‘Arrow’ season 2: First real look at Grant Gustin as The Flash

We’ve met Grant Gustin’s character of Barry Allen on “Arrow” season 2 already, but we now have the first real glimpse of something a little more substantial: The actor as the hero The Flash.

Production on the new pilot for The CW (which was originally going to be a backdoor one during “Arrow”) is set to begin next week in Vancouver, and this photos show what the costume will at least in theory look like for the character. What is our take on it overall? It’s mostly an impressive presentation on the popular comic character; it’s faithful, but at the same time, the costume is not so dark as to make it feel exceptionally corny (though it still a guy running around super-fast with lightning bolts). As a matter of fact, the biggest complaint that we have about this is an extremely petty one: The extension on the chin, which reminds us a little too much of Magneto.

Gustin was great as Barry, but he’ll have to sell executives hard in this standard pilot in order for “The Flash” to become a series a little later this fall. Right now, we feel like the odds are pretty good, given that “Arrow” is a huge franchise for the network that has done very well, and this is a hero that has been substantially underplayed in the media. There’s a difference for us between introducing a live-action show that hasn’t been attempted in decades, and rehashing someone like Batman and Superman who have already been pretty played out over the years. We full expect the show to be ordered for at least 13 episodes, and will be absolutely stunned if it is not.

What do you think about the new Flash costume: Yay, or nay? Share your thoughts either way with a comment, and visit the link here if you want to read even more “Arrow” news and updates. Also, sign up now for our CarterMatt Newsletter to get more from us sent straight to your email.

Photo: The CW