The CW is set to expand its DC Comics television universe soon with the premiere of Legends of Tomorrow, a spinoff featuring characters that were introduced on Arrow and The Flash. However, before it debuts, both Arrow and The Flash will return from their winter breaks after having left viewers on emotional cliffhangers.

In the case of Arrow, the cliffhanger in question is the fate of fan-favorite character and love interest to Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards). Now, although a recent international promo may have revealed what will happen to Felicity, new images from the winter premiere tease the return of a chaotic villain.

CBR released 16 new images from the Arrow midseason premiere, ‘Blood Debts’, which reveal the return of Lonnie Machin a.k.a. Anarky (Alexander Calvert) who was first introduced in episode 2 of season 4, ‘The Candidate’. Anarky was announced to be part of Arrow’s fourth season last summer during Comic-Con International in San Diego. Now, take a look at the episode synopsis for the episode and images of Anarky:

THE AFTERMATH - Oliver (Stephen Amell) must deal with the devastating consequences of Darhk’s (guest star Neal McDonough) last attack. Seeking revenge, Oliver goes on a brutal manhunt looking for Dahrk. Jesse Warn directed the episode written by Oscar Balderrama & Sarah Tarkoff (#410).

Of course, given the events of the Arrow midseason finale, which according to the ‘Blood Debts’ synopsis will send Oliver on a mission of revenge, the premiere will likely focus mostly on Darhk. He has been the major antagonist for the show throughout season 4 - with the short break for Arrow’s crossover event with The Flash where they faced Vandal Savage (Casper Crump). Additionally, the Arrow showrunners recently revealed the series will deliver a major turn in Darhk’s character later this year.

Still, although Arrow has featured a number of one-off villains over its four years on the air, many antagonists have returned for one or more following episodes. Now, it seems Anarky will receive that treatment, with Lonnie Machin making the full transition to the mask-wearing anti-villain DC fans will know from the comics as well as the Batman: Arkham Origins video game. Whether Anarky will prove to be a formidable villain for Oliver now that he’s returned, though, remains to be seen.

Next: Stephen Amell’s Arrow Contract Runs Until 2019

The Flash will return on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, while Arrow will return on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 and Legends of Tomorrow will see its series premiere on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Source: CBR