So instead of a Bow and Arrow...

Why not a shotgun?

This has been bothering me for some time now and it'd be nice if you guys could explain why bow and arrows are superior than shotguns.

Shotguns pretty much does everything a Bow and Arrow does, right?

They are nothing alike.

@citizensentry: How so?

They both take and use special ammo.... thats all i really got.

@jasonhawke: *shrugs* Bows are quieter and have better accuracy...

Bows are silent. Shotguns are very loud. Bows are meant for long distance combat. Shotguns are meant for short distance combat. Bows are meant for careful accuracy. Shotguns are meant for point and shoot. Can't get more opposite than that.

A bow is much more charming.

Beata

Modern day shotguns have better range and accuracy than a bow but theyre not as cool or quiet the former being moreso reason in comics

Because without bows and arrows people like Hawkeye and Green Arrow would be without a shtick. Not many people outside the Green Arrow/Hawkeye crowd use bows.

Besides, any thug can use a shotgun. It takes real skill to use a bow and arrow, especially when everyone around you is using firearms, superpowers and magic.

This

It's also somehow more believable to have trick arrows than trick bullets. Mostly because you can easily pick and choose what arrow you want and simply fire it. As well as the fact arrows are bigger. It's easier to accept a net hidden in a fat arrow than a tiny bullet. Which of course means you can do a lot more with the bow and arrow than you can with a shotgun. Shotgun is kind of a one trick pony.

Arrows in comics are basically just Batman's famous batarangs but with a significantly larger range.

Shotguns can have suppressors.

While im sure shotguns slugs dont travel as far as arrows, most of the time Arrow/Hawkeye end up fighting in short distance combat anyways.

Whaaaat???

Doesnt Punisher use like special bullets all the time against meta humans?

Also, Ive always wondered how Arrow/Hawkeye pull out the right arrow in their quiver at all times or seem to never run out of arrows. Im pretty sure people can carry more bullets than arrows.