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Arrow (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Arrow is a fiction
al character
, a superhero
originally published by Centaur Publications
. The character first appeared in 1938 in Funny Pages #21 (numbered vol. 2, #10; dated September 1938). After Centaur Publications went out of business, the Arrow, along with most other company properties, lapsed into public domain. The Arrow was briefly revived by Malibu Comics
, appearing as part of their Protectors
/Genesis imprint. He starred in the Protectors series and the Arrow one-shot. The character has been dormant after Marvel Comics
acquired Malibu Comics, although some of his Golden Age
adventures were reprinted by AC Comics
.
Today, the Arrow is mostly remembered for being the first American superhero to rely on archery
as a primary gimmick.
intelligence agency. Feeling that he could not effectively fight crime in his civilian guise, he turns to costumed crime fighting, becoming the Arrow. His primary weapon is his skill with bow and arrow, though he is good at fighting even without his weapons. Like many heroes of his era, he fights criminals, Nazi spies, and saboteurs.
In Malibu Comics' Protectors/Genesis universe, the Arrow is a former intelligence agent named Rick Parker. Born somewhere in Texas, he grew up to become an avid hunter. His weapon of choice is the bow and arrow, because he feels that said weapons represent the greatest challenge and give the prey the fairest chance. Following a stint with the military, Rick is recruited into one of the intelligence branches of the US government. He is posted in a small, struggling Latin American country caught in the throes of civil war. While there, he witnesses the massacre of an entire village by the modernized forces loyal to that country's government. He eventually learns the country is being funded by the US government. Sickened by what he learned, Rick resigns. He decides to use his archery skills to fight for justice, adopting the crime-fighting identity of the Arrow, the hunter of men.
The Arrow primarily operates alone. At one point, he teams up with a number of heroes during a battle in Brinkston — an event whose ultimate outcome convinces him to retire. When the members of the Protectors are asked to face Mr. Monday and re-form the superhero team, the Arrow requests to join his former comrades, but is refused due to his violent approach.
Golden Age characters appearing in Project Superpowers
, a 2008 miniseries released by Dynamite Entertainment
. He made a short appearance in issue #5 of the series.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al character
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
originally published by Centaur Publications
Centaur Publications
Centaur Publications was one of the earliest American comic book publishers. During their short existence, they created several colorful characters, including Bill Everett's Amazing Man....
. The character first appeared in 1938 in Funny Pages #21 (numbered vol. 2, #10; dated September 1938). After Centaur Publications went out of business, the Arrow, along with most other company properties, lapsed into public domain. The Arrow was briefly revived by Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
, appearing as part of their Protectors
Protectors
The Protectors was a 20-issue comic book series published by Malibu Comics from 1992 until 1994. Originally meant to be a six-issue series, response was positive enough that Malibu decided to make the series ongoing...
/Genesis imprint. He starred in the Protectors series and the Arrow one-shot. The character has been dormant after Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
acquired Malibu Comics, although some of his Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
adventures were reprinted by AC Comics
AC Comics
AC Comics is a comic book publishing company started by Bill Black.AC Comics specializes in reprints of Golden Age comics from now-defunct companies whose properties lapsed into public domain and were not reprinted elsewhere...
.
Today, the Arrow is mostly remembered for being the first American superhero to rely on archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
as a primary gimmick.
Centaur Comics
The original Arrow is Ralph Payne, a member of the USUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
intelligence agency. Feeling that he could not effectively fight crime in his civilian guise, he turns to costumed crime fighting, becoming the Arrow. His primary weapon is his skill with bow and arrow, though he is good at fighting even without his weapons. Like many heroes of his era, he fights criminals, Nazi spies, and saboteurs.
Malibu Comics
The Arrow primarily operates alone. At one point, he teams up with a number of heroes during a battle in Brinkston — an event whose ultimate outcome convinces him to retire. When the members of the Protectors are asked to face Mr. Monday and re-form the superhero team, the Arrow requests to join his former comrades, but is refused due to his violent approach.
Dynamite Entertainment
The Arrow is one of the many public domainPublic domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
Golden Age characters appearing in Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers is a comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment beginning January 2008. It was co-plotted by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, with scripts by Jim Krueger, covers by Alex Ross, and interior art by Doug Klauba and Stephen Sadowski for issue #0, and Carlos Paul for the...
, a 2008 miniseries released by Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book company that primarily publishes licensed franchises of adaptations of other media. These include adaptations of film properties such as Army of Darkness, Terminator and RoboCop, literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in...
. He made a short appearance in issue #5 of the series.
Legacy
- According to Alex RossAlex RossNelson Alexander "Alex" Ross is an American comic book painter, illustrator, and plotter. He is praised for his realistic, human depictions of classic comic book characters. Since the 1990s he has done work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an...
, the costume of the Red ArrowRoy Harper (comics)Roy Harper is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe. He was known for over fifty years as Green Arrow's teenage sidekick Speedy. He first appeared alongside his mentor in More Fun Comics #73...
, a minor character from Kingdom Come, was at least partially based on the original Arrow.
External links
- The Arrow at the International Catalogue of Superheroes
- Eye-n-Apple's Golden Age Gallery entry on the Arrow
- Golden Age Super Heroes Directory by Jess NevinsJess NevinsJohn J. Nevins, MA/MS, is an American author and librarian, born 30 July 1966 and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the author of the World Fantasy Award-nominated Encyclopedia of Fantastic Victoriana , and other works on Victoriana and pulp fiction...