Green Arrow has starred in several iconic stories during the Bronze Age of DC Comics, which spans from 1970 to 1985. Initially paired with Green Lantern to launch the era, Green Arrow began starring in his own solo adventures. By 1983, Green Arrow starred in his one and only comic book published during the Bronze Age.
Often defined by social issues such as racism, poverty, pollution, drug addiction, etc., the Bronze Age of DC Comics tackled deep topics. As such, the best Green Arrow comics of the era tend to grapple with salient social mores of the time period while advancing Oliver Queen's mythology and relationships with Green Lantern, Black Canary, and more.
10 Green Lantern & Green Arrow #76
Green Arrow was introduced in the Bronze Age during the acclaimed Green Lantern #76 (Vol. 2) by Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, Frank Giacoia, and John Costanza. Despite the poor sales, the stellar Green Lantern alliance launched a poignant collection of socially-conscious stories that spanned roughly 50 comics in the 1970s.
The opening story involves an impoverished Black man challenging Green Lantern's social views and how the hero helps citizens with blue skin and orange skin but not brown skin. Oliver Queen deplores Hal Jordan's views at first but ends up defending his honor and challenging the Guardians of the Universe to experience the social injustices on Earth. The story launches the terrific "Hard-Traveling Heroes" arc that ignites Hal and Oliver's moral quest.
9 Green Lantern & Green Arrow #78-79
Green Lantern #78-79 by Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, and John Costanza finds Hal and Oliver on the road together to "find America." The heroes stumble upon a murderous cult many believed was a metaphor for the Manson Family when a maniac begins slaughtering non-white indigenous Americans.
Despite the obvious parallels to the Manson family, O'Neil claimed the story was an allegory about political extremists (via Issuu). The comic advances the socially-driven content of the Green Lantern and Green Hero partnership, leading to an unforeseen fight between the heroes over their differing political beliefs. Oliver sticking up for the indigenous population speaks volumes about his moral compass.
8 Green Lantern & Green Arrow #85-86
"Snowbirds Don't Fly" is a two-issue story by Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, and John Costanza. Famous for its anti-drug messaging, the story involves Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy and his battle with heroin addiction; a social epidemic brought home after the Vietnam War.
As Oliver Queen grapples with the emotional and spiritual fallout of Speedy's drug addiction, he and Hal Jordan fight the drug dealers whose product is destroying ordinary citizens and heroes alike. The comic is a landmark moment in DC's Bronze Age, marking a clear transition to more mature, adult themes that actually matter rather than repeating the same old kiddie fare.
7 The Flash #217-219
Unfortunately, Green Lantern was canceled in 1972 before the superb "Hard-Traveling Heroes" storyline was resolved. Instead, the resolution came in The Flash #217-219 by Len Wein, Cary Bates, Irv Novick, and Frank McLaughlin. The story is a must-read to see how the Green Arrow and Green Lantern's American road trip concludes.
Rather than leaning into the social injustices of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow partnership, the story finds Oliver in a grievous emotional state as he deals with the guilt and remorse for killing a man. Upon staging a plane crash, Oliver loses his last vestige of Green Arrow, forcing him to make tough decisions at an existential crossroads before redeeming himself by saving Black Canary via a blood transfusion.
6 Action Comics #421
Once Green Arrow left the Green Lantern imprint after their relationship aged poorly, Oliver Queen began starring in his own solo adventures in Action Comics. Issue #421 by Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson, Green Arrow helps Dinah Lance open a flower shop in Star City, where he defends her from a ruthless assassin.
Aside from seeing how deft Oliver is at manipulating the public and keeping his identity as Green Arrow intact, the comic notably reestablishes Emerald Archer's role in Star City and reconnecting him with characters he lost touch with in his adventures with Green Lantern. Green Arrow takes the sole spotlight for the first time in years and proves his Bronze Age prowess in the process.
5 Green Lantern & Green Arrow #122
After relaunching Green Lantern and Green Arrow's partnership in 1976, the final pairing between the two heroes came via Green Lantern #122 by Dennis O'Neil, Don Heck, Vince Colletta, Adrienne Roy, and Ben Oda. Titled "With These Rings," the conclusive chapter finds Green Arrow, Superman, Flash, and Black Canary attending Hal's wedding to Kari Limbo.
The issue marks the final time Green Arrow co-starred with Green Lantern in the Bronze Age. It also features Hal and Oliver taking on General Zod and corrupt Green Lantern Guy Gardner, wrapping up the latter villain's arc since disappearing six issues earlier. Finally, the issue marks the first time in DC Comics when Thomas Kalmaku declares that he no longer wants to be called Pieface, a progressive boon for the character that underscores the Bronze Age's socially conscious efforts.
4 World's Finest #255
Before starring in his own 1983 series, Green Arrow starred in solo stories in World's Finest. In issue #255 by Elliot S. Maggin, Trevor von Eeden, Vince Colletta, Jerry Serpe, Clem Robins, and Ben Oda, the story "Nothing but a Man" finds Oliver Queen running for mayor to advance his political views.
Oliver is kidnapped by gangsters working with incumbent Mayor, Jack Major. When an attempt to assassinate Oliver ensues, the courageous JLA members Wonder Woman and Green Lantern arrive in the nick of time to save Oliver's life. A rival politician wins a rigged election, forcing Oliver to leave his mayoral aspirations behind after having his eyes opened to the deep-seated corruption. It's a great storyline that depicts Oliver's disillusionment and misplaced trust in a political process benefiting the rich and powerful.
3 Green Arrow #1-4
In Oliver Queen's only solo series in the Bronze Age, Green Arrow #1-4 by Mike W. Barr, Trevor von Eeden, Dick Giordano, Tom Ziuko, and Ben Oda cannot be missed. The story finds Oliver in the crosshairs of the ruthless killer after inheriting a fortune from a friend, leading to an epic showdown with Count Vertigo.
As a comic solely dedicated to Green Arrow for the first time in the Bronze Age, the 4-part storyline has everything fans could want. The stakes are incredibly high once Oliver is endangered, forcing the hero to call on Speedy and Black Canary to help identify the serial killer and bring him down. Oliver's trademark trick arrows are used in a fantastic showdown with Count Vertigo at sea, wrapping up the contained story with satisfying closure.
2 Night Olympics
Often hailed as one of Green Arrow's all-time best stories, "Night Olympics" (Detective Comics #549-550) by Alan Moore, Klaus Janson, and Todd Klein marked the end of the Bronze Age. The two-part story involves Pete Lomax, a man who gets a bow and arrow from Peter Gambi and begins targeting Black Canary and Green Arrow for death.
A topical allegory on the Reagan-era crime policies of the 1980s, the story marked a clear return to the socially-conscious progression the Bronze Age began with under the direction of Dennis O'Neil. With Black Canary wounded and Lomax challenging Green Arrow to an archery duel, the issue concludes Oliver's Bronze Age run with exhilarating action and an ethical backbone that proves how big-hearted and right-headed the character was during the period.
1 Crisis On Infinite Earths
Marv Wolfman and George Pérez's Crisis on Infinite Earths is among the biggest DC crossover events in history. To understand how the character was retconned moving forward, it's paramount to read the storyline that ends with the death of Oliver Queen from Earth-2.
In the mega-multiverse event, Oliver Queen's first iteration as Green Arrow dies while still wearing his red boots and gloves. The story gives way to a whole new era for DC Comics, with Green Arrow's legacy honored before setting the character on an exciting new path. As the final event for the Bronze Age character, the story comes full circle to complete the hero's journey in ways fans will never forget.