My Collection: DC Universe Classics Wave 20 Green Arrow

I have always been a fan of the Green Arrow since I became first aware of the character in the first episode of Justice League Unlimited series, which he was a prominent figure in that episode. I have only been really getting into the character recently with the Arrow TV series and now that Season 2 is complete I've been getting into his best stories collected in various Graphic Novels. I’m highly anticipating its return in a few months for Season 3.



I became a huge fan of the TV series and I think it was one of the best shows on television. It is a great thriller action drama series that got better and better. It's brilliant. Since I stated my action figure collection I knew I would have liked a Green Arrow figure and then later on with the release of DC Universe Classics Wave 20 I knew that this was the figure that I wanted. The new look first appeared Into The Woods as part of the Brightest Day event. I made the purchase on eBay from Taiwan for a really good price. 

In the last few years Green Arrow has become one the characters in the DC Universe I became interested in. When he was introduced into to the Justice League Unlimited TV series I became a fan of this character. His views and want he did appealed to me and I always like heroes with no super powers that tackled street level crime like two of my other favorite comic book heroes; Batman & Daredevil.

Batman is the most popular comic book hero and when Green Arrow first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941 he was intimation after the success of Batman. Oliver Queen, A wealthy playboy with no super powers instead fought crime with a wide array of gadgets/trick arrows, The Arrow Car, The Arrow Plane and a teenage sidekick - Speedy, he was very similar to Batman. He stared off as a knock off but then become distinctive in his own way the superhero community for his voice, views and controversial opinions. He became a important hero. 

In his first Justice League Unlimited episode he told Batman how he always strives to help the little guy and was reluctant to join the league. His political views differentiated him from other heroes. He is truly a socially conscious hero as displayed during Denny O' Neil and Neal Adams 1970’s series when he partnered with Hal Jordan/Green Lantern tackling the dangers of drug abuse, racism, pollution, corruption, and more. For a character deeply rooted in a capes and tights universe where the solution to everything is to punch it in the face, that’s pretty noteworthy.

Wave 9 Green Arrow

Since Wave 17 of Mattel’s DC Universe Classics, each wave was themed on a DC Comics story line. Wave 17 was based on character appearances from the Blackest Night and Wave 20 figures were themed on the Brightest Day event and each figure contained a piece to collect and connect to build the Nekron figure. Green Arrow is one of the very few figures to get a second sculpt released. His Silver Age inspired look was first introduced in Wave 9 and is considered one of the best figures of Mattel’s DC Universe Classics line of adult collector action figures and this new release of the Emerald Archer is shares that privilege.

There is so much detail and many things to love about this figure. Most superheroes wear a one piece suit with a cape and a chest logo. Heroes like Green Arrow with no powers rely on more than just their super abilities. I love the modern rendition of this figure and the loss of the underwear/trunks look. 

So many new details on this new look, smaller quiver, arm gauntlets with small arrows on them, the band and pouch on his leg. His new belt with pouches and updated G logo belt buckle. The knife on the back of his belt and the subtle detailing in the stitching in the lower part of his tunic and creased parts of his hood are all great on this figure. The bow and arrow accessory is just okay, it would have been nice to get a little bit of silver paint applied to the arrow. Like the Mattel's Wave 9 bow and arrow did but this is just one piece, but does the job and is looks okay. This is also a new head sculpt with a minor alternation, in the previous Green Arrow figure the hair was all underneath his hat but in this hooded version you can see small frays of hair on display above his mask. This new look figure still retains elements of his best know look, cross stitching on the vest, pointed shoulders and the wraps on the biceps and of course the hood. The hooded look first made its appearance in writer/artist Mike Grell’s run in the late 80’s. The hood look had been used times at the various parts in his career including 2007's Green Arrow: Year One and Judd Winick and Scott Daniel’s stories from 2006.The hood aspect has been retained in Green Arrow’s appearance in the New 52. As well as his other appearances in DC Animated Short Green Arrow, Young Justice animated series and both live action TV appearances. I still prefer this more natural look than the armored elements of his New 52 costume. 

DC Universe Classics called it a day 3 years after Wave 20. It was the final wave of figures to contain a Collect and Connect build a figure and the last numbered wave before it was renamed as All Stars with the first of the New 52 figures and later re-branded into DC Comics Unlimited and Batman Unlimited. This Green Arrow figure was released the same year as my New 52 Batman and Superman. 

I was aware of that he featured in Smallville but I never got into the show. Arrow is amazing, I was hooked. It was dark and moody, and didn't shy away from the fact that its hero was primarily using a weapon designed specifically to kill. The opening scenes hinted at how deep the series was going to go, and the acting and action were both really promising. The shows more than lived up to expectations. The Dark Knight of TV is easily the best superhero live action series right now and beyond. The darker color scheme, smaller quiver and the  hood are all elements that translated to Arrow costume for the highly acclaimed TV series. 

Green Arrow is one of the lesser known and underrated characters of the DC Universe but is one of my favorites. The previous classic look Green Arrow figure looks great too and I‘d nearly consider adding it to my collection. But the modern version is so much more prevalent and goes along better with my other modern appearances superhero action figures.This is the single Green Arrow related merchandise I own, I have t-shirts and clotting of other characters but this is the first and only Green Arrow related item I own. It is such an excellent figure. This is my favorite of all the Green Arrow costume designs.

Mattel's earlier Green Arrow figure may have had a more iconic look, but the costume design on this one is just a lot more interesting. Being both a huge Green Arrow and the TV series Arrow, The modern rendition of the Emerald Archer is a great addition to my collection symbolizing one my new favorite comic book hero of the last decade.

K