Elseworlds is the fifth crossover event within the Arrowverse, a shared universe of DC Comics‑based television series produced by The CW. The storyline spans three episodes aired consecutively on the network in December 2018: The Flash (season 5, episode 9) on December 9, Arrow (season 7, episode 9) on December 10, and Supergirl (season 4, episode 9) on December 11. The event introduces the characters Batwoman (Kate Kane) and Lois Lane, as well as the fictional Gotham City, to the Arrowverse continuity.
Overview
- Genre: Superhero, crossover event
- Produced by: The CW
- Executive producer(s): Marc Guggenheim (among others)
- Original broadcast: United States, The CW, December 9–11 2018
- Episodes: Three (one per series)
- Chronology: Follows Crisis on Earth‑X and precedes Crisis on Infinite Earths
Episodes
| Part | Series | Episode title | Season | Episode | Director | Writer(s) | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Flash | “Elseworlds, Part 1” | 5 | 9 | Kevin Tancharoen | Eric Wallace, Sam Chalsen | 9 Dec 2018 |
| 2 | Arrow | “Elseworlds, Part 2” | 7 | 9 | James Bamford | Story by Caroline Dries; Teleplay by Marc Guggenheim | 10 Dec 2018 |
| 3 | Supergirl | “Elseworlds, Part 3” | 4 | 9 | Jesse Warn | Story by Marc Guggenheim; Teleplay by Derek Simon, Robert Rovner | 11 Dec 2018 |
Plot
The crossover’s central premise involves the swapping of powers and lives between Barry Allen (The Flash) and Oliver Queen (Green Arrow). After the exchange, both heroes are drawn to Gotham City to confront Dr. John Deegan, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who possesses the mystical “Book of Destiny.” The book allows Deegan to rewrite reality, prompting the heroes to seek assistance from Kara Danvers (Supergirl), her cousin Clark Kent (Superman), and Lois Lane.
Key plot points include:
- The heroes’ initial imprisonment and subsequent escape using each other’s abilities.
- Introduction of Batwoman, who aids the team in Gotham.
- A breakout at Arkham Asylum orchestrated by Deegan, during which the protagonists encounter fear‑gas‑induced hallucinations.
- A confrontation with the cosmic entity Mar Novu (The Monitor), who tests worlds for an impending crisis.
- The retrieval and use of the Book of Destiny to restore the original timeline, culminating in a battle that sees Deegan defeated and reality corrected.
The narrative sets up the subsequent “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, foreshadowing larger multiversal threats.
Production
- The crossover was announced during The CW’s May 2018 upfront presentation, where the inclusion of Batwoman and Gotham City was revealed.
- Casting announcements throughout August and September 2018 confirmed Ruby Rose as Batwoman, Bitsie Tulloch as Lois Lane, and the return of Tyler Hoechlin as Superman.
- The title “Elseworlds” was disclosed in September 2018; it references the DC Comics imprint used for stories set outside main continuity.
- Filming commenced in October 2018.
- Executive producer Marc Guggenheim noted that the previous year’s crossover, “Crisis on Earth‑X,” had left crews “burned out,” prompting a year‑long hiatus before returning with a more focused three‑series event.
- Legends of Tomorrow did not participate, as its production schedule and narrative focus precluded involvement.
Cast and Characters
Prominent cast members appearing across the three episodes include:
- Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
- Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers / Supergirl
- Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent / Superman
- Ruby Rose as Kate Kane / Batwoman
- Bitsie Tulloch as Lois Lane
- John Barrowman, Liam Hall, Adam Tsekhman, and others in supporting roles.
Several regular actors from the individual series are credited but do not appear in the crossover episodes, reflecting scheduling constraints.
Broadcast and Reception
The three‑part event aired over three consecutive nights, garnering strong viewership for each series. Critical response highlighted the successful introduction of Batwoman and the effective integration of Gotham City into the Arrowverse. The crossover was praised for its ambitious storytelling and for setting up narrative threads leading into the landmark “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event.
Legacy
“Elseworlds” marked a pivotal moment in the Arrowverse, expanding the shared universe’s geography and character roster. It demonstrated the viability of multi‑series crossovers that do not involve all four primary shows, influencing the structure of subsequent events. The crossover also served as a launchpad for the Batwoman series, which premiered in the following television season.
