8 DC Characters You Forgot Appeared In The Arrowverse

The Arrowverse TV shows feature a huge number of characters from DC Comics, but some were more memorable than others. It all started with Green Arrow, also known as Oliver Queen, but the universe quickly expanded beyond just his story.

As a huge DC fan, I was thrilled to see the universe really open up with shows like The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batgirl. It meant they could bring in all sorts of other DC characters, and honestly, they took full advantage of that opportunity!

The show featured a variety of appearances, from well-known heroes like Superman (played by Tyler Hoechlin) to lesser-known comic book characters. However, a character’s impact wasn’t always tied to their pre-existing popularity.

However, several well-known comic book characters appeared in the Arrowverse, but were largely dropped from storylines once their individual arcs were finished.

Firestorm aka Ronnie Raymond

Ronnie Raymond is a character who could have been incredibly important to the story, but he’s often overlooked. He made a selfless sacrifice and didn’t appear on The Flash for very long. Before his sacrifice, he was in a relationship with Caitlin Snow.

Although he’s still remembered and occasionally referenced throughout the show, Ronnie ultimately becomes less important as his Firestorm powers and role are given to another character who becomes a key player in Legends of Tomorrow. This means he gradually disappears from the Arrowverse.

Hawkman aka Carter Hall

Like many characters, Hawkman didn’t stay in the Arrowverse for very long. Carter Hall was first introduced in season 2 of The Flash when he found his romantic partner, Kendra Saunders.

At first, the two worked well together, rekindling a bond built over many lifetimes. But their relationship couldn’t last within the Arrowverse; Kendra sensed their connection fading and ultimately decided to pursue her own path.

Considering Carter’s early death in Legends of Tomorrow and how quickly the show moved past it, he unfortunately became another heroic character who was quickly forgotten.

Ra’s al Ghul

Ra’s al Ghul is a popular character in the DC universe, recognized from comic books and especially by fans of superhero films like Batman Begins, where Liam Neeson memorably portrayed him.

Like Bruce Wayne, Oliver Queen in Arrow experienced a significant transformation, heavily influenced by Ra’s al Ghul. However, after appearing in several shows within the Arrowverse, the character moved to Gotham, preventing its use in future Arrowverse projects.

Maxwell Lord

Pedro Pascal portrayed Maxwell Lord in the controversial Wonder Woman 1984 movie, while Sean Gunn is taking on the role in the upcoming DCU. However, the character also had a significant role in the first season of Supergirl.

Superman’s main enemy is usually Lex Luthor, but the show Supergirl needed a different central villain. They initially chose Maxwell Lord, a wealthy, troubled character brought to life by actor Peter Facinelli.

Sadly, when the show’s filming location changed during season two, Facinelli couldn’t continue with the series. This meant his character had to be removed from the story, and new characters emerged to become his rivals.

Mxyzptlk

Mxyzptlk is a really interesting comic book character, but he’s proven tricky to bring to the screen. As a powerful imp from another dimension who can seemingly change reality, he’s a formidable opponent.

The show Supergirl did a good job of bringing the famous character to life. However, his appearances were often short, and the actor who played him changed during the series, creating some inconsistency.

In the end, Mxyzptlk faded into obscurity, while other characters had a more significant and lasting impact on the show and the wider Arrowverse.

Abra Kadabra

David Dastmalchian as Abra Kadabra on The Flash

Abra Kadabra isn’t a particularly well-known DC Comics villain, but with David Dastmalchian playing the role so well, it’s surprising he didn’t leave a stronger impact.

Dastmalchian plays the character in two episodes of The Flash, including one named after them, and he does a great job portraying a fun and playfully evil villain. However, the character’s story isn’t particularly memorable or impactful compared to other villains we see in single episodes.

Abra Kadabra shows up from another Earth, needing components to build a time machine. After Team Flash stops him, he offers information about the future in exchange for help. The storyline feels a little confusing though – just because his Earth is further ahead in time doesn’t mean things will happen the same way here, but they go with it anyway.

When the character returns, he ultimately redeems himself by sacrificing himself to save The Flash, even though he initially came to fight him. While this resolves his story, it unfortunately doesn’t leave a lasting impression, which is disappointing considering the potential of both the character and the actor who played him.

Huntress aka Helena Bertinelli

Huntress is a well-known female character in DC Comics, often portrayed as an anti-hero. She played a significant role in the Birds of Prey movie, where she partnered with Harley Quinn to create a dynamic duo. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t lead to any sequels due to the restructuring of the DC Universe.

Over in the Arrowverse, the character Huntress was planned to be a major part of the show Arrow. She teamed up with Oliver Queen, and they even had a short romantic connection, but she eventually left to pursue her own story, only occasionally returning to the Arrowverse.

While the Huntress appeared in a few later episodes, including The Flash, her journey as a vigilante ultimately ends when she becomes a mother within the Arrowverse. It’s a satisfying conclusion to her story, though many fans wish she could have continued her adventures.

In the end, Huntress was largely forgotten and became a minor detail within the larger, evolving story of the universe.

Wildcat aka Ted Grant

Wildcat is another character in Arrow who seemed poised for a bigger role but ended up with a smaller one. Introduced in season 3 as Ted Grant, he’s a former boxer and vigilante who trains Laurel Lance in combat, proving to be a capable instructor.

Watching Grant teach Laurel was really something – you could see him rediscover his love for being a mentor. It even inspired him to dust off the old costume and become Wildcat again, which was a fantastic moment! Sadly, his comeback didn’t last long; a pretty serious injury quickly sidelined him.

Grant showed promise as a valuable member of Team Arrow, and his comic book history offered many exciting story possibilities. Unfortunately, the character’s potential wasn’t fully realized, and he was ultimately removed from the show, never appearing again.

The Arrowverse excelled at building up a lot of characters over its ten-plus years, but naturally, some characters ended up having more memorable arcs than others. Unfortunately, the characters mentioned just didn’t quite leave the strong, lasting impact they had the potential to.

2025-11-15 01:36