Article contributed by Erin Fagan
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is a wacky, heartfelt show that everyone should be watching right now. Whether you might be a classic DC comic fan, Doctor Who fan, or history buff, the show could be for you! What started out as a crossover opportunity for characters from shows like Arrow and The Flash to form a new superhero team has now become a standalone hit! Although this show has changed a lot over the years, straying away from a classic gritty superhero show to embrace its weirdness and diversity (which was definitely a great decision), this chaotically loveable group of legends continues to be the heart of the series. Their plotlines are rich; their relationships, both romantic and platonic are deep; and their place in the “Arrowverse” is still easy to follow, even if you don’t watch any of the other shows set in this universe.
The original characters already have developed backstories from other shows and comics, and so understandably, some fans who might be interested in the time travel and superhero stories are hesitant to jump into this new world. You don’t need to know every detail, or actually watch the other shows (though The Flash and Arrow are great as well), but a bit of background helps. After the first season, when they begin to introduce new characters and switch up the cast, it becomes much easier to get to know them, but in this article, I will introduce you to the team that starts the series.
***Spoilers for Arrow seasons 2 and 3, and The Flash seasons 1 and 2.
Rip Hunter
Rip Hunter is the leader of the Legends, a group of underrated superheroes who protect and fix the timeline. He recruits all of them in 2016 to help defeat Vandal Savage, a villain who takes over the world in 2166. He has not been introduced in a previous series but is the catalyst for the entire Legends of Tomorrow show. Rip is a Time Master, tasked with traveling through time to protect the timeline, but he goes rogue in order to form his superhero team.
Sara Lance, “White Canary”
Officially introduced in Arrow season 2, episode 1, Sara was a part of Oliver Queen’s (the Green Arrow) origin story, also getting washed ashore on an island called Lian Yu. She was found by Nyssa al Ghul, a member of the League of Assassins and Sara’s future lover, and became an assassin with the League for five years before returning to her home, Starling City, under the vigilante name, The Canary. She does not have powers but is very skilled in hand to hand combat and fighting with weapons. Sara was killed by another member of Team Arrow, Thea, who had been drugged by villain Malcolm Merlyn. A year after her death, Sara was resurrected by the team without her soul. They were able to restore her soul, but she now still struggles with the guilt of her past and her current bloodlust.
Ray Palmer, “The Atom”
We first meet Ray Palmer in Arrow season 3, episode 1. He is a scientist, inventor, businessman, and former CEO of Palmer Technologies. Ray’s fiancée, Anna Loring, was killed during an attack on the city, which prompted him to build his exosuit and become “The Atom,” a superhero who can shrink, grow, and shoot energy blasts. Everyone believed that he was dead after he accidentally caused an explosion that forced him to shrink himself to a miniature size. He was stuck like that for six months until he was rescued by Team Arrow.
Martin Stein, “Firestorm”
Martin Stein is a physicist introduced in The Flash season 1, episode 13. He is one half of the superhero “Firestorm,” a meta-human superhero who can control nuclear and pyrokinetic power. When merged as Firestorm, Stein’s consciousness shares space with his partner, and he is able to give advice and guide his partner using his vast experience and wisdom. Originally his other half was a man named Ronnie Raymond, but after Ronnie died, Stein needed a new link to someone else who shared his molecular structure or he would also die.
Jefferson Jackson, “Firestorm”
Jefferson Jackson (Jax) is the other half of Firestorm, and was introduced in The Flash season 2, episode 4. Before being approached by Stein to merge, Jax was a young auto mechanic and was reluctant to join. Eventually, he agreed and became a part of the new Firestorm, controlling the more physical aspects of the superhero, while still communicating with Stein’s consciousness.
Leonard Snart, “Captain Cold”
Leonard Snart was first introduced on The Flash season 1, episode 4, as a notorious criminal known as “Captain Cold”. He worked with his partner, Mick Rory, as a thief using a cryogenic gun to freeze objects and people on contact. He is the brains in the partnership, known for his wit and quick thinking, and even knows the Flash’s secret identity.
Mick Rory, “Heatwave”
Mick Rory is Snart’s partner and a criminal called “Heatwave”, also introduced in The Flash season 1, episode 4. He met Snart in juvie when they were young and became part of the criminal team. Rory is the muscle in the relationship, usually following Snart’s lead and he uses a handheld enhanced flamethrower to commit his crimes.
Kendra Saunders, “Hawkgirl”
Kendra Saunders was first introduced as a barista in The Flash season 2, episode 5. What she didn’t realise was that she was actually a reincarnated Egyptian priestess named Chay-Ara, doomed to find her reincarnated love before being murdered by Vandal Savage over and over. He has killed them 206 times in order to get stronger and maintain his immortality. Kendra begins to work to unlock her abilities and memories, balancing both her warrior and priestess sides. She becomes a superhero and travels with her partner, Carter, to help people using her powers.
Carter Hall, “Hawkman”
Carter Hall, originally known as Khufu, is Kendra’s reincarnated love, and the current incarnation of Hawkman. He finds Kendra in Star City in The Flash season 2, episode 8, to explain the origin of their past lives and win her over. After an initial battle with Vandal Savage, Kendra agrees to work with him and he begins to help her unlock her memories.
