James Gunn Failed a DC Villain Worse Than the Arrowverse

The “Suicide Squad” films openly embrace their identity without trying to be something else. These films revolve around a band of villains discovering their humanity and learning to cooperate despite overwhelming adversity. Although the “Suicide Squad” movies are essentially ensemble pieces, it’s hard not to have personal favorites because certain characters shine brighter than others. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn steals the show in David Ayer’s production, while Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher 2 and Idris Elba’s Bloodsport take on significant roles in James Gunn’s film. Captain Boomerang, who features in both movies, unfortunately does not live up to his potential.

In the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad,” Digger Harkness, portrayed by Jai Courtney, stands out as the most unhinged member among a cast brimming with eccentric characters. His energetic performance adds zest to the goofy villain, which is why it’s fantastic that he returns for the 2022 sequel. Regrettably, the sequel “The Suicide Squad” fails to fully utilize Captain Boomerang, making one yearn for his more significant roles in the Arrowverse.

Captain Boomerang Gets the Slipknot Treatment in The Suicide Squad

In the world of DC Extended Universe, Harkness ends up in Belle Reve prison following a series of bank heists that caught The Flash’s attention. His proficiency with a boomerang catches the eye of Rick Flag and Amanda Waller, landing him a spot in Task Force X after the Midway City attack by Enchantress. At first, Harkness doubts the existence of the chip implanted in his neck, but witnessing Slipknot’s failed escape attempt makes him reconsider. He fights alongside his teammates until it appears all hope is gone. With the chips deactivated by Flag, the Suicide Squad exits the city. However, for a brief moment, Harkness and the others show their heroic side, joining forces to defeat Enchantress.

In “The Suicide Squad”, Harkness doesn’t escape the consequences of failing to save Midway City, leading him to return to Belle Reve once more. After a short-lived freedom, Waller summons Harkness again when Project Starfish creates havoc in Corto Maltese. As part of the first wave sent to the island nation, Harkness is met with hostility rather than warmth. In fact, Corto Maltese’s military launches a full-scale attack on Task Force X, resulting in Harkness’s demise during the battle. Unfortunately, his screen time in “The Suicide Squad” is limited, despite his potential being greater than that of his Arrowverse version.

The Arrowverse’s Captain Boomerang Wins the Competition By Default

In the thrilling universe known as the Arrowverse, I find myself captivated by an array of formidable villains such as Reverse-Flash, Deathstroke, and Prometheus. Yet, Captain Boomerang may not be in their league, but he made quite an impact, being part of the franchise’s initial epic crossover, “Flash vs. Arrow.” In the second episode of this event, Harkness sought retribution against A.R.G.U.S., causing chaos around Star City.

As problems escalated, Oliver Queen and his team found themselves in over their heads. Recognizing the severity, Barry Allen, aka The Flash, swooped in to offer assistance. Harkness was on the verge of detonating several bombs within the city, but our heroes managed to thwart his plans, eventually imprisoning him on Lian Yu.

Harkness doesn’t appear again until the end of Arrow Season 5, where Oliver enlists past foes to combat Prometheus. Initially, it seems like the antagonist can handle the task, but he later unmasks himself as working for Prometheus. Again, he poses a threat to Oliver, and it takes Malcolm Merlyn detonating a mine to eliminate him. Interestingly, despite his demise, Harkness’ narrative continues as another character, Owen Mercer, assumes the role of Captain Boomerang. Although the Arrowverse’s Harkness lacks the unique personality and love for plush toys as his DCEU counterpart, he consistently creates trouble for the heroes whenever he appears, which is a hallmark of an excellent villain.

In Netflix, you can stream the Arrowverse series, whereas the Suicide Squad films can be found on HBO Max.

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2025-06-29 00:11