There are no secrets between these three... or is there?
Okay, can I get a show of hands, please? Who knew boomerangs could be so badass? Seriously.
Sadly, this week’s amazing Flash/Arrow crossover event is now behind us. Next week, Barry returns exclusively to Central City, Oliver to Starling, and the #Flarrow hashtag will fade into antiquity (or at least until there’s another crossover episode). Tonight’s Arrow installment, “The Brave and the Bold,” left us with excitement for what’s ahead, hope of further Flash/Arrow team-ups and, of course, plenty of #DCTV Secrets. Here’s what we caught:
- Clever jokes about a cave
- A slip of the tongue… or a cheeky reference?
- Where was that warehouse again?
- A titular tribute
Previous #DCTVArrow Secrets
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.1 - "The Calm"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.2 - "Sara"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.3 - "Corto Maltese"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.4 - "The Magician"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.5 - "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.6 - "Guilty"
- The #DCTV Secrets of ARROW Episode 3.7 - "Draw Back Your Bow"
Want to carry on the conversation? Jump on #DCTV in Twitter and see what clues others have found.
Don’t peek behind the mask if you don’t want to know any more. But of course you do and you will.
What’s In a Name?
There was a great gag early in tonight’s episode, that’s even funnier if you know the reference behind it. Cisco and Caitlin are always giving things fun names, whether they’re techniques (“Supersonic Punch!!!”), tools or villains. Tonight, they referred to Ollie’s HQ as the “Arrow Cave.” Felicity’s straight-faced response was classic: “We don’t call it that. Ever.”
The only problem is that they sometimes do. In the comics. When the character of Green Arrow first debuted in 1941, he called his home base the Arrow Cave (he also called his car the “Arrow Car,” which was also referenced in tonight’s episode), and while the Arrow Cave is certainly not seen as an integral part of the character like Batman’s Batcave, it’s a name that’s continued to be used off-and-on in the comics throughout this day. However, the Arrow gag isn’t the first time someone’s pointed out that it’s kind of a silly name. In fact, none other than Harley Quinn made that clear to Ollie in a now classic exchange.
That’s from INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US VOL. 1, if you were wondering.
Detective Lance Speaks Impulsively
While there seems to be only a single Flash on the show (so far, at least), in the world of comics, there have been four speedsters to use that name. Maybe Detective Lance is a comic book reader? It could explain why he may have mistakenly referred to Barry Allen as “Bart” Allen in tonight’s episode.
Bart Allen was the fourth Flash, though his time as the Scarlet Speedster was fairly short. Among longtime fans, Bart Allen is more fondly remembered as the Flash’s sidekick, Impulse.
If you’re interested in getting to know Bart Allen a little better, he was first introduced in 1994’s THE FLASH #91.
The Corner of Infantino and Adams
As Arrow fans and #DCTV Secrets readers know, Arrow often works small, clever tributes to comic book talent into their scripts, and tonight’s episode was no different. The warehouse the Arrow and Flash find Klaus Markos at is on the corner of Infantino and Adams.
Those are some very fitting street names in an episode that guest stars the Flash. Carmine Infantino is the legendary Silver Age artist who is perhaps most famous for designing Barry Allen’s iconic red and yellow Flash costume—the same costume that has been most commonly associated with the Flash ever since. Neal Adams, on the other hand, is an equally beloved artist who has worked on many DC Comics titles, including Green Arrow and The Flash. However, what arguably makes him most appropriate to this episode is his seminal work on Green Arrow’s most famous comic book team-up, GREEN LANTERN / GREEN ARROW, as well as his contributions to another team-up series, which we’ll get into below.
For now, we suggest you check out Carmine Infantino’s work on the Flash in THE FLASH OMNIBUS VOL. 1 and Neal Adams’ Green Arrow / Green Lantern stories, which are now available in a single trade collection.
The Brave and the Bold
It’s hard to think of a more perfect title for this episode than “The Brave and the Bold.” Not only does it encapsulate many of the themes in tonight’s adventure, but it’s also a very nice tribute to a classic DC Comics franchise.
The Brave and the Bold is a comic book series that first debuted in 1955 and has run off and on since (it even spawned a Batman-centered animated version). While the direction of the series has changed over the years, for most of its run it’s carried a common theme: team ups. Like tonight’s episode of Arrow, each recent issue of The Brave and the Bold features a team up between two DC Comics heroes.
If you’ve never read it, we suggest checking out the most recent version of The Brave and the Bold, which is now available digitally.
Want more #DCTV?
See you next week!
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