Top 10 Favorite “Arrow-Verse” Characters

A few months ago I teased an article about memorable villain introductions in movies. Problem is, I couldn’t really come up with any. I guess my memory of these moments is a bit inaccurate. So instead, let’s discuss the DC TV Universe.

When Arrow came around I scoffed, it sounded like such a stupid idea. Especially after the way Smallville had recently portrayed the character (I give that show a of of credit but not for that). But it’s actually pretty darn good and has spawned three successful show’s. Two of them direct spin-offs. I watched Flash mostly due to nostalgia for the old 90’s show, but it was good!  At first Supergirl was its on thing until the crossover events (which are awesome) tied her into the Arrow-Verse as it’s been called. Yeah it’s more girlie but so what? And while Legends of Tomorrow is a silly show, the characters are strong and the show is fun in a goofy way. Even the creators get that considering what they did in the season finale!! So while Marvel has it’s cinematic universe, DC has managed to corner the TV side of things.

I have discussed this here and here. Like my “way to long” article on Flash’s first season and Supergirl’s. I also discussed the crossover “Invasion” two years ago, but that’s all I’ve really discussed. So today let’s go over my favorite characters, the one’s that keep me coming back. By the way I did see “Crisis on Earth-X” and while it wasn’t perfect it was pretty damn good.

Oh and since Black Lightning isn’t an official part of the universe I am not counting that show (which I have no watched). And yes Constantine is a part of the universe but I never watched that either. And to avoid this going on forever only the main characters, and no villains.




#10.Cisco and Kaitlyn
If you read my extensive review of Flash Season 1 you may note that I was a little harsh on Cisco, I just did not like him when he first came around. And while I always liked Kaitlyn I like her more as the series evolves and she was able to kick ass as Killer Frost. Flash works because of its strong supporting cast, including Tom Cavanaugh but I didn’t have room for him here. And we have Joe West who is always crying, and his son Wally who isn’t bad as Kid Flash. Oh and yes we got Elongated Man this year who grew on me also, curious to see what they do with him next year.






#9.Laurel Lance aka Black Canary

Damn Katie Cassidy is amazing!! She was one of the best things on Arrow, until they killed her off. Yeah I know she wanted out and has returned more than a few times now. She is sexy and can kick ass. Why is she so high? Well because I missed most of her appearances on Arrow and what I know of her comes after the fact.






#8.Ray Palmer aka The Atom

I am not a Brandon Routh fan, especially after he almost ruined Superman. But I have grown fond of his dorky science character in this show. Of course that started over on Arrow before being brought into Legends. And the character is a little goofy and way to positive at time, but that kinda works considering the others on the show. He makes a good balance and he has grown on me. The exo-suit he wears is a little to clunky, but since he’s hardly in it it doesn’t really matter.






#7.Alex Danvers

Chyler Leigh is so cool! She’s kicks ass and is awesome. She’s also a great sister to Kara, and I love how there relationship isn’t all perfect. Yeah Kara will stand up for Kara but there’s also clearly some history there. One of the flaws with ‘Invasion” was that it basically ignored Supergirl’s supporting cast. Crisis on Earth-X made up for that and not only did Alex get an arc, but she was right in there contributing and felt like a natural part of the team. She also had great chemistry with Sara. Her coming out worked too, because it helped make her character more interesting. Her arc with Maggie Sawyer won so many hearts that some still beg for CW to get them back together (even though the actress left and I wish these whiners would get that already).






#6.Martin Stein aka Firestorm


Damn Victor Garber is awesome. Yes I remember him on Titanic, and thank goodness the creators of Legends did also this year, but he really did a great job here being the wise mentor figure. First to Team Flash, and then of course on Legends. Firestorm was never fully realized on this show in my opinion, it seemed like the creators were afraid to even have Stein  turn into the character at times (expensive I guess). So it was up to the individual personalities to sell their roles. And while Franz Drameh is fine as Jackson it was Martin I really liked and was sad when they killed him off. By the way I am also leaving off others like Steel who I hated but he grew on me, Hawkgirl who never realy clicked, and while most think of Arthur Danville from Dr.Who he was pretty awesome here too as Rip Hunter.







#5.Oliver Queen as Green Arrow


Arrow seemed like a silly idea when it first came around and no one really took it seriously. I mean, a show based on Green Arrow? Was this going to be a Smallville spin-off? But no they really did a good job and most of that is thanks to Stephen Amell who is just badass in the role. He sells everything he has to, past and present stuff. He even looks pretty damn cool in that suit. And of course every man needs a good woman and he has Felicity who is just awesome. She is smart, cute, and not afraid to take care of herself. These two are what make the show rock. There are lots of others I am not mentioning on this list including Speedy, Vixen, Mr Terrific and even Diggle but I just don’t watch this show that much.







#4.Leonard Snart aka Captain Cold

Remember he’s a reformed villain. Anyway, Wentworth Miller is one of those actors that flew under my radar, because i don’t watch anything he’s in. I’m sure Prison Break is amazing, but not for me. His role on Flash and more notably Legends is where I first saw and got to really like him. He is just having so much playing this character that it rubs right off the screen. Even with that corny voice he uses. Not only did he take a one note villain and made him interesting, but in Legends his acting was a cut above the rest and you really felt for him. It’s nice to see him come back every so often. What about Heat Wave? It took a long time to appreciate the character and Dominic Purcell’s portrayal.







#3.Kara Danvers aka Supergirl

Melissa Benoist nails this role. This series is exactly what the movie should have been, if it hadn’t been so badly written. This movie remembers that Supergirl can kick ass. It remembers that she has heart and truly cares for people. And it remembers that she isn’t perfect and makes mistakes. I like how they have taken the Superman lore and transferred it to Supergirl. I’ve talked about this show elsewhere so won’t get into details. And yes Superman was on this show, you can find my article where I discuss that casting choice. The other on here is Martian Manhunter and while underused isn’t bad, Jimmy Olsen who is OK, and Quinn who is basically a “Cisco wannabe”. Oh and of course love interest Mon-El who I don’t hate as much as others seem to.








#2.Sarah Lance aka White Canary

She was awesome on Arrow, but I am referring here to her role on Legends of Tomorrow. Honestly in the first season she was kind of dull. But then she took over the reign as captain, and man did her character come alive after that! She kicks ass and is a lot of fun to watch. Yes I feel sad I missed out on seeing her character grow on Arrow, but she rocks on Legends. She is a fantastic leader who really knows how to take control to things, and is thankfully allowed to be human too. But the one question I don’t get is, why has she died so many times?? Just kidding she rules and Caity Lotz is just fantastic in this role. It’s hard to be tough as nails one minute and sensitive the next, but she does it beautifully!








#1.Barry Allen aka The Flash
Yeah I put him number one because, as I pointed out, I never watched Arrow. When I did watch Flash, I was hooked and that show led to me being a fan of the other three. Grant Gusten really pulls off the role to, and from what I’ve seen of him on Glee that’s a pretty impressive feat. Seriously watch those clips and try to imagine he’s really The Flash! But like Benoist, he takes the role and makes it his own. You feel his angst and the weight of the world that is on his shoulders. I also love his relationship with Iris. Yeah she was useless at first but has found a nice niche on the show, and there were a few times this season I really believed they loved each other and would be there for each other. True he is a little too flawed and sometimes makes really stupid decisions, but you could argue that we are watching him evolve into the legendary hero he will be someday.

Did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know. I know full well I am probably not the demographic the CW is probably aimed at but seeing these heroes not only come to life but portrayed well (hint hint movie universe) makes the little comic fan inside me very happy. These shows are massive guilty pleasures and I love every minute of them!!!