The CW Picks Up "Arrow"

[Kyer]

People are really over-complicating the name changes.

The change form Green Arrow to Arrow is really inconsequential. Other than the comic bookish association, the "green" adjective is pretty much meaningless so its loss doesn't amount to anything. And just plain "Arrow" has a stronger dramatic/mysterious feel to it. As for dropping "Dinah" in favor of "Laurel" . . . when was the last time you ran across a woman under the age of 45 (if not older) named "Dinah"? It's a fairly old-fashioned name. (An argument could be made that "Laurel" is as well, but between the two, Laurel sounds a lot less antiquated than Dinah.)

Respectfully disagree. It works both ways. If keeping the old names are inconsequential, then making new ones are equally so. As for personal names...whims of the parents. I've seen some pretty odd names on job applications.

The question is really not whether one name has more or less meaning is not the point. The point is why do the change at all? What purpose is served by it?

So far the only thing I can think of to changing Green Arrow to Arrow as a title is that shorter names are considered more memorable plus it would make more sense if they are going the way of Batman Inc with not only Ollie (or is that outdated too?), but also Roy and so forth.

I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm trying to figure out the "Why Bother?" of the name changes.

Yes, Starling is a bird...and where I live a noisy pest that are driving out the native birds. We consider them to be in the same class as Australia's rabbit population: a destructive nuisance.

Interesting choice of word by the creators of this show.

[kalorama]

Respectfully disagree. It works both ways. If keeping the old names are inconsequential, then making new ones are equally so. As for personal names...whims of the parents. I've seen some pretty odd names on job applications.

The question is really not whether one name has more or less meaning is not the point. The point is why do the change at all? What purpose is served by it?

Asked and answered. "Arrow" is a more dramatic/mysterious sounding title than "Green Arrow," which has an undeniable comic booky/kitschy sound to it (particularly for noncomic book audiences) and Laurel is a name that, to the ears of the show's younger target audience, will sound less old-fashioned and antiquated attached to a young woman in her 20s.

You may not like or agree with those reasons but that doesn't detract from their legitimacy.

[Kyer]

I'd think DC would want to keep more of a link to the comics what with DC 52 and Ollie being seen in the main Justice League book; but...eh, I'll try to catch it when it comes out. God knows how it will be morphed by then....for good or bad.

Still can't quite justify the name thing. I mean, I watch Sherlock on BBC and nobody seems really fazed by that or wanting calling for Sherlock and Mycroft to have their names changed to something else. Really seems rather silly to me.

Oh well. *shoulder shrug*

[listenuscrewheads]

I am more concerned that they will throw out all the fantastical elements of a comic-book world, and the show will end up being a bit dull and similar to any old cop show, like what happened with the Human Target adaptation(although, I only saw a few eps of that show, but that is what it felt like to me).

...What kind of cop shows do you watch? It was more like A-Team.

What I meant was that if they jettisoned a lot of the comic-book elements from the Arrow show, like they did with the Human target show, *Arrow* could end up like any old cop show, just as, as you say, Human Target ended up being like any old spy show on tv, like A-Team, Chuck, Knight Rider, etc. But sure, I also meant 'cop show' in the broadest sense, of 'cops vs robbers' with no heightened 'superhero/comic-book' element in the telling.
As I said, I only saw a couple of episodes, and, comicbookwise, only know Human Target from guest appearances in Batman in the 80s, but back when the show was on, I read fans of the comics complain on messageboards that the HT tv show had gotten rid of all the comic-book stuff, to the point where the show was essentially a completely different entity.

and as for the rogue's gallery, I would like to see someone like Deadshot show up on Arrow, they adapted him well in Smallville, and he could be a good match for Green Arrow, while at the same time fitting into a more realistic world setting.

[Sighphi]

People are really over-complicating the name changes.

The change form Green Arrow to Arrow is really inconsequential. Other than the comic bookish association, the "green" adjective is pretty much meaningless so its loss doesn't amount to anything. And just plain "Arrow" has a stronger dramatic/mysterious feel to it. As for dropping "Dinah" in favor of "Laurel" . . . when was the last time you ran across a woman under the age of 45 (if not older) named "Dinah"? It's a fairly old-fashioned name. (An argument could be made that "Laurel" is as well, but between the two, Laurel sounds a lot less antiquated than Dinah.)

I think the show people are the ones over-complicating the stuff.
He is Green Arrow because he dresses in green.... simple.
Who is going thinking what a name is in terms of the age of a person? If that was the reason for it.
If there is some copyright issue or something like that it's fine, but other than that, what do people that never read the comic will care about any of those names from the comic book?

[kalorama]

I think the show people are the ones over-complicating the stuff.
He is Green Arrow because he dresses in green.... simple.

Simple yet still not relevant to the issue at hand. I wear blue jeans a lot, but the word "blue" doesn't appear anywhere in my name. Naming a character after the color of his clothes is an overtly comic book-ish affectation. This is a TV show, not a comic book; different standards apply.

Who is going thinking what a name is in terms of the age of a person? If that was the reason for it.

Then why not call her Gertrude or Matilda? Characters in contemporary stories are generally given contemporary names. Dinah's not really a contemporary name for a 20-something audience. TV shows are all about playing to the audience and, as much as it may burn you, comic book geeks are not the primary target audience for the show.

If there is some copyright issue or something like that it's fine, but other than that, what do people that never read the comic will care about any of those names from the comic book?

They don't care about the comic books. That's exactly my point. These changes are made to appeal--in however small a way--to an audience that doesn't read nor care about comic books.

[Sighphi]

Simple yet still not relevant to the issue at hand. I wear blue jeans a lot, but the word "blue" doesn't appear anywhere in my name.

Are you a super hero?

Naming a character after the color of his clothes is an overtly comic book-ish affectation. This is a TV show, not a comic book; different standards apply.

And arrow help exactly how? Arrow is worst than the comic book name.
Just call him Archer.... since he is an Archer right?

Then why not call her Gertrude or Matilda? Characters in contemporary stories are generally given contemporary names. Dinah's not really a contemporary name for a 20-something audience. TV shows are all about playing to the audience and, as much as it may burn you, comic book geeks are not the primary target audience for the show.

Do the general audience actually care about names? I never heard of such a thing.
This is probably that LAST thing i worry about which is the reason why i find it strange when people change them.
I mean, google Dinah and be surprised by the results.

They don't care about the comic books. That's exactly my point. These changes are made to appeal--in however small a way--to an audience that doesn't read nor care about comic books.

If they dont read comic books how will they be bothered by the names?
You really think people are going to freak out about a city called Star?
Wait... dont answer that, you apparently think this is so because Dinah is an old name according to you.

[RedHood087]

It's not like they're giving her a brand new name, they're using her middle name. Same as Smallville's Tess was really Lutesa Lena Luthor. As for changing the name to Arrow instead of Green Arrow, it's understandable considering the recent sub par performing Green Hornet and Green Lantern and it also serves to not confuse the general audience. Arrow is also shorter, mysterious, and slick compared to Green Arrow which reeks of comic booky. The show isn't targeting comic book readers, its targeting a broader audience which is much larger and appeals to them while comic book fans will still watch because they know its still green arrow.

[Pauly T]

My guess to the Dinah/Laurel name thing is that Laurel has a mother who is also named Dinah (you know, like in the comic book?) whose footsteps she does not wish to follow at the start of the series. hence the middle name.

My guess is that while her dad cop is hunting this vigilante "Arrow", the secret comes out that Laurel's mom was a costumed vigilante in her youth known as the "Canary" (can't wait for that $#!+storm...), a identity Laurel assumes to assist "Arrow". She might even go back to going by her first name...

It's not really that hard to accept or understand. If by this point, name changes in comic adaptations still surprise you, you really need to turn in your nerd card. And if they still upset you in 2012, you may need to think about seeking some professional help.

[listenuscrewheads]

It's not really that hard to accept or understand. If by this point, name changes in comic adaptations still surprise you, you really need to turn in your nerd card. And if they still upset you in 2012, you may need to think about seeking some professional help.

eh, it is a bit annoying to have Black Canary's name changed, people like to see their characters in live action, and little touches like that takeaway from that thrill in a way. There's nothing crazy about questioning the reasoning of the creator's of the show, if they are gonna change that for no good reason, what else are they gonna change for no good reason?

and as for 'seeking professional help', the pilot episode is to be directed by David Nutter, haha. Who of course directed stacks of X-Files episodes, so this pilot might actually turn out good.

here is a character/story background synopsis i just stumbled upon...

http://scifibulletin.com/2012/05/14/...ory-explained/

[britishmixedwhiskey]

Quick point about the Name thing i think Arrow sounds like a particularly bad detective show rather then a show based on a superhero myself. Also i dont understand how people can make a case for excluding the word Green ...it is quintessentially part of the Character but that's just my opinion .

[listenuscrewheads]

Quick point about the Name thing i think Arrow sounds like a particularly bad detective show rather then a show based on a superhero myself. Also i dont understand how people can make a case for excluding the word Green ...it is quintessentially part of the Character but that's just my opinion .

He is still dressed in Green, so he is still a green 'Arrow', lol, technically. Anyway, as myself and others have said, it is probably to distinguish him from Green Hornet and Green Lantern, and also, it's probably to help make sure people know this is not a spin off from the Smallville version of the character.

[Iron_Fist]

There's those who won't believe me, and there's nothing I can say to prove otherwise since it would jeopardize my source but I've seen the Arrow pilot. It is phenomenal in my opinion. Blows away any other live action superhero show I've seen on TV (not saying a lot but it does). It's well-written, dark, nails Queen and most of the main parts of his origin. The changes enhance the potential story-lines. Considering the many different version of GA's story DC has done, they kept the correct parts.

DC Entertainment (who's funding the show through WBs iirc) didn't skimp on the budget, even though a CW show, i.e. they could have put this on CBS is they wanted. The fighting scenes and archery scenes were incredible. They were as good as anything in the Avengers' movie done by Black Widow or Hawkeye. Matter of fact, there's one scene in particular that demonstrates how great and archer Oliver is that supersedes *anything* Clint does in the Avengers movie and that's on a TV budget.

These guys really did their homework and you can tell they like/respect the character. I, for one, can not wait for this to hit the airwaves in September (CBS is so confident about it, they ordered and entire season, which is rare for an untested show). For now, I'll just have to rewatch it over and over since yes, I got myself a copy of it. :)

[listenuscrewheads]

There's those who won't believe me, and there's nothing I can say to prove otherwise since it would jeopardize my source but I've seen the Arrow pilot. It is phenomenal in my opinion. Blows away any other live action superhero show I've seen on TV (not saying a lot but it does). It's well-written, dark, nails Queen and most of the main parts of his origin. The changes enhance the potential story-lines. Considering the many different version of GA's story DC has done, they kept the correct parts.

DC Entertainment (who's funding the show through WBs iirc) didn't skimp on the budget, even though a CW show, i.e. they could have put this on CBS is they wanted. The fighting scenes and archery scenes were incredible. They were as good as anything in the Avengers' movie done by Black Widow or Hawkeye. Matter of fact, there's one scene in particular that demonstrates how great and archer Oliver is that supersedes *anything* Clint does in the Avengers movie and that's on a TV budget.

These guys really did their homework and you can tell they like/respect the character. I, for one, can not wait for this to hit the airwaves in September (CBS is so confident about it, they ordered and entire season, which is rare for an untested show). For now, I'll just have to rewatch it over and over since yes, I got myself a copy of it. :)

Since reading today that David Nutter directed the pilot, I'm not surprised at you saying this at all, let's hope they can keep the momentum of the story and directing quality up.

[Iron_Fist]

Since reading today that David Nutter directed the pilot, I'm not surprised at you saying this at all, let's hope they can keep the momentum of the story and directing quality up.

That is the biggest fear from what I hear, that the quality won't be maintained. If it is, I can see Arrow doing for superhero TV what Avengers did for superhero movies.