10 Years Ago, DC Released the First Episode of the Arrowverse’s Best Series

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The Arrowverse is widely considered to be among the best DC television adaptations. Starting with ‘Arrow’ in 2012, this interconnected universe of shows based on DC Comics ran for eleven years, delivering a diverse cast of heroes and villains, compelling storylines, and impressive crossover events. While many shows focused on established heroes, one series stood out by centering on a group of unconventional characters. That show ultimately became the most beloved part of the Arrowverse, and it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Premiering on January 21, 2016, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow stood out as a unique superhero show. It brought together characters fans first met in Arrow and The Flash, alongside some new faces. The first episode introduced a simple plot: the immortal Vandal Savage takes over the future, leading Time Master Rip Hunter to assemble a team of heroes and villains to stop him. While the show got off to a somewhat slow start with a basic storyline, Legends quickly became charming and enjoyable thanks to strong acting and lovable characters. It might not have reached the same level of popularity as other shows in the Arrowverse, but Legends of Tomorrow found its own audience and thrived because of it.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Wasn’t Afraid to Have Fun in the Superhero Space

What immediately made Legends of Tomorrow stand out was its cast of compelling and memorable characters. From Mick Rory/Heatwave (Dominic Purcell) and Leonard Snart/Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) to Sara Lance/White Canary (Caity Lotz), Ray Palmer/Atom (Brandon Routh), and the two versions of Firestorm (Victor Garber and Franz Drameh), each member was interesting and engaging. Although Season 2 saw some cast changes with Ciara Renee and Falk Hentschel leaving as Hawkgirl and Hawkman, the show consistently introduced new faces, keeping the team’s dynamic lively and entertaining. The group felt less like a traditional team and more like a quirky, lovable, and slightly chaotic family, which made watching them all the more enjoyable.

After finding its footing with the characters, the show also established a unique tone. By the second season, Legends of Tomorrow fully embraced being a superhero show that didn’t take itself too seriously. Because time travel was central to the plot, the show naturally lent itself to humor, and Legends went all in on the silliness. It was full of fun pop culture references – episodes literally revolved around saving the creation of Star Wars and dealing with a Godzilla-like creature in the Arrowverse – and even serious storylines had a lighthearted touch. What other superhero show would feature a fuzzy blue plush toy named Beebo, turn him into a fully-fledged character worshiped by Vikings, and then have the heroes save the world because of it? Beebo became incredibly popular, even getting his own Christmas special and later appearing as a giant monster to defeat a major villain. It was wonderfully chaotic, but it perfectly captured the show’s spirit.

The show Legends was great at drawing from DC Comics for diverse stories that appealed to all kinds of fans. You could see surprising characters pop up – like Jonah Hex in both the first and second seasons. Even Constantine, played by Matt Ryan who originally played him in his own short-lived series, joined the team in season four. These kinds of additions made the show feel large in scope, even when focusing on smaller, personal stories. It felt complete in a way the other Arrowverse shows didn’t, which made the crossover episodes especially fun when the Legends’ time-traveling ship, the Wavewrider, showed up to help solve whatever crazy problem the universe was facing.

It’s disappointing that Legends of Tomorrow, often considered the best of the Arrowverse shows, wasn’t allowed to conclude its story. After seven seasons, it was cancelled, and the final episode didn’t provide a proper ending. The show intentionally left viewers with unanswered questions, introducing Booster Gold and ending on a cliffhanger with the Legends’ arrest. While we’ll never know what ultimately happens to these quirky heroes, that open ending feels fitting. The series always thrived on unpredictable heroes and villains saving the world in unexpected ways, so a little ambiguity at the end seems just right.

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2026-01-23 04:10