Writer takes on anguished archers for DC

J.T. Krul hopes to hit the bull’s-eye with a couple of new assignments for DC Comics.

Krul is the new writer on “Green Arrow,” starting with this month’s issue No. 31 and a story arc titled “The Fall of Green Arrow.” He’s also the writer of “Justice League: The Rise of Arsenal,” a four-issue miniseries focusing on Roy Harper, Green Arrow’s former sidekick. The first issue just arrived in comic book shops.

Both “The Fall of Green Arrow” and “The Rise of Arsenal” spin out of “Cry for Justice,” a miniseries that saw shocking changes in the lives of the two archers.

Roy was maimed — his right arm torn off — and his young daughter was killed. Oliver “Green Arrow” Queen, rocked by those events and by a devastating attack on his beloved Star City, tracked down and killed the villain responsible, Prometheus.

And he’s not done: Green Arrow is after another bad guy that he blames for the lives lost in Star City.

“I think right now he doesn’t see himself as a hero,” Krul said of the anguished Green Arrow. “I think that he sees he’s doing what needs to be or has to be done, given the circumstances.”

His fellow superheroes don’t view it that way, though — particularly not the Flash, who is as quick to judge as he is quick on his feet.

“They all want to stop him,” Krul said, but the Flash “is a little more black and white about it. He is a police officer at heart.”

While Green Arrow is on the hunt — and being hunted at the same time — Roy Harper is embarking on his own dark journey in “The Rise of Arsenal.”

Krul is a longtime fan of the character, who began his superhero career as Speedy, then became Arsenal and, most recently, Red Arrow.

“He is kind of a smart-ass, which I like,” Krul said.

Krul also liked that Roy stood out as a single father — but in “The Rise of Arsenal,” he’s struggling to cope with the loss of his daughter, Lian.

Krul, a father of two young girls himself, was shocked when he learned that Lian was destined to die in “Cry for Justice.”

As a fan, “I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” he said. But as a writer, “it’s providing an opportunity for me to kind of be there for my friend and usher him through this hard time.”

Krul said he’s excited about the opportunity to write stories that truly change the lives of the characters involved.

“I think with Ollie, it’s going to go in a direction I don’t know people really expect,” he said.

He’s also excited to see the spotlight shining on Green Arrow.

“He’s such a great character. I’m thrilled that I get to do it, but even more important, I’m just glad that he’s coming  to the forefront.”