DC Vs Marvel: Who Is Winning The Superhero TV War?

5. The Arrow-Verse Gets Bigger: Enter The Flash

Proving that there are some occasions where a spin-off show can be more popular than the original, The Flash has demonstrated in just one year how to do a superhero TV show right. The viewing figures for its pilot episode were huge and it only went on to become more of a success each week. Fully embracing its comic roots in a way even Arrow never did, audiences watched as the Flash faced off against villains like The Weather Wizard, Trickster, a telepathic Gorilla called Grodd and of course the Reverse Flash itself. It had confidence, loveable characters, brilliant action sequences and ventured further in its first season where other shows might not get to in three. It is a testament to is success that it is already jumping into the Flash multi-verses in the eagerly anticipated season two. But part of the success of The Flash and Arrow this year are their willingness to embrace the wider universe both shows share. The main heroes have already popped up in each others series while supporting characters like Felicity, Cisco, Joe and Ray regularly visit each other cities and team up to provide essential support and aid the characters from the visiting show in working on their own mysteries. Despite a little bit of confusion over Arrow's involvement at the end of the first season of The Flash, it has always felt like these shows exist harmoniously, while neither have sacrificed the tone of their own show. Arrow remains dark and broody while The Flash stays fun and knowingly hokey even when things are at their worst. With the producers confirming more crossovers in the future, the universe of Arrow and The Flash remains as big and bright as ever.
Contributor
Contributor

A writer for Whatculture since May 2013, I also write for TheRichest.com and am the TV editor and writer for Thedigitalfix.com . I wrote two plays for the Greater Manchester Horror Fringe in 2013, the first an adaption of Simon Clark's 'Swallowing A Dirty Seed' and my own original sci-fi horror play 'Centurion', which had an 8/10* review from Starburst magazine! (http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/eventsupcoming-genre-events/6960-event-review-centurion) I also wrote an episode for online comedy series Supermarket Matters in 2012. I aim to achieve my goal for writing for television (and get my novels published) but in the meantime I'll continue to write about those TV shows I love! Follow me on Twitter @BazGreenland and like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BazGreenlandWriter