Merlyn (DC Comics)
| Merlyn | |
|---|---|
Malcolm Merlyn in Green Arrow (vol. 7) #6 (January 2024). Art by Sean Izaakse and Romulo Fajardo, Jr. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Justice League of America #94 (November 1971) |
| Created by | Mike Friedrich Neal Adams Dick Dillin |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Arthur King (birth name) Malcolm Merlyn (legal name) |
| Team affiliations | League of Assassins Anti-Justice League Injustice League The 100 Killer Elite Secret Society of Super Villains Suicide Squad |
| Notable aliases | Merlyn the Magician Dark Archer |
| Abilities | |
Merlyn, also known as the Dark Archer, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Mike Friedrich and artists Neal Adams and Dick Dillin, the character first appeared in Justice League of America #94 (1971). Merlyn is the alias of Arthur King, a bow-wielding contract killer who is commonly affiliated with the League of Assassins. He serves as the archenemy of Green Arrow, although he has also fought other superheroes in the DC Universe, including Batman, Black Canary, and the Justice League.
The CW television series Arrow introduced and popularized Malcolm Merlyn, portrayed by John Barrowman, and his son Tommy Merlyn, portrayed by Colin Donnell, as Oliver Queen's nemesis and best friend, respectively. This concept would later be integrated into the comics, as Arthur King's legal name is retroactively established as Malcolm Merlyn, while Tommy briefly assumes the Dark Archer mantle from his father.