Roy Harper (character)

Cosplayers playing Green Arrow and Roy Harper.

Roy Harper is a fictional character and superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris. He first appeared in More Fun Comics #73, as Speedy, Green Arrow's sidekick. It was in The New Titans #99, written by Marv Wolfman, that he debuted as Arsenal, and then Red Arrow.

Roy's father, a Forest Ranger, died in a forest fire on an Navajo reservation when Roy was very young. Roy was then taken in by a Navajo medicine man named Brave Bow, because Roy's father had saved his life. Brave Bow taught Roy archery and marksmanship.

As Roy grew he came to idolize the Green Arrow, a modern day Robin Hood and superhero. In order to prove to himself that he was a worthy archer, young Roy entered an archery contest. Although he ultimately lost, the Green Arrow took notice at the young boy and decided to make him his partner helping in Roy's development as an archer. He adopted the name Speedy for the fact that he was faster than Green Arrow himself. Eventually, Roy became Oliver Queen's ward, after Brave Bow's death. It was later revealed that Roy's uncle, James Harper, is a superhero called the Guardian. Since then, he has joined the superhero team the Justice League. In addition to continuing to serve on occasion as one of the Titans, Roy has had leading roles in the superhero groups the Seven Soldiers of Victory, the Outsiders, Checkmate, the Justice League, and the Outlaws.

Adaptations

The character has been adapted for video games and animation several times, and was portrayed in live action by actor Colton Haynes on the Arrowverse television series Arrow.