andrea Sorrentino. While little is said about the upcoming run, it is noted that it will be a “cross-pollination” of ideas from the show with things present in the New 52, such as featuring characters from the Arrow show (the character of Diggle recently joined the comics, for example, introduced during Lemire and Sorrentino’s run).
The one thing that seems clear from reading the interview, though, is that they want to give the character a pre-New 52 vibe. Sokolowski mentions that he wants to make Ollie “the opinionated, liberal Robin Hood-esque hero that has fallen through the cracks a bit,” which is certainly a nice nod to the days gone by of DC Comics. That, and arguably the best quote in the entire interview comes from Kreisberg who notes,
So many heroes are driven by destiny. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, they were all chosen and born to heroism. Even with Batman, it doesn’t feel like Bruce could do anything else. His whole life was leading him to become the Dark Knight. But Oliver had a real choice. And he decided to be a hero.
And I love him for that.
Lemire took to Twitter to address the change:
As announced, the September issue of Green Arrow will be the final issue by @And_Sorrentino and myself…
— Jeff Lemire (@JeffLemire) July 3, 2014
…it was our choice to end out run there and move on the new things. Lots of exciting announcements coming soon!
— Jeff Lemire (@JeffLemire) July 3, 2014
Thanks for all the kind words on Green Arrow everyone. Loved working on the book and loved working with @And_Sorrentino @MMaiolo
— Jeff Lemire (@JeffLemire) July 3, 2014
Lemire and Sorrentino’s run on “Green Arrow” has been a fan favorite and critically acclaimed run , which completely invigorated the title from a rocky start that had plauged the series first 16 issues. Many will assuredly be disappointed to see their run coming to end, but the future of the title doesn’t seem nearly so grim.
The new run begins in October.
