'Arrow' star Stephen Amell compares show to Marvel's 'Iron Man'; says they were here first

“Arrow” star Stephen Amell compared his show to “Iron Man” in a recent interview. The actor admitted that some of the newer DC superhero shows have overtaken his TV series, but he pointed out that his show was here first to set the trend.

In an interview with Digital Spy, Amell conceded that relatively newer shows like “The Flash” and “Supergirl” have grown bigger than his own. The actor pointed out that his show was on TV “first” and will always be an important part of the DC TV universe.

"We were there first, right? So if something big is gonna happen, it's almost like I have to be there," he said.

The CW Network has acquired a total of four DC superhero TV shows. Apart from Amell’s show, “Legends of Tomorrow,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl” all air on the same channel, giving it the opportunity for unprecedented crossovers.

Amell compared “Arrow” TV series to that of Marvel’s “Iron Man.” The hugely successful franchise made its debut with Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role way back in 2008. The movie arguable opened the flood gates for many more superhero movies to be released over the past few years.

Most recent Marvel superhero movies have managed to surpass “Iron Man” at the box office. Amell explained that even though Marvel has bigger properties now, Tony Stark will still be the leader in some way, indicating that Oliver Queen is the leader for the DC TV shows.

The “Arrow” TV series has suffered from criticism by the fan base recently. Fans were particularly concerned about the action sequences of the show as well as the lackluster flashback scenes. The producers are expected to change all that in Season 5, with the introduction of a new villain who will not have any magical powers.