Summer Glau, star of Firefly and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and guest actress on Alphas, Chuck, The Cape, Dollhouse, The Big Bang Theory, The 4400 and Angel, adds another genre TV series to her already extensive catalog of roles.  Glau will be portraying Arrow antagonist Isabel Rochev in a recurring role on the second season of the CW’s Arrow opposite Stephen Amell’s Oliver Queen.

Green Arrow readers will recognize Rochev from the 2010 Green Arrow #1 (Volume 4), created by J.T. Krul and Diogenes Neves.  Rochev, who the CW revealed will be the Vice President of Acquisitions for Stellmoor International, a company looking to take over Queen Consolidated, was a minor but interesting character from the recent past in the Green Arrow universe.  In the comic book series, Rochev worked in the diamond mines of Siberia in her youth.  When she met Oliver Queen’s father Robert visiting her village, he inspired her on to bigger and better things.  Eventually she came to take over Queen Industries.  She saw herself as Robert’s true love and had a goal of eliminating Oliver.  She managed to get her hands on Moira Queen’s wedding ring, and wore it along with a strange mask.

This isn’t Glau’s first entry into the DC Comics universe.  She previously was the voice of Supergirl in a Superman/Batman animated series.

Sharp-eyed Arrow viewers may have noticed Isabel Rochev’s name on Oliver Queen’s list of foes who have failed Starling City–meaning Rochev’s recurring character may fill the void left by the fan-favorite nemesis role of the Dark Archer, played by John Barrowman and killed off in Arrow’s first season finale.

CW also revealed that recurring guest stars Manu Bennett (Slade Wilson), Colton Haynes (Roy Harper), and Emily Bett Rickards, whose Felicity Smoak was arguably the best-developed character on the first season of Arrow, will all become series regulars next season.

Arrow will again be featured on Comic-Con swag bags this year.  Check out these new backpack style bags with their own “cape.”  (Anyone out there want to get me one?)

Arrow returns to the CW Network on October 9, 2013.

C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com