Ranking Every Arrowverse Big Bad From Worst To Best
2. Deathstroke
Appeared In: Arrow (Season 2)
Deathstroke is undoubtedly one of the most iconic DC villains of all time, and his stint on Arrow only added to that rich legacy. It took place during the show's glory days and, thanks to the most masterful piece of foreshadowing the Arrowverse has ever pulled off, his arrival in the second season was foretold at the beginning of Season 1. Portrayed by Manu Bennett, Slade Wilson was a former ally of Oliver Queen's as the two were stranded on Lian Yu together. We saw this friendship unfold throughout the flashbacks of Season 1 and 2 before the sword-wielding assassin showed up in Starling City, looking for revenge.
Broken-hearted by lost love and driven mad by Mirakuru, Slade was undoubtedly the most intimidating foe that Arrow has ever seen. But these motivations made him more than a great villain — they made him the tragic antihero of his own story and thus, we spent half of the time amazed by his badassery and the other half in awe of his emotional arc.
His ties to Oliver made the story all the more personal and its culmination was executed with such brilliance that the final few episode of Season 2 felt less like a season finale and more like a series finale. Slade's dramatic arc was enhanced by Bennett's outstanding performance, all of which helped to make Season 2 of Arrow the show's finest outing yet. Long live Deathstroke, kid!