If you've been keeping up with DC TV shows going back at least as far as Smallville, then you've likely heard the phrase "freak of the week" at some point. Even before the Superman prequel series brought in a slew of villains from the comics, it became known for featuring a different baddie who came into powers via Kryptonite exposure with each passing episode.
If you've yet to jump on the Black Lightning bandwagon, then let me say that you've been missing out on one of the more addictive, intriguing superhero shows on all of TV. Granted, it's understandable if some are late to the party, but you've got the whole summer to binge the first season when it arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this June.
To say that Arrow has been able to lay claim to some memorable big bads during its run is an understatement. So far, we've been introduced to the likes of Malcolm Merlyn, Deathstroke, Ra's al Ghul, Damien Darhk and Prometheus, each of whom have challenged and confounded Oliver Queen in different ways.
To date, Arrow has brought us its share of memorable characters such as Manu Bennett’s Deathstroke, Caity Lotz’s Sara Lance and, don’t forget, even Grant Gustin got his start there as Barry Allen! Yep, there’s a very good reason why it spawned what we now refer to as “the Arrowverse.”
Although fans of The Flash really have no need to worry about the show going anywhere due it already having been renewed for a fifth season and consistently being among the most viewed the network has to offer, it's reassuring to hear of whenever the DC series' popularity is recognized.
Though we'll unfortunately have to wait until 2019 for Gotham's fifth and final season to premiere, we've already been teased a generous amount regarding what the final leg of the journey has in store. To date, it's been said Bruce Wayne will take up the mantle of Batman in the end, in addition to villains such as Scarface and Mother showing up.
More often than not, advance photos promoting TV shows ahead of air date are known for serving up spoilers - it's just a matter of how much will be on display. In the case of our latest Supergirl gallery, many images included are seemingly innocuous, but the analytical among us should be able to connect some dots.
I'm not nearly as harsh on the DC Extended Universe as others may be, as I think - despite some missteps - that there's still a lot to enjoy about what's been served up thus far. Still, I must concede that its finest offering to date was that of the Amazon Warrior's first solo movie, so I'm right there with anyone else who's eagerly anticipating Wonder Woman 2.
Throughout its first six seasons, Arrow has seen its share of villains come through the door, but some have left more lasting impressions than others. To be more specific, none of us could ever forget when Deathstroke put a sword through Moira Queen's chest, or when Damien Darhk fatally stabbed Earth-1's Laurel Lance.
In our era, when you have fans praising the likes of Heath Ledger's Joker or Josh Brolin's Thanos just as they would any hero, you'd better believe that the bar has been raised when it comes to the performances expected of villains seen on screens big and small. Really, the mustache-twirling bank robbers of yesteryear wouldn't fly with today's audiences, so it's thrilling to see whenever the bad guys are given much in the way of pathos.
