The dual DC Comics superhero dramas "Arrow" and "The Flash" are still building momentum in their shared universe after taking the stage at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour (read CBR's full report here). And the next step for the world is each show's return with new episodes next week. "The Flash" returns January 20 while "Arrow" arrives the next night on January 21.
Ahead of those debuts, The CW has released a slate of new images from each show highlighting vengeful villains Heat Wave and Captain Cold and the soon-to-be Atom Ray Palmer, respectively.
First up, the network offered this description for "The Flash's" episode "Revenge of the Rogues":
WENTWORTH MILLER AND DOMINIC PURCELL ("PRISON BREAK") TEAM UP AGAIN AS CAPTAIN COLD AND HEAT WAVE CHALLENGE THE FLASH TO AN EPIC BATTLE -- Leonard Snart AKA Captain Cold (guest star Wentworth Miller) returns to Central City with a new hotheaded partner in tow -- Mick Rory AKA Heat Wave (guest star Dominic Purcell). The duo plan to steal a multi-million dollar painting, but Cold has another agenda while in town -- to set a trap for The Flash. Snart and Mick kidnap someone close to The Flash and threaten to kill them unless The Flash shows up for a battle of fire and ice. Barry tells Joe (Jesse L. Martin) he isn't sure he should take on Snart again after the casualties that happened the last time they fought. Meanwhile, Barry asks Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) to help him double his training efforts so he's ready for the Reverse Flash when he returns to Central City. Iris (Candice Patton) deals with the aftermath of Barry's confession, and Cisco makes the CCPD a new shield. Nick Copus directed the episode written by Geoff Johns & Kai Yu Wu (#110). Original airdate 1/20/2015
And showed off these images:
Meanwhile, "Arrow" is pushing its story starring Brandon Routh's Ray Palmer forward in an episode called "Left Behind" that the network describes thusly:
THE TEAM DEALS WITH OLIVER'S DISAPPEARANCE -- In the aftermath of Oliver's (Stephen Amell) fight with Ra's al Ghul (Matt Nable), Diggle (David Ramsey) and Arsenal (Colton Haynes) continue to protect the city in the Arrow's absence. However, after three days without hearing from Oliver, they begin to fear the worst may have happened to their friend. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) refuses to believe that Oliver could be dead until Merlyn (John Barrowman) pays the team a surprise visit. Thea (Willa Holland) suspects there is something more behind Oliver's disappearance and asks Merlyn for a favor. Meanwhile, Ray (Brandon Routh) tests a part of his new suit and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) takes up the mantle of the Black Canary. Glen Winter directed the episode written by Marc Guggenheim & Erik Oleson (#310). Original airdate 1/21/2015.
They also released the following images:
