Hard+Traveling+Heroes

Pete Pekny

Hard Traveling Heroes is an informal, honorary title given to the heroes Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Green Arrow (Oliver Queen), and Black Canary (Dinah Laural Lance) as part of their team up in the Green Lantern/Green Arrow titles during the late 1960's and into the 1970's. They were accompanied by the former Guardian Appa Ali Apsa. During the issues, and into the series that graced the back pages of The Flash, the quartet traveled across the country trying to find the "real" America.



//**ON THE GUARDIAN "OLD TIMER" :**// Appa Ali Apsa, also known as Old Timer, was one of the immortal Guardians of the Universe, from Oa. Following a drect disobayence of Green Lantern Hal Jordan, he was sent/chosen to accompany Hal Jordan and Green Arrow on their cross-country road trip to examine humanity.Soon after his arrival on earth, Appa Ali Apsa is mortalized by his brethren and sent with the heroes to the world of Maltus, from which the Guardians originally sprang, and which is now threatened by an artificial population explosion caused by Mother Juna.With the heroes help, Mother Juna is brought back to her sences. However, Appa choses to stay on Malthus because he believes:

"//There is much I can do on Maltus. To my surprise, I find that the prospect of death does not greatly disturb me -- knowing it will come, I will work, I will fill my days with deeds... perhaps I can accomplish more in a decade than my immortal brothers do in centuries. I will rest in peace, I am sure."//
 * -- Former Guardian Appa Ali Apsa**

In the ensuing year after losing his fortune, Ollie traveled the country with his friend Hal, while his left-behind ward, Roy Harper, dabbled with drugs, namely heroin. This caused the two to go their separate ways. It was with Black Canary's Help that Speedy eventually got clean. One major remark on this plot point: this is the first drug themed issue of any super hero comic to receive Comics Code approval. Late one night while fighting an ambush under duress, a previously injured Green Arrow's arm slipped an inch, and he accidentally shot a criminal in the chest, killing him instantly. This was Oliver's first use of deadly force, though accidental. The experience was so traumatizing for him that he ripped up his costume, destroyed his equipment and decided to end his heroic career entirely. After destroying the Arrowplane, his version of the Batplane (yes, lame I know...), Ollie went to live in a monastery to seek redemption and get back in touch with his roots for several months. A wise man named Master Jansen taught him the secrets of zen archery and encouraged him not to abandon his destiny, sending him home with renewed confidence in himself. Of course, Ollie doesn't believe himself ready to leave the monetary when he is contacted by Hal. During the events after Ollie's disappearance, Black Canary is injured by a pilled-out driver, and Green Lantern goes in search of the only man with the correct type of blood to give her a life-saving transfusion...Oliver Queen. It is also help to prove Oliver's undying love for his "pretty bird." Shortly after his return, Green Arrow and Black Canary moved to Seattle where Dinah opened a florist shop called "Sherwood Florist."
 * //ON THE GREEN ARROW AND HIS COMPANIONS://**

//"When I was little, I used to think, of the three, Ollie was the toughest. I was wrong.//"
 * -- Young Roy Harper, aka Speedy/Arsenal, on seeing Black Canary in action**

The first Green Lantern/Green Arrow was part of the Green Lantern Vol. 2 series. The team up begins in issue #76 (April 1970). It continued under the Green Lantern title until issue #122 (Nov. 1979). In 1972 following the April issue (#89), the series took a hiatus, returning with issue #90 in Aug. 1976. In the meantime the green giants found themselves as back-page stories in the Flash Comics beginning regularly in Feb. 1972 (Flash #212). However, criticly acclamed stories didnt take place until Flash #217-#219, this includes G.A's disappearance, and Black Canary's accident. Green Laern continues to appear in Flash Comics until issue #246 (Jan. 1977).
 * //SERIES RUN://**

A two volume collection has been released by DC. It contains from Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76-87, 89 and Flash #217-#219.

The series also has a super ero action figure set attached to it.

Dennis O'Neil was the lead writer on the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. He began his career with the late Charlton Comics in 1965. Once arriving at DC, he earned a reputation for being able to "revamp" many heroes and titles including Captain Marvel and Batman (also with Neal Adams). He Is considered to be the most influential Batman writer in the 1970's, and served as one of DC's editors. Neal Adams was the cover artist and penciler for much of the series. He served a brief stint wit Archie Comics. Adams is renowned for the covers he did, including Worlds Finest and Superman.
 * //ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM://**

//**PROLOGUE:**// Like all Guardians, Appa possessed the ability to channel near limitless power. When severe isolation drove him insane, Appa used his power to terraform Oa into a patchwork planet of alien communities dubbed the "Mosaic World". He was also immortal and had lived for untold millennia prior to his death, even though he was supposedly stripped of his immortality. Appa was killed in battle when he went crazy and tried to kill the other Guardians.

Green Arrow went onto a short 4 issue series in 1983, and more importantly Longbow Hunters. He eventually became mayor of Star City, although his term was short lived. He married, and is now separated from Black Canary. Green Lantern eventually went insane/became possessed due to the Parallax impurity (the yellow weakness) within the ring. Following his death, Hal acted as the Specter, before he was resurrected and returned to be the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. He and Ollie still remain close friends.

For more information or to look up your favorite hero go to the DC wikia page[| www.dc.wikia.com] or [|www.DCcomics.com]



//This WikiSpace was created by Pete Pekny. All characters, likenesses, and rights reserved to DC Comics.//