9 Great Superhero TV Show Characters Who Weren’t From The Comics

7) John Diggle (Arrow)

Back in Arrow’s first season, the writers wanted Oliver to have a right-hand man, someone who could have his back in his quest to save his city. The only problem was there was no equivalent character in the comics. Undeterred, they just made one up.

Named after comic book writer Andy Diggle, army vet John Diggle began the show as Oliver’s bodyguard and grew to become his crime-fighting partner – the very first member of the extended Team Arrow. Through his marriage to Lyla Michaels, Diggle was also a key player in one of the most interesting features of Arrow’s early seasons – ARGUS and the Suicide Squad. His own superhero career as Spartan – complete with Magneto-like helmet – looks to be over, but he’ll surely continue to be a big part of the series going forward.

As well as being a tough, dependable guy, Diggle is also a great source of dry wit and David Ramsey is a delight in the role. Not to mention that he’s one of the most fun crossover characters, thanks to his inability to function around metahumans.