Anthony and Doc cover Ollie Queen's former sidekick ROY HARPER! From abandonment to drug addiction to child death, this is a very heavy episode - there's even a content warning at the start. This is not a light and fun one, but it's worthwhile to listen to.
SHOW NOTES:
Intro
Background (3:08)
Roy Harper created by Mort Weisinger & George Papp in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941)
Originally known as Speedy, sidekick to Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow
Raised by Brave Bow, a Navajo medicine chief after his father died, he was adopted by Green Arrow and became Oliver's sidekick
Became a member of the original Teen Titans, and dated Donna Troy before they broke up
Famously became addicted to heroin in "Snowbirds Don't Fly" in 1971 – abandoned by Ollie and taken care of by Black Canary until he got clean
Fell in love with villain Cheshire, and they had a daughter (Lian) that Roy didn't know about until much later
Rejoined the Titans and adopted the name Arsenal – after the Titans broke up, he lead a group called the Outsiders for a while
Joins the Justice League under the name Red Arrow, until the villain Prometheus cuts his arm off, and the Electrocutioner blows up Star City, killing Lian – with a cybernetic arm built by Cyborg, he goes to the prison and kills the Electrocutioner – has temporary heroin relapse
New 52 – Lian no longer exists and his arm is intact, and he is now good friends with Jason Todd – now merely an alcoholic instead of a recovering drug addict, he is a member of the Outlaws – killed in a rehab center by Wally West
Rebirth – his past of being Speedy and drug addiction were restored
Issues (11:58)
Abandonment & father issues – birth father died, then Brave Bow dies of cancer, then Ollie left him – this is what led to…
Drug use – constantly dealing with effects of addiction, and fears relapse
Paternal regret – great father to Lian, but wasn't there when she died, and has nightmares about it (38:02)
Treatment (47:11)
In-universe
Out of universe
Skit (63:35)
Ending
Next episode: Ghost Rider (?)
Confirmed at Rogue Comics, Cranford NJ, 11/13 at 6:30 PM
References:
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