Green Arrow Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances, but is a timeline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe’s continuity was reset. Almost all of Green Arrow’s history was wiped clean and he was given a fresh start in a new continuity. His vague ties to Arsenal (Reading Order) appear to be the only element of his history not entirely removed.

He was reintroduced through the Green Arrow series. Here, his personality is given a reboot and his adventures as a mostly solo vigilante are detailed. Later on, he developed a relationship with the recently formed Justice League of America (Reading Order), which led to his involvement in the Trinity War (Reading Order) event.

Justice League issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Justice League of America issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. This issue of Savage Hawkman (Reading Order) continues Green Arrow's involvement in the "Hawkman: Wanted" crossover. However, it doesn't really have much of an effect on Oliver's life so we have designated it as optional. Fans can read it if they want to see how Green Arrow's involvement in the crossover ends.
2. Green Arrow's recruitment and subsequent involvement in the Justice League of America (Reading Order) is detailed across these comics. Though he has a large role on this team, it does not affect his solo series much at all, so we have marked it as optional. His involvement in this Justice League is mentioned in Green Arrow Vol. 4: The Kill Machine (Review), so we have placed these issues before that volume.
3. Green Arrow's time in the Justice League United is detailed here. Though this series was not technically published until around Green Arrow #30, it has almost no connection to the Green Arrow series and, thus, can be read at any point in time. We have placed it immediately after Oliver's time in the JLA since it almost directly continues the story from that series.
4. This issue is part of the Futures End (Reading Order) event. Since this event is an alternate future, rather than something that affects the current storyline, it is not essential to Green Arrow's story.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth preserves most of Green Arrow's recent history. The later half of his New 52 adventures, particularly those involving Emiko Queen (Reading Order), John Diggle, and Henry Fyff, are clearly still in continuity. In addition, though it does not officially bring back his pre-New 52 history, the Rebirth era attempts to bring back thematic elements of this time.

In this era, Green Arrow's adventures primarily play out in his solo series. This comic details his involvement as a local vigilante and builds upon his relationships with his friends and allies, particularly Black Canary (Reading Order). Outside of this, Green Arrow also appears in the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event and a few issues of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (Reading Order). Then, at the close of this era, Green Arrow plays a part in the Justice League: No Justice (Reading Order) event, which helps set up plotlines for the next era.

BatBoP = Batgirl and the Birds of Prey
JL:NJ = Justice League: No Justice
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Suicide Squad issues are from the Vol. 5 series

Notes

1. Green Arrow only makes an extremely small appearance in this issue. However, it teases some thematic elements of his Rebirth solo series and also teases an important future connection.
2. These issues star Emiko Queen and only feature Green Arrow as a supporting character in a few flashbacks.
3. Green Arrow makes a few appearances alongside Black Canary (Reading Order) in the Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (Reading Order) series. These appearances are rather small but help elaborate on his relationship with Black Canary.
4. The bulk of Green Arrow's contributions to the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event happen within the "Gotham Resistance" story arc. However, he also makes brief appearances in the main event as well.
5. Only the "You Better Think Twice" story from DC Holiday Special 2017 is relevant to this reading order.
6. The Justice League: No Justice (Reading Order) event makes a few references to what happened in Green Arrow Annual #2, as pieces of the Annual take place before the main event. However, we suggest reading the main event first, as pieces of the Annual also take place after the main event, thus spoiling parts of it.

Universe

The Universe era is essentially an extension of the Rebirth era, as it maintains the same continuity. So, Green Arrow's story picks up right where it left off at the conclusion of the previous era. In this way, it continues the Green Arrow series and builds upon what happened to Green Arrow during the Justice League: No Justice (Reading Order) event.

In this era, Green Arrow's initial role is in his solo series. This series continues to detail Green Arrow's solo adventures and his adventures alongside Black Canary (Reading Order). It also reflects on what happened in No Justice and then, later, Heroes in Crisis (Reading Order). After this series concludes, Green Arrow goes on to become one of the main characters in Event Leviathan (Reading Order). Then, near the end of the era, he has a small but deeply personal role in Dark Nights: Death Metal (Reading Order). Outside of these appearances, he makes several quick cameos in comics alongside other heroes.

Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 4 series

Notes

1. Note: Only the "The Monster in Me" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order. This is a short story that features Green Arrow.
2. This issue is mostly about Green Lantern/Hal Jordan (Reading Order) and his ongoing adventures. However, Green Arrow appears in this issue in a way that harkens back to the duo's first team-up series.
3. These issues are mostly about Batman. However, they feature him partnering with Green Arrow for a while.
4. Note: Only the "The Crimson Bomber" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order. This is a short story that focuses on both Green Arrow and Black Canary (Reading Order).
5. Green Arrow has a pretty small role in most issues of Justice League (Reading Order) that he appears in. However, they do show his connection with this team and, thus, might be interesting for some readers.

All DC Comics Reading Orders