DC’s Best Ever Live-Action Crossover Is Now 10 Years Old

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The CW’s Arrowverse was truly unique. This interconnected world of DC Comics-inspired shows, which began with Arrow in 2012 and concluded with The Flash in 2023, was a high point for DC’s live-action adaptations. Over its run, the franchise delivered six series, a wealth of characters, and some incredibly memorable superhero team-ups. It famously brought the massive Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline to life, uniting almost every DC film and TV show in one epic event. However, even with all its impressive crossovers, one still stands out as the very best – and it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The “Invasion!” crossover event, which began on The Flash on November 29, 2016, is often considered the best of the Arrowverse crossovers by fans. Based on the 1989 comic book series of the same name, the story spanned three shows – The Flash, Arrow, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. It was a pivotal moment for the franchise because it introduced a hero from another world – Kara Danvers/Supergirl from Earth-38 – and fully integrated her into the universe, creating an epic heroes-versus-aliens adventure that’s hard to top.

“Invasion!” Was the Arrowverse’s First Real Team-Up (And Was Packed With Iconic Moments)

The story arc that would become “Invasion!” actually started in the eighth episode of Supergirl‘s second season, titled “Medusa”. After Supergirl deals with a deadly alien virus (called the “Medusa” virus), she gets a visit from Barry Allen and Cisco Ramon from Earth-1. They need her help with a serious problem: an alien race called the Dominators has arrived on Earth. The Dominators are concerned about the growing number of meta-humans (people with superpowers) and plan to either control or destroy them.

“Invasion!” features several standout moments, most notably the first major crossover bringing together all four Arrowverse shows at the time. It was also Supergirl’s first experience truly joining the team, having previously only interacted with The Flash. This marked the first time she worked alongside the Legends of Tomorrow and Green Arrow, creating a dynamic that felt like a television version of the Justice League. The feeling of a team forming was further emphasized when the heroes gathered at an old S.T.A.R. Labs facility – a location that would eventually evolve into the Hall of Justice and serve as their headquarters.

The ‘Invasion!’ crossover offered a rich story and a compelling presentation for viewers. It successfully blended the established feel of the Arrowverse with its comic book origins, feeling more like a large-scale comic event than previous crossovers. The inclusion of the Dominators, a classic alien threat from DC Comics, firmly grounded the story in established lore while still remaining true to the Arrowverse. Importantly, the event built directly on the consequences of the ‘Flashpoint’ storyline and cleverly incorporated Arrow‘s 100th episode. This allowed for the return of beloved characters and a deeply moving, though sometimes sad, story arc that resonated with fans.

What really made “Invasion!” stand out was its characters. The crossover event allowed the heroes of the Arrowverse – especially Green Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl – to build stronger relationships. At first, Supergirl felt like an outsider, but by the end, she’d earned the trust and friendship of Green Arrow. This connection became a defining feature of the Arrowverse and laid the groundwork for future, large-scale crossovers like “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and “Crisis on Earth-X.”

“Invasion!” Set the Crossover Standard — And The Arrowverse Was Better For it

The ‘Invasion!’ crossover really defined what future Arrowverse team-up events would be like, and for the most part, the series continued to deliver. ‘Crisis on Earth-X’ in 2017 was particularly well-received, with many fans considering it an improvement over even ‘Invasion!’, which was already a strong event. The crossovers continued to get better with 2018’s ‘Elseworlds,’ which introduced Batwoman and Gotham City to the universe, and also featured Superman from Earth-38. This all culminated in ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths,’ which remains a benchmark for large-scale comic book crossovers. While crossovers were inevitable as the Arrowverse expanded, it’s hard to imagine how successful they became without the foundation laid by ‘Invasion!’.

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2026-03-30 03:12