How 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' may impact the Arrowverse and change the fate of Supergirl, Flash and Green Arrow forever
'Crisis on Infinite Earths' has been the most anticipated crossover event of the year. The event was first teased in the pilot episode of 'The Flash' and this Fall, the event that changed the face of the earth in the DC comics universe will finally be here. Keeping with the chain of events, last year's crossover, 'Elseworlds' introduced us to 'The Monitor' (LaMonica Garrett), who has a significant role to play in the upcoming epic battle.
In new seasons of each of the shows — 'Arrow', 'The Flash', 'Supergirl', and 'Batwoman' — the 'Crisis' will be the point of focus. The end of the battle essentially closes out 'Arrow' as well.
Going by the comics, 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' was a 12-issue mini-series that focused on the greatest battle in cosmic history. The Anti-Monitor (the Monitor's evil counterpart) is unleashed on the DC Multiverse and begins to destroy the various Earths that it comprises. This leads the Monitor to build an army of superheroes and villains who team up to save all that exists.
Ahead of the impending battle, here are our theories on how it impacts the Arrowverse:
The Flash
The first hint of 'Crisis' was seen when it was revealed that Barry Allen aka The Flash (Grant Gustin) disappears in 2024. Despite warnings from fellow speedsters from different timelines, Barry zoomed in and out of different earths and ruptured the timeline making inter-dimensional trips, for reasons and causes that he believed would be the only way to save his earth.
To make matters worse was the entry of his daughter, Nora West-Allen (Jessica Parker Kennedy). The Scarlet Speedster's daughter returned to the past, only to change the timeline to a state that Barry's vanishing during the 'Crisis' drastically jumped from 2024 to 2019.
At the moment, it is is still unclear if Barry will be a casualty of war. If The CW is to stick to the comic plotlines of the 'Crisis', then Flash's death would be pretty sad. The story follows him being imprisoned in the anti-matter universe. But he manages to break free and realizes that the Anti-Monitor was building an anti-matter cannon that would destroy multiple universes in one blow.
In an attempt to destroy the cannon, Flash runs at a speed he's never run before to create a vibrational frequency that destabilizes the cannon's core. While the ploy works, it comes at a heavy price and Barry's physical form disintegrates leaving only his costume behind.
Adding to this thought was Gustin's cryptic statement during the San-Diego Comic-Con 2019. The actor said that the show could carry on in the future without him, leading to speculations that the Flash would be one of the superheroes to die. Do expect a chunk of the episodes this season to be about the 'Crisis' rather than Team Flash facing new metas.
Arrow
Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) will die. Or at least that is the working theory after the shocker that season seven's finale dropped on us. The possibility cannot be ruled out though. Fueling this theory was also The CW President Mark Pedowitz's confirmation that a major character was "highly likely" to die in the event.
Season eight officially ends 'Arrow' and Oliver's heroic death, in a way, would be the way to go. The death may also see Oliver's life come full circle. From a Bruce Wayne-ish background to becoming the Emerald Archer, he has been the one to tackle enemies, tough and tougher and facing the Anti-Monitor would be the biggest fight he would fight. Plus, he's mortal. Odds are that he would be the one likely to die in an attempt to defeat the Anti-Monitor.
After 'Elseworld', it did look like Oliver's days was numbered. In exchange for saving The Flash and Supergirl, he had agreed to help the Monitor in preparing "whatever the Multiverse requires to survive the crisis that is looming". While Oliver's death cannot be avoided, it might pave the way for a replacement, something that may set the story of the spin-off post 'Arrow'.
Supergirl
She dies in the comics. But may probably getaway in the series. If The CW were to look at a similar plotline, that would essentially mean the end of the series. Her death in the comics led to an iconic panel of Superman holding his cousin in his arms. While that image has already been referenced in 'Supergirl', it is possible that it was just teasing what her fate would be in the crossover event. Season five of 'Supergirl' would probably see Kara gear up for the most important fight of her life.
'Supergirl' is one of those shows that looks like it's not going away anytime soon, and killing the character would not be the ideal move.
What are your thoughts on how the 'Crisis' may impact the Arrowverse?