A look back at the great promises that failed to materialize in the Arrowverse television universe
Across the vast universe of series that make up the Arrowverse, we’ve witnessed epic moments and memorable confrontations. However, not all villains lived up to the hype, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans who expected much more. Today, we dive into a critical retrospective to see what went wrong with those villains who promised but didn’t deliver.
Cobalt Blue: A Rushed Ending for The Flash
Eddie Thawne, better known as Cobalt Blue, appeared in the final season of The Flashplayed by Rick Cosnett. His transformation promised an epic battle, as he was chosen by the Negative Speed Force as their new avatar. However, the execution felt rushed, relegating a key character to just a few appearances, diluting his impact and leaving fans wanting more.
Cicada: The Villain No One Wanted
In the fifth season of The FlashCicada emerged as a serial killer with a clear mission: to exterminate all metahumans. Despite the intimidating premise, the plot dragged on tediously throughout the season, failing to capture the audience’s interest. A lack of development and compelling antagonism earned him universal disdain from fans of the series.
John Deegan and the challenge of Other worlds
John Deegan’s inclusion in the crossover Other worlds he tried to establish a preamble for Crisis on Infinite Earths. Transformed into an evil version of Superman, his threat was quickly diluted, becoming more of a tool of the Monitor than a true villain. His forgettable performance left much to be desired in an event that promised to change everything.
Blood Tests and the Potential Cut Off by the Pandemic
Dr. Ramsey Rosso, or Bloodwork, was introduced in season six of The Flash with a darkness that many fans wanted. However, the pandemic limited its story, and the season’s structure with two main villains detracted from its opportunities to fully develop, despite the initial interest it generated.
The Thinker: A Different But Insufficient Threat
Clifford DeVoe, the Thinker, represented a change in the villain formula The Flash. While his intellectual approach was refreshing, the lack of mystery and predictability of his actions made him an antagonist who failed to hold interest like his speedster predecessors, marking a turning point in the series towards a less captivating direction.
Vandal Savage, a left turn Legends of Tomorrow
Vandal Savage, in his eternal quest to dominate the world and eliminate every incarnation of Hawkgirl and Hawkman, had high hopes. However, his obsession as portrayed in the series was overblown, and his focus on Hawkgirl took away from what could have been a more complex and menacing storyline.
Enter Queen Rhea Supergirl: a villain who was not convincing
Teri Hatcher immersed herself in the role of Queen Rhea, searching for her son on Earth-38 with plans for domination that never came to fruition. Her one-dimensional approach and lack of development beyond revenge meant that her character didn’t resonate with audiences, wasting the potential of an actress of her caliber.
Agent Liberty, a reflection of the too widespread xenophobia
Agent Liberty’s political focus on Supergirl touched on themes of xenophobia and fear of the “other,” a relevant narrative but one that went on longer than necessary, becoming predictable and losing momentum as the season progressed.
Anti-Monitor: The Big Bad That Doesn’t Intimidate
Despite being conceived as the Arrowverse’s greatest threat, the Anti-Monitor disappointed with his unimposing appearance and a performance that failed to convey the danger expected of a villain of his stature, diluting the impact of what should have been the climax of Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Godspeed: A lackluster ending for a villain with potential
Ultimately, Godspeed was shaping up to be a formidable foe for The Flash, but his drawn-out build-up and rushed execution in his final episodes left much to be desired. His confrontation with Team Flash lacked the drama and intensity fans were expecting, ending his arc in an unsatisfying way.
Through these examples, it’s clear that the Arrowverse’s handling and development of villains has been a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by questionable decisions that have affected the perception of iconic characters. In such a rich and expansive universe, fans deserve villains who are as good as their heroes.