In this feature we spotlight the various characters, phrases, objects or events that eventually became notable parts of comic lore. Not major stuff like "the first appearance of Superman," but rather, "the first time someone said, 'Avengers Assemble!'" or "the first appearance of Batman's giant penny" or "the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth" or "the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter." Stuff like that. Here is an archive of all the When We First Met features so far! Check 'em out!

With the premiere of the third season of Arrow tonight, I thought it would be nice to spotlight the debuts of the comic book versions of the characters from the TV series that will be debuting on the show this season.

First, we'll look at the heroic characters on the series...

The biggest new addition in Season 3 (pun not intended) is Ray Palmer, the Atom.

The Atom debuted in the pages of Showcase #34 by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson. First we discover that Ray Palmer is working on a shrinking ray (and we learn that his girlfriend makes Iris West look like Miss Congeniality)...





And then, when some kids are trapped in a collapse of a cavern, Ray springs into action...





In the second story in the issue, we first see Ray as the Atom, including his costume...



Tatsu Yamashiro, also known as Katana, debuted in Brave and the Bold #200, which was a preview of Batman and the Outsiders by Mike Barr and Jim Aparo...







The concept of Katana was that the katana she used sort of sucked up the soul of anyone it killed. As it turns out, it was used to kill her husband, Maseo Yamashiro. As you can see above, the sword talks to her in her first appearance, so that is sort of the first appearance of Maseo Yamashiro, as he is the one talking to her and helping her. The sword oddly enough doesn't talk to her again until Batman and the Outsiders #11, which began the reveal of her origin.

Anyhow, here she is from Batman and the Outsiders #11, speaking to her dead husband...



And then later in the issue, when the sword is stolen by her husband's evil brother, Maseo is sucked out of the sword, along with some rather silly villains ("I am Blowdart!" For serious?)...





Next up is Mark Shaw, the Manhunter. Jack Kirby had created the ORIGINAL Manhunter, but now in the 1970s, in 1st Issue Special #5 (with Kirby inked by D. Bruce Berry), he debuted the new Manhunter. He opens with the original Manhunter wearing down and deciding to retire. Coincidentally, at the same time, a new possible Manhunter arises...







At the same time the old one decides to see if anyone new wants to take over, Mark Shaw makes his request...



And thus the new Manhunter was born!

Finally, Ted Grant, Wildcat, debuted in the first issue of Wonder Woman's spotlight anthology, Sensation Comics. He was created by Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen. His first appearance spends a good deal of time just setting up his background as a boxer. Now that he is a top boxer, though, the plot thickens...









I did a legend years ago about the surprising oddity of Wildcat being inspired by the COMIC BOOK version of Green Lantern. Pretty hilarious.

On the next page, bring on the bad guys!

Simon Lacroix, Komodo, made his debut in Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino's soft reboot of the New 52 Green Arrow in Green Arrow #17...







Digger Harkness, Captain Boomerang, first showed up in Flash #117 by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson, where a toy company decides to make boomerangs the next big "thing" in the United States, but they need someone to publicize them...







(I know it is kind of an obvious point, but wow, prime Infantino was just outstanding).

Carrie Cutter, Cupid, first showed up in Green Arrow/Black Canary #15 by Andrew Kreisberg, Mike Norton and Joe Rubinstein. She was saved by Green Arrow in that issue...



That made her obsessed with Green Arrow, which was first demonstrated in Green Arrow/Black Canary #16...







Before she made her debut as "Cupid" in Green Arrow/Black Canary #17...





Finally, the "Big Bad" of Season 3 will be Ra's Al Ghul, who debuted in Batman #232 by Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams and Dick Giordano, as Batman discovers that someone has kidnapped Dick Grayson. He rushes to the Bat Cave to begin his search for his ward when he meets someone new...







(As per usual, the whole thing was an elaborate - and possibly deadly - game set up by Ra's)

Hopefully this gets you pumped up for the season 3 premiere of Arrow tonight!