The Flash Season 8: 10 Biggest Reveals From the Trailer - Screen Rant

DC FanDome graced fans with an early look at the eighth season of The Flash, set to premiere next month, beginning with a five-part epic crossover event, the likes of which has not been seen for several years in the Arrowverse.

The trailer gives a sneak peek at the event itself, titled "Armageddon," and shows glimpses of what fans should expect when the series finally returns on November 16th. The 70-second clip seems to be keeping most major spoilers under wraps, but there are a few details throughout that hint at what audiences will see next month.

10 Something Impossible

Barry Allen with his new Flash costume in The Flash season 8

"My name is Barry Allen," the hero announces gravely in the trailer's opening moments, "and I'm about to do something impossible." Fans will recognize this as a chilling diversion from Barry's opening monologue that plays before each episode of the series, in which he would normally declare himself "the fastest man alive."

This "something impossible" may simply indicate that Barry is betting on the outside chance of being able to defeat the threat coming to his world, but it seems heavier than that. He and his team have taken on world-ending threats before--it seems to be a recurring hobby for them. What could really be so "impossible" for Flash? Perhaps the threat is more complicated and dangerous than a simple alien invasion.

9 Seven Days

Barry Allen looking out the window in The Flash

Barry Allen receives a menacing warning early in the trailer from a mysterious stranger, who tells him that he will "end his existence" in just seven days' time. While this may initially hint at a possible death for Barry Allen, his voiceover confirms that the warning seems to be aimed at everyone he loves as well.

Given the source material and other scattered lines in the trailer, it seems more than likely that the heroes of Earth-Prime will be facing an alien threat, one that is ready, willing, and able to tear their world to shreds. Therefore, the seven days' warning is almost certainly a guarantee, not just of Team Flash's destruction, but the entire world's. The only thing left unanswered is how exactly the Flash and his allies will use their time to prepare.

8 Despero

Despero standing on a lonely street in The Flash

Although the inclusion of Despero was confirmed before the release of the event's first trailer, this is the first time that fans have been able to see the villain in any substantial way. Played by Tony Curran, the villain is an alien threat obsessed with conquering worlds.

The interesting thing about Despero in this trailer is his appearance. Fans of the comics know that the Justice League antagonist is more commonly depicted as a hulking, red behemoth that is clearly not of this world. While Despero has had a more human look in parallel comics universes, it is not outside the realm of possibility that the man we see in the trailer is just a facade, hiding the monster beneath.

7 Someone Specific

The Flash and Despero talking on the street

Earth-Prime is no stranger to super beings of all shapes and sizes. There are hundreds upon hundreds of enhanced humans running amok all over the planet, which makes it interesting that Despero specifically sought out the Flash, whom he claims to have come a long way to find.

It may be that Flash is the most powerful and most famous of the Arrowverse's living superheroes, but it would be a close contest with incredibly strong Kryptonians and time-traveling superteams thrown in the mix. Perhaps there is something special about Barry that makes him so interesting to Despero--it may be that the two have some kind of history (or given the show's love of time travel, future) together.

6 Epic Team-Ups

In true Arrowverse fashion, the trailer also shows Barry calling on his friends for assistance (particularly the friends of a "super" variety). Judging by several shots in the trailer, it appears as if Barry heads to the newly minted Hall of Justice, likely hoping to get in contact with the other members of the Crisis Team (the Arrowverse's version of the Justice League).

The trailer reveals Flash teaming up with allies like the Atom, Batwoman, Black Lightning, Ryan Choi, and even Mia Smoak. However, there is not yet any indication of an appearance from Melissa Benoist's Supergirl, whose solo series will be wrapping up its final season just one week before the beginning of this crossover event. There is also no mention of Superman or any of the other Legends in this trailer.

5 Armageddon

Blended image of Flash and Black Lightning

The title of the event should be recognizable to comic book fans as a reference to the "Armageddon 2001" storyline from 1991. While little has been confirmed about how closely the series will follow the source material, it is reasonable to say that certain elements will inevitably make their way onto the show.

"Armageddon 2001" was not a particularly well-received storyline at the time, mostly due to last-minute changes in the story after a leak revealed the twist ending. However, the main frame of the arc involved a mystery as to which member of a group of superheroes would turn heel and destroy their friends. Perhaps, over the course of this event, one of Barry's close friends will turn on him and threaten to destroy the world.

4 A New Look

Grant Gustin in The Flash Season 8 with Gold Boots

Over the seasons, the Flash's costumed look has continued to see upgrades and improvements (and some costume changes that felt like more like downgrades). As time has gone on, it seems as if Barry's suit is edging closer and closer to a real comics-accurate look. Season 8 appears to be nudging the costume even closer to that final destination.

The trailer makes a point of showing off Barry's new suit, which has a slightly altered center crest and some minor touch-ups throughout. What fans are buzzing about most, however, is the inclusion of the character's classic golden boots, which seem to be finally making an appearance this season.

3 Nothing is Secret

Cecile lloking distressed in The Flash trailer

Though the trailer is jam-packed with exciting moments, some of the quieter moments prove to be just as important. One such monumental yet fleeting moment in the trailer's cacophony of action and peril comes in a line delivered by Cecile Horton, as she realizes in shock and dismay that "he can see us."

This "he" that Cecile is referring to is undoubtedly Despero, and the implication that he can see them seems to have truly disturbed her. The comic book version of the character does have psionic abilities, which may be what allows him to "see" Team Flash from elsewhere. This power would certainly make things more difficult for Barry and his friends since they would not be able to keep their plans to defeat him a secret.

2 No Mind

Keeping with the possible reference to Despero's telepathic abilities, there comes a line in the trailer wherein the aforementioned villain angrily declares that "no mind will shut its doors" on him. This could hint at his sinister plot that the Crisis Team is seeking to avoid.

It may well be that Despero plans on taking over, or even feeding off of, the minds of intelligent life forms. However, his insistence that no mind "shut its doors" indicates that he has been blocked off from someone's mind. Perhaps the Crisis Team will find a way to barricade their minds from Despero's powers, something that would certainly anger the extraterrestrial supervillain.

1 The Faces of Fate

Harrison Welles talking and looking smug

Just before the reveal of the logo and title for the event, the audience is shown a clip of Harrison Wells, who mentions that no one ever knows what face fate wears when it finally comes knocking at their doorstep. This appears to be the original version of Harrison Wells, who was recently reborn after his grisly murder at the hands of Eobard Thawne.

There is something bone-chilling about this line, especially when placed at the very end of the trailer. It could be an indication of someone's imminent demise as "fate shows up" for them. However, Wells doesn't mention death, but only that fate will "change your life." Perhaps someone from long ago in Barry's past will be making a reappearance to shake things up in the eleventh hour of Armageddon.

NEXT: Every Arrowverse Crossover Ranked (Including Crisis On Infinite Earths)

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Jordan Iacobucci (11 Articles Published)

Jordan Iacobucci is an avid reader and movie fan, and has been since childhood. Jordan is known among his friends as the Marvel and Star Wars nerd, and even wrote a thirty-page college dissertation about Spider-Man! He is currently obtaining an English degree and lives outside Raleigh, North Carolina with his family. His other interests include working with children, reading, and music.