The Flash Races Onto TV

Gavin Gronenthal ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Writer

In rather surprising news Tuesday, Deadline reported that Barry Allen, otherwise known as the Flash, would be racing onto the small screen as a guest character in the hit series Arrow on the CW. Not only that, but after the fastest man alive runs a few circles around Arrow, he’ll be starring in a series of his own.

For those who don’t know, Barry Allen is technically the second Flash, but is the first to don the classic red tights. As a police scientist, Barry was working late on a case when a bolt of lighting stuck a wall of chemicals, granting him the power of super speed. Barry is notorious for being endlessly relatable and a very human character, despite his super powers. CW executive Mark Pedowitz stated that he would be a recurring character on Arrow, and the current series would also give him an origin story before launching his own. This is also the first time that anyone with super powers will be introduced into Arrow, further expanding the reach of the television DC Universe.

This will be Flash’s first live action appearance since he had his own series in the early 90’s. But what does this mean for the possible Flash film in 2016? The rumor had been floating around since San Diego Comic Con, and most considered it pretty accurate after the reveal of the Superman/Batman film, which was also rumored at the time. Regardless of whether he stays in TV or transfers over to film, Barry’s appearance is certainly a welcome one, and it’ll hopefully transfer over well. As for how The Flash will appear on Arrow, what villains he’ll face, and who will play Barry and his supporting cast, we’ll just have to wait and see.