Warning: spoilers for Batman: Urban Legends #1!
Yondu’s whistle-activated arrow from the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies may be iconic, but many fans have called its practicality into question. However, DC’s Black Lightning just went up against enemies packing similar weaponry, proving that Yondu’s arrow really does deserve the hype.
Yondu’s arrow, officially known as the Yaka Arrow, is made of technology unique to the blue-skinned Centaurian people. Controlled via whistle, the arrow was used by Yondu to devastating effect in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, enabling him to take out an entire squadron of Sakaaran warriors during the Battle of Xandar. After Yondu’s death in the second movie, the arrow passed to Kraglin, who can be seen practicing with it at the end of the film, perhaps hinting at a larger role for Kraglin in the future. Regardless, as cool as Yondu’s use of the arrow was, many fans felt that its efficacy was unrealistic, especially compared to a blaster, but a new comic from DC actually provides support for the Yaka Arrow.
As part of DC’s Infinite Frontier event, Batman: Urban Legends #1 features several short stories about Gotham-based heroes. The third story, titled “The Caretaker” by Brandon Thomas, focusses on the Outsiders – namely, Black Lightning and Katana, who are being pursued by a fleet of Japanese assassins wielding bows and arrows. Jefferson initially scoffs at the sight, but he quickly realizes these are no ordinary arrows. The archers can control their arrows in mid-air, not unlike Yondu and his Yaka Arrow, and manipulate them to dodge Jefferson’s lightning. One even manages to hit him in the shoulder, and two others would have killed him if not for Katana’s fast reflexes. One thing is for sure – Black Lightning won’t be laughing off arrows again anytime soon.
The way the assassin’s arrows function in Urban Legends is very similar to the Yaka Arrow – even the way the art depicts the zig-zagging red trail behind the shaft is nearly identical. The biggest difference is that Yondu’s arrow, being made of a hardier, metal material, is almost infinitely reusable. With that single arrow, Yondu can easily take out several enemies at a time, and he doesn’t even need a bow to fire it. Bringing arrows to a gunfight may sound foolish, but considering they almost took out one of DC’s strongest heroes, these magic arrows are nothing to scoff at. In fact, the way in which these arrows can dodge around the enemy’s defenses to almost always hit their mark makes them arguably more effective than a blaster – and they look a heck of a lot cooler, too.
Ultimately, a skilled fighter like DC’s Katana could still avoid being hit, but against an unsuspecting opponent like Black Lightning, the Yaka Arrow could be incredibly deadly. Hopefully Kraglin has been honing his skills with it for the next Guardians of the Galaxy.
