The Flash: A Hidden World of Easter Eggs and Intricate References

The Flash, starring Ezra Miller, has finally made its way to theaters, delighting DC fans with its abundance of Easter eggs. Whether you're a fan of the movies or the comics, there's something for everyone in this multiverse-driven film. Drawing inspiration from the DC Comic book storyline Flashpoint, The Flash follows Barry Allen as he uses the Speed Force to go back in time and save his mother's life. However, this decision has unintended consequences, leading Barry to navigate a changed timeline and find a way to undo the damage before it's too late. Despite some differences, The Flash still pays homage to Flashpoint with various Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the movie.

Multiple Warner Bros. And DC Logos

Before the opening scene of The Flash movie, the audience is greeted with the familiar sight of production studio logos. This is a customary practice in the film industry, as it allows the studios involved in the production to receive recognition. In the case of The Flash, the camera takes us through a series of WB and DC logos, which have been used in movies and television over the past few decades. These logos not only pay homage to the history of these iconic brands but also serve as a subtle indication of the multiverse concept that will be explored in the film.

A Deleted Iris West Scene

When Barry Allen and Iris West first encounter each other in the film, Iris recalls a feeling of familiarity, as if she had seen Barry just a few years ago and had run into him before. However, Barry denies ever having seen her since their college days. This subtle moment pays homage to a deleted scene from Justice League. In the Snyder Cut of the film, there exists a sequence where Barry employs his superhuman speed to rescue Iris from a potential car accident. Unfortunately, all scenes featuring Iris West were removed from the final version of the movie under the direction of Joss Whedon. Thus, this reference serves as a respectful acknowledgement to the alternative storyline that was left out.

Justice League Member Cameos

Making it evident that this particular film is set in the distant future of Barry Allen's friendship with the Justice League is the fact that Bruce Wayne and Alfred call upon Barry for Justice League matters. Additionally, there are appearances by most of the team members. While Barry actively collaborates with Batman, Wonder Woman makes an appearance to provide assistance, and Superman is shown on television at the location of an active volcano. In the movie's sole post-credit scene, Aquaman joins Barry for a night of revelry. Although Cyborg does not appear on-screen, Barry mentions him when seeking out Justice League members to aid him in his alternate timeline. Furthermore, there are enjoyable cameos by characters associated with the Justice League, such as Temuera Morrison portraying Aquaman's father in the alternate timeline.

Whiz Comics

Just across from Barry’s apartments, there are two intriguing storefronts. One of them is called Whiz Comics, which seems to be a comic book store. Whiz Comics was the title of a series of comics published by Fawcett Publications. It was in these comics that Captain Marvel, later known as Shazam, made his debut. Interestingly, DC Comics acquired all the rights to the characters from Whiz Comics in 1972 after they successfully sued and forced them out of business.

The Scooby-Doo Nods

Warner Bros. holds the movie rights to both DC characters and the extensive collection of the Scooby-Doo franchise. This explains the presence of Scooby-Doo posters and t-shirts in Barry's surroundings. Interestingly, it also serves as a subtle reference to James Gunn's involvement as one of the key figures in the DC Universe. Coincidentally, Gunn had the privilege of directing the first live-action Scooby-Doo film more than two decades ago.

Other WB Poster Nods

Featuring products from their own movies is a more cost-effective option for movie studios compared to paying another studio for the use of their products. This explains why Barry's childhood room is adorned with posters from various movies that were released under the Warner Bros. umbrella. Some notable posters include Pacific Rim, I Am Legend, and Inception, among others.

The Justice League In The Speed Force

Barry's initial time travel experience unveils his untapped speed potential, as he becomes aware of his astonishing velocity. Through snippets from other DCEU films, we witness the extent to which the Speed Force enables him to journey back in time. Navigating a treacherous minefield of time, Barry encounters vivid memories of his collaboration with Batman and Wonder Woman in their united efforts to thwart Superman in Justice League.

Man Of Steel

In the alternate timeline, the confrontation with General Zod presents a different version of the events portrayed in Man Of Steel. Interestingly, it is revealed that Barry actually travels to Metropolis during the unfolding of those events. The flashback scenes featuring Barry are directly taken from the original movie, while the addition of Kara Zor-El and Bruce Wayne's involvement in the alternate timeline brings fresh elements to the story.

Bruce Wayne Is The Best Detective In The World

When Barry reaches out to the Michael Keaton version of Batman seeking assistance, he refers to him as the "world's finest detective." This remark causes Bruce to reassess his decision of not aiding Barry, even though they do not share a friendship in this particular timeline. This acknowledgement highlights Bruce Wayne's reputation as the premier detective in the DC Comics universe. Unlike the movies, the comics have consistently portrayed this specific aspect of Bruce Wayne's exceptional abilities.

The 1989 Batman Nods

Not only does Michael Keaton reprise his role as Bruce Wayne in this alternate timeline, but there are also numerous references to his iconic portrayal of Batman. The character's theme music, composed by Danny Elfman for the 1989 movie, accompanies his appearances. Additionally, the bat logo featured on his suit and possessions harkens back to that era. A notable nod to the Joker's role in the film is also present. In a pivotal scene, the Joker carries a bag containing his distinctive laugh, which is later discovered in the Batcave in the alternate timeline, still resonating with Jack Nicholson's iconic cackle. Moreover, Keaton's character even utters the famous line, "I'm Batman," once again.

Bruce Wayne’s Different Batman Suits

Superheroes are known for donning various suits throughout different movies, and this holds true for Batman as well. The evolution of Batman's suits can be attributed to a variety of factors such as practicality, the inclusion of additional weaponry, or the influence of new costume designers. In the case of Michael Keaton's Batman, who hasn't graced the screen for quite some time, the Batcave houses a total of seven distinct suits. While one of these suits is worn in The Flash, and two others were featured during his time as Batman, the remaining four boast slight design variations.

The suit positioned on the left pays homage to the Batman portrayed by Adam West in the television series. It closely resembles the iconic bat logo and incorporates the uniquely askew ears of the cowl, albeit with a more modern touch. Additionally, this suit is equipped with holsters specifically designed to accommodate the grappling hook guns, as shared by costume designer Chris Weston on social media.

The new Batman suit draws inspiration from the comic books, featuring a combination of blue and grey instead of the traditional black. Positioned to the right of this suit are the two suits worn by Keaton in the movies. Towards the far right of the display, we see two suits specifically designed for different environments. One seems to be tailored for underwater use, equipped with a rebreather, while the other is intended for extreme cold environments.

Barry’s Electric Chair

Though The Flash movie draws inspiration from the Flashpoint comic book storyline, its influence is evident primarily in the overarching narrative, such as Barry's desire to rescue his mother. However, one particular scene closely mirrors its comic counterpart. This scene involves Barry enlisting Batman's assistance to regain his powers. In this sequence, Barry secures himself in a chair beneath a shelf filled with chemicals, while a lightning rod is strategically positioned to attract a lightning strike towards him. This strikingly resembles a pivotal moment in the Flashpoint story, where Barry seeks aid from Thomas Wayne's Batman instead of Bruce.

The Look Of The Multiverse

When Bruce and the Barrys discuss timelines, they emphasize that the common perception of time as linear is misleading. In reality, the present has the power to impact both the future and the past, extending beyond the creation of branching timelines. While Marvel projects have previously alluded to branching timelines, DC's depiction of colliding universes in The Flash resembles their comic book counterparts. These universes take the form of expansive spheres, each containing distinct timelines specific to that particular universe.

The Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Cameo

In addition to the heroes from the Speed Force and the multiverse, the movie also features a few unexpected appearances. Towards the end of the film, director Andy Muschietti (who is also set to direct Batman: The Brave And The Bold) makes a cameo as the person from whom Barry snatches a hotdog on his way to court. Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau also has a cameo earlier in the movie, where Barry grabs a slice of pizza from him. Coster-Waldau even receives a special thanks in the movie's credits.