Finished reading the entire Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams' run and for the most part enjoyed it. Some of their social commentary seems pretty groundbreaking for superhero comics at the time. Overall I think the beginning of the run is much stronger than some of the later issues. Here are some of my thoughts and summaries of each issue featuring the Emerald Archer.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #76 "No Evil Shall Escape My Sight!" is one of the most famous Green Lantern co-starring Green Arrow stories. Green Lantern visiting Star City comes across a man being attacked in the streets. After rescuing him he his accosted by the neighborhood people who throw garbage at them. Green Lantern attempts to confront one of them but is stopped by Green Arrow. Ollie explains that the man Hal saved is a deadbeat landlord who plans to evict his tenants and turn their home into a parking lot. On the rooftop one of the tenants confronts Hal in one of the most powerful scenes in not only this series but also the medium of comics.
Green Lantern questioning his beliefs decides to confront the landlord Jubal Slade who is less than understanding. After a fight with Jubal's security Green Lantern is summoning by The Guardians. They reprimand Hal pointing out Jubal has committed no crime and send Hal off to stop a meteor shower from colliding with Saturn's moon Titan. Hal disobeys their orders to remain there until called upon and returns to Earth. Green Arrow confronts Jubal demanding 25 thousand dollars and sets up a meeting place. Later at the meeting place thugs hired by Jubal arrive to kill Green Arrow. It turns out to be a trap set by Ollie who quickly defeats the hired thugs however the tape-recorder Ollie planed to use against Jubal as evidence is destroyed in the shootout. Green Lantern and Green Arrow devise a new plan this time bringing along District Attorney Jeremy Tine. Disguised as one of the thugs Green Lantern gets a confession from Jubal who is then arrested. Afterwards The Guardians contact Hal to reprimand him for disobeying orders. Ollie points out that The Guardians are out of touch with humanity. A week later The Guardians send one of their own to live among humans thus begins Hal and Ollie's epic road trip across America.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #77 In "Journey to Desolation!" Green Arrow, Green Lantern and their Guardian companion are attacked while traveling on a mountain road. After defeating their attackers who had mistaken them for hired killers they learn that the man who runs the mountain town Slapper Soames treats the miners likes slaves. The town folk finally rally when one of them Johnny Walden is arrested and sentenced to hanging. They return to town where they are met by the miners who have formed an angry mob. The mob plans to attack Slapper's heavily fortified store even though they are out gunned. During the attack Green Lantern enters one of the mines after being shot with gas grenades. Ollie is knocked out and taken to Slapper's base where he and Johnny are to be killed. It's revealed that one of the townies Jacob has been Slapper's inside man and is ordered to shoot Green Arrow. He is saved by Green Lantern who has wondered in from a secret passage through the mine.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #78"A Kind of Loving, A Way of Death!" starts with Black Canary being attacked by a biker gang. Although she out fights them she is eventually run down by one of the bikers. They steal her motorcycle and leave her for dead however she is rescued by a mysterious stranger. Weeks later Green Lantern, Green Arrow and their Guardian companion stop at a Native American Reservation to eat. The same biker gang comes in and attacks the owner. After the bikers are defeated Ollie notices that one of them is riding the motorcycle that Superman gave to Black Canary. One of the bikers gives up the location of where they had left Black Canary after attacking her and Green Arrow and Green Lantern leave to search for her. When they do find her she is living in a house with a group of people led by the mysterious stranger Joshua who saved her and she wishes to stay. Green Lantern and Green Arrow are forced to leave without her and after an argument they separate. After hearing gun fire in the woods Ollie investigates to find Joshua and his followers about to massacre the reservation. Ollie realizing they must be hypnotized sends out a flair arrow in hope to get Hal's attention but is knocked out by Joshua's followers. Green Lantern shows up and disarms them but Joshua escapes with Black Canary. Joshua and Black Canary come across Green Arrow and Joshua orders her to kill him. She is able to resist and Green Lantern arrives to stop Joshua before he can shoot Ollie however Joshua ends up shooting himself.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #79 In "Ulysses Star is Still Alive!" Green Lantern and Green Arrow come across a land dispute after saving a Native American man from being gunned down. The man's tribe has a claim to the land but their documentation was mysteriously destroyed and the men who nearly gunned him down Pierre O'Rourke and Theodore Pudd stand to make a huge profit acquiring the land legally. Green Arrow and Green Lantern split up after an argument and Hal decides to investigate the city's records. His research leads him to the last known address of the son of the tribes' leader Abe Star, a tenement building that happens to be on fire. Green Lantern rushes inside the blazing building and is able to save Abe however he learns that the land deed was destroyed in the fire. Back at the Native American Reservation Black Canary helps tend to their wounded and Green Arrow decides to come up with a plan to help them. That night two of the lumbermen decide to steel some melons from a field but they are interrupted by a glowing Native American warrior who proclaims himself the ghost of Ulysses Star. The lumbermen rush to their union's hangout to tell their tale but are again attacked by the glowing ghost who then vanishes. A Native American man who witnessed it rushes off to the reservation bar to tell of what he saw. The ghost of Ulysses Star appears again and warns that the lumbermen will soon come to cut down their trees. That morning when the lumbermen come the tribe and Black Canary are there to stop them. During the fight the ghost of Ulysses Star appears but is confronted by Green Lantern. During their fight they are both knocked into the nearby stream where Green Lantern unmasks the ghost to reveal Ollie in disguise and both men are knocked out by a floating log. Later Pudd and O'Rourke are arrested after an arsonist confesses he was hired to burn down the tenement building where Abe Star lived.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #80 While driving over a bridge in "Even An Immortal Can Die!" their truck is run off the road into the river. A passing boat hauling toxic waste pulls them aboard. The ship's boiler overheats and Green Lantern is knocked out in the explosion. The Guardian has to choose between getting Hal immediate medical attention or saving the ship and ends up flying off with Hal. As the ship burns the men are forced to throw their toxic cargo over board before it can explode. Later after Green Lantern has recovered they are summoned by the other Guardians to a satellite called Gallo where their Guardian companion is to be judged for his actions. When they arrive they are stripped of their weapons and taken to see a judge who condemns them. They are forcibly gagged when they try to defend him, charged with the annihilation of a world, found guilty and sentenced to death. Green Lantern and Green Arrow are put into a cell where they meet the actual Tribune. They learn that the judge they saw used to be the master mechanic who used his robots to take over. In their cell Green Arrow is able to fashion a crude bow and single arrow from pieces of bed frame and string from their clothes. He uses it to destroy their robot guard and together they all attack the robot that took their weapons. Now armed they rush to save their Guardian companion from execution. Green Arrow is able to stop the insane master mechanic while Green Lantern rescues the Guardian. With the real tribune re-assuming their duties the Guardian decides to stay and stand judgement while Ollie and Hal return to Earth.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #81 In "Death Be My Destiny!" Green Lantern, Green Arrow and Black Canary speak on their Guardian companion's behalf however his fellow Guardians sentence him to be stripped of his immortality. Green Lantern threatens to resign from the Corps and the three of them accompany their former Guardian companion to the planet Maltus where he is to live out the rest of his life as a mortal. Maltus is suppose to be scarcely populated however when they arrive they are attacked by a huge crowd. They retreat to the city archives to learn that the Maltusans had become sterile and faced extinction. To save them a scientist named Mother Juna created new Maltusans who matured to adulthood in only a few days which caused Maltus to become over populated. After a tour of Malta they head to Mother Juna's laboratory and after they defeat her security an angry mob breaks in and destroys the place. Their Oan companion decides that he will spend his mortal days trying to help the people of Malta.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #82"How Do You Fight A Nightmare?" starts with Green Arrow arriving at Black Canary's home with a box of roses. When she opens the box two Harpies appear and attack them. Ollie and Dinah escape and contact Green Lantern who flies into the Harpies on the way to meet them. They lead Hal to The Witch Queen who uses her magic scepter to trap him inside of another dimension on behalf of her mysterious brother who Green Lantern immediately recognizes. Back at Black Canary's place Ollie discovers a jewel inside the rose box so they decide to investigate. When they arrive at the florist they are attacked from behind and Green Arrow is knocked unconscious by three Amazons. After Black Canary is able to defeat one of them they tell her about The Witch Queen and how they were banished to another dimension. When Ollie gets up they lead Black Canary and Green Arrow to The Witch Queen and her brother who is revealed as Sinestro. Once Sinestro and The Witch Queen are knocked out Black Canary and the Amazons go to rescue Green Lantern. Inside the other dimension Hal is captured by the Harpies who take him to meet their queen Medusa. Black Canary and the Amazons arrive just in time to convince Medusa not to kill him. Dinah and Hal return to Earth where Green Arrow is waiting.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #83 In "... And A Child Shall Destroy Them!" a woman accidentally bumps into an old man on the street. The old man then orders his granddaughter Sybil to psychically attack her. Later Dinah, Ollie and Hal arrive at the Meadowhill school where Dinah plans on teaching and are immediately attacked by group of birds. After they dispatch the birds they go inside the school but Green Arrow and Green Lantern are told to leave immediately because superheroes aren't welcome there. Back at their car a woman in a wheel chair is waiting for them. It turns out to be Carol Ferris who is the same woman Sybil attacked at the beginning of the issue. She explains that she suffered from a mysterious seizure that left her paralyzed. After the car they were driving starts to fall apart and drives itself off of a cliff they decide to return to the school concerned Dinah might be in trouble. Back at the school Dinah is threatened by the cook who is also the Sybil's Grandpa for letting her class out a few minutes early. Later she changes into Black Canary and is attacked by the Mr. Belmore and the cook. She is easily able to defeat them but is then knocked out by Sybil. Green Arrow and Green Lantern sneak back into the school and rescue Black Canary. Green Lantern confronts Sybil's Grandpa who orders Sybil to attack him. However this time she refuses saying she wants to be like normal children and instead uses her powers to bring down the school on top of them. Green Arrow and Green Lantern escape with the children but Sybil and her Grandpa are thought dead. Hal reveals his secret identity to Carol and his confesses he still loves her.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #84 Hal and Carol have rekindled their love in "Peril In Plastic". She tells him that she must see a doctor that may be able to cure her paralysis. Later Green Lantern must prevent the destruction of a dam that will flood the town that Carol went to. He's then greeted by the town mayor and resident doctor Wilbur Palm who wants to give Green Lantern the key to the town. When they arrive at the town called Piper's Dell Hal discovers it is polluted with smog. Dr. Palm gives Green Lantern a Kalutas which is the product made in the town factories. It randomly sprays a funny smelling perfume which leaves Hal disoriented when he tries to fly away. Before being knocked unconscious Hal sends his ring off to find Green Arrow. When Hal regains consciousness Palm reveals that he is actually Black Hand. He also reveals that the Kalutas our part of a plan to mass brainwash the town and that he used Carol Ferris to lure Green Lantern. Green Arrow finds Green Lantern's ring and takes a boat out to the dam. Hal and Carol try to escape as the whole town is brainwashed into thinking Green Lantern was responsible for attacking the dam. They manage to make it back to the dam where Green Arrow arrives with Hal's recharged ring. With his ring back Green Lantern is easily able to contain the crowd and defeat Black Hand.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #85 "Snowbirds Don't Fly" is one of the most famous Green Lantern co-starring Green Arrow issue for its cover featuring Speedy using heroin. Not only does this issue tackle the topic of drug addiction it also makes comments on racism. While walking home Ollie is attacked by muggers. He easily dispatches them but one of them shoots him with a crossbow. Bleeding Ollie manages to stagger into a hospital where he passes out. After being treated he is shown the arrow that he was shot with which he immediately recognizes as one of his own. Later Ollie meets with Green Lantern and explains that he's worried about Roy who he hasn't seen in a month. While investigating they come across a boy going through heroin withdrawal begging at the door of a drug dealer. After a struggle with the drug dealer they turn him into police and take the boy to the hospital. Green Lantern and Green Arrow bust in on the junkies that attacked Ollie earlier who also happen to be with Roy. The junkies lead Green Arrow and Green Lantern to a private airfield where their dealer is rumored to re-up. When they confront the dealers Ollie and Hal are knocked out from behind and drugged. The dealers call the cops before they escape in a plan to discredit Green Arrow and Green Lantern. Roy arrives and distracts the cops so that Ollie and Hal can escape. Later at their apartment after Green Lantern leaves Ollie discovers that Roy is using heroin.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #86 In "They Say It'll Kill Me ... But They Won't Say When!" Ollie confronts Roy about his drug addiction. After they fight Roy leaves and Green Arrow decides to return to the airfield. Roy's junkie friends show up and decide to get high and one of them overdoses. Green Lantern returns to Ollie's apartment to find it deserted except for a corpse. Back at the airfield Green Arrow is confronted by one of the drug dealers. Ollie defeats him and is able to get a lead on where to find the drug dealers' boss. After Green Arrow leaves the man makes a call and it's revealed that Ollie is walking into a trap. Green Lantern discovers Roy going through withdrawal and takes him to Dinah Lance. Green Arrow arrives at Pier Sixteen and is captured by men who are waiting for him. The drug dealers boss is revealed as Salomon Hooper who is throwing a party on his yacht. As the yacht leaves Green Arrow is thrown into the water tied to an anchor. He's able to free himself as Green Lantern shows up. The yacht arrives in the Caribbean and Salomon goes ashore to pick up his shipment of heroin but is confronted by Green Lantern and Green Arrow.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #87 John Stewart is introduced in "Beware My Power!". In "What Can One Man Do?" Ollie gets a call from Star City mayor Jack Hill who wants him to run for mayor. Ollie then calls Dinah, Bruce Wayne, Hal and Clark Kent who all advise against it. While out testing his new rocket arrow Green Arrow comes across a rioting mob. A boy is shot and Ollie takes him to a waiting ambulance however doctors are unable to save him. Emotionally taxed Green Arrow goes to Dinah's apartment and tells her that he's decided to run for mayor.
Green Lantern Green Arrow #89 In "... And Through Him, Save A World ..." Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Carol Ferris visit a town where a man named Isaac has been causing trouble for a Ferris Aircraft industrial plant. While Hal and Carol tour the company site Green Arrow is confronted by a security guard while practicing archery in the nearby woods. Ollie is able to disarm the security guard and explains that he's a guest of Carol Ferris. After the guard leaves Ollie meets Isaac who explains that he has lung disease aggravated by pollution. Back at the industrial plant Carol is almost killed when some machinery collapses. Green Lantern discovers that someone had tampered with it and flies off to find Isaac who is with Green Arrow. Green Lantern confronts Isaac who admits that he hadn't considered anyone could be injured. Hal decides to arrest him anyway but Green Arrow intervenes with a gas arrow. Furious Isaac storms off telling Green Arrow that he's guilty of polluting. The security guard from earlier returns this time with two other security guards who arrest Ollie for allowing Isaac to escape. After a struggle Ollie and Hal are both knocked unconscious. When the guards arrive back at the industrial plant they discover Isaac has chained himself to one of the test planes. They are joined by a crowd of plant workers who decide to leave Isaac tied up instead of handing him over to police. When Green Arrow and Green Lantern try to intercede they are knocked out and chained up along with Isaac while the plant workers and security leave. Isaac explains that due to his illness he will not survive being chained there until morning. By the time Green Arrow is able to break free Isaac is dead. When Carol and one of the Ferris executives arrive in the morning Green Lantern destroys one of the test planes out of anger.
The Flash #217 Green Arrow is ambushed in "The Killing Of An Archer!" by thugs waiting for him in a back alley. During the struggle he re-injures his arm which causes one of his arrows to miss and kill a sniper. Hal gets a panicked call from Dinah who explains that Ollie called her to say goodbye forever. Green Lantern arrives at Ollie's apartment to find his bow and arrows broken and his costume destroyed. He hears a commotion outside and finds three thugs attacking an old man. After he apprehends them they confess to planting a bomb in the basement. The issue ends as Ollie's apartment building explodes.
The Flash #218 In "Green Arrow Is Dead!" Green Lantern managed to keep the building from collapsing in flames until the fire department arrives. Black Canary and Green Lantern decide to split up and search for Ollie. However Ollie is flying the Arrow Plane and crashes it into a mountain range. After parachuting to safety he comes across a monastery. Back in Star City Black Canary comes across the sister of Joshua and is knocked out by her followers. They decide to throw her from the roof and as they do she is saved by Green Lantern.
The Flash #219Black Canary is hit by a car while using a phone booth in "The Fate Of An Archer". Because of her rare blood type and a shortage of donors Green Lantern flies off to search for Ollie who has the same blood type. At the crash site of the Arrow Plane Hal stops a man named Rink Willard from scavenging the wreckage. Green Lantern finds a Ollie at the monastery who is being taught zen archery by the monks. Leaving the monastery Hall and Ollie and attacked and knock out by Rink with a rifle who ties Hal to a log sinking in quicksand. Ollie is able cut himself free with an arrowhead and disarm Rink by shooting an arrow and regaining his confidence. Ollie frees Hal and is able to give Black Canary the blood she needs to survive.
