Malcolm Merlyn

Malcolm Merlyn is a wealthy businessman and prominent figure in Starling City, and an acquaintance of the Queen family, as well as the show's main antagonist. He is Tommy's father. His family owns Merlyn Global Group, presumably making him the CEO. Later in "Year's End", it's discovered that he has taken up somewhat of an anti-Arrow, the "Dark Archer", though known through official sources as "Dark Arrow". However, it has been hinted that Malcolm's role as the Archer dates back before Oliver's return. It has also been hinted that the Dark Archer persona has ties to The Undertaking.

Biography
Malcolm Merlyn met with Moira Queen to discuss the vigilante Arrow. He expressed that he was uneasy about him. At first Moira expected this was because he had a large amount of wealth, but he replied that it was because the vigilante was targeting "The List".

Malcolm later invited Moira to talk with him upon short notice. They discuss whether Oliver might actually be the green-hooded vigilante, and he holds up his end of the argument that he strongly believes that Oliver is. After this, he sent a man to kill Oliver based on his assumption. After the chaos cleared, Moira went to consult with him. Moira threatened to ruin his life if he ever tried hurt the Queen family again.

When Moira was almost shot, she earned a concussion, and so had to stay in bed for several days. Malcolm visited her during this time, much to her distaste. He offered her friendship as they previously had, but she was hesitant. Later, his son Tommy came asking why his father cancelled his credit card while the elder was practicing fencing. His father replied that he had permanently cut Tommy off from his trust fund and the family.

Malcolm decides to take action as now Walter is getting very close to discovering the truth about the List. Moira tries to reassure him that she can get Walter off the track, but Malcolm does not believe her. He also asks if they should send their "associate", Dark Arrow, to take out Walter. Later he goes as Dark Arrow to try to kill the vigilante by luring him with hostages. As Oliver arrives and frees the hostages, he attacks, and tries to see who his foe really is. He fails when Oliver stabs him with a knife  Both manage to escape. And Malcom decides to take Walter so that Moira will cooperate.

Malcolm invites his son and Laurel to have dinner with him where it is learned that his wife, Tommy's mother, was shot dead and tries getting Tommy to sign over his mother's shelter. Later, Tommy confides to Laurel why he hates his father so much: after Tommy's mother was murdered, Malcolm left him for two years. It is implied that it was during those two years that Malcolm became the expert archer that he now is.

Abilities

 * Physical Condition: While the extent of his physical prowess is unknown, Malcolm is strong enough to severely injure Oliver and was able to break three of Oliver's ribs by kicking him in the abdomen repeatedly.


 * Master Archer: As Dark Arrow, Malcolm proved himself as an expert archer with astounding marksmanship. He was successfully able to wound Oliver, under the guise of Arrow, with three arrows accompanied by incredible accuracy. Because of this, Malcolm's archery skills can be considered equivalent, if not superior, to Oliver's.
 * Martial Artist: Malcolm has shown to be a highly skilled fighter. He was able to fight two Triad members, disarm one and kill the man with his own gun.


 * Skilled Tactician: Malcolm has proven himself to be remarkably clever when it comes to devising plans and battle strategies. He even managed to catch Oliver off guard on several occasions and was able to defeat him. One of Malcolm's plans involves the death's of thousands of people


 * Swordsmanship: Malcolm might be trained and particularly skilled with swords. In Muse of Fire, Malcolm is shown fencing with experience, also in Trust But Verify Malcolm's secret room where he keeps his Dark Archer equipment is shown to house several racks of swords.

Trivia

 * In "Year's End", after Oliver claimed that the vigilante needed a new nickname other than "the hood", Malcolm suggested the name "Green Arrow", a clear reference to the vigilante's original DC Comics name. However, Oliver disliked the name, stating that it was lame.
 * In the Green Arrow comics, the Dark Archer is fully known as "Merlyn the Dark Archer", with "Dark Archer" just being a title, and furthermore he is actually Tommy Merlyn who is a member of the League of Assassins. It is unknown if his affiliation to the League is pursued or continued in the TV series or if the League will actually have an appearance in the show. However the plan to kill thousands and purify the Glades draws parallels with Ra's plan to purify the world by killing billions of people using the League of Shadows.
 * Malcolm uses a compound bow while Oliver uses a recurve bow.
 * The black arrows used by the Dark Archer may be a reference to the Golden Age Green Arrow villain, Black Arrow. They are also the same arrows used by Justin Hartley's version of Green Arrow in Smallville, the most notable feature includes the custom-made titanium arrowheads.
 * Malcolm's son, Tommy, may at one point succeed him as the second Dark Archer.
 * It was revealed in the end of "Dead to Rights", Malcolm spent two years in Nanda Parbat when Oliver was around 8, where he received mentorship from another individual. Most likely that's where Malcolm learned archery and how to fight. This would explain why he bested Oliver as it would mean he has at least 20 years experience on him.

Concept artwork
Malcolm Merlyn