According to The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace, the scene depicted in these new photos isn't Barry's first confrontation with his super intelligent and powerful new foe, but it is one of the most "pivotal" exchanges they have in the entire event.
"That's actually the scene where we really learn about Despero's alien origins, which is what makes that scene so fascinating to me," Wallace tells EW. "[Curran] has a big speech in that scene. No spoilers, [but] it's a very intense moment in his relationship with the Flash. You'll see throughout the episodes how Despero tests Flash in various ways. This is one of those moments. That's what makes it so pivotal. I think the audience is going to learn something new about Despero that they never knew, because we do have our own take on the [DC] mythology for the character."
Created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky in 1960, Despero is a hulking three-eyed purple alien who boasts immense psychic powers and super-strength, among other things. He was a recurring Justice League of America villain in the '60s-'90s, which is one of the main reasons Wallace chose him for "Armageddon."
"I wanted to put a truly classic DC villain in this five part event that I knew fans would get excited about," says Wallace. "Also, and I can't say too much without revealing too much of the story, there's a certain element to the story itself that involves the powerset of Despero, [which] makes him the perfect fit for the story."
While Curran doesn't appear comic book accurate in these new photos, Wallace cautions fans against jumping to conclusions just yet. "Be careful what you see," he says with a laugh. "Your eyes can sometimes deceive you.”
