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25 Arrow-verse "Elseworlds" Easter Eggs: From Smallville To The Green Lantern
Now that you've seen "Elseworlds," it's clear that the writers of Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl went out of their way to pack in as many nods to the larger DC universe as humanly possible. The three hours of "Elseworlds" crossovers did more world-building than any other moment in The CW's superhero universe history, opening up an entirely new location--Gotham City--and introducing a number of iconic names.
Once the "Elseworlds" tease that aired on an earlier episode of Supergirl, showing the dead bodies of several superheroes from throughout the multiverse scattered on the ground, it was easy to see this particular event was going to be a special one. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. Did you manage to catch all of the Easter eggs and references, though?
We've gone back through all three parts of "Elseworlds" multiple times to dig up these 25 Easter eggs, which are sure to ignite your inner-DC superfan. Whether it's referring to things that previously happened in the Arrow-verse, like Barry screwing up the timeline, or even previous DC-based franchises--we see you, Smallville--there was plenty hidden within the crossover event to catch your eye and ear.
How many of these Easter eggs and references did you catch? Sound off in the comments below while we start preparing for the next crossover, "Crisis on Infinite Earths." It may be a year away, but something tells us it's going to attempt to blow "Elseworlds" out of the water.
1. "Oh Barry, what have you done this time?"
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
Upon waking up in Barry Allen's life, Oliver immediately assumed The Flash has screwed something up. Given the number of times Barry has messed up the timeline--Anyone else remember Flashpoint?--you can't blame him.
2. Ivo Labs
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
The lab that houses AMAZO--we'll get to it--has a place in DC lore. Professor Anthony Ivo is a mad scientist villain in the comics and has appeared in the Arrow-verse. In season 2, he was an antagonist in Oliver's flashbacks.
3. Ray Palmer's nanites
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
Legends of Tomorrow may not be involved in this crossover, but that didn't stop Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh) from having a small role. Having him supply nanites to Iris, which she used to knock out Barry, was a nice nod to the most fun piece of the Arrow-verse.
4. The Smallville moment
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
It's been over seven years since Smallville ended but for a moment, one glorious moment, it was alive again. Not only did they shoot on the same farm as the old series, but "Elseworlds" practically recreated the opening credits sweeping shot of Smallville, complete with "Save Me" by Remy Zero blaring through the speakers.
5. Krypton shoutouts
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
Those who keep up on Supergirl knew that Lois and Clark had taken a sabbatical to Argo City. However, they also mention the Jewel Mountains of Kyrpton, hinting at even more of the House of El's home world.
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
It was Season 1 of The Flash when Oliver put Barry's speed to the test by making him outrun an arrow. What the archer didn't tell his speedster buddy, though, was the hidden crossbows armed to take him out. It took several years, but Oliver finally got to know what that felt like for Barry.
7. A.M.A.Z.O.
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
This meta power-replicating android has a history in the DC Comics, as well as the Arrow-verse. When Anthony Ivo appeared on Arrow, he has a ship called the Amazo, which eventually wrecked on Lian Yu.
8. "You have failed this city."
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 1
You have to believe saying that line was a thrill for Gustin, filling the role of Green Arrow. Oliver may not chastise his enemies with the line much anymore, but it's classic Green Arrow at its best.
9. Joe Wilson is back
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
We've seen Joe Wilson, son of Slade Wilson, on Arrow before. This time, though, he's wearing his dad's armor and going by the name Kane Wolfman--a name used by Jericho at one point in DC Comics lore.
10. The best WiFi password
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
It's the easiest and best Batman joke you could have expected in "Elseworlds." Of course, the WiFi password for Wayne Tower is "Alfred."
11. That William Shakespeare bust looks familiar
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
Anyone who remembers the Adam West Batman series will also remember he accessed the Batcave via a bust of William Shakespeare--one that looks strikingly familiar to the bust in Kate Kane's office.
12. Batman's greatest foes are locked up
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
Arkham Asylum is typically a who's who of villains, and "Elseworlds" is no different. Spotted on cell doors throughout the asylum are names like Cobblepot, Nigma, Karlo, and Isley--otherwise known as Penguin, Riddler, Clayface, and Poison Ivy. Unfortunately, we don't get to meet any of them.
13. Marc Guggenheim wound up in Arkham
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
One more familiar name appears in a cell door. "Guggenheim" is obviously a nod to Arrow-verse executive producer and comic book writer Marc Guggenheim.
14. Is that Psycho-Pirate?
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
One of the Arkham inmates that gets loose dons a mask quite similar to the one Psycho-Pirate uses in the comics. Given that character's role in the original Crisis on Infinite Earths story--which we'll get to--chances are he's going to become a major piece of the puzzle in the future.
15. Scarecrow's fear gas pops up
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
We don't see Scarecrow in Arkham, but Barry and Oliver do get a nice dose of his fear gas, which leads to hallucinations of Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) and Reverse Flash (Tom Cavanagh).
16. That's Bane's mask
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
The quick shot of Bane's mask in Arkham Asylum sure looks a lot like the one Tom Hardy wore in The Dark Knight Rises. How many different DC universes can The CW pack in?
17. Say hello to Nora Fries
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
We don't see Mr. Freeze, but his wife Nora is incarcerated at Arkham and gets her hand on his freeze gun during the chaos cause by Deegan. As a bonus little Easter egg nod, Nora is played by Stephen Amell's wife Cassandra Jean Amell.
18. Please give us a World's Finest crossover
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
While to many comic book fans, "World's Finest" is the team of Batman and Superman, Batwoman giving herself and Supergirl's potential partnership that nickname is all we want in a future crossover.
19. What kind of ring does John wear on Earth-90?
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
Barry Allen from Earth-90 (John Wesley Shipp) asks Diggle (David Ramsey) where his ring is. This alludes to a popular fan theory that even Ramsey himself has been supportive of that Dig becomes the Green Lantern eventually, becoming the Arrow-verse version of John Stewart.
20. Who are the Trigger Twins?
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
At the end of Part 2, Oliver and Barry's reality is changed to make them the criminal duo the Trigger Twins, the pair are actually criminals from All-Star Western, a comic book released in 1951. They've since appeared a few times in DC Comics lore
21. Superman's black suit
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 2
The black Superman suit has a long comic book history meaning many different things. For purposes of "Elseworlds," this is the version of Superman Deegan becomes after using the Book of Destiny to rewrite reality.
22. Hey look, it's Gary
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 3
The Legends of Tomorrow are off on their own adventure, but at least we have Gary (Adam Tsekhman). In Deegan's rewritten reality, the Time Bureau agent is a bartender that idolizes villains. Never change, Gary.
23. Welcome to the Fortress of Solitude
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 3
The introduction of Superman's Fortress of Solitude in "Elseworlds" is an exciting moment. The design of the fortress is clearly inspired by Superman: The Movie, as is Lois Lane's gown she wears in it at the end of the crossover.
24. A solution right out of Superman: The Movie
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 3
Another nod to Superman: The Movie sees The Flash and Supergirl speeding around the world in opposite directions to slow down time. It makes about as much sense here as it does in the movie, but it's still fun to watch.
25. Crisis on Infinite Earths
Happens in: "Elseworlds" Part 3
The word "crisis" was thrown around throughout the crossover, leading up to this final tease of what's to come in the next crossover. The CW is tackling "Crisis on Infinite Earths," which is one of the most massive events in DC Comics history. Start speculating now as to what that's going to mean for the future of the Arrow-verse.
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