Arrowverse Crossovers: Hero Nicknames, Villains, and First Appearances

The Arrowverse, a shared universe spanning multiple DC Comics-based TV series, has brought together a vast array of heroes and villains over the years. Through exciting crossover events, we've witnessed characters don their iconic costumes, take on their heroic personas, and face off against formidable foes. Here's a detailed look at the first appearances of key heroes, their nicknames, and the primary villains involved in these memorable crossovers.

1. Flash vs. Arrow (2014)

Episodes:

• The Flash Season 1, Episode 8: "Flash vs. Arrow"
• Arrow Season 3, Episode 8: "The Brave and the Bold"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / Green Arrow

Supporting Heroes:

• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak
• Caitlin Snow
• Cisco Ramon

Villains:

• Leonard Snart / Captain Cold
• Hartley Rathaway / Pied Piper

Summary: In this crossover, The Flash and Green Arrow team up to take on Captain Cold and Pied Piper. The two heroes go head-to-head in a friendly rivalry, showcasing their unique abilities. The crossover marks the beginning of their partnership in fighting larger threats across both series.

2. Heroes Join Forces (2015)

Episodes:

• The Flash Season 2, Episode 8: "Legends of Today"
• Arrow Season 4, Episode 8: "Legends of Yesterday"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / Green Arrow

Supporting Heroes:

• Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl ¹
• Carter Hall / Hawkman ¹
• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak
• Thea Queen / Speedy
• Laurel Lance / Black Canary
• Cisco Ramon
• Caitlin Snow

Villains:

• Vandal Savage

Summary: Vandal Savage, an immortal villain, threatens both The Flash and Green Arrow as he seeks to eliminate any threats to his reign. The crossover also introduces Hawkgirl and Hawkman, bringing together multiple heroes for the first time in this pivotal event. Vandal Savage's sinister plans force the heroes to unite across their respective series.

3. World’s Finest (2016)

Episode:

• Supergirl Season 1, Episode 18: "World's Finest"

Main Heroes:

• Kara Danvers / Supergirl
• Barry Allen / The Flash

Supporting Heroes:

• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak
• Cisco Ramon
• Caitlin Snow

Villains:

• Livewire
• Silver Banshee

Summary: This crossover brings Supergirl and The Flash together for the first time. They must join forces to take down Livewire and Silver Banshee, two powerful foes who threaten National City. The episode also serves as an introduction to the bond between Supergirl and The Flash and provides a glimpse of the expanding Arrowverse.

4. Invasion! (2016)

Episodes:

• Supergirl Season 2, Episode 8: "Medusa" (prologue)
• The Flash Season 3, Episode 8: "Invasion!"
• Arrow Season 5, Episode 8: "Invasion!"
• Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, Episode 7: "Invasion!"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
• Kara Danvers / Supergirl
• Sara Lance / White Canary ¹
• Ray Palmer / The Atom ¹
• Jefferson "Jax" Jackson & Martin Stein / Firestorm ¹

Supporting Heroes:

• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak
• Thea Queen / Speedy
• Laurel Lance / Black Canary
• Cisco Ramon
• Caitlin Snow

Villains:

• The Dominators

Summary: The Dominators, an alien race, invade Earth, leading to an unprecedented alliance between heroes from Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. The crossover features multiple major heroes uniting for the first time to protect Earth from this powerful extraterrestrial threat.

5. Duet (2017)

Episodes:

• The Flash Season 3, Episode 17: "Duet"
• Supergirl Season 2, Episode 17: "Duet"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Kara Danvers / Supergirl

Supporting Heroes:

• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak
• Cisco Ramon
• Caitlin Snow

Villains:

• Music Meister

Summary: The heroes are trapped in a dream world by Music Meister, a villain who uses the power of music to control his victims. Forced to sing and dance their way out, Supergirl and The Flash rely on their fellow heroes to help free them. This crossover blends action with musical numbers, highlighting the lighter side of the Arrowverse.

6. Crisis on Earth-X (2017)

Episodes:

• Supergirl Season 3, Episode 8: "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 1"
• Arrow Season 6, Episode 8: "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 2"
• The Flash Season 4, Episode 8: "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3"
• Legends of Tomorrow Season 3, Episode 8: "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
• Kara Danvers / Supergirl
• Sara Lance / White Canary
• Jefferson "Jax" Jackson & Martin Stein / Firestorm

Supporting Heroes:

• Felicity Smoak / Overwatch ¹
• Iris West
• Cisco Ramon / Vibe ¹
• Caitlin Snow / Killer Frost ¹
• Mick Rory / Heat Wave
• Nate Heywood / Steel ¹
• Amaya Jiwe / Vixen ¹
• Ray Terrill / The Ray ¹
• Leonard "Leo" Snart / Citizen Cold ¹
• Alex Danvers / Guardian ¹

Villains:

• Earth-X Nazis (including Overgirl, Dark Arrow, and Reverse-Flash)

Summary: The Earth-X Nazis, led by versions of Reverse-Flash, Dark Arrow, and Overgirl, invade Earth, bringing together heroes from across the Arrowverse. This crossover is filled with action, emotional moments, and major character shifts, including the heroic transformations of characters like Citizen Cold and Vixen.

7. Elseworlds (2018)

Episodes:

• The Flash Season 5, Episode 9: "Elseworlds, Part 1"
• Arrow Season 7, Episode 9: "Elseworlds, Part 2"
• Supergirl Season 4, Episode 9: "Elseworlds, Part 3"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
• Kara Danvers / Supergirl

Supporting Heroes:

• Clark Kent / Superman ¹
• Kate Kane / Batwoman ¹
• John Deegan / Doctor Destiny
• John Diggle
• Felicity Smoak / Overwatch
• Cisco Ramon / Vibe
• Caitlin Snow / Killer Frost

Villains:

• John Deegan / Doctor Destiny

Summary: In this crossover, The Flash, Green Arrow, and Supergirl face off against John Deegan, a psychiatrist who uses the Book of Destiny to alter reality, creating alternate versions of themselves. This event introduces Batwoman and Superman to the Arrowverse while also testing the heroes' resolve in a distorted world.

8. Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019–2020)

Episodes:

• Supergirl Season 5, Episode 9: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One"
• Batwoman Season 1, Episode 9: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two"
• The Flash Season 6, Episode 9: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
• Arrow Season 8, Episode 8: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four"
• Legends of Tomorrow Season 5, Special Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Oliver Queen / The Spectre
• Kara Danvers / Supergirl
• Kate Kane / Batwoman
• Clark Kent / Superman ¹

Supporting Heroes:

• Ray Palmer / The Atom
• Jefferson "Jax" Jackson / Firestorm
• Mia Smoak / Green Arrow (future version) ¹
• John Constantine / Hellblazer ¹
• Nia Nal / Dreamer ¹
• Lex Luthor

Villains:

• Anti-Monitor

Summary: In the grandest crossover yet, Crisis on Infinite Earths threatens to destroy all of reality as the Anti-Monitor seeks to collapse the multiverse. Heroes from across the Arrowverse join forces to prevent the end of all things, with Oliver Queen becoming The Spectre to guide them through this catastrophic event.

9. Armageddon (2021)

Episodes:

• The Flash Season 8, Episodes 1-5: "Armageddon"

Main Heroes:

• Barry Allen / The Flash
• Ryan Choi / The Atom ¹
• Mia Queen / Green Arrow (future version) ¹
• Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning ¹
• Ryan Wilder / Batwoman ¹
• Chyler Leigh / Dr. Alex Danvers / Sentinel ¹

Supporting Heroes:

• John Diggle / Spartan ¹
• Felicity Smoak / Overwatch ¹
• Allegra Garcia / Lightwave ¹
• Nora Darhk / Black Siren ¹
• Dr. Caitlin Snow / Killer Frost ¹
• Chester P. Runk / Chester ¹

Villains:

• Despero
• Reverse-Flash / Professor Eobard Thawne
• Damien Darhk

Summary: In Armageddon (2021), Despero, a telepathic alien from the future, threatens to destroy Earth. Barry Allen / The Flash leads an ensemble of heroes, including Ryan Choi / The Atom, Mia Queen / Green Arrow, and others, to stop Despero. The crossover also sees the return of familiar faces like Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning, Ryan Wilder / Batwoman, and Alex Danvers / Sentinel, along with key characters like John Diggle and Felicity Smoak who lend their support. However, the team must face the unexpected return of Reverse-Flash and Damien Darhk, two of The Flash's most dangerous foes.