Tortured by the past: Arrow - The Dark Archer

Review:

Actor John Barrowman and his novelist sister Carole barrowman team up to pen this backstory tale of the character John plays so compellingly on the Arrow TV series. Set between seasons 3 and 4, it is a brutal tale interspersed with flashbacks to the mid-1980s when these characters overlapped and collided previously.

Kudos to the authors. This tale is well-paced with building tension and some clever ideas. A favorite is the hawk-shaped valley visible from a certain rock outcropping. Occasional awkward breaks in past and present transitions, especially ones that fall in unexpected mid-page panels, point to their inexperience with the Graphic Novel medium. While artist Daniel Sampere has some more experience in the genre, especially in the DC Comics Injustice books, he needed to exert more influence in these visual transition points.

The ancient secrets, past tensions and history in their relationships . and the present battles and interrogation, make for a fast, page-turning and compelling read. Some of the visuals, especially around the extended torture sequence, are not for the squeamish.

Description:

FROM THE HIT TV SERIES ARROW, THE MAN BEHIND MERLYN TELLS THE DARK ARCHER’S STORY FOR THE FIRST TIME!

 He’s been known as Malcolm Merlyn, Arthur King, Ra’s al Ghul...but who is the Dark Archer, really?

 Years ago, the man now known as Malcolm Merlyn was recruited by the secret sect known as The Hidden for a mission in the Hindu Kush mountains. Their task: to protect a mystical temple from the League of Assassins. But the mission didn’t go as planned—loyalties were questioned as ancient secrets were revealed.

 Now present-day Merlyn has been captured by a figure from his past demanding answers, and Merlyn’s only hope for survival lies in the long-hidden story of his adventures as Arthur King!

 Learn the full story of one of the most complex antiheroes of ARROWfor the first time as John Barrowman, the actor who brings him to life on the hit TV series, and his sister, novelist Carole E. Barrowman (HOLLOW EARTH), reveal the secret past of the Green Arrow’s mysterious nemesis!

Collects: ARROW: THE DARK ARCHER digital chapters 1-12

Authors: John Barrowman, Carol Barrowman
Artists: Daniel Sampere
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: Sept. 6 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401263294
Pages: 168 pages