When you really think about it, it makes sense that Arrow be the one to end a day filled with panels devoted to DC TV shows. After all, not only did it recently conclude one of its finest seasons, but it’s also the eldest of the current crop, paving the way for what has appropriately been dubbed “the Arrowverse.”
That said, we wish they would’ve shown even more new footage in the trailer that debuted at San Diego Comic-Con, but it makes sense as to why they’d include so much from the season 5 finale. After all, not only was that episode a crowning achievement, but it also left us hanging as to who made it out alive.
Now, the more eagle-eyed among you likely noticed some new bits intercut with the old footage, showing various cast members trying to flee to safety, the fate of most of which is still unknown. Still, it was pretty damn cool seeing more of Manu Bennett as Deathstroke, with further affirmation that he’s reformed and will be fighting side by side with Oliver Queen from here on out. Plus, we got a few more looks at Juliana Harkavy in her badass new Black Canary costume, so you really can’t complain.
Aside from that, we’re thrilled to inform you that there will indeed be multiple big bads this year, something we initially learned earlier this week. The difference today being that we can confirm that one is, in fact, Richard Dragon, who’ll be played by Michael Emerson. And while that’s not who we pictured from the initial casting call (maybe we’ll get Richard Dragon and his son?), we need only to remember Emerson as Zep Hindle in Saw, or from his voiceover work as the Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in order to remember how vile he can get.
The other fellow set to give Team Arrow headaches will be that of a returning David Nykl as Anatoly Knyazev, who’s been a recurring character for years. Originally an ally of Oliver’s, the two had a falling out in season 5, so it should be interesting to see if the Bratva boss finally goes full KGBeast.
Arrow returns for its sixth season on Thursday, October 12 on The CW.