Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
March 28, 2024

eginning with a two-hour Arrow and Flash team-up in 2014, the CW’s annual superhero crossovers have grown steadily in size and scope as new shows, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, were added to the network’s lineup. With four crossovers now under their belt, here is a definitive ranking. (WARNING: Spoilers)

“Legends of Today” (Flash 2x08) / “Legends of Yesterday” (Arrow 4x08): An immortal former Egyptian priest named Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) comes to Central City to kill Cisco’s (Carlos Valdes) girlfriend, Kendra (Ciara Renée), and recover an ancient artifact.

When Cisco turns to Team Arrow for help, another unknown man surfaces. He insists that he and Kendra are reincarnated ancient Egyptians and lovers fated to be murdered by Savage. It takes place during Arrow’s weird mystical phase, so the storyline requires more suspension of belief than usual.

“Medusa” (Supergirl 2x08) / “Invasion!” (Flash 3x08; Arrow 5x08; Legends 2x08): Aliens known as Dominators invade Central City. Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) travels from Earth Two to assist Team Flash, Team Arrow and the Legends in taking them down.

The heroes question whether they can trust Barry when revelations about his recent time traveling come to light. The crossover is an exciting first meeting of the CW’s superhero league, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

“Flash vs. Arrow” (Flash 1x08) / “The Brave and The Bold” (Arrow 3x08): Oliver (Stephen Amell) uses rather unorthodox methods to train Barry, (Grant Gustin), who’s still adjusting to his new superspeed, leading to tension.

But the two are forced to team up when a meta-human threatens Central City and a boomerang-wielding killer targets Starling. Amell and Gustin make for a dynamic duo and set a high bar for future team-ups.

“Crisis on Earth-X” (Supergirl 3x08; Arrow 6x08; Flash 4x08; Legends 3x08): Barry and Iris’ (Candice Patton) wedding is interrupted by Nazis from a parallel universe in which the Allied powers lost World War II.

Meanwhile, sparks fly between Alex (Chyler Leigh) and Sara (Caity Lotz) with results that neither expected. The four-hour event is visually stunning and narratively engaging. It blows its predecessors out of the water.


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