Arrow Season 3 Spoilers: When Does Ra's Al Ghul Appear, and Does Slade Wilson Show Up?

Season 3 of the CW's Arrow is just a few weeks away, and fans are gearing up for the new adventures of Oliver (Stephen Amell), Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) and the rest of Team Arrow. Of course, the third season's villain, Ra's Al Ghul (Matt Nable) looms large, but just when will he appear on the show?

Fortunately, the "Ask Ausiello" column at TVLine has some details on how the character makes himself known.

"Question: Do you have any insight as to who the Big Bad of season 3 of Arrow will be? -Michael
Ausiello: As revealed at Comic-Con, the Big Bad is this guy - the iconic DC Comics villain Ra's al Ghul, just recently cast with Aussie Matt Nable. And though the League of Assassins leader is first seen in Episode 4, it will take a bit before he and Arrow butt heads, swords or what have you. 'Before the winter break, which would be Episode 9, you'll see some big stuff with him and Oliver,' promises EP Greg Berlanti."

Season 2's main villain was Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, played by Manu Bennett. Oliver locked him away in prison on the island of Lian Yu in the Season 2 finale, which left the door cracked open slightly for his return. But will he show up in Season 3? "In the DC Comics universe, one should never say never," Ausiello writes in his column, "but no, Manu/Slade will not play a role in the early part of Season 3, at least."

How do you think Ra's will actually get involved in the happenings of Starling City? Do you think Slade will return? Let us know in the comments section.