Comic Review: Arrow: Dark Archer #2

Synopsis: Sealed in a room with no way out, Merlyn’s team discovers a clue about their attacker’s shadowy motive, and Malcolm reveals a dark secret!

Review: The story picked up where the first issue left off. There are several excellent points. First, DC fans will be happy with the research the Barrowmans did. They incorporated what little canon background there was for Merlyn from the comics into Arrow mythology. In addition, the siblings have done some lovely world-building, fleshing out the show’s version of the League of Assassins. Finally, the llama’s death in the previous installment was acknowledged in a couple of fitting ways, including a Star Wars reference. Unfortunately, the good is balanced by the questionable. By the end of the issue, I got a whiff of CW scented soap. I truly hope I’m wrong, and they’re not falling back on tired tropes…again.

Written by

Carole E. Barrowman

John Barrowman

Pencils by

Daniel Sampere

Inks by

Juan Albarran

Colors by

Kyle Ritter