10 Most Disturbing Deaths Across The Arrowverse’s Impressive 11-Year Run

The Arrowverse featured a stunning array of death scenes, some of which are notably disturbing. The shared television universe based on DC Comics was notorious for killing and resurrecting characters, often through its various time travel and multiverse narratives that occurred across the whole franchise. While many deaths in the Arrowverse were by no means permanent, some of them were certainly downright disturbing.

The Arrowverse was a shared fictional universe centered around DC Comics superheroes, depicted in television series airing on The CW network. The Arrowverse included shows like Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Batwoman. These series were interconnected through numerous crossovers, featuring characters crossing over between shows to combat various threats, both mundane and supernatural. The Arrowverse timeline explores diverse portrayals of iconic comic book characters and expands the DC television universe, with some particularly distressing scenes throughout.

10

Eobard Thawne Kills Cisco

The Flash Season 1, Episode 15 “Out Of Time”

Eobard Thawne’s ruthless act of killing Cisco in The Flash was undeniably disturbing and emotionally impactful. As a trusted ally and friend to the Flash team, Cisco’s sudden and brutal death at the hands of Thawne sent shockwaves through both the characters and the audience. The callousness of Thawne’s actions, driven by his twisted agenda and personal vendetta against Barry Allen, underscored the depths of his villainy and the dangers he posed.

The loss of Cisco, a beloved and integral member of the team, left a palpable sense of grief and betrayal among his friends and fellow heroes. This pivotal moment not only heightened the stakes of the conflict but also served as a poignant reminder of the threat posed by Thawne and the unpredictable nature of their battles against him. While not the most graphic death in The Flash, Cisco’s death was a shocking surprise that felt especially harrowing, even if it was undone by Barry travelling back in time and preventing it from happening.

9

Deathstroke Stabs Moira Queen

Arrow Season 2, Episode 20 “Seeing Red”

Deathstroke’s merciless act of killing Moira Queen in Arrow was devastating and emotionally shattering. With his cold determination, he presented Oliver Queen with a sadistic ultimatum, forcing him to make an impossible choice: deciding which loved one would live and which would die. As Deathstroke held Moira at sword-point, the tension reached its peak, amplifying the anguish and desperation of the moment.

The brutal reality of Moira’s death in Arrow, stabbed by a long sword wielded by a ruthless adversary, reverberated throughout the series, leaving a profound impact on both Oliver and the viewers. Moira’s death marked a significant turning point in the narrative, forever altering the dynamics of the Queen family and the trajectory of Oliver’s journey as the Arrow. It served as a stark examination of the brutal consequences caused by their crusade against evil and the sacrifices demanded by their heroism.

8

Tommy Is Impaled And Crushed By A Building

Arrow Season 1, Episode 23 “Sacrifice”

Tommy’s gruesome fate in Arrow was a shocking and devastating season finale. Initially impaled by debris during the chaotic fallout of the Undertaking, the severity of his injury was horrifyingly apparent. As he lay trapped beneath the rubble, the tension soared, intensifying the distress and anguish of his predicament. The sight of Tommy struggling for survival among the destruction was gut-wrenching, a tragic reminder of the real and immediate dangers faced by the show’s characters.

However, the ultimate culmination of his demise was even more brutal and devastating. Crushed beneath the weight of a collapsing building, Tommy’s death was a difficult blow, both to the characters within the narrative and to the audience. The graphic portrayal of his demise lingered long after the episode’s conclusion, leaving an indelible mark on Arrow and the Arrowverse.

7

Nora Extracts The Water Totem From Kuasa

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season 3, Episode 16 “I, Ava”

The scene in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow where Nora extracts the Water Totem from Kuasa, resulting in her death, was undeniably disturbing. The intense and visceral nature of the moment heightened the tension, amplifying the sense of dread and unease. As Nora forcibly removed the totem, Kuasa’s agonized cries echoed through the scene, underscoring the brutality of her demise.

A brief transition into a water form lessened the graphic nature of the moment but made her death feel even more chilling. The emotional weight of Kuasa’s death added another layer of complexity to the narrative, evoking a sense of tragedy and loss. The scene was truly heartbreaking as Kuasa died in Amaya’s arms. While Kuasa’s death at Nora’s hands, like many deaths in the Arrowverse, is not permanent, the scene is still very surprising and upsetting.

6

Vigilante Is Killed By Black Siren’s Voice

Arrow Season 6, Episode 12 “All For Nothing”

The scene in Arrow where Vigilante is killed by Black Siren’s voice was profoundly distressing. As Black Siren unleashed her deadly sonic scream directly into Vigilate’s ear, Vigilante’s life force dramatically drained from his body, the graphic portrayal of his demise was stunning and horrifying. The helplessness of Dinah, forced to witness the brutal death of her ally, added to the intensity of the moment, amplifying the sense of despair and tragedy.

The raw emotion of the scene in Arrow and its visceral portrayal of death hung over the remainder of the season. The scene left a haunting impression on both the characters within the narrative and the audience. This chilling depiction of Vigilante’s demise was a harrowing exploration of the lethal capabilities of Black Siren’s powers and the merciless nature of their adversaries across the Arrowverse.

5

Eobard Thawne Is Erased From Time

Flash Season 1, Episode 23 “Fast Enough”

The moment in The Flash, when Eobard Thawne is erased from time after Eddie’s self-sacrifice, was incredibly disturbing to witness. As Eddie made the ultimate sacrifice, ending his own life to prevent Thawne’s existence, the villain seemingly unraveled and disappeared. The scene was both tragic and chilling in a moment that should have been triumphant.

With each ripple in the timeline, Thawne’s very essence began to unravel before viewers’ eyes, his desperate attempts to cling to existence futile against the inexorable march of fate. The visceral portrayal of his unraveling, coupled with the tragic death of Eddie, intensified the emotional weight of the moment, leaving viewers stunned and shaken. Witnessing the downfall of such a formidable adversary served as a terrifying reminder of the high stakes and moral complexities inherent in the world of The Flash and the wider Arrowverse.

4

Reign Is Thrown Into The Fountain Of Weakness

Supergirl Season 3, Episode 23 “Battles Lost And Won”

The scene in Arrow where Reign is thrown into the Fountain of Weakness was a harrowing and brutal moment. As she is consumed by the Fountain, her anguished cries echo through the scene, underscoring the intensity of her struggle. The visceral portrayal of her demise, coupled with the heartbreaking consequences of her unleashed power, added to the emotional weight of the moment.

Reign’s unleashing of superpowered heat visions on others before her death resulted in the tragic demise of Mon-El, Alura, and Samantha, intensifying the sense of despair and loss. The graphic depiction of their deaths, coupled with the relentless ferocity of Reign’s attack, added a tragic inflection to the scene. The chilling portrayal of Reign’s downfall was a highly memorable and disturbing moment from the Arrowverse that greatly altered the narrative’s trajectory.

3

Amaya Is Frozen And Shattered By Snart

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Season 2, Episode 16 “Doomworld”

Amaya’s death in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow was an astounding and disturbing scene. Snart effortlessly froze Amaya with his cold gun and then shattered her into icy fragments. The brutality of Amaya’s death, coupled with the graphic portrayal of her body breaking apart, was an especially shocking moment. The ease with which Snart dispatched Amaya added to the shock and horror of the scene, which lingered then on the stunned reactions of the remaining heroes.

The sense of helplessness among her fellow Legends, forced to witness the tragic demise of their teammate, intensified the emotional weight of the moment. The chilling scene unfolded very quickly, barely leaving enough time for Amaya’s death to register. The moment echoed throughout DC’s Legends of Tomorrow as one of the most disturbing death scenes from the entire Arrowverse – even if it was short-lived.

2

Mitch Romero Explodes From Dark Matter

The Flash Season 6, Episode 3 “Dead Man Running”

The moment in The Flash when Mitch Romero explodes from dark matter was undeniably one of the most disturbing scenes from the Arrowverse. With a thrilling build-up of tension, the scene crescendos as the dark matter within Mitch’s body reaches critical levels. The eruption that followed was visceral and horrifying, unleashing a torrent of blood and gore that coated Flash and Frost in a grisly shower.

The graphic portrayal of Mitch’s explosive demise in The Flash, coupled with the sheer brutality of the scene, left viewers stunned and shaken. The visceral impact of the moment was felt throughout the episode, serving as a stark portrayal of the dangers posed by dark matter and the unpredictability of their adversaries in the world of The Flash. This chilling portrayal of Mitch’s fate left a haunting impression on both the Arrowverse characters and the audience.

1

Reverse Flash Rips Out Ray’s Heart

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, Episode 17 “Aruba”

The scene in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow where Reverse Flash rips out Ray’s heart stands out as one of the most disturbing deaths in the entire Arrowverse. With a shocking and brutal display of power, Reverse Flash’s merciless act left viewers reeling in horror. The suddenness and brutality of Ray’s demise, coupled with the graphic portrayal of his heart being torn from his chest, created a deeply unsettling moment even if the character was resurrected through time travel.

While there have been numerous disturbing deaths throughout the Arrowverse, few have been bold enough to graphically depict a human heart ripped from a hero’s chest. The ease with which Eobard dispatches Atom is one of the most unsettling elements, contrasting the intense visuals with a disturbing serenity. The tragic scene served as a heartbreaking and climactic finale for DC’s Legends of Tomorrow season 2 and is the most disturbing death in the whole Arrowverse.