The following contains spoilers for The Flash Season 9, Episode 3, "Rogues of War," which aired on Feb. 22 on The CW.
Javicia Leslie has officially been unmasked as the Red Death in the latest episode of The CW's The Flash.
After teasing the Batman-like speedster since the start of Season 9, The Flash revealed in "Rogues of War" that the person underneath the mask was Leslie's Ryan Wilder, the Batwoman of Arrowverse's Gotham City. The reveal came shortly after Team Flash learned that Batwoman had been missing for weeks, disappearing while out on patrol. At this time, it is unknown if Red Death is the same Ryan Wilder or hails from an alternate Earth. However, the Red Death made sure to let both fans and Jon Cor's Chillblaine know that she means business, uttering three terrifying words after unmasking -- "I am vengeance."
Created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, Red Death first appeared in DC Comics' Dark Days: The Casting #1 (2017) and is the Bruce Wayne/Batman of Earth -52. The Flash has seemingly gender-swapped the role for Leslie, whose involvement in the series was first confirmed in November 2022. While her specific role in The Flash Season 9 was kept mostly secret, set photos did eventually reveal that she would be playing the Red Death.
The Mask of the Red Death
Leslie is expected to return as the Red Death in the upcoming two-parter, "The Mask of the Red Death," which will be the fourth and fifth episodes of The Flash Season 9. The CW has released a synopsis for "The Mask of the Red Death, Part Two," which teases that the Red Death will continue to wreak havoc on Central City. Grant Gustin's Barry Allen will also be "faced with what he thinks was his greatest mistake, and the Red Death’s greatest success." Menhaj Huda directed Part 1 of "The Mask of the Red Death" while frequent Arrowverse director Rachel Talalay helmed Part 2.
Leslie is the first of many Arrowverse alums set to appear during The Flash's final season. Nicole Maines will return as Supergirl's Nia Nal/Dreamer for an episode that sees her teaming up with Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton) to solve a frightening mystery. Stephen Amell will also be suiting back up as the Green Arrow alongside David Ramsey's John Diggle and Keiynan Lonsdale's Kid Flash for the upcoming ninth episode of the season. While plot details concerning the Emerald Archer's return remain under wraps, The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace has teased that the heartfelt reunion between Amell and The Flash's Grant Gustin will be "extremely emotional."
The Flash Season 9, Episode 4, "The Mask of the Red Death, Part 1," will air on The CW on March 1, followed by Episode 5, "The Mask of the Red Death, Part 2," on March 8.
Source: The CW