Honestly, if you spent any time on the Flash subreddits or DC fan forums back in 2018, you remember the absolute chaos when David Hersch was first mentioned. People were losing their minds. Fans had these elaborate theories about how the "true" Cicada—the one the legends couldn’t catch—was going to be this terrifying, immortal cult leader straight out of the Geoff Johns era. Instead, we got Orlin Dwyer.
And look, Chris Klein tried. He really did. But for many, the "Cicada" we saw on screen felt like a watered-down version of the David Hersch from the comics. This has led to years of David Hersch Cicada fancasting discussions that still pop up today whenever someone mentions the Arrowverse’s missed opportunities.
Who Exactly is David Hersch?
In the source material, David Hersch is a whole different beast. He wasn't some blue-collar dad with a grudge against metas. He was a 19th-century preacher who killed his wife in a fit of rage and then tried to end his own life. Then, boom. Lightning.
Sound familiar? It’s the classic DC origin story, but with a dark twist. The lightning didn’t just save him; it made him immortal, provided he could "harvest" the life force of others. He became a cult leader, obsessed with the Flash because he believed they were brothers linked by the bolt.
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When fans talk about a David Hersch Cicada fancast, they aren't looking for a "villain of the week." They want the charismatic, Manson-esque figure who leads the Children of Cicada. They want the guy who can actually take down a Speedster without just relying on a glowing dagger.
Why the CW Version Was... Different
The show threw us a curveball. In The Flash Season 5, Sherloque Wells flat-out tells the team that in every other universe, Cicada is David Hersch. He’s the "one that got away." The one that Supergirl, the Legends, and the Green Arrow all failed to stop.
But because of Nora West-Allen’s time-traveling shenanigans, the satellite debris hit Orlin Dwyer instead of Hersch. It was a clever way to change the lore, but it left a lot of fans feeling like they’d been robbed of the "real" villain. We saw a brief glimpse of the "original" David Hersch (played by Chris Webb) in a flashback, but he was caught almost immediately.
That’s why the fancasting community hasn't let it go. There’s a sense that the real story—the one where Hersch is an unstoppable force of nature—is still out there waiting to be told.
The Best Fancasts for David Hersch
If we were to do a proper David Hersch story today, maybe in a more prestige-format DC project, who fits the bill? You need someone who can play "pious yet terrifying."
- Jared Harris: If you saw him in Chernobyl or The Terror, you know he can do quiet intensity better than almost anyone. He’d nail the 19th-century preacher vibe.
- Ben Mendelsohn: He’s the king of the "charismatic scumbag." He could easily pull off the cult leader aspect of Hersch’s character.
- Robert Knepper: He’s already been in the Arrowverse as Clock King, but he has that exact "sinister preacher" energy Hersch needs.
The consensus is usually that the actor needs to look older, weathered, and genuinely convinced that his murders are a divine mission.
Why It Matters for SEO and Fans Alike
People are still searching for David Hersch Cicada fancast because the character represents a bridge between the gritty 2000s Flash comics and the modern cinematic universe. There’s a nostalgia for that Geoff Johns run. It was dark, it was weird, and Cicada was one of the few villains who felt like a legitimate psychological threat to Wally West.
Addressing the Misconceptions
One big thing people get wrong: they think Cicada is just a Flash villain. While he debuted in The Flash #170, his powers—specifically the ability to absorb life force and dampen powers—make him a threat to the entire DC roster.
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The Orlin Dwyer version was limited to dampening "dark matter" metas. The comic version of David Hersch? He’s basically a vampire. He doesn't care where your powers come from. If you have a life force, he can take it.
Also, let’s talk about the mask. In the show, the mask was a necessity because of the lung damage from the satellite. In the comics, Hersch didn't need a mask to breathe; he wore it (or rather, looked like he did) as part of his ritualistic identity. It was about the cult, not the tech.
What’s Next for the Character?
With the DCU being rebooted under James Gunn, there’s always a chance we’ll see the Rogues gallery get a fresh coat of paint. Cicada is a prime candidate for a horror-tinged episode or a recurring threat in a Flash movie.
If you're looking to dive deeper into this, here’s what you should do:
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- Read The Flash Vol. 2 #170-176: This is the "Blood Will Run" arc. It’s where Hersch is at his best.
- Watch the Flash Season 5, Episode 7 ("O Come, All Ye Faithful"): It gives the most insight into the show's version of the Hersch/Dwyer split.
- Check out fan-made concepts: Sites like MyCast are full of people trying to find the perfect David Hersch for a gritty reboot.
The story of David Hersch isn't just about a guy with a dagger. It’s about the legacy of the Flash and the dark side of "heroism." Whether we ever see a "true" version of Hersch on screen remains to be seen, but the fan interest certainly isn't going anywhere.