“Arrow,” the CW's adaptation of the DC comic book series “Green Arrow,” is a mixture of Batman, Iron Man, Robin Hood, and surprisingly, Hamlet.

It stars Stephen Amell as the titular hero, Oliver Queen. He was stranded on an island for five years before being rescued and becoming the hooded vigilante known as the Hood or Green Arrow. Before his father died in the shipwreck that stranded him, he told Oliver about a secret organization that was growing in power in their hometown, Starling City. Oliver makes it his mission to hunt down this group and bring them to justice with his mad arrow-slinging skills.

The show alternates between present day crime-fighting in Starling City and flashbacks to Oliver's harrowing time spent on the island, which may or may not be inhabited.

Amell isn't the best actor, but he improves over the course of the show. He demonstrates a good emotional range in the flashback moments, but some of his scenes in Starling City feel a bit forced, which he makes up for by showing occasional believable remorse for Oliver's violent and illegal, but necessary, actions. And by being super buff.

Other characters include Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy), Oliver's ex-girlfriend and daughter of a police detective trying to bring the hooded vigilante to justice, unaware of his true identity. Cassidy is simply gorgeous, and as a successful and devoted lawyer, brings some much-needed girl power to the show.

Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), a nerdy IT girl at the Queens' corporation, also strengthens the female power. Oliver often turns to her for help tracking his targets, but always makes up a ridiculous story to hide his alternate life as a vigilante. I love Felicity's scenes. She's witty and smart, and never falls for Oliver's transparent lies. But she still helps him.

The main antagonist of the first season is Malcolm Merlyn, played wonderfully by the amazing John Barrowman of “Doctor Who” and “Torchwood” fame. His Merlyn is cool, deceptive, and heartless, much like Oliver seems to others. He's the perfect villain.

While the plot of “Arrow” isn't totally original, it's wholly entertaining, balancing heart-pounding action sequences with plenty of character development and witty remarks (mostly from Felicity). It's not Emmy-winning stuff, but it's great fun.