Green Lantern / Green Arrow #76 - 89

 

My big brother, who is the one who got me started on comic books in the early 60’s, gifted me with a handful of books that he was ready to get rid of. These particular issues, dated between 1970 and 1972, show DC Comics learning from Marvel as they attempt to become more "hip and with it" in their storytelling. With Marvel’s marvelous artist Neal Adams and writer extraordinaire Denny O’Neil, they craft a series of tales aimed at the more politically minded young people of the day.

Green Arrow, having lost his millions, is now living in a rundown neighborhood and clashes with his old friend Green Lantern as the more conservative Lantern plays by the book and punishes those who break the law even if their reasons are valid. The more flamboyant Arrow tried to make him see that the world is not black and white - literally.

They tackle prejudice, wealthy corporate goons, they travel the country “looking for America” (sound familiar?), deal with Indigenous peoples’ plights, pollution, population growth, women and children’s rights, drug abuse, disabled rights and more, all within a couple of years of books! Yes, sometimes the stories are a bit heavy handed and sometimes they do go into more standard comic/sci-fi territories, but they meant well and they did bring concepts into comics and into young peoples’ minds, maybe for the first time for some folks.

Yes, Marvel tackled these issues years before - while DC was still having Jimmy Olson turn into a turtle, Batman wearing a rainbow costume and Superman having an insect head - but DC learned and put out some high quality work! I would assume/hope that this series has been collected somewhere, but search them out one way or another (or buy them from me and free up some space in my house! :) ).