James R | On 25, Jul 2016

Comic-Con took place this weekend, in case you didn’t hear the screams of excited fans from across the Atlantic or, indeed, on the Internet. Among the endless stream of news, teasers, trailers and panels, The CW was there to represent its own mini empire of superheroes: Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and, following its acquisition of the show from CBS, Supergirl.

It’s an impressive block of comic book entertainment, with The CW hosting its panels back-to-back to a packed hall. The series, under the eye of showrunner’s showrunner Greg Berlanti, will all return alongside each other this autumn, with Sky 1 still holding the exclusive UK TV rights, which means that you’ll need a Sky package or a NOW subscription to enjoy them as they fly in from the States.

The one benefit of that is that you can watch them all in tandem, as they’re designed to be viewed, with The CW confirming that crossover events will still continue between the shows. Indeed, Arrow Season 5’s 100th episode will fall during a four-way crossover with The Flash, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, which will span three parts.

Here’s a brief round-up of the main points from the weekend, along with the latest trailers for each show:

Arrow: Season 5

Season 5 of Arrow will premiere in the US on 5th October and will see Oliver rebuilding after Season 4, attempting to train new vigilantes to become heroes.

Why? Because Diggle (David Ramsey) is off with Special Forces blaming himself for the death of Laurel (Katie Cassidy) and his brother, while Thea (Willa Holland) is effectively being mayor on behalf of a distracted Oliver (Stephen Amell).

Madison McLaughlin will reprise her role as Evelyn Sharp, while Rick Gonzalez was join the cast as Wild Dog, and Echo Kellum will return as Curtis Holt. Chad L. Coleman will play a new bad guy, while Joe Dinicol will appear as Ragman, Tyler Ritter will play Detective Malone, Carly Pope will play a new Star City reporter, and Josh Segarra will play the Vigilante.

The big bad, meanwhile, will be a new archer called Prometheus – although he won’t be based on the DC Comics character of the same name.

“[It’s] a new character, someone who fits into the theme of legacy this year that’s going to be driving all of our characters, including the big bad,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim told the crowds. “He’s pretty badass.”

Cassidy, meanwhile, will also return, with the a deal struck for her to appear across all four of the Berlanti series.

The Flash: Season 3

The Flash Season 3 will, aptly, race just ahead of Arrow’s fifth season to premiere on 4th October in the US. As we rejoin Barry, we begin to unpick the mess he made by going back in time, with the Flashpoint timeline paradox turning old faces into new people in strange situatinos.

Actor Grant Gustin will reprise his role of Barry Allen, alongside the usual ensemble, while Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) will pop over from Arrow to help him. Tom Felton also joins the cast as a new regular, called Julian.

“Any character I play you should see as a threat,” said Felton. “There’s definitely some friction between Barry and Julian. He treads on the toes’ of Barry’s expertise as a forensic expert.”

The villains of the third run will include Dr. Alchemy, who “certainly doesn’t like the Flash,” Aaron Helbing revealed. “He’s a bad dude, and he’s going to be a formidable adversary to The Flash and everyone on the team.” He’ll be voiced by Tobin Bell. Wally West, or Kid Flash, will also appear.

Intriguingly, the Flashpoint narrative will also affect Arrow, EP Todd Helbing noted, with Oliver and Diggle apparently set to feel the impact.

Legends of Tomorrow: Season 2

Legends of Tomorrow will premiere after Arrow and The Flash, with Season 2 arriving on 13th October in the US. Fittingly, it will see characters from both team up to form the “Legion of Doom”, a conglomerate of not-very-nice people.

They include John Barrowman as Malcolm Merlyn, Wentworth Miller as Captain Cold, Neal McDonough as Damien Darhk, and Matt Letscher as Reverse Flash. Patrick J. Adams will also return as Hourman, although he will be part of the Justice Society of America – a force for good that includes Obsidian, Stargirl and Dr. Mid-Nite, all of whom are yet to be cast.

Amell’s Oliver will appear in the season’s first episode, while Jonah Hex will also return as a guest star in a later instalment.

Supergirl

Supergirl, meanwile, was partly there just to celebrate its joining the others on The CW – and to tease the the addition of Tyler Hoechlin of Superman.

Melissa Benoist was hailed by EP Sarah Schechter as “a real life super girl”. They were joined by Hoechlin, David Harewood, Chyler Leigh, Mechad Brooks, and Jeremy Jordan.

As for the cliffhanger from the Season 1 finale? Chris Wood will play the mysterious new arrival, although nobody knows yet who he is…

 
For more on Comic-Con, click here – and stay tuned for confirmed UK air dates for all four shows.

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