New photos from upcoming 'Arrow' episodes offer first glimpse of The Count

CW's newest hit 'Arrow' returns tonight! Tonight's mid-season premiere (entitled "Burned") will debut the character of Firefly, an adaptation of the DC Comics villain of Batman & Robin. The official description for tonight's episode is "Oliver's confidence is shaken after being beaten by the Dark Archer and he takes a break from being Arrow. However, when Laurel calls Arrow for help investigating a firefighter’s suspicious death, he reluctantly agrees but his hesitance while fighting almost costs him his life. Meanwhile, Tommy throws a benefit for the firefighters and Thea tries to lift Moira out of her depressive state."

That all happens tonight, but the CW just released more promotional images for upcoming episodes--including our first peek at The Count, a live-action adaptation of the "Green Arrow" villain Count Vertigo!

The Count is played by Seth Gabel ('Fringe') and has dropped "Vertigo" from his name, because in the 'Arrow' universe, Vertigo is the name for a designer drug that The Count is selling in Starling City. Given that the story involves illegal narcotics, it's reasonable to expect that Oliver's sister Thea--otherwise known as "Speedy"--may be on the wrong side of the equation.

'Arrow' Executive Producer Mark Guggenheim said of The Count "He's a very interesting character, and the way Seth performs him, he plays him with a lot of flair. The fun thing about The Count is he's actually a businessman. He's got a little bit of a sociopathic streak in him, for sure, but he sees himself as an entrepreneur, as creating not drugs, but art. He compares his drug to performing a social service and to a fine wine, so he has a very skewed view of what it is that he does. At the same time, we know that he's not only sociopathic, but he's very sadistic as well."

Gabel will appear as The Count in two weeks' time in an episode of 'Arrow' aptly titled "Vertigo."

But before "Vertigo" comes the January 23 episode "Trust and Verify." The official description for "Trust and Verify" is as follows:

The next person on Arrow’s list is Diggle’s commanding officer and mentor from Afghanistan, Ted Gaynor (guest star Ben Browder). Oliver suspects Ted is responsible for recent armoured truck robberies, but Diggle defends Ted and takes a job at Ted’s security company to keep an eye on him. Oliver decides to make a move on Ted, which puts him at odds with Diggle. Meanwhile, Thea ) suspects that Moira is having an affair with Malcom. Tommy and Laurel have an awkward dinner with Malcom.

Oliver and Diggle's relationship has been strained for some time; something directly placing them at odds with one another like this is sure to bring fireworks. Fans of the show are well aware that Oliver is not a man to be told what to do, nor is he known for his patience. I fully anticipate him moving in on the target before Diggle has the opportunity to verify his suspicions.

The subplot of the episode is teased with the images below:

If you are yet to see the mid-season finale of 'Arrow,' read no further!! Spoilers below!!

At the close of the mid-season finale, Malcom was revealed to be the Black Archer himself. Given that he bested Oliver in direct combat, what will the Black Archer's next move be? He has proven himself enough to sate his ego... what darker plots is he hatching in this lair we see here?

'Arrow' returns tonight on CW at 8:00pm EST.