5 Arrowverse Characters the Franchise Wasted

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The Arrowverse represents one of TV’s most thriving interconnected universes, encompassing more than ten years and eight series that are intricately linked. From the initial dark roots of Arrow in 2012 to the heartfelt conclusion of Superman & Lois in 2024, this expansive franchise redefined superhero TV, demonstrating that comic book adaptations could flourish on television. Crossovers such as “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and compelling narratives with innovative twists created a rich mythology that rivaled its comic book origins. The shows introduced iconic characters like Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), while showcasing the potential for TV to handle grand storytelling usually associated with big-budget movies.

Although many characters have thrived in this expansive multiverse, some talented individuals haven’t received their full potential of development. Despite the franchise’s strong history of character growth, these intriguing figures were introduced but not given enough attention or opportunities to shine. Their fleeting appearances left fans pondering what might have unfolded if the writers had nurtured them more extensively. External factors such as rights complications and creative decisions sometimes hinder the shows’ ability to fully explore certain characters, while captivating storylines are occasionally set aside as the narrative evolves in other directions. In any case, here are five characters that the Arrowverse underutilized:

This version maintains the original’s meaning but aims for a more conversational tone, making it easier to read and understand.

Harley Quinn

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In simpler terms, Harley Quinn made a brief appearance in the sixteenth episode of Season 2 of ‘Arrow’, titled “Suicide Squad”. Although Tara Strong voiced her character and she displayed some classic Harley traits, this initial glimpse didn’t lead to a full-fledged exploration of the character due to rights complications and the focus on other DC projects. This left fans missing out on what could have been an intriguing portrayal of one of DC’s most cherished characters, the Clown Princess of Crime.

Cyrus Gold/Solomon Grundy

In Season 2, Episode 9 of “Arrow,” titled “Three Ghosts,” we were introduced to Cyrus Gold, a powerful adversary for Oliver, who was given enhanced abilities by Sebastian Blood’s “miracle serum.” Gold’s character development seemed to set up his transformation into the iconic DC Comics villain, Solomon Grundy. This change was hinted at when Oliver mentioned burying him in a swamp, which mirrors Grundy’s comic book origins. Unfortunately, this intriguing setup didn’t fully materialize, leaving fans without the chance to witness Grundy in live-action. The missed opportunity is all the more disappointing because Gold’s transformation could have provided a bridge between “Arrow”‘s grounded early seasons and the fantastical elements that became characteristic of the Arrowverse. Furthermore, Solomon Grundy’s rich mythology could have added a supernatural twist to the show’s street-level narrative.

Rory Regan/Ragman

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Although Rory Regan (Joe Dinicol), one of Team Arrow’s most captivating and potent members, didn’t stay long after his debut in Arrow Season 5, Episode 2, “The Recruits.” His enchanted suit, which granted superhuman abilities, added a breathtaking supernatural aspect to Arrow’s fifth season. What truly stood out was Rory’s nuanced portrayal of discovering that Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) was responsible for his hometown’s ruin, demonstrating remarkable character complexity. However, following his selfless act of giving up his powers to save Star City from a nuclear explosion in Season 5, Episode 12, “Bratva,” Ragman was abruptly absent from the storyline. The series failed to delve deep into the origins of his mystical garments or provide him with a well-rounded development beyond his initial story arc, leaving behind numerous unrealized storylines involving magic and redemption.

Ted Grant/Wildcat

In Season 3, Episode 3 of Arrow, the character Ted Grant (played by J.R. Ramirez) made an appearance as Laurel Lance’s boxing coach and former vigilante. However, the show only touched upon a small part of this significant comic book figure, Wildcat. In the comics, Wildcat is one of the founding members of the Justice Society of America and plays a crucial role in shaping numerous heroes. Regrettably, the Arrowverse portrayed him as merely a stepping stone in Laurel’s transformation into Black Canary, with his appearances limited to only a few episodes before being sidelined. The series missed an opportunity to delve deeper into Wildcat’s rich vigilante history and potentially link him to the broader DC Universe, especially considering the future introduction of the Justice Society in Legends of Tomorrow. His background as a retired former vigilante who experienced a tragic event could have offered valuable insights into the emotional aspects of being a hero.

Eliza Harmon/Trajectory

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In Season 2, Episode 16 of The Flash, titled “Trajectory,” Allison Paige’s character Eliza Harmon made an intriguing appearance, delving into the sinister aspects of superhuman abilities. As a scientist who acquired her speed through the hazardous Velocity 9 drug, she had the potential to serve as a powerful warning about the costs of power. Unfortunately, her storyline was limited to just one episode, missing an opportunity to delve deeper into the repercussions of artificial speed enhancement and fleshing out her character beyond a typical “villain-of-the-week.”

Given that The Flash frequently explores themes related to speedsters and the corrupting influence of power, Eliza Harmon, as a potential female speedster, could have been a recurring character. This would have allowed her to underscore the risks of taking shortcuts to power while offering an engaging contrast to Barry Allen’s organic link with the Speed Force. Moreover, the show could have capitalized on this opportunity to develop its first female speedster more fully.

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2025-01-28 00:11