Prolific character actor Neal McDonough jumped into the super hero pool playing Dum Dum Dugan, one of the most famous Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from the Marvel Comics Universe in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger.’  He reprised the role on ‘Agent Carter’ Season One and on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’   But now he’s going turncoat, trading in his famous bowler hat for a role as the Big Bad of Season Four of The CW’s ‘Arrow’, which is of course based on rival DC Comics’ hero Green Arrow.

McDonough’s role will be that of Damien Darhk.  The villain was set up in Season Three and popped up briefly in the season finale.  Darhk is said to be associated with last season’s major antagonist Ra’s Al-Ghul.

The show’s producers describe Darhk as, “a mysterious and sophisticated villain, and an adversary of the late Ra’s al Ghul. Now the leader of his own clandestine group, this cunning foe will prove to be one of the Arrow’s greatest challenges.”

Damien Darhk is an obscure criminal from Devin Grayson and Mark Buckingham’s run on ‘The Titans’ in 1999.  Darhk led the terrorist organization The H.I.V.E., a major thorn in the side of the Titans.  Now that Ra’s Al-Ghul and the League of Assassins has been dispatched, it looks like Darhk and The H.I.V.E. will take their place.

In the comics, Darhk was almost killed by Vandal Savage, who is known to be the major villain on ‘Legends of Tomorrow.’  Could this build another connection between these shows?

McDonough is an easily recognizable face, although you might not know his name.  (Is it just me or does he look like he could be the illegitimate love… er dad of Chris Pine and Kellan Lutz?)  He has appeared on countless TV shows and movies.  He may be most recognizable from ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Justified’ and ‘Suits.’

Coincidentally, McDonough voiced the role of ‘Green Arrow’ in an animated short that appeared on the BluRay of ‘Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam.’  He’s also lent his voice to other comic based projects, playing Bruce Banner on the 1990s cartoon series (and later a video game), the villain Firebrand on ‘Iron Man,’ The Flash and Nightwing in ‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’ and Deadshot in ‘Batman: Assault On Arkham.’

What do you think of The H.I.V.E. infesting Starling City?  Will their high tech approach give Felicity a run for her money?

‘Arrow’ Season Four returns on Wednesday, October 7 at 8pm eastern.

Source: Coming Soon