The Arrowverse was actually an astounding piece of tv storytelling, a daring experiment that set the usual for do interconnected universes on TV, and for carry DC heroes to the small display screen in live-action. This important a part of TV historical past happened as superheroes have been dominating the massive display screen and departed simply as superhero media ceased to be a surefire wager.
Even at present, the Arrowverse stays one thing particular, a universe crammed with reveals of various tones and approaches. Earlier than the Netflix Marvel collection tried to tell apart each other with totally different coloration filters, the Arrowverse received began with the “Batman Begins”-esque “Arrow” — a present with many ups and downs, however an unquestionable legacy. After that got here the foolish and soapy superhero saga that’s “The Flash” (which explored the multiverse years earlier than the idea got here to dominate the superhero style), the progressive and idealistic “Supergirl,” the noir-inspired “Batwoman,” the zany and peculiar but considerate and heartwarming “Legends of Tomorrow,” and plenty of different reveals.
Earlier than the DC Universe combines live-action and animation in the identical continuity (which even Marvel hasn’t totally tried but), the Arrowverse gave us characters that jumped from live-action to animation and again once more. It additionally introduced over characters from totally totally different networks and made them staples of its personal multiverse, like Matt Ryan’s John Constantine. Then there have been the crossover occasions, which gave audiences some actually spectacular moments — notably “Disaster on Infinite Earths,” which introduced collectively a number of eras of superhero tales and dozens of well-considered cameos way more successfully than both the live-action 2023 “Flash” film or DC Animation’s three-part “Justice League: Disaster on Infinite Earths” adaptation.
That is an entire lot of media for newcomers to navigate … which is the place we are available in.
The right order to observe the Arrowverse reveals
With almost 700 episodes throughout 37 totally different seasons of TV, the Arrowverse might not be close to as immense as, say, “One Piece,” nevertheless it’s nonetheless a prolonged endeavor. What makes this gorgeous simple is that you just simply want to observe the episodes of their order of launch. The Arrowverse’s reveals have been written and meant to be watched weekly as they got here out, with the crossovers merely following the order of which present made it to air first. With that in thoughts, here is the proper order to watching the franchise’s many collection and occasions:
- “Arrow” season 1
- “Arrow” season 2
- “The Flash” season 1 (as much as episode 7)
- “Arrow” season 3 (as much as episode 7)
- “Flash vs Arrow” crossover occasion (“The Flash” and “Arrow” episode 8)
- “Arrow” season 3
- “The Flash” season 1
- “Constantine”
- “Vixen”
- “The Flash” season 2
- “Arrow” season 4
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 1
- “Supergirl” season 1
- “Vixen” season 2
- “The Flash” season 3 (as much as episode 7)
- “Arrow” season 5 (as much as episode 7)
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 2 (as much as episode 6)
- “Supergirl” season 2 (as much as episode 7)
- “Invasion!” crossover occasion (episode 8 of “Supergirl,” adopted by “The Flash” episode 8, then “Arrow” episode 8, and “Legends of Tomorrow” episode 7)
- “The Flash” season 3
- “Arrow” season 5
- “Supergirl” season 2
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 2
- “Supergirl” season 3 (as much as episode 7)
- “Arrow” season 6 (as much as episode 7)
- “The Flash” season 4 (as much as episode 7)
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 3 (as much as episode 6)
- “Disaster on Earth-X” crossover occasion (episode 8 of “Supergirl,” adopted by “Arrow,” “The Flash,” and “Legends of Tomorrow)
- “Freedom Fighters: The Ray” season 1
- “Supergirl” season 3
- “Arrow” season 6
- “The Flash” season 4
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 3
- “Black Lightning” season 1
- “Freedom Fighters: The Ray” season 2
- “The Flash” season 5 (as much as episode 8)
- “Arrow” season 7 (as much as episode 8)
- “Supergirl” season 4 (as much as episode 8)
- “Elseworlds” crossover occasion (episode 9 of “The Flash,” adopted by “Arrow,” after which “Supergirl)
- “The Flash” season 5
- “Black Lightning” season 2
- “Arrow” season 7
- “Supergirl” season 4
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 4
- “Supergirl” season 5 (as much as episode 8)
- “Black Lightning” season 3 (as much as episode 8)
- “Batwoman” season 1 (as much as episode 8)
- “The Flash” season 6 (as much as episode 8)
- “Arrow” season 8 (as much as episode 7)
- “Disaster on Infinite Earths” crossover occasion (episode 9 of “Supergirl,” adopted by “Black Lightning,” “Batwoman,” and “The Flash,” then “Arrow” episode 8)
- “Supergirl” season 5
- “Black Lightning” season 3
- “Batwoman” season 1
- “The Flash” season 6
- “Arrow” season 8
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 5
- “Batwoman” season 2
- “Black Lightning” season 4
- “Superman & Lois” season 1
- “The Flash” season 7
- “Supergirl” season 6
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 6
- “Batwoman” season 3
- “Legends of Tomorrow” season 7
- “The Flash” season 8
- “Superman & Lois” season 2
- “The Flash” season 9
- “Superman & Lois” season 3
- “Superman & Lois” season 4
The Arrowverse set a normal
Due to the crossover occasions, launch order is just one of the best ways to expertise the Arrowverse, permitting you to observe the development and growth of the universe. Over time, we see how what began as Oliver Queen’s one-man campaign towards crime evolves into a correct superhero epic involving metahumans, aliens, and gods, with every subsequent present getting weirder than those earlier than it. This works a lot in the identical approach Section One of many Marvel Cinematic Universe did, rising out the universe in a fashion that feels natural and easing viewers into the concept of a comic book e book being dropped at the display screen.
Then there are reveals that hardly cross over, like “Legends of Tomorrow.” Certain, the collection truly begins by assembling facet characters from “Arrow” and “The Flash” (who take part in a handful of the crossover occasions), however in any other case, it is largely standalone. What’s extra, “Legends of Tomorrow” at all times prided itself on being distinctive and separate from the remainder of the Arrowverse, liberating it to do unusual and foolish issues like having its heroes battle historic figures to Sisqó’s Thong Track (or, maybe most infamously, having Gorilla Grodd attempt to assassinate a younger Barack Obama). There’ll by no means be one other interconnected superhero TV universe just like the Arrowverse, and that is okay; we have already got the one Arrowverse we ever wanted.
