GREEN ARROW #31 / Script by CHRIS CONDON / Art by MONTOS / Colors by ADRIANO LUCAS/ Letters by BUDDY BEAUDOIN / Covers by TAURIN CLARKE & SKYLAR PATRIDGE / Published by DC COMICS

I wrote about the first issue of Chris Condon and Montos’ Green Arrow over at SuperHeroHype. I never got around to reviewing the individual issues beyond that because they were so hard to consider individually. Alas, this partnership is coming to a close after just 14 issues with the book’s cancellation, before they could become the next Wolfman and Perez. Or even the next Taylor and Redondo.

Logically, I can understand this. The current Green Arrow volume struggled to find an audience after the Absolute Power event and the sales reflect this. Personally, I like Condon’s prose style and his penchant for slow-boiling mysteries. I found it a refreshing throwback to the Longbow Hunter era and Mike Grell’s run. The same is true of Montos’ moody, evocative artwork.

Based on a quick glance of other critics’ reviews, I find they agree with me. Alas, we were clearly in the minority. Throw in Condon signing an exclusive contract with Marvel and there was little reason to save this series. It is a cruel irony then, with that bittersweet edge, that Condon and Montos should deliver their finest effort with this final issue and a simple one-shot story titled “Frayed.”

The story centers around Green Arrow chatting with Detective Lena Benítez – the SCPD detective who he worked with over the past year. Beyond offering a coda to the Crimson Archer arc, it’s a story about two people who try to make a difference in different ways. They discuss why they do what they do, the ways that they do it, and the good one person can do with the smallest of gestures. No action. Just talk, and one hell of a flashback.

I cannot and will not say anymore about the story beyond that.

The artwork, again, is picture perfect. Montos continues to deliver intricately detailed art with deep shadows. Adriano Lucas – for my money one of the most underrated colorists in the business – works magic in bringing light to life on the page. Buddy Beaudoin doesn’t get much call to do specialized word balloons this time around, but does a great job of placing them so they do not obscure the art.

Green Arrow #31 exists as an anomaly. It is a short, sweet, and to the point story in a run that normally took its time in unfolding. It proves to me that, given time, Condon and Montos could have made this into an all-time great run, with a little more time and shorter story arcs. I mourn for what might have been, but am grateful for what we got.