When it comes to DC TV, it's not just the superheroes and villains that people tune in for, but it sometimes ends up being the supporting players too, including family. With many of the past and present shows that have come and gone from the DC Universe, many of the series has introduced some amazing father figures that have guided their sons and daughters through the challenges of being superheroes. In some instances, the dads themselves have suited up and been a superhero too in the case of the Arrowverse.
As the DC TV universe keeps growing, more fathers will be introduced down the line, depending on what kind of show they're on. Should more teenage heroes like Stargirl make it to TV, fans will likely get to see more amazing dads in the picture. Thankfully, many of DC TV's dads are still around and these are the 10 best ones in the Arrowverse, including Smallville.
Oliver Queen
While he may have not begun as a father, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) on Arrow ended up becoming a pretty good dad, even if it was only for a few seasons. It wasn't until the later seasons when he took on the role of a dad more regularly after finding out that he had a son out in the world.
The final season took his fatherhood to a new challenge when he met a future grown-up version of Mia Queen before the major Crisis. Destined to die in the Multiverse-changing event, Oliver's short time as a father was ultimately a good one as he literally gave his life to reboot the entire Multiverse.
James Gordon
Bruce Wayne may have lost his parents at a young age dramatically, but to say that he was without father figures in his life would be inaccurate. In the case of Gotham, Bruce had two of them and one of them was none other than the future GCPD commissioner Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie.)
While Gordon did end up becoming a proper dad by the end of the series, Bruce was definitely the son that he never had as he partially raised him before he became the Dark Knight. It's hard to imagine this version of Bruce not having Gordon in his life as he did serve an important role during Bruce's teen years.
Alfred Pennyworth
Gotham's other father figure was a literal guardian for Bruce after he lost his parents that infamous night. Since the beginning, Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee) has been there for Bruce in his best and worst days. Alfred definitely had a challenge with the young Wayne billionaire, especially as Bruce began exploring his destiny and purpose.
Bruce is famous for being stubborn and the fact that Alfred managed to be there for him as a father figure for all these years, is truly remarkable.
Henry Allen
The Flash has had multiple parents part of the show since the very beginning, including the Scarlet Speedster's own dad, Henry Allen (John Wesley Shipp.) While he was in prison for most of his time on the show before dying in the second season, Henry made it clear why it was worth fighting for his freedom.
He was an amazing influence on Barry and the fact that Barry had to grow up for most of his life without his dad by his side, is heartbreaking. Instead, he had to battle for his freedom for years and years.
Quentin Lance
While Oliver may have been an amazing father on Arrow, he was definitely not the first dad on the show. For over 6 seasons, Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne) was the dad who was around regularly while also partially serving as a bridge to SCPD.
But the amazing thing with Quentin was that he ended up being everyone's dad, basically. Given that he was the older out of all of them, Quentin had an effect on almost all of the regular characters in one way or another. Thankfully to Crisis, his death was undone so Quentin could get another chance at life.
Peter Gambi
Black Lightning, like some of the other DC shows, has more than one father figure around. Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), who saw his father murdered as a kid, had a surrogate dad to keep him safe for all these years: Peter Gambi (James Remar).
Despite their issues and challenges, Gambi and Jefferson's father-son dynamic has always been a core part of the series. It'd hard to even imagine the show without Gambi being the one to help ground Jefferson from time to time.
Pat Dugan
One of the newest father figures to enter the Arrowverse was Stargirl's Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) who quickly won the hearts of many fans within the first season. Not only was he already a dad to his biological son, but Pat had to now learn what it's like to have a daughter as Courtney (Brec Bassinger) entered his life.
Not only does he get to be a superhero as well, but Pat's patience with Courtney paid off as she officially recognized him as the father in her life by the end of the season.
Jonathan Kent
Before all the Arrowverse shows, there was Smallville that pretty much paved the way for this franchise to exist to this day. Before all the amazing fathers that viewers have seen today, there was Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) whose role in Clark Kent's (Tom Welling) life was an important one.
While he sadly died in the show's 100th episode, Jonathan was a father that you wanted to follow week after week. Even at tough times when he and Clark would clash, Jonathan was still one of the best DC TV dads to have ever happened.
Joe West
One of the longest members of the Arrowverse is The Flash's Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) who has been with the franchise ever since 2014. Joe may not have super-powers, but his care for his loved ones, including Barry makes him a dad you wish you had.
For 6 seasons, Joe has been a central part of the series with inspirational speeches, tough love when it was needed, and also a butt-kicking detective-now-police captain. Even though he has been at risk of dying, it's a blessing that Joe's still alive as it's impossible to picture The Flash without Martin's presence.
Jefferson Pierce
As many amazing DC TV dads as there are in the Arrowverse, Jefferson raised the bar when Black Lightning premiered in 2018. While he is one of the greatest superheroes to have jumped from page to screen, it's Jefferson's ability as a father that is one of his best super-powers.
The series has made it clear that many people in Freeland looks to him as a father figure because of what he stands for and his desire to bring the best out of people. But seeing him with his two daughters who are now also super-heroes is what makes Black Lightning special for the Arrowverse.