While 'Arrow' continually wins nerd hearts everywhere with its impressive genre castings, most recently with 'Battlestar Galactica's James Callis, we're particularly looking forward to former 'Fringe' star Seth Gabel's guest turn as DC comics villain Vertigo in the January 30 episode. We've heard about about the character getting a more grounded, 'Arrow' update as well as a connection to a certain 'Dark Knight' villain, but what does Gabel himself have to say of the role? Will "Vertigo" prove to be Oliver Queen's greatest challenge yet?

Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) certainly faced his toughest opponent to date battling the Dark Archer in previous episode "Year's End," but the dark reflection will be the least of his worries when Seth Gabel's Vertigo comes to Starling City. Appearing in the January 30 installment "Vertigo," the episode will see Oliver going up against a new drug kingpin in town, whose titular poison leaves its users off-balance and uncoordinated. In other words, bad news for archers.

Blastr recently spoke to Seth Gabel to preview the character for 'Arrow's return in 2013, exploring everything from his dastardly plot for Starling City to his similarity to Heath Ledger's Joker:

In this, it's a much darker depiction of the character. I play a street thug drug kingpin who sells a drug called Vertigo on the streets of Starling City and has people hooked. At the same time, he's hooked on acquiring more money and power and essentially taking over the streets.

He's working on building a street empire. You heard that the Arrow faces his most worthy adversary. For the Count, it's the exact same situation, where he's facing his most worthy adversary. So when the two meet, for me as the villain, it feels as if star-crossed lovers because it's so exciting having the opportunity to battle with someone who's perhaps equal in my ability.

Careful not to spoil the episode, Gabel did go on to tease that his Vertigo could certainly come to menace Oliver and Starling City once again, saying "We're going to be talking about it a little more, about if and when it might continue." Before his dizzying battle with Vertigo, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) will first go up against DC comics villain Firefly in 'Arrow's 2013 return episode "Burned," airing January 16.

What say you? Do you think Seth Gabel's Vertigo will be Oliver's greatest challenge yet? What villain are you looking forward to seeing? Check out a trailer for 'Arrow's 2013 return below, and tell us what you think in the comments!

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