Though the CW's Arrow was based on DC Comics' Green Arrow, it introduced a plethora of original characters and concepts. One of these was new characters is Oliver Queen's bodyguard, John Diggle, portrayed by David Ramsey. Though he and his brother Andy were named after Green Arrow: Year One writer Andy Diggle, they had no other basis in the comic books. This didn't keep the character from eventually transitioning there, however.
First appearing in one of the best received modern Green Arrow runs, the character has continued to show up intermittently in the Emerald Archer's publication ever since. Joining the likes of Firestar, Harley Quinn, and Livewire in making the transition from TV to comics, Diggle has become one of the Arrowverse's biggest success stories. Here's how Jeff Lemire turned Oliver's TV show bodyguard into a more much conflicted character.
New 52
Though he had debuted the previous year on Arrow, Diggle's first appearance in the comic book was Green Arrow Volume 5 Issue #24. Written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Andrea Sorrentino, this issue was part of their acclaimed New 52 run on the character, which has so far been one of, if not the only Post-Flashpoint runs for the character that was well-received by fans. Appearing in Seattle, Diggle shows up take take on the rebooted Richard Dragon and Clock King while Green Arrow is on the run due to his being framed.
In the series' Zero Year issue that tied in with Scott Snyder's Batman run, Diggle was shown to be the Queen family bodyguard for years. Oliver Green Arrow first meets Diggle when he and Moira Queen are attacked in the blacked-out Gotham City. Moira eventually dies, which is one of several tragedies that Diggle is forced to endure after his dad and brother both die of cancer.
Hopeless, rudderless, and utterly destitute, Diggle ironically saves Oliver's life outside of his former role as a bodyguard when the badly wounded Green Arrow barges into his home. Now joining Oliver's side against the crime in his city, Diggle, along with Roy Harper, becomes a valuable asset in Green Arrow's proverbial quiver. Like Roy, however, Diggle eventually has a falling out with Oliver, due mainly to the death of Richard Dragon's father.
DC Rebirth
Diggle would reunite with Green Arrow during the Outsiders War, with Oliver saving his life and helping him defeat Richard Dragon once and for all. The tail-end of the New 52 run would see them teaming up with the new comic book continuity version of Felicity Smoak, emulating the team on the first two seasons of Arrow. This short run, written by Arrow creator Andrew Kreisberg, was poorly received, due to it being seen by many readers as a bad imitation of the show.
During DC Rebirth Green Arrow, Diggle would become a mercenary, once again splitting off from Oliver. This was due to Oliver apparently causing the death of the woman that Diggle loved a year before. Diggle would return to Seattle upon hearing about Oliver's death, though once he realized it was a ruse, the two turned on each other. This feud ended long enough for them to take on the Ninth Circle, however.
Their friendship would continue to be strained, however, due to Diggle saving Merlyn's life. Apparently, the Dark Archer had also saved Diggle awhile back, with John now returning the favor. Since issue #17 of the now cancelled series, however, Diggle has yet to be seen again. With the show now ended and the future of the character once played by David Ramsey in question, it remains to be seen where his printed media equivalent will show up next.
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