Now that Arrow has concluded, the Arrowverse will rely on shows such as The Flash and Supergirl to carry the proverbial torch. It signifies a new era of superheroism and hierarchy throughout. Since 2012, the Arrowverse has provided some of the best rivalries, relationships, and costumes. However, not all can be perfect and the Arrowverse has also given its fans some questionable (at best) content.
Now that one chapter has closed, it would only be appropriate to analyze and select some of the shortfalls and/or errors that fans had to endure since the start of this excellent universe.
Playing Hot Potato with the Demon’s Head (Arrow)
The Demon’s head in the Arrowverse is a significant role for anyone to have. The problem was that anyone seemed to be able to hold such a title. Oliver Queen, Malcolm Merlyn and Nyssa (Not Talia) al Ghul have all held the title of Demon’s head. With this title, the individual will assume the role as the leader of League of Assassins. One would assume this is a very prominent role that comes with an ample amount of power.
That being said, the position was sought and relinquished so many times that the prominence of the role diminished. Ra’s is too essential to DC lore for his mantle to ever succumb to that, but it did.
Rene Ramirez's Mayoral Tenure (Arrow)
Arrow has given its fans plenty of characters to root for and Rene Ramirez (aka Wild dog) is part of that group. He is an aggressive but honorable individual who at times borders on the line of hero and anti-hero. However, these traits are the reason why fans enjoy watching him for who he is.
That is why him becoming Mayor of a future Star City was mildly disappointing. In a way, it eliminated those traits that fans grew to love and replaced them with traits fans did not ask for…nor wanted.
Roy Continually Leaving Thea (Arrow)
Roy and Thea’s relationship during the show was one fans enjoyed but did not get enough of. The majority of the blame must be put on Roy because he is seen numerous times either leaving and/or breaking up with Thea. Roy struggles with his issues throughout the show (not without his triumphs) and Thea endures the brunt of this. It is because Thea is such a beloved character that Roy’s flaws anger fans.
Fortunately, enough the couple does get their “happily ever after” by the end of the series as Thea accepts Roy’s proposal. More importantly, she adds a caveat to her answer and demands Roy never leave her again.
The Revolving Door of Canaries (Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow & The Flash)
When Laurel Lance was first introduced at the start of the Arrow series, one would have been under the impression that this was the one true Black Canary (Canary cry included), everyone was wrong. By the end of Arrow’s run, fans would have seen four different Black Canaries (Sara Lance, Dinah Drake, Earth 2 Laurel Lance, and Earth 1 Laurel Lance).
This list consists of the ones that garner the most time while taking on the mantle, but they could also represent the showrunner’s missteps in handling this character. The show had four different attempts at correcting this character but fell short in each.
Star City Unable to Reveal Green Arrow’s True Identity (Arrow)
How the great people of Metropolis can never tell the difference between Clark Kent and Superman is beyond any superhero fan. Unfortunately, the brilliant people of Star City are not given this same pass. Every time viewers thought Green Arrow’s identity would truly be revealed to the city, they got the old “fake photo” excuse.
In season six, Oliver’s team manages to provide enough evidence to the media to confirm the photo was manipulated. In another instance, Roy takes the fall and outs himself as the Green Arrow. This leads to his eventual departure from the city to ensure his freedom. Call it even for what he did to Thea.
Jimmy Olsen becoming Guardian (Supergirl)
To be clear, Jimmy Olsen appearing on Supergirl is not what should be questioned. Jimmy Olsen becoming the Guardian is what is in question. Jimmy Olsen is enjoyed by fans because he is essentially one of the people in this superhero world. He is close friends with the man of steel himself and acts as an observer without having to intervene in the tights and cape realm. To insert him as the Guardian and helping out Supergirl takes away from that in deplorable fashion.
Not every character in the Arrowverse needs nor should be a superhero especially when their characters have storylines that prove such.
The Limited and Feeble Legion of Doom (Legends of Tomorrow)
The introduction of the Legion of Doom in the Arrowverse was a long-awaited assemblage. Truthfully, the wait could have been longer. The Legion of Doom normally consists of names like Black Manta, Lex Luthor and Sinestro. The Arrowverse gave its fans a Legion of Doom that mainly consisted of three villains; Malcolm Merlyn, Damien Darhk and Eobard Thawne.
The one who sticks out the most in this group is Eobard Thawne, but it is his contemporaries that truly hinder the group. With all of the villains of this universe at their disposal, one will wonder why were these three and only these three selected.
Damien Darhk and His Powers (Arrow)
When rumors first started swirling about a villain named Damien would play the role of the main villain in season four, many pondered if, by Damien, they meant Damien Wayne. That was not even close to being the case and that was probably for the better, kind of. Better for the actual character Damien Wayne, not so much for Arrow or Damien Darhk himself. Everything about Damien Darhk seemed subpar but most importantly it was his powers that took the cake in that department.
His powers came from the Khushu Idol which made him an unstoppable force but also unwatchable. Powers cannot captivate on their own, they need help from their carrier. There was not enough help to go around for Damien and his bland powers.
Evil Barry as Savitar (The Flash)
After the first two seasons, the idea of another villain with the power of super speed may have been unbearable. So, what do the show-runners of The Flash decide to do? The most obvious and logical decision, of course, they gave fans another speedster villain, in addition to another unmasking. Not only was there a third consecutive speedster villain, the villain turned out to be Barry himself but a future version.
The reveal was arguably lazier than the actual repetitive nature of the villain. With all of the characters The Flash had enlisted by season three, the best option was a future Barry?
Cicada Serving as Season Five Main Villain (The Flash)
By season five one would think that The Flash would have better options than to resort to the all-mighty Cicada. Sadly enough, that is exactly what happened and that is exactly who Flash found himself clashing with. But season five was unique as it got two different incarnations of this mediocre villain. Cicada 2.0 was arguably more intriguing than the initial version, but both could not display significant characteristics or back story to capture the attention of viewership.
When thinking of the show’s main villains the name that comes to mind is Zoom, Reverse Flash and the Thinker. All brought interesting qualities to their season’s story arch as well as compelling battles with the Scarlett Speedster.