As a long-time comic book enthusiast who grew up watching Superman and Batman battle it out on Saturday mornings, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia as the Arrowverse comes to an end. For eight years, this universe has brought these iconic characters to life in ways that resonated with millions of fans worldwide.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel that the series finale of Superman & Lois on Monday marks a significant closing chapter – at least for the live-action TV part of the Arrowverse saga. Over the past 12 years, seven shows and eight epic crossover events have unfolded, and it’s high time we acknowledge this remarkable phenomenon more than many of us genre enthusiasts might realize.
The Arrowverse originated back in 2012 with the series “Arrow” – a dark reinterpretation of DC’s Green Arrow/Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), initially without any plans for an expansive franchise or shared universe. Surprisingly, it grew into an intricate network of interwoven narratives, incorporating various DC characters and ideas along the way, while often deviating from its original source material. To fully appreciate the Arrowverse as it stands today, it’s essential to recall the circumstances under which it began its journey.
Arrowverse and the Big Screen
Back in the day, Arrow debuted a few months following the MCU’s Avengers blockbuster, and just before the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) started on the silver screen with Man of Steel. This was an exhilarating era for superhero enthusiasts, as it seemed like Hollywood was, for the first time, truly tapping into the genre’s untapped potential. A significant element contributing to this excitement was the accuracy and authenticity of these adaptations. Given the high standards set by these faithful representations, it might have been effortless to underestimate Arrow in retrospect.
After some time, the Arrowverse managed to stand firmly on its own ground, and it wasn’t solely due to the DCEU falling short of expectations for many viewers. Unlike the MCU that brought Marvel’s legendary comics to life in an unprecedented manner, the Arrowverse maintained a closer connection to the comic book genre in certain crucial aspects. It had its rough patches, made adjustments, and mirrored the intricate feel of weekly comics without becoming overly complicated. The crossover events in the Arrowverse enticed fans to watch all of its shows not by fear of missing plot details, but with the allure of experiencing a deeper emotional journey instead.
The crossovers within the Arrowverse provided an early advantage in exploring meaningful storytelling across various universes, a feat the Marvel Cinematic Universe is now attempting. Shows like “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Supergirl” from Earth-28 ventured through time and space long before the “Mysterio fakeout” or “TVA.” The Arrowverse thrived on these concepts because it valued its audience and always stayed committed to its vision.
In a refreshing manner, it wasn’t surprising that the multi-universe structure allowed for plenty of fan appreciation, featuring numerous appearances by actors from previous DC adaptations. While these instances might be seen as overt – considering we’re talking about The CW – they did manage to familiarize viewers with these on-screen concepts and left them craving for more. Such references are a staple in comic books and highly appreciated in the film industry, making them an ideal juncture for these two worlds to intersect. The Arrowverse can claim some recognition for the multiple Spider-Man appearances in ‘No Way Home’, among other things.
Arrowverse vs. Small Screen Superheroes
In the spotlight, the Arrowverse had a significant advantage when it came to adapting comic books for television with a serialized format. This momentum was also leveraged to launch the brief DC Universe streaming service, which debuted shows like Titans, Doom Patrol, Stargirl, and Swamp Thing. These shows often participated in Arrowverse crossovers, gaining from the foundation laid there. Unfortunately, changes within the streaming industry eventually led to these shows being cancelled prematurely, but it’s clear that they all profited from the Arrowverse at the start.
Marvel was remarkably restrained when it came to experimenting with TV at that time. Shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter, which premiered in 2013 and 2015 respectively, were not permitted to have close connections with the movies they originated from. Similarly, the Defenders series on Netflix, all six of them, received a lot of love from fans, but their stories remained detached from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. If these shows had been given more support from other narratives, they might have garnered more traction, unlike the Arrowverse, which was allowed to delve deeply into its own storylines without restriction.
Indeed, it’s clear that financial aspects were also involved, and Marvel Studios has undeniably struck a winning formula since shifting their television projects to Disney+. The comparison to the Arrowverse remains prevalent – and rightly so. Marvel’s streaming series frequently promote their crossovers with one another or movies, mirroring the success of the Arrowverse’s seasonal events. However, viewers sometimes complain that the brief, disjointed shows on streaming platforms require excessive binge-watching, while the Arrowverse’s gradual and consistent serialization was more manageable within a regular viewing schedule.
Flexibility and Working With What You Have
In a period where the success of superhero adaptations was heavily dependent on staying true to the original source and maintaining intricate continuity, the Arrowverse found itself adapting and changing more than any other franchise due to circumstances. Reflecting on its conclusion, these shows have proven to be remarkably resilient. They excelled under stress, much like early superhero comics did. The Arrowverse was flexible enough to discard ideas and embrace new ones when necessary, it incorporated series such as Black Lightning and Constantine whenever possible, and unfortunately, it had to release shows like Superman & Lois when required.
The final episode of Superman & Lois, airing on Monday, seems to conclude the Arrowverse saga, even though it was originally independent from the franchise. Despite initial plans for the show within the larger Arrowverse, unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic caused deviations in the intended direction. The series and the franchise thus developed separately, but managed to continue independently. Instead of dwelling on what may have been, Superman & Lois presented a daring narrative focusing on the Kent/Lane family, leaving no aspect unexplored.
Future
If the Arrowverse survives in any form, it will likely be by expanding upon its existing elements since all TV shows associated with it have concluded. Even those shows set in alternate timelines are now finished. Despite the end of the DCEU franchise it supported, the Arrowverse managed to outlive it. There’s a possibility that it could be revived through other mediums such as comic books, graphic novels, and prose novels, which already have acclaimed series set in this continuity. Video games might also gain from incorporating characters from the Arrowverse where suitable. We may witness Stephen Amell’s Green Arrow or Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl appearing again on the printed page at some point.
In the upcoming adaptations, it’s the Arrowverse’s turn to pay tribute through allusions, appearances, and nods. Just as fans were thrilled to see John Wesley Shipp in The Flash and the Arrowverse, they will be ecstatic to see Grant Gustin return to his suit again. These characters have consistently thrived by acknowledging their fanbase and fostering connections.
The Arrowverse has passed into legend, and it’s the next franchise’s job to tell it.
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2024-12-04 01:10