The rivalry between Batman and Green Arrow runs deeper than fans actually realize. While the two Justice Leaguers share a common goal: stopping evil in all its forms, the Dark Knight and the Emerald Archer have long had a rivalry, and in Batman: Fortress #5, readers learn that Green Arrow is revealing Batman’s secret identity willy nilly–a move certain to anger him. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
It would only be natural that some sort of rivalry would exist between Batman and Green Arrow. Both are extremely wealthy (and currently Green Arrow has more money than Batman) and level their privilege through vigilante justice. Both are master detectives, with a slight edge towards Batman; the two also use a variety of gadgets in their war against crime. Yet where these two truly differ is their personalities. Both come from wealth, but Batman has never lost his fortune, or at least all of it in the way Green Arrow did. Losing all his money had a profound impact on Green Arrow; it forced him to learn how the “other half” lives and as a result, he became a crusader for the working class. Even after becoming wealthy once again, Green Arrow retained this outlook. Furthermore, Batman works through fear and intimidation and is calculating; Green Arrow is hot-headed, which gets him into trouble often. Now the rivalry between the two is heating up in Batman: Fortress #5.
Batman has arrived to recruit Emiko Queen, half-sister to Green Arrow and the current Red Arrow; accompanying him is Green Lantern D’Ayl. Batman finds Red Arrow taking money from some hoodlums she just beat up. Batman tells her he is planning a job, a break-in to be exact, and he needs Red Arrow’s skills in this area. Batman also chastises Red Arrow for her treatment of the criminals, saying he does not do what he does for money, to which Red Arrow replies: “I guess we can’t all be billionaires.” Batman is taken back, asking how she knew. Red Arrow replies that Ollie told her and that there are no secrets between brothers and sisters. The issue is written by Gary Whitta, illustrated by Darick Robertson, colored by Diego Rodriguez and lettered by Simon Bowland.
Green Arrow Has Potentially Compromised Batman
Batman and Green Arrow’s rivalry runs deep and in light of the revelation Ollie has revealed who Batman really is will no doubt cause it to heat up even further. Batman guards his secret identity, only revealing it to a select few–including Superman and Green Arrow. Batman trusts these heroes not to reveal his secret to anyone else–a trust that Green Arrow has now violated. As mentioned earlier, Batman rules through intimidation, and if anyone were to find out he is actually Bruce Wayne, who has a reputation as a playboy and layabout, it would severely undercut his reputation.
The World War II era expression “loose lips sink ships” applies here. Batman will most certainly confront Green Arrow over this matter, which could heat up the rivalry more, pushing a wedge between the two, a wedge that could potentially compromise the Justice League. As a result of Green Arrow revealing Batman’s secret identity, Batman will guard it even closer in the future; his trust issues run deep and Green Arrow has done nothing to assuage them, showing the rivalry between the two runs deeper than fans realize.
Batman: Fortress #5 is available now from DC Comics.
