Before the CW's long-running Arrow kicked off the Arrowverse, billionaire playboy and skilled archer by night Oliver Queen a.k.a. Green Arrow found himself leagues below the likes of Batman or Superman in terms of active popularity. Now, the longtime Justice League member has finally found a fanbase for himself and other obscure heroes within the DC Comics pantheon, thanks to their heroic escapades on the small screen.
In many respects, Green Arrow's newfound popularity among fan circles can be owed to the recent exposure given by Arrow's eight-year run on the CW. The hero had previously made appearances in the critically acclaimed cartoon Justice League Unlimited and the CW's coming of age Superman prequel Smallville, but it wasn't until the release of the network's Arrow that the character solidified his presence. While actor Stephen Amell's portrayal of Oliver Queen differed from the source material, Amell's interpretation pays respect to the comics version of the classic superhero while adding his own unique spin. Arrow marked only the beginning of the CW's growing shared Arrowverse of DC Comics superheroes and supervillains. Several shows would soon follow in the wake of Arrow's growing popularity including The Flash, Supergirl, Black Lightning, and Legends of Tomorrow. These Arrowverse shows set a new precedent for DC from which the company would take notice and profit, in hopes of attracting casual fans to their comics.
DC Comics has announced a slew of new 2021 comics spearheaded by talented creative teams, based on superheroes currently being spotlighted on the CW network. Eisner Award-winning writer Tom King, who had a short yet memorable run on Mister Miracle and Superman Up in the Sky, has just launched an eight-issue miniseries based on Superman's own Kryptonian cousin Kara Zor-El a.k.a. Supergirl. With the Melissa Benoist-led Supergirl series renewed for a final season and still going strong, it's only fitting that the heroine receives a limited series at the height of her popularity. King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is a sci-fi adventure that ventures to the core of the character's interpersonal drama, which the TV series handles on a weekly basis.
As Supergirl soars to new heights of fame, Green Arrow's sidekick Roy Harper a.k.a. Arsenal (formerly Speedy) is receiving a spotlight of his own. While he isn't starring in a miniseries, Arsenal is returning to his post of active duty, following a brief brush with death at the hands of Wally West during the Heroes in Crisis event. Harper operated as Arsenal throughout most of Arrow and DC looks to carry on with that identity, which fans are familiar with.
Even another of Oliver Queen's famous sidekicks, Connor Hawke, is now the central antagonist in the current Robin series from Joshua Williamson (Frostbite, The Flash) and Gleb Melnikov (Detective Comics, Batman). The depiction of Connor in Arrow may have differed greatly from the source material, but it placed the character in the eyes of not only fans but the respective publishers.
Though Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will likely always sell books, the CW stars were often relegated to the background in favor of the famous Trinity. Now, those characters who were constantly neglected are receiving their due. In an effort to appeal to fans, both DC Comics and their famous competitors have a track record of aligning their heroes with their film/show counterparts, even at the risk of removing pre-established lore to match the state of the live-action adaptations. While it can prove frustrating to fans who have followed these characters for years, the move to align Green Arrow and his supporting cast of heroes with their television and film counterparts is the forward-thinking business action.