The TV show Arrow receives criticism for a lot of things these days. And while I do understand that everybody has their likes and dislikes, there is one criticism that has become quite weary: Arrow is Batman. This has been a criticism since day one with this show; ever since the arrival of characters like Deadshot, Firefly, and most recently, Ra’s al Ghul. It is time for us all to realize something about the show though: Arrow is Batman, but not in the sense you all imply it.
“This is Batman lite”. “This show is a blatant batman rip-off”. “Ras al Ghul said he wants Oliver as his air, stone him!” Before you all read, please know that this is all coming from someone that has read a lot of Green Arrow, including his 80s stuff, everything since his resurrection until New 52, and a little bit of the New 52. In other words: I’m not someone claiming to be a fan because I went on Wikipedia for a 10 minute search on his character, and thinks his most important trait is his beard, as I think many of you guys are. Now, that all being said, Oliver Queen in the comics is a hard-headed jerk that constantly makes the wrong choices because of his pride. Oliver Queen in the show is the EXACT SAME WAY, as even pointed out in the most recent episode.
Now on to his villains; his rogues’ gallery from the comics isn’t very good or extensive. You have Merlyn, Brick, Shado, Edward Fyers, Chine White, Onomatopoeia, Constantine Drakon, Count Vertigo and Deathstroke as his main villains. What a coincidence it is that they all (minus Onomatopoeia, who did kind of appear in a way) have appeared on the show. So, you have a great gallery of about 9 villains. What do you do if you want a show that you want to last for about 5+ seasons? You start to borrow from the DC Universe! I mean, what do you want from them? To make an original villain as the main for every new season? To bump up someone that is henchman status at best to be the main season villain? Or for them to forever use Merlyn as the villain of the show forever? Any way you look at it, “fans” would be pissed off.
Now, Ra’s al Ghul; why would they use him? Well because it’s accurate to the comics of course! Merlyn in the comics was trained by Ra’s and the League of Assassins. He was hunted by Ra’s. So, being comic book accurate, they had to use him to make it so that there isn’t that dangling plot thread “I thought the League was after Merlyn”. But, does that mean that they HAD to make him offer Oliver the chance to become his heir? Is that comic book accurate? No, but again, Oliver, in this universe, is Batman.
His origin, for the most part, remains accurate to Green Arrow: Year One. Oliver was trapped on the island, and was fighting China White. They had to extend it and put in stuff, but I like this version more honestly; in the comics it was merely implied that Oliver was already a great archer. In the show, he had to work for it. Personality wise, he is Oliver Queen: hard headed, brash, always looking for a challenge. In the comics he actually challenged Deathstroke, just out of arrogance and determination. How is he Batman? Because he is/was a billionaire playboy that moonlights as a vigilante archer. Oh wait, not unlike the comics? Because he has a young partner dressed in red that follows him no matter what? Not unlike the comics. Because he is able to fight? Guess what, in the comic’s, on occasion, Green Arrow has saved Batman. Even in the comics, Green Arrow is like Batman. The only difference: Batman doesn’t exist in the Arrowverse.
Again, I cannot comment on people’s opinions of the show. Some things just aren’t for some people. Some people think the show is slow and the actors aren't very good. And I understand that. But to use “Arrow is just Batman”, is a thing to say if you are really trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Just because the premise of the show involves a vigilante at night, does not mean he’s batman. That would be like me going over to a Daredevil thread after the show premieres saying “This Show and Character is a crappy Batman rip-off”.
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