Summary
Thanks to a betrayal that’s rocking the DC Universe, the original five members of theTeen Titansare finally coming back together. The Titans have been leading the DC Universe as its biggest superhero team in recent months, but a key member has been missing from their ranks.
Roy Harper, aka Arsenal, was one of the pillars of the Teen Titans when they first formed. And while Harper has occasionally gone back to work alongside his old teammates, Arsenal’s been occupied as of late working aspart of Green Arrow’s teamand reconnecting with his daughter. But a huge twist is about to shatter Harper’s current team and drive him back to his other family, the Titans.
October 23rd, 2024
Joshua Williamson and Chris Condon
Amancay Nahuelpan and Montos
Variant Covers:
Sean Izaakse and Clif Chiang
This oversized issue features the aftermath of Oliver Queen’s role in Absolute Power, while also setting the stage for his next chapter! First, Oliver Queen did the unthinkable to protect his family, and now must deal with the ramifications of his actions. Will his family and friends forgive him? Then, get ready for the opening chapter of the Emerald Archer’s next adventure, from writer Chris Condon (The Enfield Gang Massacre, That Texas Blood) and artist Montos (Black Adam, Green Lantern: War Journal)!
Big changes are coming to the DC Universe later this year. The publisher has revealedits brand-new initiative DC All In, one of the biggest pushes since the New 52. DC Comics made major waves by revealing this new era would introduce the Absolute Universe, a world composed of radically different, yet familiar versions of DC’s biggest icons. In addition to a brand new universe for readers to enjoy,the Prime DC Universe is getting an overhaul as well, with new creative teams appearing on currently published titles.
Arsenal is seen with more of his old Teen Titans pals on John Giang’s variant…
Green Arrow, for example, is losing Joshua Williamson and Sean Izaakse, but gaining Chris Condon and Montos. The change will take place overGreen Arrow #350andGreen Arrow 2024 Annual #1, both of which follow up on Oliver Queen’s actions fromAbsolute Power. Queen is going to have to confront how his actions have drastically affected his family and by the looks of Izaakse’s variant forGreen Arrow #350, Arsenal isn’t taking things too well.Roy is seen smashing Green Arrow’s bow and arrowas Arsenal’s mentor looks on, shocked.
Roy’s faith in Oliver Queen may be shattered, but he’s got allies elsewhere. Arsenal also shows up on Pete Woods’ cover forTitans #16and can be seen working wielding a gun as he jumps into action alongside Nightwing. Arsenal is seen with more of his old Teen Titans pals on John Giang’s variant, which shows Roy drawing a bow as Nightwing, Donna Troy, and Flash, as well as Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven also pose on the cover.
Green Arrow’s Choices Were Always Going to Hurt His Family
The last year has been a wild one for everyone in the DC Universe, especially Green Arrow and his family. Oliver Queen went missing after Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and traveled all throughout time and space. But as his family searched high and low for him, Queen kept himself at a distance, convinced that reuniting with his loved ones would cause a devastating global accident. However,Green Arrow being separated from his family turned out to be a mind game masterminded, in part, by Amanda Waller.
Oliver eventually made it back home and it wasn’t long before he confronted Amanda for manipulating him. Green Arrow broke into the Hall of Order and came face to face with Waller, who revealed she was hoping to recruit Queen all along. After revealing she had plans for the world’s metahumans, Waller offered Green Arrow the chance to work for her, promising that his family would be safe in the coming days. Surprisingly enough,Green Arrow agreed and even helped her procure the Sanctuary files on his old Justice League teammates.
Oliver Queen turns to the dark side inGreen Arrow #13 (2024)!
After revealing his new allegiance to his family, Green Arrow went all-in working for Amanda Waller. Once she had everything in place, Waller wasted no time going after the metahumans. Using a collection of Amazos she’d dubbed Task Force VII, Waller stole the powers from the world’s majority of superheroes. The heroes scrambled to figure out what was going on,only for Green Arrow to inform them on their private frequency that there was nowhere to hideand that Waller was coming after all of them.
Rafa Sandoval, John Giang, Kelley Jones, and Daniel Sampere
A league of their own! After the events of Absolute Power, the team looks towards the future and their place in it. Will their failure to control Amanda Waller mean lasting consequences for the hero community?
While the heroes of the DC Universe are still dealing with the lack of their powers, fans know that things are going to go back to normal pretty soon. That said, Green Arrow’s actions don’t look like they’re going to be forgiven anytime soon. While there’s a good chance Oliver is playing double agent and is doing what he can to stop Waller, he’s still actively participated in Waller’s plans without telling anyone andthat’s going to hurt those Green Arrow is closest to, particularly Arsenal.
…from his drug addiction to the loss of his daughter, the Titans have always been there for Arsenal.
Roy’s probably not going to want to even look in Oliver’s direction for a while, so it’s a good thing he’s got plenty of other places to go. Thankfully the Titans are still operating (though they’re probably going to be doing some reassessing post-Absolute Power). But as a team he helped found and with one of Roy’s best friends still leading it, Arsenal is no doubt going to be welcomed with open arms. And with Tempest having recently re-joined the crew,this is the first time the Fab Five Titans have been on the same team in years.
Right now’s a stressful moment for Arsenal. The person he considered a close friend and mentor just betrayed everything he ever stood for. Even if Oliver Queen’s intentions are good, he’s going to drive Roy away. But from his drug addiction to the loss of his daughter, the Titans have always been there for Arsenal. Roy is particularly close with the Titans he started the team with,so it’ll be good for the archer to be around a supportive network of friends while he deals with Green Arrow’s betrayal.
What Does the Future Hold for Arsenal and the Titans?
Given the secrecy surrounding the ending toAbsolute Powerand the future of DC All In, it’s hard to say what’s coming up. But Arsenal’s going to need some serious help getting over this betrayal, and no one’s better suited to assist him than people like Nightwing or Donna Troy. They’ve seen Roy through the best and worst parts of his life. As Arsenal grapples with the sudden development from Green Arrow, he’s at least going to have his oldTeen Titansfriends by his side to help him through things.
Green Arrow #350is available on October 23rd andTitans #16is available on October 16th from DC Comics.
