Superman has some of the most iconic villains in comic-book history, but not all of them have stood the test of time. One example of this is Superman’s version of the emerald archer — not to be confused with Green Arrow. A man known simply as the Archer was a one-time villain of Superman. This one-off villain has a few surprising similarities to Green Arrow, which makes him a pretty clear knock-off.
During Superman #13 by Jerry Siegel and Leo Nowak, a serial killer known as the Archer is running loose in Metropolis. Wearing a bright green outfit and skilled with a bow, this archer kills several members of high society, and it’s up to Superman to stop him.
Eventually, thanks to the help of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, the Archer is apprehended and turns out to be none other than the billionaire Quigley. This man was a famous big-game hunter who seemed to grow bored with animals, turning his attention to hunting down humans. Despite his villainous roots, the Archer’s appearance and gimmick will be ultra-familiar to fans of another Golden Age character: Green Arrow.
Superman and Green Arrow have been in the Justice League together for decades and have gone on numerous adventures together. Aside from a few alternate universes, such as Green Arrow and Superman fighting in The Dark Knight Returns, they’ve been perfectly good friends. It’s surprising, then, to see that DC once gave Superman a villain that was just a rip-off of Green Arrow. Even more interesting is that Quigley, the Archer, appeared to fight Superman in the same year that Oliver Queen made his comic-book debut — an extremely intriguing bit of timing.
While the Archer and Green Arrow never met and have no connection, it is an interesting look at what Oliver Queen could have become under different circumstances. Ollie was a spoiled billionaire who did whatever he wanted to whoever he wanted. This attitude eventually led to him being stranded on an island where he had to learn archery to survive. When he returned to society, he wanted nothing more than to fight corruption and protect people. But an alternate outcome could’ve happened: after spending months trapped on an island hunting wildlife, it’s possible Oliver could’ve returned to society looking for more dangerous prey.
Looking back on old comics and villains of the past can often grant new insight into current characters. While Oliver Queen and Quigley have no real connection in the DC Universe, it’s an interesting bit of trivia that Quigley first appeared in the same year as Queen. Not only this, but given their status as members of high society, Quigley represents a dark possibility of what Ollie could’ve become. Thankfully, Oliver Queen ended up being one of DC’s greatest heroes as Green Arrow, and Quigley ended up arrested and forgotten thanks to Superman.
Superman #13 is available now from DC Comics!