Green Arrow

Newly aware of the injustices in the world and the need to right them, Oliver took on the vigilante role of Green Arrow, a mysterious figure who used a bow and arrows against criminals and the corrupt. Early in his career as Green Arrow, he was badly injured and sought help from Queen Industries' head of security, John Diggle. Diggle tended to Oliver's wounds and kept his secret. The two men became allies and close friends, but when Oliver's mother died (his father having died earlier while on a trip overseas), he became depressed and reckless. Oliver and Diggle argued over his behavior, and ultimately Diggle quit.

Green Arrow's legend as a hero grew. He added "trick arrows" using advanced technology to his quiver, with effects from sonics to explosives. The father of his old friend Tommy Merlyn, Malcolm Merlyn, a member of the League of Assassins, proved to be a persistent adversary, blaming Oliver for his son's apparent death. At one point, Oliver Queen's pocket was picked by a homeless youth, Roy Harper. Oliver caught him and decided to take him in. Roy learned Oliver's secret and, showing an aptitude for archery, eventually became his partner, code-named Speedy.

Green Arrow joined the Justice League, where he met allies and friends like Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and his future love, Black Canary. Their romance has endured, though their fierce independent streaks and hot tempers have resulted in lengthy periods of separation at times. A low point came when Speedy, in pain from injuries sustained in battle, became addicted to painkillers and subsequently other drugs. Oliver, feeling responsible and unable to bear the guilt, lashed out at Speedy and left, leaving Black Canary to help Roy overcome his addiction. Though Oliver later apologized to Roy, their relationship was damaged, and Roy eventually went out on his own, taking the name Arsenal.

Green Arrow experienced another loss when his friend Hal Jordan, Green Lantern, became evil after being possessed by the living entity of fear, Parallax. During this period, Oliver was killed in an explosion while saving Star City. His role as Green Arrow was taken over by his estranged son, Connor Hawke, who had trained in a monastery to match his father's skills in archery and combat. When Hal Jordan learned of his friend's death, his true self came to the surface long enough to use the godlike power of Parallax to resurrect Oliver Queen. Oliver reconciled with his son, and the two have worked together at times since.

Recently, Green Arrow appeared to betray the Justice League and even members of his own family. He helped Amanda Waller, director of the government agency ARGUS, execute a plan to make the public hate superhumans and then forced them to become government agents or be jailed. It turned out to be a ruse, with Oliver only pretending to help Waller so he could destroy her plans from within. Now older and wiser, Green Arrow has repaired his relationships with Connor Hawke and Roy Harper. He finds himself with an extended family, friends, and allies, and at peace with the mistakes he's made in the past as he strives to always be the hero who can continue to atone for them.