Even putting aside the neat Jim Aparo art, what most sets these panels outside of current DCU continuity?
1. Green Arrow knowing Batman's secret identity, and hanging out with him; without Batman calling him a poser, wannabe, leftist, or mindraper.
2. Bruce Wayne smiling, which has been disallowed by rule since 1985.
3. Ollie eating what appears to be a Twinkie in the second panel. (Maybe that's how they're getting along, Twinkies can do that.)
4. Ollie asking Batman for a favor, without calling him a 'fatcat oppressor of the working class,' or sucking up like a fanboy.
5. Neither has punched the other yet! In fact, they make it the whole issue without fighting like catty little girls! (Gasp!)
One of the smaller retroactive continuity revisions that I don't like is the open acknowledgement that at least when he started, Green Arrow wanted to be Batman really, really badly. Partially, this explains why GA had an Arrowcar, Arrowplane (groan...), and Arrowcave; and kid sidekick Speedy. I don't know who started this, and it can vary depending on the writer from 'hero worship' to "imitation as flattery' to 'full-on man-crush,' but I would avoid pointing out how Green Arrow was a second-rate Batman, unless you really want him to be second-rate.
I admit that this is a tip of the hat to GA's true, knockoff creation; but I wouldn't keep bringing it up. Green Arrow didn't become interesting until he lost his money, grew a goatee, and became a rabblerouser anyway.
In addition, Bruce's comment in the first panel reminded me of watching part of Batman and Robin on TV last week. I remember being so excited to see it in the theatres, and then the sinking feeling I got when Batman shows up at a charity function...ugh.
From Brave and the Bold #160, "Shackles of the Mind!" Written by Cary Burkett, art by Jim Aparo.
Gosh, that Jim Aparo art sure is purty. And, yes, it is refreshing to see the two interact without insults.
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