I wasn't kidding when I said Green Arrow was Batman-lite. Created in 1941 and debuting in More Fun Comics #73, Green Arrow and Speedy were archer carbon copies of Batman and Robin, compete with Arrow-car, Arrow-plane and an Arrow-cave. Through the years he's grown away from that association but many comic book readers still identify him as a third-string Batman wannabe. Yet, Marc Guggenheim, Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kresiberg have reimagined Green Arrow for The CW as a justice-seeking, ruthless (yes, he kills bad guys) vigilante who operates out of Starling City by his own personal code. The television show routinely hovered around the 3-million viewer mark each episode, a mark of consistency amongst a very shaky Fall class of new television programs. So what's in store for fans in Season Two? Oliver Queen actor Stephen Amell was recently quizzed by IGN, how do you rate his answers?
IGN: So when you pick up [in Season Two], how is Oliver going to deal with everything that has happened [especially the jaw-dropping event of the season finale]?
Stephen Amell: We’re just going to find everybody in a different place. I think we’re actually going to find Oliver literally in a different place at the beginning of next year. It’s our second season, but it’s kind of like a new series. So I’m excited.
Hmm, is that an indication that Arrow Season Two will open with Oliver in some other DC Universe city. Coast City, Bludhaven and a few other notable locales were name-dropped in Season One.
IGN: How do you think [Oliver's] going to process the loss of Tommy [and what does that mean for his superhero career]?
Amell: Not well. The reason that he was the vigilante, the Hood, all that stuff is gone now. Merlyn’s been stopped, the list is essentially somewhat obsolete, the Glades are destroyed. If he’s going to become the vigilante again or something different, he’s gonna need a new reason.
The first season really wrapped up the story began in the pilot and the show writer and producers will need to find a new mission for Oliver next season. Hopefully, it's not just some generic decision to be a hero because 'the people need a champion.' Part of the allure of season one was that 'The Hood' wasn't some cookie-cutter superhero that maintained a secret identity and fought crime at night. That would be going back to the 'More Fun Comics' and Arrow-cave days of 1941.
IGN: Might it be growing to incorporate more DC Comics characters?
Amell: The world is growing...
Obviously, fans of the show look forward to each episode and seeing which DC Comics character, reference or Easter egg will be woven into that week's show. The amount given to fans during the first season was very impressive and appreciated by comic book readers. As for Season Two, it will be interesting to see just how many new faces show up. Quite a number of the villains from Season One are actually still alive and kicking so it's quite possible a few will be returning to plague Oliver and his Scooby Gang this Fall.