So we’re ranking every hero that has debuted within the Arrowverse so far. So before we get into the list, here’s the criteria. They have to be superheroes or vigilantes. Keyboard warriors or everyday heroes need not apply. We’re talking masks, spandex, capes, and superpowers. Characters will be evaluated on individual basis. Some characters are going to be tweeners, good with shades of evil, but no flat out villains. So no Captain Cold, Mick Rory, Cupid, etc. Just flat out good guys, or anti-heroes.
We’ll count future heroes too, like Mon El, but not characters who might become an original hero sometime down the line. However if they’ve already become their own hero, ala John Diggle becoming Spartan or Jimmy Olsen as The Guardian, they’ll be included. So if Julian Albert returns and becomes Doctor Throws Things at Bad Guys, he won’t be on this list.
Length of time as a hero won’t hurt but can help the placing. Characters who have been around for a while won’t necessarily be given preferential treatment, because that could just mean we’ve seen more of them to dislike them. So longevity and frequency of appearance is immaterial.
Here’s what we’re looking for;
– Comic Character Accuracy: How one portrays the character in relation to their origin.
– Unique Handling of the Character: Making the character their own, while embracing the origins.
– Efficiency: Are they able to handle themselves.
Part 2 – 40-31 aka Solid Complimentary Heroes
Great Complimentary Heroes
30) Jessie Quick
– Jessie Quick, or Jessie Wells is the daughter of Earth 2’s Harrison Wells. The young scientist was blasted by a wave of energy from the particle accelerator and was gifted the powers of the Speed Force. She proved herself to be a viable hero on her own Earth, after her father helped her assemble a team of her very own; much like Barry Allen had on Earth 1. She became so proficient that she was able to let her father go from the team, due to his over bearing ways. It became obvious though that it wasn’t much of a loss for Team Quick, who thanks to her leadership were able to carry on without him. When you can surpass your parent, that is total proof that you have surpassed expectations. She’s shown to be a character with flaws, but also has a sense of unique strength. With “The Flash” being on Speedster overload, it’s not surprising that she hasn’t appeared on the show this season yet.
29) The Ray
– The Ray is a gay superhero on Earth X, which is an Earth ran by Nazi’s, who hunt down people like The Ray. He’s essentially a block of cheese at Lambeau Field; everyone’s out to get him. The Ray proved his prowess against the Nazi’s, lead by the new Führer Oliver Queen, engaging in numerous battles against them across two different universes. Born on Earth 1, the Earth X immigrant gained his powers after his Earth X counterpart came to Earth 1, transferred his Ray-powers to the Earth 1 version and then died. With the Earth-X counterpart now dead, Ray left for Earth X to help take up the fight against the Axis. He’s not just a man who helps the helpless but he’s the man who willingly went to the worst known universe in order to help those like him, who were being hunted. A hero by every definition.
28) Speedy
– Thea Queen followed in her brothers footsteps almost too well. Much like Oliver, Thea began her brush with adulthood by drinking and partying to the point of excess, getting arrested and forced to do community service. After falling in love with Roy Harper, she began seeing that her influence could have a better effect on the world. Eventually she was used as a pawn by her father, and that prompted her to learn to fight back and to stop being a victim. She took up the banner of Speedy as an homage to her brother’s nickname and took up arms against Damian Darhk and his group. She not only became a viable fighter, capable of taking on just about anyone, but she’s beaten death…TWICE. Once where she was brought back from a stab wound thanks to the League of Assassins, and another where she survived an entire island blowing up. She may not ‘hero-up’ anymore but she still remains a viable asset to her brother and Team Arrow, providing a sense of perspective whenever her brother feels lost along his way. She’s one of the best examples of character development over the history of the Arrowverse; going from a whiny brat to a likeable co-star alongside the best of the best.
27) Katana
– Katana is the ultimate sympathy character. Her son was killed by a malicious military group, her husband betrayed everything they stood for and took up arms with the League of Assassins, only for the two to be forced to battle in order to save Starling City. After ending her husband’s suffering in battle, she went back to a life of solitude. A character like this, who’s so devastated by her grief and shows the strength to battle against impossible odds is truly one that should be focused on more. Unfortunately it appears as though her run on the show ended in part due the character popping up in the “Suicide Squad” film. However her last scene with Nyssa al Ghul opened up an interesting possibility with her returning to the series to deal with an ‘Oliver-situation’.
26) Vibe
– Cisco Ramon may rub you the wrong way at times, as he’s essentially fallen into the trap of the “funny one”, which doesn’t guarantee longevity from fans on these shwos (just look at Felicity). However Ramon is still likeable, thanks to his growth over the last few years. Blaming Barry for the death of his brother, and resenting Barry for learning lessons (that Barry should of known before hand…just saying…) was weak. However, his eventual growth, his desire to help Caitlin keep her powers in check, and his blossoming romance with fellow breach-powered hero Gypsy has his character back on track have helped balance the scales in his favor. Watching the scenes where he has to deal with Gypsy’s murderous father are something special because we also got to see just how well he handles stress, pressure and adapting to situations without the use of his powers. When you have a hero who’s willing to die for the woman he loves, that’s not something to just dismiss. It is the ultimate sacrifice. Just pray he doesn’t forget 1-1-1 Day again.
25) Commander Steel
– While his grandson is at the bottom of the list due to his….just awfulness….the grandfather is a man of honor and respectability. Having served with the Justice Society of America, Nate put defending his country and time ahead of his family, and left to go to the 1970’s to protect the Spear of Destiny, under the impression he’d be able to return when his mission was done. His strong sense of duty and desire to do the right thing often lead to him having conflicting emotions, especially when it came to his son and eventual grandson. Ultimately though, Heywood sacrificed his life to save the Waverider; asking his grandson to tell his father that he was sorry for not being there for him. When you think of his sense of duty and honor, and realize that unlike the rest of his JSA team that he didn’t have any powers or special weapons, it becomes clear just how much he wanted to help people. That’s a damn find trait and a big reason why he got on this list as high as he did.
24) Vixen (I)
– Vixen-I or Mari McCabe, was the first Vixen to be introduced in the Arrowveres, but is just one in the long line of many. A former fashion designer, Vixen got her powers from a totem and became a part time member of the Arrowverse Super Team, helping The Flash and Green Arrow stop a natural disaster near a city. She’s proven to be combat effective, defeating her sister in battle; as well as being quite the sleuth when she helped Oliver find out that Damian Darhk was powered by a totem, not all that dissimilar from hers. She even showed off her true strength, beating Damian Darhk and destroying his totem. She’s shown to be aware of her limitations, but has the ability to raise her game up when needed against the most elite of criminals and villains. Her heritage and linage helps increase her profile even higher when you realize that her grandmother, Amaya Jiwe, is even more powerful due to her time with the same totem. McCabe is still fairly new in comparison to Jiwe and if she has the same training, and time with the totem that her grandmother had (Has? Will Have Had? Have has had will have? Fuck time travel) then it becomes pretty obvious that McCabe is only going to get better and more prolific with her abilities.
23) Citizen Cold
– While not much about Citizen Cold is known, he along with his life partner Ray Terrill (The Ray), have picked up arms against the Nazi’s on Earth X. His desire to do what needs to be done at the risk of his own life is commendable but it was his ability to go up against an entire Nazi Death Squad that got him on this high on the list. Unlike his Earth 1 counterpart, Leo Snart is all about the planning, the respect and the funnies; which isn’t too far off from Earth 1’s Snart. Though, Leonard doesn’t care about plans, that very idea annoys Leo. He ends up putting the war efforts (which has swung in the favor of the Allies after the death of Nazi Leader Queen), and his relationship with The Ray on hold in order to help his former friend Mick Rory cope with Leonard’s passing, as well as the Waverider as a whole cope with Martin Stein’s passing. The compassion in him is a big reason why he’s so high as well. And frankly, while Leo may be a hero, his Earth 1 counter part Leonard isn’t that far off from being a hero either. It seems to be a trait for Snarts; constantly stepping up when people need them the most, and that didn’t hurt his placing either.
22) Wild Dog
– Driven by the murder of his wife and his desire to make his daughter proud, Rene Ramirez became Wild Dog to stop the flow of crime in his city. While recently revealed as an informant against Oliver Queen, he did so only to get his daughter back. The time he put in on the team has to be respected, as he constantly went up against the Arrowvere’s most imposing villain; Prometheus. While battling Prometheus and his legion, Wild Dog showed a unique skill set, while serving as Oliver Queen’s Chief of Staff for a stint during Queen’s time as mayor. The former Navy SEAL is constantly trying to show he’s worthy of being seen as a hero, even if he won’t admit it and just wants to live a life his daughter can be proud of. Even though he, Black Canary and Mister Terrific have left Team Arrow for now, it seems likely that with Canary’s leadership skills and Terrific’s tech, will compliment Wild Dog’s skill set and the trio should be able to make a dent in Star City’s criminal underbelly.
21) Gypsy
– Gypsy doesn’t need much fluffing up for her place. The only real negative is that she’s yet to arrest her father for murder; but considering it’s her father you can almost give her a pass for it. Almost. Her ability to deal with Cisco’s insecurities, her own combat abilities, and a strong sense of justice makes her a top pick among all the Arrowverse heroes. She’s shown to be willing to grow and adapt emotionally and has proven a few times that she can change up her own style, depending on her opponents. With someone who’s that self aware and that ready to do what needs to be done, you can’t argue she isn’t one of the best characters going.