- For other uses of "Vigilante", see Vigilante (disambiguation).
- "My mission. We were cops for ten years. What did we ever accomplish? Not enough, not nearly enough. This is the only way."
- —Vincent to Dinah Drake[src]
Vincent "Vince" Sobel (died February 1, 2018), also called Vinny, was a vigilante and former police detective of the Central City Police Department, as well as the boyfriend and former partner of Dinah Drake. After nearly being killed by Sean Sonus, Vincent survived due to the particle accelerator explosion and upon becoming a meta-human with the ability to regenerate much faster than normal humans, he began a crusade against criminals as the masked vigilante publicly nicknamed, aptly, Vigilante.[1]
Vincent later went undercover to infiltrate Cayden James's criminal cabal, but was eventually revealed as a mole and was killed by Laurel Lance.
Biography[]
Undercover and apparent death[]
Vincent and Dinah together in bed talking about their mission.
Vincent Sobel was the lover of Dinah Drake. A highly skilled manufacturer, he used to make little boxes with paper roses for her.[2] Vincent and Dinah both worked together at the CCPD as partners and they never told anyone about the relationship between them, even to their captain David Singh.[3]
Vincent Sobel hit by dark matter.
In 2013, Dinah, under the guise of "Tina Boland", was kidnapped by a criminal named Sean Sonus whilst undercover. Two weeks later, Vincent was kidnapped by Sonus as well. He was brought to Tina, where Sonus pointed a gun to his head, wanting to kill him in front of her. Tina begged for Sonus not to kill Vincent, but he didn't listen. Vincent was seemingly killed by Sonus, who shot him in the head right as he and everyone inside the room was hit by a wave from the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator.[3] In this moment, however, Vincent was transformed into a meta-human with regenerative capabilities.[2]
Beginning of his vigilante activities[]
Emerging as a vigilante after Genesis Day, Vincent, known publicly as "Vigilante", tried to stop Triad gun running deals, and also tried to stop their money laundering through Star City Trust Bank. These actions brought him to the attention of Felicity Smoak who was researching Star City vigilantes.[4]
Antagonism with the Green Arrow[]
After the Spooky Crew, a gang of skull-masked criminals, began robbing banks, Vigilante went after them. During their heist at Star City National Bank, he killed Rickie Jenkins. That night, they hit Star City Allied Bank. However, before Vigilante could kill any of them, Team Arrow intervened, with Green Arrow asserting his opposition to what Vigilante was doing, causing the latter to quickly escape. Later on, he targeted the Papp Motel, where the leader of the gang, Eric Dunn, was recovering. Unfortunately for Vigilante, the Green Arrow was there, and he kept Dunn safe, not being affected by any of Vigilante's bullets.
Mr. Terrific held hostage by Vigilante.
The following night, Team Arrow posed as the gang, pretending to rob Star City Trust Bank. Vigilante saw through the ruse and knocked Artemis out, taking Mr. Terrific. Allowing the rest of the team to go, Green Arrow shot an arrow at Vigilante before he could kill Mister Terrific, disarming him, and they had a fight that ended in Green Arrow strapping him to a pillar.
Green Arrow tries to unmask Vigilante.
Before he could be unmasked, an explosive went off, allowing him time to escape.[1]
Some time later, Vigilante once again engaged with Green Arrow and Spartan at a warehouse. Before his bullets could hit them, they were saved by The Flash, leaving Vigilante taken aback.[5]
Vigilante continued his antagonism against Green Arrow when the latter was tracking down the identity of a mass shooter who attacked the City Hall. As Green Arrow interrogated a member of the Bertinelli crime family, Vigilante shot the mobster and claimed that he's doing Green Arrow a favor with one less criminal on the streets. Green Arrow accused the masked avenger of being a criminal himself, to which Vigilante opened fire at him before escaping.[6]
Targeting Mayor Queen[]
When Oliver Queen faced impeachment, Vigilante decided to target him for supposedly being corrupt and prepared his weapons, not knowing Oliver was secretly Green Arrow. He attacked Oliver's limo by shooting it, causing it to flip, telling the others in the limo that if Oliver surrendered he'd let them live. Vigilante was attacked by Dinah and Thea Queen. Briefly taken aback at seeing Dinah, Vigilante nonetheless managed to subdue both her and Thea. When Oliver faced him, Vigilante shot at the former, but Oliver dodged the bullets and cops arrived. Vigilante told him Oliver had one more day to live before leaving.
Vigilante fights Prometheus.
Afterwards, Vigilante was cornered by Prometheus (who had tracked him from a piece of his goggles that broke from the attack) on a rooftop. Prometheus informed him that Oliver was his to kill, to which Vigilante simply responded that he would kill Oliver first. The two engaged in an intense battle, which ended with Prometheus throwing Vigilante off the building. However, Vigilante managed to get away safely.
As Oliver delivered a speech, Vigilante prepared to kill him with a sniper from a nearby building. Before he could, he was attacked by Spartan, Mr. Terrific, and Wild Dog. They engaged in a fight, in which Mr. Terrific took him down with one of his T-Spheres, but Vigilante managed to escape once again. After the charges against Oliver were dropped, Vigilante presumably gave up on targeting the mayor and his "corruption" as he was not seen again.[7]
Targeting Councilwoman Pollard[]
Vigilante emerged again, to try to kill Emily Pollard for also supposedly being corrupt after her crafting and supporting anti-vigilante legislation. He first attempted to kill her with a sniper rifle, but Dinah saw him and pushed her out of the way. He was caught on video camera, allowing Team Arrow to know he was back. When he attempted to sneak into Pollard's apartment, he was spotted by Dinah again, in which he tried to escape, realizing he couldn't escape in time, he attempted to raise a weapon at her but she used her Canary Cry to destroy his googles. He took off his mask revealing his identity to her, throwing her off, this allowed him to escape. Vincent later trapped Pollard again and attempted to kill her but Dinah once again showed up dressed as Black Canary, only for a police officer to aim his gun at the pair, when he shot the gun, Vigilante took the shot, Dinah sent the cop away to get an ambulance, but was shocked to discover that Vigilante had a healing ability. Vincent explained to Dinah, that what they did as cops did no good, she allowed him to escape and didn't inform her team. Later on, Vincent left a gift for Dinah in her car - the same kind he used to when they were together, revealing there may still be a part of the man whom she loved left in him.[2]
Working with Cayden James[]
Vincent with the rest of the Cabal.
Vincent continued to send messages to Dinah all the time, eventually Dinah agreed to meet him and he wanted to be with her. She refused him and told him to leave Star City or next time she will take him down. Unknown to her, the conversation was watched by Oliver Queen, Felicity Smoak, and John Diggle, which caused a confrontation which ultimately led to Dinah leaving Team Arrow. Dinah contacted Vincent and she told him that she needed a friend, unknown to her, he has been working with Cayden James as he and the Cabal have been watching Dinah and Team Arrow for months.[8]
Over the following weeks, Vincent changed his image as Vigilante and stopped killing, forcing criminals to turn himself over to the police. Besides, he got much closer to Dinah, with whom he arranged to go for a walk by the river, where they hardly kissed. The romantic moments were interrupted by the phone call to Vincent who had to leave him. He was forced to show up in the team's hideout, thus presenting Cayden's numerous alliance before Green Arrow, who decided to escape. Soon after, he got a call from Dinah, who asked him to meet him, where a desperate slap on him and revealed that she knew about his cooperation with criminals. She couldn't understand that she had let him approach her and handcuffed him. This one, however, was cleverer and broke free, stunning the woman. A few hours later came the moment of the transaction with Bertinelli, with which the criminals met in his port. There was also an archer who was working with Jerry. However, the criminals turned out to be smarter, again provoking the hero to flee and killing Bertinelli. Soon after, Vincent was cleaning the weapons in the hideout when Cayden wanted to make sure Drake was not going to be a problem for him.[9]
Spare parts for the Vigilante suit.
When Cayden began implementing his plan against Star City, and Queen revealed that it was the hacker behind all the incidents, criminals took action. Before Sobel went with Sheck to a designated safe area for their attack, the ex-policeman sent the Outsiders information about the attack plan. As planned, the criminals met the avenger's resistance on the spot. During the fight, Sheck managed to get close to the Wild Dog and was close to firing a lethal shot, but then the Vigilante appeared as a double agent and shot Sheck before he could inform anyone that Vigilante was a traitor. After all this, Vincent met with Dinah, who forgave him for his lies and kissed him passionately.[10]
Death[]
Laurel kills Vincent.
Sobel's romance with Dinah flourished again, however Cayden began to suspect the man of Sheck's murder and became wary of him. Vincent tried to keep the appearance of a "good criminal", but in the meantime he was seeing the Outsiders. The original team attacked him the next time he was passed on, but quickly realized her mistake. Everyone immediately went to the hideout, where all inconveniences were cleared up. Queen, however, still did not trust Sobel, but needed him to hack Cayden's servers. Everything went as planned, but when Vincent left the building, Anatoly Knyazev stunned him. As soon as he woke up, he was tied to a chair and awaited torture from his former allies. Fortunately for him, the Outsiders found Sobel, but it was a trap. On orders from James, the Black Siren began screaming in Vincent's ear, seeking the limit of endurance of his regenerative abilities, eventually killing him in front of his beloved.[11]
Alternate reality[]
Vigilante's mask alongside other fallen vigilantes in Damien Darhk's collection.
When the Legion of Doom used the Spear of Destiny to rewrite reality, Damien Darhk became the mayor of Star City. In this reality, Vigilante tried to oppose his rule and was killed for it. His mask was placed in his office beside other vigilantes and heroes who Darhk had killed and kept their masks as trophies.[12]
Legacy[]
Original multiverse[]
Vincent's death at the hands of Laurel Lance under James' orders served as the catalyst that resulted in Dinah Drake returning to her ruthless and destructive ways once again.
Vincent's death was avenged when Ricardo Diaz killed James. While his killer; Laurel redeemed herself and became a hero in her own right as well as an ally to Team Arrow.
Personality[]
Vincent in his civilian persona.
- "I don't have to convince you. Because you're not stopping me from doing this"
"Are you sure?" - "I am. Because you know saving this city means doing whatever's necessary."
- —Vincent Sobel and Oliver Queen[src]
Vincent as Vigilante.
After becoming a vigilante, Vincent became extremely violent, cruel and ruthless, even towards criminals who had only committed minor offenses, he is also willing to kill criminals in cold blood, even if they have not physically harmed anyone.
As lost in bitterness and a vengeful attitude towards criminals as he's become, Vincent did genuinely believe he was doing the right thing. He saved an innocent woman from men who intended to traffic her and then told her to run and also still cares for his former partner and ex-girlfriend, Dinah Drake, choosing not to kill her when she first opposed him and later taking a bullet for her. A subsequent interaction between them revealed that the reason he had not sought her out in the years since is because he did not wish to be "distracted". After reconnecting with Dinah, Vincent became less violent.Powers and abilities[]
Powers[]
- "You're not the only one dark matter did something to. Everything heals now."
- —Vincent Sobel to Dinah Drake[src]
- Meta-human physiology: After Vincent was struck by the energy of the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator, this altered his DNA and supercharged his cells, augmenting his physiology and to access his powers.
- Accelerated healing factor: Vincent had the power to heal at a much faster and more efficient rate than normal humans, as his body could heal from severe and even fatal injuries such as a bullet to the head.
Abilities[]
- Peak of human physical condition: Vincent was in top physical condition and well-trained, as he was able to kill one of Eric Dunn's followers and later injure and defeat the other. He was able to battle Green Arrow with an injured shoulder for some time (but this is probably due to Vincent's accelerated healing factor) albeit being pushed back. He can also catch a shuriken thrown at him by Prometheus.
- Keen-level intellect: Vincent was familiar enough and able to construct Morse code messages without having to look it up.
- Expert of deception/Manipulator: According to Dinah Drake; Vincent was so good at infiltrating criminal organizations, that he could sometimes forget which side he was on.
- Computer specialist/Skilled computer hacker: Vincent had at least basic computer hacking skills.
- Bilingualism: Vincent knows Morse code.[10]
- Master marksman: Vincent prefers guns and rifles as his favorite type of weapons, and has great proficiency with them, as was shown in battle against Eric Dunn's group and Team Arrow. His aim is so precise, he was able to shatter one of Artemis' launched arrows by firing a bullet straight down the head.
- Master hand-to-hand combatant/Martial artist: Vincent was an excellent hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist, as he had received training, as all Central City Police Department members do. He was able to best multiple bandits and thugs, fight on par against John Diggle and best an olympian awardee like Curtis Holt. Vincent was also able to fight on par against Green Arrow (who had been trained by Ra's al Ghul himself) and Prometheus respectively, but not enough to actually best them.
- Intimidation: Vincent was able to effectively terrorize individuals, both his enemies and unwilling allies; like a gun shop owner. The latter said that Vigilante was much more frightening than Spartan. Vincent was so terrifying to the point that he could put the fear of god in the eyes of criminals, spurring them to willingly turn themselves over to the police.
- Stealth: Vincent had great skills in stealth, being able to sneak closely to Mr. Terrific and Artemis before silently defeating both of them. Vincent's skills allow him to seamlessly disappear from sight without a trace, making it difficult to keep up with him.
- High tolerance for pain: Vincent had a high tolerance for pain, as he forcefully pulled his hand out of a pair of handcuffs, yet was barely fazed. Due to his healing factor, Vincent was able to endure a lot of pain inflicted on him when being tortured.
Weaknesses[]
- Limited healing factor: Despite Vincent's accelerated healing factor; he was unable to heal his damage left eye. He also could not heal from Laurel Lance's sonic scream; which ultimately led to Vincent's death.
Equipment[]
- "Cold-blooded murder. You're the criminal."
"I'm you, and the only difference between us is that I use a more efficient weapon." - —Green Arrow and Vincent Sobel[src]
- Vigilante suit: Vincent's suit is comprised of black leather and computerized orange goggles that resemble ski goggles.[1]
- Heckler/Koch MP5K: Vincent's main submachine gun.[1][6]
- FN SCAR-L: Vincent's main assault rifle with a mounted FN MK 13 Mod 0 grenade launcher.[1][7]
- Glock 17: Vincent's main sidearm.[7]
- Nemesis Arms Vanquish: Vincent had a suppressed sniper rifle.[7]
- Bola: Vincent used a bola to subdue Dinah Drake during his first assassination attempt on Oliver Queen.[7]
Appearances[]
Arrow[]
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
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The Flash[]
Season 3[]
Gallery[]
Concept artwork[]
Trivia[]
Mr. Ski Goggles' profile on Felicity Smoak's database.
- According to Felicity Smoak's files, Vincent considers himself a red hat hacker or "hacktivist".[4]
- Felicity originally nicknamed him "Mr. Ski Goggles".[4]
- Vincent's eye not being able to heal despite his accelerated healing factor is very similar to Slade Wilson; they both have or had an accelerated healing factor that failed to heal their eye.
- Vincent mentioned that he and Dinah Drake were cops for nearly 10 years before the particle accelerator exploded.[2] Assuming that they both joined the CCPD between the ages of 18-21, and including the three years between the accelerator explosion and Dinah becoming Black Canary, that puts both Vincent and Dinah around the ages of 31-34.
Behind the scenes[]
- In the DC comics, Vigilante is the alter ego used by multiple characters, most notably District Attorney Adrian Chase who in Arrow is still the District Attorney by day, but by night is instead Prometheus. Adrian eventually ended up committing suicide, and the Arrowverse's Adrian Chase did as well (albeit for drastically different reasons).
- Vigilante's modus operandi has similarities to that of Hunter Zolomon from the comics. Hunter claimed that Wally West could not operate as the Flash truly effectively until he experienced personal tragedy, which is why he fought Wally as Zoom. Vigilante said something similar to Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, claiming that if he still shows mercy to the criminals, the only explanation is that his personal tragedies never truly hardened him into a person capable of doing "what's necessary", not knowing how many tragedies Oliver had already suffered in his life.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Vigilante"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Deathstroke Returns"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Second Chances"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Legacy"
- ↑ "Invasion!"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Spectre of the Gun"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Fighting Fire With Fire"
- ↑ "Irreconcilable Differences"
- ↑ "Divided"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "We Fall"
- ↑ "All for Nothing"
- ↑ "Doomworld"