Arrowverse 'Crisis On Infinite Earths' Crossover: Everything We Know

HOW DID 'ELSEWORLDS' LEAD UP TO 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'?

In Part 3 of last year's crossover event, Oliver and Barry first met the Monitor while searching for the Elseworlds Cisco. The Monitor confirmed that the heroes were facing a "trial" where "survival will only be found by knowing your true self." And in their event of their failure, "This world will be doomed, like all the others." Zero pressure!

HOW DID 'ELSEWORLDS' LEAD UP TO 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'? (CONT'D)

Later in "Elseworlds: Part 3," Oliver privately sought out the Monitor when it became clear that Barry and Kara were fated to die in their current battle. Oliver argued that he was too full off darkness to fill the Monitor's needs, whereas hope-inspiring Barry and Kara represented the "best chance" of stopping the "crisis" to come.

Considering Oliver's intimated offer, the Monitor noted that in a balance-demanding universe, "one change requires another." So what is it that Mr. Queen has in mind? More on that in a moment.

HOW DID THE FLASH'S SEASON 5 FINALE TEASE 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'?

Quite notably by fast-tracking the crisis for this year, as opposed to 2024, as the result of a "time flux" that was presumably triggered by the events of The Flash's season finale (during which, among other things, Nora faded away).

HOW DID LEGENDS' SEASON 4 FINALE TEASE 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'?

Cradling the Book of Destiny from "Elseworlds" (as well as some popcorn), the Monitor quietly stood in the Heyworld! Arena's stands as the Legends battled Tabitha/Granny and then Neron. 

Teasing the VIP's possible agenda, EP Phil Klemmer told TVLine, "I would say that the Monitor was taking notice of the Legends' lack of skill sets. And yet somehow we got invited to participate in the ['Crisis on Infinite Earths'] crossover next season. Weird."

HOW DID ARROW'S SEASON 7 FINALE TEASE 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'?

Oliver and Felicity's bliss as new parents was interrupted by the arrival of the Monitor, who came to collect on the deal Oliver made during "Elseworlds." In a flashback to more of that conversation, the Monitor promised Oliver "the means to save" Barry and Kara. And in trade, Oliver will do "whatever the multiverse requires to survive the crisis that is looming. When it is time." 

Adding salt to the wound, the Monitor went on to say that he has seen Oliver's "inexorable and unavoidable" future, where the archer dies during the crisis. And while said passing cannot be prevented, Oliver "can prevent the death of countless more," his family included, said the Monitor. "But he needs to come with me tonight."

HOW DID SUPERGIRL'S SEASON 4 FINALE TEASE 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS'?

The Monitor showed up in the shadows of National City to welcome J'onn J'onzz's vengeance-seeking brother to Earth, and then make one more stop — to visit a mortally (?) wounded Lex Luthor, before whom he conjured that blue swirly light seen in photo.

WHEN WILL 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS' AIR?

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" will begin in December 2019 and end in early 2020, following The CW's annual midseason break. (READ MORE)

HOW WILL THE FIVE PARTS BE SPLIT UP?

Three of the parts will air in December. The other two, including Legends of Tomorrow, will wrap up the crosssover in early 2020. 

The specific order is as follows:

Supergirl: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8/7c (special time)
Batwoman: Monday, Dec. 9 at 8 pm (special day)
The Flash: Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8 pm
And then, in the year 2020:
Arrow: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8 pm (special time)
DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9 pm (special episode)

WHICH SHOWS ARE INVOLVED?

DC's Legends of Tomorrow, which sat out last year's "Elseworlds" crossover, is back in the mix this time around, joining Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and the freshman spinoff Batwoman for the 5-part event. (READ MORE)

HOW DOES ARROW'S FINAL SEASON FIT IN?

The official synopsis for the CW series' 10-episode Season 8 — which will air on Tuesdays at 9/8c, lstarting Oct. 15 — says that Oliver, "in the wake of discovering what his future holds, will find himself pit against his most challenging battle yet, one that will leave the multiverse hanging in the balance. In Arrow's final season, Oliver Queen is forced to confront the reality of what it means to be a hero." And all without lady love Felicity at his side.

WILL THIS BE THE BIGGEST ARROWVERSE CROSSOVER EVER?

"It will be the biggest and most complicated [crossover yet]," CW president Mark Pedowitz avowed in January. In adapting such a major storyline from DC comics, "[The intent is] to take some big swings," he added. "I can't tell you if it'll follow the comic book version, but it'll take some big swings."

WHAT NEW CHARACTERS COULD/SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS 'CRISIS'?

Among the comic book series' key players, we have already met the Monitor (played by LaMonica Garrett), while his evil counterpart from the antimatter universe, dubbed the Anti-Monitor, has yet to be seen — unless that was him unleashing J'onn J'onzz's brother on our world and then approaching Lex Luthor in the Supergirl season finale. (Garrett will also play the similar-looking Anti-Monitor.)

Pariah, a pivotal player in releasing the Anti-Multiverse, will be played by The Flash's Tom Cavanagh.

One of the Monitor's vital allies, Harbinger, would seem to be required for this storyline — though the "trick" there is that the name of her alter ego, Lyla Michaels, is already being used by Diggle's wife on Arrow.

One of the Anti-Monitor's cohorts, Psycho-Pirate, was introduced in the final moments of the "Elseworlds" crossover (played by Bob Frazer), telling Arkham neighbor John Deegan that "the stage has been set," and as a result, "Worlds will live. Worlds will die. And the universe will never be the same."

WHAT WAS 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS' ABOUT IN THE COMIC BOOKS?

In a nutshell — and to keep things relatively spoiler-free for those who might plan to check out the comic books (which I myself am currently doing via DC Universe) — "Crisis on Infinite Earths" revolved around the Monitor's evil counterpart, the Anti-Monitor, and his plan to destroy entire worlds within the multiverse with a wave of antimatter.

Heroes and villains were recruited by each side to facilitate/fend off this threat. In the end, two top-shelf heroes lost their lives, while the multiverse had been rather painlessly collapsed into one singular Earth.

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

... Legends of Tomorrow star Brandon Routh will "suit up" again, as the Kingdom Come version of Superman. (READ MORE)

WHO WILL BE IN IT?

Not only will Supergirl's Tyler Hoechlin and "Elseworlds" crossover guest star Elizabeth Tulloch reprise their roles as Superman and Lois Lane, but....

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

In addition to playing the Monitor, LaMonica Garrett (WATCH VIDEO) will also be playing the far more villanous Anti-Monitor.

HOW WILL THIS 'EARLIER' CRISIS AFFECT THE FLASH?

Now taking place in 2019 (versus 2024), the Crisis will mark a midway point of sorts for The Flash Season 6. (The episodes leading up to it have been dubbed "Graphic Novel No.1") And following the crossover event, there will be "really intense" times ahead for WestAllen. (WATCH VIDEO)

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

Further pointing toward an "all-star" assembly of comic book heroes from screens small and big, past and present, Burt Ward from the 1960s' Batman series is slated to appear in the crossover.

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

Jon Cryer will reprise his Supergirl role as Lex Luthor.

WILL BLACK LIGHTNING FINALLY BE INVOLVED? 

Unspecified characters from Black Lightning, which to date has never fully been a part of the Arrowverse, will make their crossover event debut. (READ MORE)

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond) will make a special guest appearance as a "Bruce Wayne from the future."

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

Tom Welling will reprise his Smallvile role as Clark Kent, as we learn what became of that Superman's alter ego some 10 years later. (READ MORE)

WHO WILL BE IN IT? (CONT'D)

Stephen Lobo (Continuum) will play the "pivotal role" of Jim Corrigan aka Spectre (the "Spirit of Vengeance").