The CW's 'Arrowverse' intros desperately need a facelift and the upcoming 'Crisis' offers the best chance to liven them up
The CW's intros have a recognizable format. Set to intense, thematic music, the voice of the show's lead character (or characters, in the case of 'Legends of Tomorrow') is heard giving a quick summary of who they are and what the current season is about.
This is followed by a quick animation of the show's title card on a black background. It's consistent, certainly, but it's a formula that needs to change.
The problem with these intros is how rushed they feel. Loud musical fanfares over short clips and dramatic dialogue come across as chaotic, and much of the impact is lost.
Instead of a sequence that sets the mood for the show, the rushed mission statement recap feels like the show admitting that their concepts are a little ridiculous.
But if you get over the idea quickly enough and are distracted by enough exciting imagery, you won't notice. Hopefully.
The characters of the Arrowverse are iconic, and over the years, The CW has managed to do a pretty great job of showing exactly why.
There is every reason to be excited by these characters — and The CW has been squandering their opportunity to start each of their episodes off with that kind of excitement.
Of course, in this age of skippable intros being a feature on streaming services, it's understandable why The CW would forgo a more traditional title sequence.
Shows like 'Titans', however, or even non-Arrowverse shows like 'Black Lightning' have proven that you can have a quick, mood-setting intro without a full-scale title sequence being necessary.
Dropping the rushed voiceover from each of the Arrowverse's shows would go a long way in making the characters feel like they stand on their own.
Additionally, its well past time to abandon the black background behind each logo. It works for 'Arrow', given the darker tone the show can take, but at the heart of superhero stories, there's a need for visual extravagance no matter what medium those stories are in.
With the upcoming 'Crisis on Infinite Earths', and possible new spinoff shows bringing in new viewers, there has never been a better time to change things up and The CW to establish a new status quo for their shows.
Here's The CW's schedule for the next big crossover:
'Supergirl' — December 8
'Batwoman' — December 9
'The Flash' — December 10
'Arrow' — January 14
'DC's Legends of Tomorrow' — January 14