by Andrew A. Smith
Scripps Howard News Service

Kevin Smith, the famed writer/director of “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma,” will be penning the adventures of Oliver “Green Arrow” Queen with the first issue of the Emerald Archer’s new series, shipping Feb. 28.

It’s unlikely Jay & Silent Bob (who have appeared in all of Smith’s films) will make a cameo, but the return of the Battling Bowman with an A-list movie director at the helm is reason enough for comic fans to sit up and take notice.

For those who have followed Smith’s career, his affection for comic books comes as no surprise. Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee made a cameo in “Mallrats,” and “Chasing Amy” took place mostly at a comic-book convention and starred a comic-book writer and artist. Smith has dabbled in comics before; he penned “Daredevil,” Vol. 2, Nos. 1-8, for Marvel Comics in 1998-99, and has recounted the adventures of Jay & Silent Bob in various venues for Oni Press over the years.

Now he turns his mighty word processor to DC’s perennial second banana, Green Arrow. But there’s one hitch: GA is dead.

Yup, it’s true. Oliver Queen, who first donned his modern-day Robin Hood gear in 1941, blew up real good in an exploding airplane in “Green Arrow,” Vol. 1, No. 100, back in 1995. Superman was a witness, and thinks he’s dead. His illegitimate son Connor Hawke (who’s been Green Arrow for the last six years) thinks he’s dead. His former partner Roy “Arsenal” Harper thinks he’s dead. His former lover Dinah “Black Canary” Lance thinks he’s dead.

But “dead” in comics isn’t the immutable tragedy it is in life – it’s more of an inconvenience. Smith hasn’t revealed how he plans to resuscitate the Ace Archer, but it won’t be the first time Oliver Queen’s life has taken a peculiar twist.

Green Arrow was launched in “More Fun Comics” No. 73 in November 1941, the same issue that debuted the equally long-lived Aquaman. Originally, the Battling Bowman was little more than a Batman knockoff, a rich playboy (like Bruce Wayne) who fought petty crooks and lame supervillains with a kid sidekick (Speedy, later Arsenal), a bunch of archery-motif paraphernalia (Arrowcar, Arrowplane, Arrowcave) and a gimmick (trick arrows, in lieu of a utility belt).

As you’d imagine about a guy who persists in bringing a bow and arrow to gunfights, Green Arrow never made the big time. He toiled away as a backup character in “More Fun” and “Adventure Comics” for two decades, using “boxing-glove arrows” and “handcuff arrows” in his second-rate war on crime.

But you have to give him points for persistence. When interest in superheroes waned in the ’50s, most Spandex types were canceled. Only Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman and, yes, Green Arrow managed to remain in print more or less continuously from the ’40s to the present.

Ollie’s big break came when he was invited to join the World’s Greatest Heroes in “Justice League of America” No. 4 (May ‘61). Of course, being partnered with powerhouses like Wonder Woman and Superman, his primary duty was to say “Great Scott!” frequently. But, again, he was persistent and was a mainstay of the team for many years.

And a funny thing happened in “Justice League of America” No. 75 (November ‘ 69): He grew a personality! A virtual cipher for 25 years, Green Arrow was granted a left-wing persona by new JLA writer Denny O’Neil – and grew immensely popular. He argued with the other, more conservative Leaguers about “corporate fat cats” and took to fighting “The Man.” He teamed with the right-wing Green Lantern in a memorable series that argued politics as much as it battled bad guys. He lost his fortune, donned spiffy new duds and started battling crime at “street level.” He also suddenly developed a reputation as a ladies’ man, and swept resident JLA hottie Black Canary off her feet.

Finally, the poor man’s Batman had found a unique niche. He became a popular guest star, as much for his political rants as for his bowmanship. He eventually dropped the trick-arrow nonsense, and went after crooks in the grim ‘n’ gritty fashion of the ’80s. His roving eye proved a trial for Black Canary, but added to his over-the-top, anything-goes, Quixotic appeal to fans. By 1988 he had his own title for the first time. . .

. . .and then was blown to tiny bits! The more sedate Connor Hawke proved not as popular in the role, and “Green Arrow” was canceled with issue No. 137 in 1998. The Amazing Arbolester seemed to have run his course.

Until now, that is, and the advent of Kevin Smith. The first issue of the all-new “Green Arrow” doesn’t reveal how Ollie survived his abrupt fulmination, but it’s coming. And comics fans are already salivating.

How will former partner Arsenal react to his foster father’s return? What will Connor do, if the original returns to stake his claim to the “Green Arrow” mantle? What about Black Canary, who’s now dating Dr. Mid-Nite of the Justice Society? And will the Sagittary Sleuth remain his blustery self now that he’s had a visit to the Other Side?

Smith promises his contractual 12-issue stint will answer all questions, and set up the Battling Bowman for an exciting new run. Smith has even evinced interest in continuing the series after his year is up, should his film commitments allow.