The CW's 'Arrow' last left us on a note of hope among "Three Ghosts," but with Oliver Queen due to return on January 15 for the second half of its season, will anyone escape the newest Starling villain's "Blast Radius"? The first photos of 'Arrow''s 2014 return have arrived, and at least one character looks to be blown to bits if they're not careful!

Though lacking in any glimpses of 'Firefly' star Sean Maher's turn as DC villain Shrapnel (trust us, the CW's incarnation isn't anywhere near as visually interesting as his comic counterpart), the first photos from January 15 installment "Blast Radius" show Oliver (Stephen Amell) putting his new mask to good use, and unknowingly making friends with one of his deadliest enemies, Brother Blood (Kevin Alejandro). Lest we forget, Oliver has also thrown in his support for Blood's Starling City mayoral campaign! Awkward.

Here's what The CW has to say of the January 15 installment, but be warned, it's especially spoiler-iffic this time around:

ARROW HUNTS DOWN SHRAPNEL — Oliver must tackle a new threat to the city when bombs start to go off in Starling City. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) discovers the person setting them off is Mark Sheffner (guest star Sean Maher), a man who goes by the nickname Shrapnel. Arrow discovers Shrapnel’s next target is Sebastian Blood’s (guest star Kevin Alejandro) “Unity Rally” and tries to talk the alderman out of hosting it, but he refuses. Arrow sets off to stop the bombing, but Shrapnel tricks him and traps him in a bomb-laced antique store where he is unable to move without setting off the device. While Felicity helps Oliver, Diggle (David Ramsey) races to the plaza to find the bomb before it goes off.

Meanwhile, Roy (Colton Haynes) continues to hide his new strength from Thea (Willa Holland) but, after she witnesses his super strength in action at the rally, she demands answers. Laurel’s (Katie Cassidy) suspicions about Sebastian grow stronger once she learns that he grew up with Cyrus Gold, the man who killed Lance’s (Paul Blackthorne) partner. After Donner (guest Star Dylan Bruce) refuses to help her investigate, she turns to Arrow (Stephen Amell) for help.

Stand-alone episodes and villains have rarely proven all that effective for 'Arrow' but will "Blast Radius" kick off the latter half of season 2 in style? Check out the full set of photos for 'Arrow''s January 15 return below, and give us your predictions in the comments!

Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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Arrow Blast Radius Photos 2014 Premiere
The CW
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