The popularity of "Longbow Hunters" led to an assignment writing – and occasionally drawing – an ongoing "Green Arrow" series for 80 issues from 1988 to 1993. During this run, Grell avoided references to the fantastical elements of the DC Universe (e.g. in a guest appearance by Green Lantern the character is out of costume and does not use his powers). Notably, believing "Green Arrow" was "a stupid name," in no Mike Grell Green Arrow story (with the exception of "Longbow Hunters" #1) is the character ever referred to as Green Arrow anywhere other than on the cover.