4 Months Later, Oliver Queen's Green Arrow Clone Is DC's Biggest Summer Mystery

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Published Aug 28, 2026, 11:31 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

The Green Arrow is one of DC's most consistently underrated superheroes, no thanks to his earlier depictions placing him as a more gimmicky, inferior Batman substitute. But beginning just ahead of the Bronze Age of Comics, Neal Adams gave him a much-needed makeover, giving him his signature goatee and newer costume while, appropriately, working alongside Batman in The Brave and the Bold. But it's been 57 years since then, and Green Arrow as a series has undergone plenty of transformations, reinventions, with his perhaps most radical change yet having arrived in Absolute Green Arrow.

Admittedly, this latest transmutation of the Green Arrow legend is entirely on purpose with the Absolute Universe, although his particular story helmed by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque has created an undeniably thrilling mystery this time around. Rather than the significantly less well-funded Bruce Wayne or timing of Kal-El's landing in Kansas, this origin story, rather than having Oliver Green survive a different origin scenario than Starfish Island, has him not survive at all, with an entirely unknown masked archer donning his motifs and mission. The Green Arrow, or Longbow Killer, is seemingly standing in as Oliver Queen's replacement, with the biggest mystery being who is under the hood this time around.

4 Issues In, And The Green Arrow's Identity Is DC's Most Tantalizing Summer Mystery

absolute green arrow 2 variant cover showing him and black canary

Truly living out its best Slasher Summer imaginable, Absolute Green Arrow has been on an astounding sales run, often only behind Absolute Batman for overall comics sold across the market. This is thanks in large part to the strength of its writing, visceral combat visuals, and its central mystery which is increasingly eroding any delusional faith in Queen surviving his initial fate of washing ashore with his head bashed in by Hawkman. Killed ahead of his attempt to properly bring Jubal Slade to justice, his ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance was even plagued by visions of Queen, afflicted with similar Miraclo traits as those of Absolute Solomon Grundy, only for issue #4 to leave little room for doubt.

The sight of Oliver Queen's dismembered remains dug from his grave as a particular Hail Mary pass for Hector Hammond's research goals of immortality meant one thing: the Green Arrow Killer stalking Star City's elite is undoubtedly Oliver Queen's replacement. Multiple suspects have been thrown around, and now with the masked slasher having one hand poetically chopped off only after recently severing Hammond's, the Green Arrow will hardly stay a mystery for much longer.

The Green Arrow Killer's Identity Will Be Revealed This Fall

Absolute Green Arrow Dinah Lance Dream Sequence

After a thrilling four issues of Absolute Green Arrow, theories are beginning to progressively get ruled out, suspects are being whittled down, and the identity of the Green Arrow Killer is suggesting more than one candidate for Oliver Queen's "clone". Taking on his passion for archery and overall mission to a bloody extreme as his city's corrupt wealthiest citizens are cut down one-by-one, this copycat was suspected to be one of three people: Roy Harper, Mia Dearden, or Tom Hallaway. Put in other terms, that'd be any other DC universe's Arsenal, Speedy, and Spider, three archery-themed fighters with various connections to Queen and GreenArrows Trading.

However, recent revelations are beginning to make certain connections unlikely, unless the Green Arrow Killer has been a moniker adopted by all three. Hallaway has fallen victim to Dr. Iker's Moreau-esque experiments, losing the feeling in his legs and having six hands grafted to his torso, as a twisted nod to the spider emblem on his head. Dearden has apparently gone into hiding, and doesn't seem to bear a matching physique to the killer; not that comics haven't found a way around that before. Harper seems a legitimate candidate, especially as he slipped away conveniently before the Green Arrow Killer resurfaced, so Dinah may need to check for both of his hands in their next encounter.

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DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?

ADark Crisis BInfinite Frontier CDarkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse in the current continuity DFlashpoint Beyond

✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.

In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?

AHe is raised by the government BHe grows up on Krypton CHe is raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege DHe is raised by Lex Luthor

✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.

Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?

APolice officer BEngineer / construction worker CTeacher DJournalist

✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.

Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?

ATom King BJames Tynion IV CScott Snyder DChip Zdarsky

✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.

Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?

AG. Willow Wilson BKelly Thompson CBecky Cloonan DMariko Tamaki

✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.

The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?

AHeroes without legacy BHeroes without hope CHeroes without privilege DGrounded heroes

✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.

Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?

AJeff Lemire BJoshua Williamson CMark Waid DJeremy Adams

✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.

Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?

AJim Lee BJason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art) CGrant Morrison DJorge Jiménez

✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.

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Beyond even that, from theories about Hawkman carrying out a brutal penance for serving a corrupt cause resulting in Queen's death, to fringe possibilities like resentful bodyguards or other noteworthy canonical archers like Malcolm Merlyn already in the series, the possibilities are still noteworthy for now.

There's still room to speculate that Queen's DNA or brain were salvaged somehow, with the killer possibly bearing his posthumous vengeance quest. After all, a vengeful, rejuvenated but corrupted Queen was possibly foreshadowed in Lance's vivid dream sequence where Queen is shown with a similar condition as Grundy's; wearing a mask would certainly keep a lower profile than the Resident Evil G-Virus-style disfigurement. With Absolute Green Arrow's confirmation of expanding from six to 12 issues for its run, the ultimate reveal is confirmed only to set up the stage for the next chapter of its stars in the Absolute Universe, so there's promise of the excitement only growing in the months to come.