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While the Arrowverse has introduced a vast variety of heroes and villains, many of them are not existing characters from the DC Universe. After Arrow premiered on The CW back in 2012, it didn’t take long before the network had a superhero franchise with multiple spinoffs. After almost an entire decade, the Arrowverse has gone on to become one of the most successful superhero/comic book media franchises. As the shared universe got bigger, so did its crossovers, as Crisis on Infinite Earths became a game-changer for the series going forward. But the ambitious five-part crossover also became crucial to all of Warner Bros.’s past, present, and future DC properties as they exist within the same Multiverse.
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Despite some shows coming to an end, the Arrowverse is constantly launching one superhero series after another to keep the slate going. Like most comic book properties, whenever a show or movie adapts something from the books, creators take various liberties to add new layers to characters or storylines. In the case of the Arrowverse, there have been significant changes made to existing players in the DC Universe, while remaining true to the source material’s essential core. One of the consistent components for The CW’s DC TV franchise is creating brand new original characters that don’t have established places in the comics. Some of them have even made the jump from screen to page over the years.
The longer the Arrowverse keeps going, the more fans will get to meet new original creations in current and future shows. While some characters have taken on the mantle of established DC Comics players, it doesn’t change how people began their journey in the Arrowverse as original creations. Hopefully, most of them will get incorporated into the main DC Universe, expanding their legacies outside the Arrowverse and The CW. Since there have been multiple DC shows over the years, there are quite a lot of original significant characters in the Arrowverse that are not from the comics.
John Diggle
Since the beginning, Oliver Queen’s closest ally was John Diggle, who became more than just Green Arrow’s bodyguard. Diggle became his own Arrowverse superhero, Spartan, while helping set the foundation for Team Arrow throughout the eight seasons. In the Arrow series finale, the creators set Diggle up for a potential Green Lantern adventure as he received a mysterious box from outer space. Diggle’s rapid popularity led to David Ramsey’s character to join the DC Universe in 2013 as part of the Green Arrow comics.
Tommy Merlyn
While Merlyn the Dark Archer became Arrow’s first big bad, it wasn’t the Arrowverse characters fans thought it would be. Before John Barrowman was revealed to be Malcolm Merlyn, a.k.a. the Dark Archer, Colin Donnell’s Tommy Merlyn was who everyone believed would be Oliver’s nemesis. Instead, Tommy was Oliver’s best friend who died at the end of Arrow’s first season, before Crisis on Infinite Earths undid his death. While Tommy was an Arrow creation, whose debut was in October 2012, DC did introduce him in the comics one month before the premiere. It’s possible DC and Arrow’s creators collaborated before the show premiered to introduce Tommy as a new character in both mediums.
Thea Queen
Even though recent Green Arrow comics have given Oliver a sister, that wasn’t the case in 2012 when Arrow premiered, which introduced the character of Thea Queen. Portrayed by Willa Holland, Thea is loosely based on Mia Dearden, since Oliver’s sister takes on the Speedy moniker later in the series. Since Thea got revealed as Malcolm’s daughter, she is only Oliver’s half-sister. Even though she isn’t Mia, the creators did pull some inspiration from the comic counterpart throughout Arrow’s run. Towards the end of the series, Thea gets engaged to Roy Harper, a.k.a. Arsenal, giving them their happy ending.
Sara Lance
Arrow’s Black Canary mythology didn’t begin with Dinah Laurel Lance but with Sara Lance as The Canary. Sara’s life changed when she joined Oliver on his yacht as they cheated behind Laurel’s back. During her journey, Sara transformed into an assassin who has been killed and resurrected more than once. As Laurel became the Black Canary, Sara became the White Canary on Legends of Tomorrow as the Waverider‘s captain. While there is a DC villain named White Canary in the DC Universe, the Arrowverse reimagined the title as a heroic name for Caity Lotz’s character.
Curtis Holt
While Mister Terrific exists in DC Comics, the Arrowverse didn’t use the Michael Holt iteration as Arrow created their own. In Arrow season 4, Echo Kellum debuted as Curtis Holt, an openly gay engineer and IT specialist who eventually joined Team Arrow. Curtis becomes one of the members who join the next generation for Team Arrow after Oliver decided to train new vigilantes. The TV version gets his Mister Terrific name from Terry Sloane, who is his favorite wrestling champion. While Curtis and Michael share a few similarities, Arrowverse’s Mister Terrific is mostly a new take on the character.
William Clayton
In the comic books, Oliver has a son named Connor Hawke who followed his father’s footsteps. While the Arrowverse did its own take on Connor, he is not Oliver’s child. Instead, Arrow created William Clayton, a son Oliver never knew he had as Samantha, a woman he hooked up with behind Laurel’s back, was pressured by Moira Queen to lie about the pregnancy. Eventually, Oliver discovers William and they get closer, especially after Samantha dies in Arrow season 5. The final two seasons introduced a grown-up version of William from 2040.
Mia Queen-Smoak
In early versions of Green Arrow’s mythology, Mia Dearden was Oliver’s adoptive daughter, which is not the case in the current DC Universe. On the other hand, Arrow introduced the adult version of Mia Queen-Smoak, Oliver and Felicity Smoak’s future daughter. While Felicity was pregnant in the present time, Arrow season 7 explored Mia’s life in the future as she became a protector of Star City. In Arrow’s final season, Mia and William both get to meet their father in the past. Before Oliver’s death, he passed the Green Arrow mantle on to Mia. While Green Arrow and the Canaries didn’t go forward, Mia is still protecting the future along with Arrowverse’s Black Canaries, Laurel and Dinah.
Harrison Wells
Out of all the Arrowverse actors, Tom Cavanagh has played more characters than anyone through the original creation of Harrison Wells on The Flash. While Cavanagh is best known for playing the Reverse-Flash, the actor has played several Multiverse iterations of Harrison for seven years. Between all the Harrisons that he has played, Cavanagh’s most significant ones are Reverse-Flash as Harrison, the original Earth-1 Harrison, Harry Wells from Earth-2, and Nash Wells/Pariah. As of The Flash season 7, Cavanagh portrays Earth-1 Harrison, who has been recreated and given time travel abilities.
Joe West
Even though Iris West has two different father figures in the comics, the Arrowverse created a new dad on The Flash with Jesse L. Martin playing Joe West. In the show, Joe is Iris and Wally West’s biological father, while also having been Barry’s guardian after taking him in. Throughout The Flash‘s run, Joe has been the team’s connection to the Central City Police Department as the former detective became the new captain.
Eddie Thawne
While the Arrowverse’s resident Thawne is always going to be Reverse-Flash, The Flash extended the family linage through Eddie Thawne. In The Flash season 1, Eddie is one of CCPD’s top detectives who works with Joe and is dating Iris when Barry wakes up from his coma. While Eddie eventually learns Barry’s secret, he also discovers that he is Eobard’s ancestor, without specifying the exact connection. In a heroic sacrifice, Eddie shoots himself to prevent Reverse-Flash from ever being born. Rick Cosnett has in later seasons returned to play different versions of Eddie, while the real one is still dead.
Nora West-Allen
In The Flash season 4, Jessica Parker Kennedy arrives in the Arrowverse as Nora West-Allen, Iris and Barry’s daughter from the future. While Kennedy’s character is an original creation, Nora is also considered an amalgamation of Dawn Allen and XS from the comics. Throughout The Flash season 5, she gets to know her father while also trying to help Team Flash stop Cicada. By the end of the season, Nora’s timeline gets rewritten as this version ceases to exist. A new iteration, however, is confirmed to live in the future after Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Alex Danvers
Ever since Supergirl began, Chyler Leigh’s Alex Danvers has been almost like the second lead of the DC drama, as Kara Zor-El’s adoptive sister. Throughout her Arrowverse journey, Alex has fought side-by-side with Supergirl and evolved into prominent roles like the director of the D.E.O. Alex is one of Arrowverse’s most beloved LGBTQ+ heroes on The CW, ever since she came out during the second season. As of Supergirl season 6, Alex has taken on a superhero identity of her own by becoming Sentinel.
Winn Schott
While the Arrowverse has included Toyman in past seasons of Supergirl, the series also created a son for Winslow Schott through Jeremy Jordan’s Winn Schott. In the beginning, Winn was Kara’s best friend and closest colleague at CatCo before helping her become Supergirl. His involvement eventually led him to become a D.E.O. technician and analyst. In Supergirl season 3, Winn joined the Legion of Superheroes in Brainiac 5’s place to go to the future, where it was no longer safe for Brainy. Winn’s journey in the future also ends with him redeeming the Toyman name by taking on his father’s moniker, as he continues his heroic path in the 31st century as part of the Legion of Superheroes.
Nia Nal
Supergirl season 4 made history when they introduced TV’s first transgender superhero through Nicole Maines’ Nia Nal, a.k.a. Dreamer. The DC heroine is not only inspired by the Legion of Superheroes character Nura Nal, a.k.a. Dream Girl, but the Arrowverse establishes Nia as Nura’s ancestor. As Nia has become a big part of Supergirl’s team, DC Comics is officially bringing Maines’s character into the main continuity in the anthology series DC Pride. With Nia Nal making her DC Comics debut, Maines wrote Dreamer’s solo story in DC Pride as the 80-page special will come out on Tuesday, June 8th.
Kelly Olsen
While Jimmy Olsen does have a sister in the DC Universe, the Arrowverse invented a new one in Supergirl season 4 with Kelly Olsen. In the comics, Jimmy has a sister named Janie Olsen, who is entirely different from Kelly. Played by Azie Tesfai, Kelly, who has an established military background, quickly became integral in the series, including getting romantically involved with Alex. After James left in Supergirl season 5, Kelly became the new resident Olsen in the Arrowverse drama. Kelly will also follow in her brother’s footsteps as Supergirl season 6 will see Kelly become National City’s new Guardian. This was alluded to in Supergirl season 5 as Kelly was given James’s Guardian shield.
William Dey
Supergirl has given Kara a couple of love interests over the years, but the fifth season introduced a new character in the Girl of Steel’s life. In Supergirl season 5, William Dey joins CatCo Worldwide Media as an experienced journalist who initially butts head with Kara before they eventually grow closer. Throughout his time as a reporter on Supergirl, William has been investigating cases like Obsidian North as well as trying to expose Lex Luthor. Fun fact; Supergirl is Staz Nair’s second DC TV gig, as he appeared on Krypton as Dax-Baron, the Kryptonian who is transformed into the Superman villain Doomsday.
Gideon
While Gideon technically debuted on The Flash, the Arrowverse has another Gideon A.I. that has been a prominent player on Legends of Tomorrow, voiced by Amy Louise Pemberton, who occasionally gets to play Gideon in the flesh. Gideon is the Waverider‘s A.I. that runs the ship’s system and aids the team throughout their adventures. Throughout the show’s run, Pemberton has appeared a few times in human form in various stories. Even if Gideon is mostly in A.I. form, she is, without a doubt, a significant character in herself and has been since Legends of Tomorrow premiered.
Amaya Jiwe
The Arrowverse introduced Mari McCabe, a.k.a. Vixen, but it turned out she wasn’t the first heroine to carry the mantle. In Legends of Tomorrow season 2, Maisie Richardson-Sellers joined the DC drama as Amaya Jiwe, the original Vixen who was part of the Justice Society of America in the 1940s. Amaya was part of Legends of Tomorrow until the third season, when she eventually had to go back to her timeline. While Vixen is an established DC character, Amaya was an original creation for the Arrowverse. However, this wouldn’t be Sellers’s only role in the Arrowverse.
Ava Sharpe
In Legends of Tomorrow season 3, the Arrowverse created Ava Sharpe, played by Jes Macallan, who has been a major player for the last few seasons. While Ava is introduced as a Time Bureau, her actual origin reveals that she is the Advanced Variant Automation’s 12th clone, from 2213. But this didn’t stop Ava from becoming a principal character, including getting into a romance with White Canary and serving as a leading force to the Waverider team.
Charlie
Despite leaving the Waverider, Amaya wasn’t Sellers’s only role in the Arrowverse, as she got a new character in Legends of Tomorrow season 4. Sellers portrays Charlie, who is later revealed to be the ancient Greek deity Clotho during the fifth season. While she is one of the three Fates, Clotho tried to escape her sisters and eventually takes on the Charlie name. During her first encounter with the Legends, Charlie shape-shifts to take Amaya’s form before Constantine locked her with the original Vixen’s appearance.
Nora Darhk
In Arrow season 4, Damien Darhk’s daughter Nora is introduced, but Legends of Tomorrow season 3 truly expands the character with the adult version, played by Courtney Ford. After Nora’s dark journey with Mallus, Damien’s daughter goes on to redeem herself by joining the Legends. As Nora overcomes her traumatic upbringing and experiences, she falls in love with Ray Palmer, whom she eventually marries. Nora does take a new role after being tricked by Tabitha to the mantle of the Fairy Godmother. After they married, Ray and Nora depart the team after one final mission.
Gary Green
While he began as a minor character in Legends of Tomorrow season 3, Adam Tsekhman’s Gary Green has become a big Arrowverse fan-favorite over the last few seasons. When they both worked for the Time Bureau, Gary worked closely with Ava when she was the director. But as Gary discovered the Legends of Tomorrow and worked more with them, he eventually went on to join the Waverider crew. While Tsekhman was a recurring guest in his first three seasons, he will officially be a series regular in Legends of Tomorrow season 6.
Mona Wu
As Legends of Tomorrow season 4 began exploring more supernatural threats with magical creatures, the Arrowverse created Mona Wu, with Ramona Young playing her for almost two seasons. Mona discovers the Time Bureau and the existence of magical creatures, leading her to become the organization’s magical creature handler. But after getting accidentally scratched by Konane, Mona becomes a Kaupe herself, making her one of the Legends’ powerful members. Mona eventually leaves the team to take over for Mick Rory’s book series as the new Rebecca Silver, a pen name he had created during his time as a novelist.
Behrad Tarazi
In Legends of Tomorrow season 4, Zari Tomaz’s Arrowverse fate is rewritten as she gets replaced by her brother Behrad Tarazi, who was originally dead in 2042. While Zari exists in the future, she is now known as Zari Tarazi, with the original Zari trapped in the Air Totem that Behrad went on to use as a Legend. Behrad does eventually find out that his existence became possible because of the actions of Zari 1.0. in a previous timeline. As of Legends of Tomorrow season 6, Shayan Sobhian will be a series regular.
Khalil Payne
While Painkiller is one of Black Lightning’s enemies in the DC Universe, the Arrowverse took a different direction with the character. Since Painkiller’s real name had never been revealed in the comics, Black Lightning created Khalil Payne, played by Jordan Calloway, who takes on the DC moniker. Introduced as in Black Lightning as Jennifer Pierce‘s love interest, Khalil’s life changes forever after he loses the ability to walk, until Tobias Whale gets involved. Through Tobias, Khalil gets a makeshift metal spinal cord that allows him to walk again. But this takes Khalil down a dark path where he becomes Painkiller, serving Tobias in the first season. During Black Lightning season 2, Khalil gets his metal spine ripped out by Tobias and initially dies.
But Agent Odell revives and brainwashes him to become a deadlier version of Painkiller. Odell’s actions cause Khalil to develop a second personality, through the Painkiller persona. But thanks to the help of Jefferson and his team, Khalil regains control, as he and Painkiller are forced to share a body. Since Odell’s final command to Painkiller was to kill the Pierce family, Khalil leaves Freeland and moves to Akashic Valley, to figure out a way to cancel the kill order. The Arrowverse has potential for a Painkiller spinoff that was planted in Black Lightning’s fourth and final season. If The CW goes forward with it, Khalil and Painkiller’s story will continue.
Mary Hamilton
In the Batwoman comics, Kate Kane has a cousin named Bette Kane, who became the superhero Flamebird before eventually evolving to Hawkfire. While the Arrowverse has so far not introduced Bette, Nicole Kang’s Mary Hamilton seems to be loosely based on Kate’s cousin. Despite the similar personality traits, Mary is still considered an original creation for the series. On Batwoman, Mary is Kate’s stepsister, a Gotham City influencer who is also a talented medical student that was running a secret clinic for those who couldn’t afford medical care. After eventually learning that Kate is Batwoman, Mary joins the Bat Team. Whether or not Arrowverse’s Mary Hamilton will join the superhero world as Flamebird/Hawkfire, remains to be seen, despite her character being inspired by Bette.
Ryan Wilder
After Ruby Rose left Batwoman, the Arrowverse series made an exciting decision by creating Ryan Wilder, who takes over for Kate after she goes missing. While they did later recast the role of Kate with Wallis Day, Javicia Leslie is now carrying the torch as Batwoman’s official lead. Before her TV debut, DC Comics introduced a different version of Ryan into the main continuity in Batgirl #50. But it was only in a cameo appearance as DC’s Ryan is also different from the TV counterpart. Despite existing in the DC Universe, Ryan is an Arrowverse original character that didn’t exist in the comics until the Batwoman creators decided to invent her as Kate’s replacement. After taking over for Kate, Ryan has become a new hero for Gotham City as she doesn’t come from a background like Kate or Bruce Wayne.
Jordan Kent
Before Crisis on Infinite Earths, Clark Kent and Lois Lane had a baby named Jonathan Kent, but their Earth-38 history was changed when Earth-Prime was created. In the post-Crisis version of the Arrowverse, Lois and Clark’s history was rewritten where they no longer had a baby. Instead of baby Jonathan, they now had two teenage sons after the five-part crossover. While Jonathan is their son in the comics, Superman & Lois created a second one with Jordan Kent, played by Alex Garfin. Despite always thinking that Jonathan had maybe inherited Clark’s powers, Lois and Clark ended up being wrong. Instead, Jordan turns out to be the one that inherited some of Clark’s abilities. But since Jordan is half-human, they are still figuring out how his Kryptonian physiology works.
The Arrowverse has benefited for almost a full decade by letting its constituent shows create new characters that can go on to have significant legacies of their own. In the cases of Diggle and Nia, because of their impact on the franchise, it is rewarding to see DC Comics acknowledge and allow them to become canon characters. Batwoman‘s Ryan Wilder is an excellent example of how an original creation can pick up an established mantle but still be their own superhero. Someone like Painkiller, who doesn’t have a vast DC history, it’s fun to see the Arrowverse be able to put their own spin on that moniker but create a unique character that didn’t have an extensive existence previously. It will be exciting to see what major original characters will be created in future Arrowverse shows and what their legacies may look like in years to come.
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