It’s in the nature of superhero tales to include mind-straining concepts like alternate reality and time travel. And comic book adaptations like the Arrowverse are no different.
While The Flash TV series set up time travel and alternate timelines pretty much instantly with its pilot, alternate Earths were introduced the year after with a glimpse at the end of season one.
Although the inclusion of Supergirl and Batwoman were a given, fans were given quite the treat with the inclusion of 1990’s Flash series, supposedly set on Earth-90. This crossover will also officially include Black Lightning and a whole bunch of other DC realities outside of the Arrowverse!
Batman (1966)
Not quite the first superhero TV show—or even the first Batman TV show—the 1966 series is still one of the most iconic superhero shows.
While Adam West passed away some time ago (after a particularly awesome cameo in the supremely underrated DC sitcom Powerless), his sidekick will be filling in. The Robin of the show, Ward appears as an older Dick Grayson of Earth-66.
Wonder Woman (1975)
No, don’t get too excited just yet—there’s no word as to whether we’ll be seeing Lynda Carter don the Amazonian gear once again.
However, with Carter’s involvement as the President of the United States on Supergirl in Earth-38, it may not be too much of a stretch to see her resume her role.
Carter could easily pull double duty as the same Wonder Woman (presumably of Earth-75) or even a Wonder Woman from the same Earth as the Kingdom Come Superman and Bruce Wayne… but more on that later.
The Flash (1990)
While John Wesley Shipp, the man in the costume, has long been a part of CW’s The Flash since 2014, this version of Barry Allen was only introduced recently in the previous Arrowverse annual crossover: Elseworlds.
Nevertheless, his inclusion in the multiverse had been confirmed as early as 2016 when a glimpse of Earth-90 was shown during the characters’ travel through the multiverse.
Given the Flash’s significance to the Crises (Crisises?), expect something epic from this Barry Allen.
Like death. I’m saying expect him to die.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)
Like Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, there’s been no indication of Lois & Clark joining the fray.
While Seeing Teri Hatcher return to the Daily Planet alongside Smallville’s Erica Durance and Supergirl’s Elizabeth Tulloch would be awesome, it’s possible that Dean Cain’s political leanings may have kept him away from the CW’s liberal take on things.
Smallville (2001)
In some ways, Smalllville is the OG of this whole trend. Sure, there have been many other superhero shows prior, but it’s thanks to Smallville that TV started getting these characters back on the small screen.
A point of contention for Smallville fans has always been not having seen Welling suit up as Superman. Short of him flashing the logo of the Superman Returns costume, we’ve never been treated to a good full-body look at the character that wasn’t entirely CGI.
Of course, the whole point of the show was its “no flight, no tights” take on the character, but after 10 years, you’d think the show would have given us a little bit more than a CG Superman.
While it’s unlikely that this’ll change in Crisis, but it’ll still be awesome to see Welling and Durance—who has since taken on the role of Supergirl’s biological mom in the the Arrowverse—reprise their roles.
But more importantly, we’re hoping to hear Remy Zero’s iconic number… which was recently used to introduce the Kent farm in the last Arrowverse.
Birds of Prey (2002)
No, not the movie coming up in early 2020. Way back in 2002 (hey, “2002” is “2020“ rearranged!), on the coattails of Smallville’s success, WB decided to give the Batman mythos a similar shot.
Thankfully, they figured that a Smallville-esque story about a pre-Batman story about a young Bruce Wayne would make no sense. So they pursued the Dark Knight’s legacy instead.
A pseudo-sequel to 1992’s Batman Returns, this version of the Birds of Prey was heavily influenced by the Burton movies and the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths version of the DC universe.
In this Birds of Prey, Huntress is Helena Kyle, the meta human daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. Recruited by ex-Batgirl and now-oracle Barbara Gordon, played to perfection by Dina Meyer, Huntress is joined by Dinah Redmond, the daughter or a version of Black Canary.
Unfortunately, the show met its demise within its first season. Turns out, people did prefer a pre-Batman story about a young Bruce Wayne.
Superman Returns (2006) and the Legacy of Christopher Reeve (1978-1980/87)
To date, 13 years after he first wore those red undies, Brandon Routh is still remembered for his stint at Superman in Superman Returns.
A sequel to the Christopher Reeve films (Richard Donner’s cut of Superman II to be specific), Superman Returns was somewhat divisive amongst audience.
A sequel 26 years after a movie that was technically never released, much of the tone and character of both film and character just didn’t sit right. Things have somewhat changed since, and Superman Returns is mostly remembered fondly as a misguided take on the character and Christopher Reeve’s legacy.
And with Routh’s participation as the very lovable Ray Palmer/Atom in the Arrowverse, fans are more than ready to see the actor reprise his role. And the fanboys over in the Crisis writers’ room have found the best way to give both Routh and Reeve the exit they deserve.
Kingdom Come and Batman: The Animated Series
In the grand scheme of an century old industry, there are not many things that can be considered definitive. But here are Kingdom Come and Batman: The Animated Series—one is easily the most iconic comic of all time written and illustrated by some of the greatest talents of the industry, and the other is probably the single best portrayal of one of the most well known comic characters.
Depicting a future overrun by violent vigilantes, this reality soon sees Superman and Batman challenging each other over differing ideologies of what a superhero’s role is.
Routh, appropriately, will resume his role as Reeve’s Superman 41 years after he debuted as the Superman of a reality similar to Kingdom Come’s. From the iconic red and black emblem, to the older visage, and anger, this version of Superman just might be the hero the multiverse needs.
Interestingly, this seems to also be the avenue in which Batman will be making his Arrowverse debut. And he’ll be portrayed by the most iconic Batman actor of all time: Kevin Conroy. Having voiced the character for almost 30 years across animation and games, this is the first time Conroy will actually be appearing on screen as the character.