Arrowverse

DC_on_The_CW

Arrowverse

The Arrowverse is a shared universe centered on various interconnected television series primarily airing on The CW. The universe was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters that span multiple shows. The name "Arrowverse" originates from the show Arrow, which premiered in 2012 and served as the foundation for the universe.

History[edit | edit source]

The Arrowverse began with the debut of Arrow in October 2012, which follows the story of Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy who becomes the vigilante known as the Green Arrow. The success of Arrow led to the creation of The Flash in 2014, which introduced Barry Allen, a forensic scientist who gains super-speed abilities.

Subsequent series include Supergirl (2015), which follows Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin; Legends of Tomorrow (2016), an ensemble show featuring characters from both Arrow and The Flash; Black Lightning (2018), which initially existed in a separate continuity but was later integrated into the Arrowverse; Batwoman (2019), focusing on Kate Kane, Bruce Wayne's cousin; and Superman & Lois (2021), which follows Clark Kent and Lois Lane as they navigate parenthood.

Crossover Events[edit | edit source]

The Arrowverse is known for its annual crossover events, where characters from different series come together to face a common threat. Notable crossovers include:

Crisis on Earth-X (2017)
Elseworlds (2018)
Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019-2020)

Main Characters[edit | edit source]

Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
Barry Allen / The Flash
Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
Sara Lance / White Canary
Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
Kate Kane / Batwoman
Clark Kent / Superman
Lois Lane

Production[edit | edit source]

The Arrowverse series are produced by Berlanti Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Entertainment. Greg Berlanti is a key figure in the development and production of the Arrowverse, serving as an executive producer on all the series.

Impact and Legacy[edit | edit source]

The Arrowverse has been praised for its interconnected storytelling and has significantly expanded the presence of DC Comics characters on television. It has also led to the creation of various spin-offs and has influenced other shared universes in television.