Arrow: The Complete Second Season

In this second season of the CW's superhero series based on the Green Arrow comic books, the vigilante previously nicknamed “The Hood” is rechristened “The Arrow,” vows to no longer kill his opponents, and receives his iconic mask from a visiting scientist. Arrow retains its urban gothic atmosphere, high-tech secret headquarters, and civilian support team, with domestic melodrama playing out in the public and private life of Arrow's human identity, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), a once-spoiled rich kid attempting to take hold of the family business in the thoroughly corrupt metropolis of Starling City. This set adds another self-proclaimed crime fighter from the comics, Black Canary (Caity Lotz), who shares history with Oliver (seen in flashbacks as an ordeal on a tropical island prison full of killers), and the season also serves up a new criminal threat masterminded by Slade Wilson (Manu Bennett), who holds a grudge against Oliver. Oliver also has a falling out with his mother (Susanna Thompson)—facing trial for her part in an earlier conspiracy—who runs for mayor. A fan favorite for the youth-skewing network, Arrow is one of TV's superhero success stories. Compiling all 23 episodes aired in the 2013–14 second season, extras include a bonus “recap” of earlier installments, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a 2013 Comic-Con panel, unaired scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)