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You are here: Home / Crushing Comics – Collecting DC Comics Guide / The Complete Guide to DC Universe Events – every event in reading order!

The Complete Guide to DC Universe Events – every event in reading order!

A comprehensive guide to line-wide DC Events – including story overviews, characters, issue lists, and how they can be read via omnibuses, hardcovers, and trade paperbacks. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics.

Crisis.

It’s a word inextricably linked with DC Comics ever since their landmark 1985 series Crisis on Infinite Earths, the birth over three decades of sprawling, line-wide events that often keep the promise that “nothing will ever be the same.”

That’s because the biggest of DC’s big events are borne out of necessity. They often are charged with a very practical storytelling goal.

Most fans know that Crisis merged myriad competing versions of heroes and continuity down to a single set by its end in 1986, resulting in historic relaunches of Wonder Woman and Superman and the landmark Batman: Year One story. What many don’t realize is that it also brought characters whose rights DC acquired into the fold – such as Blue Beetle and The Question.

Despite Marvel beating DC to the “special event” punch with 1984’s Secret Wars, Crisis’s scope was something altogether different. It touched every ongoing title, all of which coordinated back to the spine of the event series.

After the mega success of the epic Crisis, DC produced slightly more mortal-sized events in the late 80s and early 90s, including two of the biggest direct crossovers ever executed in comics – The Death of Superman and Batman: Knightfall.

They were back to their timeline-shaking shenanigans with Zero Hour in 1994, and again in the 2000s with Infinite Crisis, Final Crisis, Flashpoint, Convergence, and Rebirth – all while innovating with the idea of weekly-series unfolding in near real-time with Trinity, 52, Countdown, and Brightest Day.Infinite Crisis 0001 - textless

While a casual fan might look at these universe-redefining events and assume something to be very broken about the DC Universe’s mode of storytelling, over the years they have proven to be a sign of its resilience.

DC has never made the same promise as Marvel – that every story in a main title is permanently in-continuity. DC phases story concepts in and out of canon when its convenient, and in the process maintains their iconic characters and creates bigger, more sensational events that aren’t weighed down by the accumulated drag of permanent continuity.

They’re also not afraid to experiment with alternate versions of characters and newly licensed universes that – if successful – get folded into the main narrative. (They’ve done it with characters from Charleston, Milestone, and Wildstorm.)

This page covers all of DC’s biggest, linewide events – both those contained in their own series and direct crossovers between titles. Smaller events that were crossovers between just 2-3 titles are not included.

  • 1985-86: Crisis on Infinite Earths
  • 1985: DC Challenge
  • 1986: Legends
  • 1988: Millennium
  • 1988: Cosmic Odyssey
  • 1988: Invasion!
  • 1991: Armageddon 2001
  • 1991: War of the Gods
  • 1992: Eclipso: The Darkness Within (Annuals crossover)
  • 1992-93: The Death and Return of Superman
  • 1993: Bloodlines & Bloodlines: Bloodbath (Annuals crossover)
  • 1993-94: Knightfall
  • 1994: Worlds Collide
  • 1994: Elseworlds (Annuals theme)
  • 1994: Zero Hour
  • 1995: Year One (Annuals theme)
  • 1995: Underworld Unleashed
  • 1996: Legends of the Dead Earth (Annuals theme)
  • 1996: The Final Night
  • 1997: Pulp Heroes (Annuals theme)
  • 1997: Genesis
  • 1998: Ghosts (Annuals theme)
  • 1998: DC One Million
  • 1999: JLApe: Gorilla Warfare! (Annuals crossover)
  • 1999: Day of Judgment
  • 2000: Silver Age
  • 2000: Planet DC (Annuals theme)
  • 2001: Our Worlds at War
  • 2001-02: Joker: Last Laugh
  • 2004: Identity Crisis
  • 2005: DC Countdown (to Infinite Crisis)
    • Day of Vengeance
    • OMAC Project
    • Villains United
    • Rann–Thanagar War
  • 2005-06: Infinite Crisis
  • 2006-07: Trinity, 52, and One Year Later
  • 2007: Amazons Attack
  • 2008-09: Final Crisis
  • 2009-10: Blackest Night
  • 2010-11: Brightest Day
  • 2011: Flashpoint
  • DC New 52: see Guide to DC Eras: New 52
    • 2012: #0 Month
    • 2013: Trinity War
    • 2013: Villains Month
    • 2013-14: Forever Evil
    • 2014-15: Future’s End
    • 2015: Convergence
  • DC Rebirth: see Guide to DC Eras: DC Rebirth
    • 2016-17: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad
    • 2017-18: Dark Nights: Metal
    • 2018-19: Heroes in Crisis
    • 2019-20: Year of the Villain
    • 2020-21: Dark Nights: Death Metal
  • DC Infinite Frontier
    • 2020-21: Generations
    • 2021: Future State
    • 2022: Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths
  • Dawn of DC
    • 2023: Lazarus Planet
    • 2023: Knight Terrors
    • 2023-24: Beast World
    • 2024: Absolute Power

Join the Crushing On Crushing Krisis mailing list for a notice whenever this page is updated with new collections – plus, a not-more-than weekly ping about new comics content.

1985-86: Crisis on Infinite Earths

A 12-issue event series with a lengthy lead-up and line-wide tie-in issues, followed by a line-wide reboot.

The signature DC Event (and, in a roundabout way, the inspiration for this blog’s name)!

By the early 80s, DC’s line of comics had become a confusing tangle of nested universes with similar versions of key heroes. This was borne of DC doing a sort of “soft retirement” of their Golden Age heroes such that they continued to pop up from time to time … not to mention a bevy of far-flung future heroes and various other copies from when their storytelling wasn’t as strictly continuity-based.

Crisis ended those many universes, merging them down (at first) to a single Earth and single continuity to keep things simple.

Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) #1-12 have been collected in a variety of formats:

Crisis on Infinite Earths Absolute Edition (2005, IBSN 978-1401207120) is Crisis in DC’s massive, slipcased, bookshelf format. This edition also collects The Official Crisis on Infinite Earths Cross-Over Index (1986) #1 and The Official Crisis on Infinite Earths Index (1986) #1

Crisis on Infinite Earths Deluxe Hardcover (2015 30th Anniversary Edition, ISBN 978-1401258412) is oversized compared to standard comics and collections. This edition also collects History of the DC Universe (1986) #1-2.

Crisis on Infinite Earths Hardcover (1998, ISBN 978-1563894343)

Crisis on Infinite Earths trade paperback (2001 and forward, IBSN 978-1563897504) is kept evergreen with perpetual reprints with occasional minor changes to its trade dress.

Crisis was a truly linewide event, with every DC title acknowledging the story and many actively crossing over with the events in the mini-series. This was completely unprecedented at the time, and over the years DC has definitively documented the story order of the various tie-ins.

Prior to the event, a number of books featured minor run-up information, such as a brief cameo of Anti-Monitor. These should absolutely not be considered essential reading. Similarly, some tie-ins featured only a reddened sky to indicate the presence of Crisis at play.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Monitor made minor pre-Crisis appearances in New Teen Titans (1980) #21 & Annual 2, Green Lantern #173, 176, 178, Flash #338-339, Tales of the Teen Titans (1984) #47, Blue Devil #5, Fury of Firestorm #28, Batman and the Outsiders #14-15, Action Comics #560, Justice League of America #232, Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes (1994) #317, Wonder Woman #321, Infinity Inc. #8, All-Star Squadron #40, DC Comics Presents #76, Superman #402, Saga of the Swamp Thing #30-31, Justice League of America #234, Vigilante #14, Superman #403, World’s Finest #311, Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes (1994) #319-320, Amethyst #2, G.I. Combat #275-276, Wonder Woman #323, Action Comics #564, The Warlord (1976) #91, Jonah Hex #90, and Batman #384 and Detective Comics #551
  • Tales of the Teen Titans (1984) #58 and DC Comics Presents #78 act as a prologue to Crisis #1
  • Crisis #1 and All-Star Squadron #50-53 (#53 continues through Crisis #5), Fury of Firestorm, #41, Infinity Inc. #18, New Teen Titans (1984) #13 (continues through Crisis #5), Green Lantern #194 (continues through Crisis #2)
  • Crisis #2 and Detective Comics #558, Green Lantern #194
  • Crisis #3 and New Teen Titans (1984) #13 (also contains material parallel to #9), Green Lantern #195, then DC Comics Presents #86 (bridges to Crisis #4)
  • Crisis #4 and DC Comics Presents #86, Swamp Thing #44 (continues through #5), Wonder Woman #327-328, Infinity Inc. #19, Justice League #224, Infinity Inc. #20, then Infinity Inc. Annual 1 (bridges to #5)
  • Crisis #5 and All-Star Squadron #53-55 (the final page of #53 is also parallel to #6), Infinity Inc #21-22, Swamp Thing #46
  • Crisis #6 and Superman #413, Infinity Inc. #23-24 (#24 begins during #7)
  • Crisis #7 and DC Comics Presents #95, Infinity Inc. #24, then Legion of Superheroes (1984) #16, Wonder Woman #329, DC Comics Presents #87, and Superman #414
  • Crisis #8 and Blue Devil #17, Green Lantern #195-196 (continues through #9), Omega Men #31, Justice League Annual 3, Blue Devil #18
  • Crisis #9 and New Teen Titans (1984) #13-14, Fury of Firestorm #42, Superman #415, DC Comics Presents #88, then Justice League #245
  • Crisis #10-11 and Amethyst #13
  • Crisis #12 and Legend of Wonder Woman #1-4 (Crisis’s finale is used as a framing sequence), Green Lantern #198, Infinity Inc. #25, Losers Special #1, All-Star Squadron #60
  • Need to place Legion of Super-Heroes (1984) #18

All of DC’s titles rebooted between 1986 and 1989 in the wake of Crisis save for three – Action Comics (#584 is post-Crisis), Batman (#401 is post-Crisis), and Detective Comics (#568 is post-Crisis). Superman’s first post-crisis appearance is in DC Comics Presents #89.

1986-87: Legends

A 6-issue event series with officially numbered direct crossover issues.

Legends was DC’s first event mini-series and crossover following Crisis on Infinite Earths. It found Darkseid trying to manipulate the Earth’s people to turn on its heroes. Notably, the event launched the post-Crisis Suicide Squad, Shazam, Justice League, and The Flash.

Legends #1-6 are collected in Legends 30th Anniversary Edition trade paperback (2016, ISBN 978-1401263164) and were previously collected in a 1993 paperback (IBSN 978-1563890956).

This event had an official reading order issued by DC Comics at the time of publication, but later fan reading orders have altered it for a smoother read [those alterations are in brackets].

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Batman #401, Detective Comics #568 [some modern reading orders place both issues after Legends #1]
  • Legends #1, Green Lantern Corps #207  [not a strong tie-in, but introduces Guy Gardner into the mix]
  • Legends #2, Cosmic Boy #1, Justice League of America #258, Secret Origins #10 [four potential origins for Phantom Stranger – can be omitted or read prior to the crossover], Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #55 [many continue to #56 here]
  • Legends #3,  Cosmic Boy #2, Justice League of America #259, Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #56, Blue Beetle (1987) #9
  • Legends #4, The Warlord (1976) #114, Cosmic Boy #3, Justice League of America #260, Blue Beetle (1987) #10, The Warlord (1976) #115, Superman #3, Adventures of Superman #426, Action Comics #586
  • Legends #5, Cosmic Boy #4 [leads to Legion Of Super-Heroes (1984) #36], Justice League of America #261
  • Legends #6, Secret Origins #14 [leads to Suicide Squad #1]

1988: Millennium

A 8-issue weekly event series with tie-in issues branded “Week #” each week.

The Guardians of the Universe – the blue-skinned group that governs the Lanterns – depart our dimension, leaving behind a single member to create a new council of guardians comprised entirely of people of Earth.

When the villainous, robotic Manhunters find out, they activate sleeper agents embedded within the friends and families of our heroes to try to assassinate the chosen guardians.

Millenium #1-8 are collected in the Millennium trade paperback (2008, ISBN 978-1401220655).

This crossover was released in weekly installments over the course of two months. That meant that each title in DC’s line had the opportunity for a pair of tie-in issues. Ultimately, the story spins off into The New Guardians (1988).

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Week 1: Millennium #1, Firestorm #67, Flash #8 (can read Flash #7 leading into this), Justice League International #9, Outsiders #27, Wonder Woman #12
  • Week 2: Millennium #2, Batman #415, Blue Beetle (1987) #20, Legion of Super-Heroes (1984) #42, Secret Origins #22, Superman #13, Young All-Stars #8
  • Week 3: Millennium #3, Adventures of Superman #436, Booster Gold #24, Green Lantern Corps #220, Infinity Inc. #46
  • Week 4: Millennium #4, Teen Titans Spotlight (1986) #18, Action Comics #596, Captain Atom #11, Detective Comics #582, Suicide Squad #9, The Spectre (1987) #10
  • Week 5: Millennium #5, Firestorm #68, Flash #9, Wonder Woman #13, Justice League International #10, Outsiders #28
  • Week 6: Millennium #6, Superman #14, Blue Beetle (1987) #21, Legion of Super-Heroes (1984) #43, Secret Origins #23, Young All-Stars #9
  • Week 7: Millennium #7, Adventures of Superman #437, Booster Gold #25, Green Lantern Corps #221, Infinity Inc. #47
  • Week 8: Millennium #8, The Spectre (1987) #11, Teen Titans Spotlight (1986) #19

1988-89: Invasion!

A 3-issue event series with officially listed direct crossover issues.

Invasion found a coalition of hostile alien races invading Earth to eliminate or enslave its many meta-humans.

This lead to the introduction of DC’s “metagene,” roughly the equivalent of the mutant X-factor in the Marvel Universe. It also set up Doom Patrol for Grant Morrison’s historic run.

Each issue of Invasion was an 80-page perfect-bound book!

Invasion! #1-3 are collected in Invasion trade paperback (2016, ISBN 978-1401262198).

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Unofficial prelude issues: Wonder Woman Annual 1 & 24, Swamp Thing #80, The Spectre #22, Flash #20, Suicide Squad #22
  • Invasion! #1, Daily Planet #1, Checkmate! #11, Firestorm #80, The Flash #21, Justice League International #22, Manhunter (1988) #8, Wonder Woman #25, Superman #26, Adventures of Superman #449, Animal Man #6, The Doom Patrol #17, The Power of the Atom #7, Starman (1988) #5, Swamp Thing #81, Captain Atom #24, Detective Comics #595, The New Guardians #6, The Spectre (1987) #23
  • Invasion! #2, Checkmate! #12, Firestorm #81, The Flash #22, Justice League International #23, Manhunter (1988) #9, Wonder Woman #26, Superman #27, The Adventures of Superman #450, Power of the Atom #8, Starman (1988) #6
  • Non-Official Crossover issues: Suicide Squad #23, Captain Atom #25, The New Guardians #7, The Doom Patrol #18
  • Invasion! #3, Justice League Europe #1, Blasters Special #1, L.E.G.I.O.N. ’89 #1, The Spectre (1987) #24
  • Unofficial epilogue issues: Animal Man #7, Swamp Thing #96-98

1991: Armageddon 2001

A 2-issue bookend series with officially numbered Annuals between them.

This 1991 tale begins in a potential future ruled by a ruthless despot named Monarch – a former hero. One scientist turned hero, Waverider, travels back in time to try to learn which hero becomes Monarch by peering into each of their individual futures.

As such, most of these stories qualify as “what if” tales with no impact to continuity outside of their present day framing sequences except for New Titans. Also, the ultimate outcome of the crossover was later significantly retconned (back to how it was originally intended to end!).

Armageddon 2001 #1-2 have not been reprinted, although some individual annuals may have been collected along with their individual series.

Click to expand a reading order

  • Armageddon 2001 #1
  • Superman Annual 3
  • Batman Annual 15
  • Justice League America Annual 5
  • Hawk and Dove Annual 2
  • Hawkworld Annual 2
  • The Flash Annual 4
  • L.E.G.I.O.N. ’91 Annual 2
  • The New Titans Annual 7
  • Action Comics Annual 3
  • Detective Comics Annual 4
  • The Adventures Of Superman Annual 3
  • Justice League Europe Annual 2
  • Armageddon 2001 #2
  • Epilogue: Action Comics #670, Superman #61
  • Follow-ups: Armageddon: The Alien Agenda, Armageddon: Inferno (neither have been collected)

1991: War of the Gods

A 4-issue event series with officially numbered direct crossover issues.

A rare line-wide story centered on Wonder Woman! After the Amazons are revealed to the world, the sorceress Circe goads various other mythological pantheons to do battle across the planet.

War of the Gods #1-4 and Wonder Woman #58-62 are collected in Wonder Woman: War of the Gods trade paperback (2016, ISBN 978-1401261078).

At the time of release, all tie-in issues were bannered explicitly numbered with their place in the story – but DC made a few mistakes and omissions. Over the years, fans have confirmed this rock solid reading order.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Part 1: War Of The Gods #1
  • Part 2: Wonder Woman (1987) #58
  • Part 3: Superman: The Man of Steel #3
  • Part 4: Hawkworld #15
  • Part 5: Starman (1988) #38
  • Part 6: L.E.G.I.O.N. #31
  • Part 7: Hawk & Dove #28
  • Part 8: Captain Atom #56
  • Part 9: Doctor Fate #32
  • Part 10: Flash v2 #55
  • Part 11: Wonder Woman (1987) #59
  • Part 12: Doctor Fate #33
  • Part 13: War Of The Gods #2
  • Part 14: Justice League Europe #31
  • Part 15: Batman #470
  • Part 16: Hawkworld #16
  • Part 17: Animal Man #40
  • Part 18: Captain Atom #57
  • Part 19: Suicide Squad #58
  • Part 20: Wonder Woman v2 #60
  • Part 21: War Of The Gods #3
  • Part 22: The Demon #17
  • Part 23: New Titans (1991) #81
  • Part 24: Wonder Woman (1987) #61
  • Part 25: War Of The Gods #4
  • Epilogue: Wonder Woman (1987) #62

1992: Eclipso: The Darkness Within

A 2-issue bookend series with officially numbered Annuals between them.

An annuals crossover in the same style as Armageddon 2001, with a series of annuals bookended by a two-issue series. The difference is that this story is in continuity and somewhat sequential. It seriously retcons Eclipso’s origins and sees him trying to conquer the Earth by possessing its mightiest heroes.

Eclipso: The Darkness Within (1992) #1-2 have not been reprinted, although some individual annuals may have been collected along with their individual series.

Eclipso continued to his own ongoing series, which has not been collected.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Part 1: Eclipso: The Darkness Within #1
  • Part 2: Superman: The Man of Steel Annual 1
  • Part 3: Green Lantern (1990) Annual 1
  • Part 4: Detective Comics Annual 5
  • Part 5: Superman (1987) Annual 4
  • Part 6: Justice League America Annual 6
  • Part 7: The Demon Annual 1
  • Part 8: The Flash Annual 5
  • Part 9: Action Comics Annual 4
  • Part 10: Wonder Woman Annual 3
  • Part 11: Green Arrow Annual 5
  • Part 12: Robin (1993) Annual 1
  • Part 13: Hawkworld Annual 3
  • Part 14: Deathstroke: The Terminator Annual 1
  • Part 15: The New Titans (1988) Annual 8
  • Part 16: Justice League Europe Annual 3
  • Part 17: Batman Annual 16
  • Part 18: L.E.G.I.O.N. ’92 Annual 3
  • Part 19: The Adventures of Superman Annual 4
  • Part 20: Eclipso: The Darkness Within #2
  • Aftermath: Valor #1

1992-93: The Death and Return of Superman

An event with direct and indirect crossover issues primarily in the Superman line.

By the early 90s, comic crossovers went from an occasional occurrence to a regular event. In fact, the Superman books were locked into a continual crossover, with their story ping-ponging across four books each month!

However, in 1992 DC began an event to end all events – the Death of Superman!

This event began with a brutal multi-issue tussle between Superman and Doomsday, continued through a funeral, and came with the shocker of four replacement Superman taking up the S-insignia. Were any of them the real thing? Were some of them actually villains?

This is the rare mega-indulgent crossover that holds up to decades of hindsight and scrutiny. It has its occasional excesses, but it’s an interesting story that remains the reigning “Death of” champion even after DC and Marvel have killed (and resurrected) countless other heroes. It was also a terrific mystery which still holds allure today for a new generation of readers.

The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus
(1370 pages, 2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401291075 / 2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1779515469)
Collects Action Comics (1938) #684-692 & Annual 5 (and pages from #683), Adventures of Superman (1987) #497-505 & Annual 5 (and pages from #496), Superman (1987) #75-83 & Annual 5 (and pages from #73, but maybe not #74?), Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #18-26 & Annual 2 (and pages from #17), Justice League of America (1989) #69-70, Green Lantern (1990) #46, Legacy of Superman (1993) #1, Supergirl and Team Luthor (1993) #1.

Note that the 2022 version of this book has an old version of the contents from 2013, but per the page count it matches the 2019 version. DC has also released this omnibus as a paperback! The Superman: The Death and Return of Superman Compendium (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1799501497) has the same page-count as this omnibus for half the price.

This 2019 and beyond version is the most complete version of the story we’ve had collected, because it includes Annuals from each series, plus the tie-ins from Justice League America (1989) #70 and Supergirl and Team Luthor (1993) #1.

Superman: The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus
(1011 pages, 2013 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401238643)
Collects Action Comics (1938) #683-692, Adventures of Superman (1987) #496-505, Green Lantern (1990) #46, Justice League America (1989) #69, Superman (1987) #73-82, Superman: The Legacy of Superman (1993) #1, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #17-26.

It omits only the funeral issues Justice League America #70 (collected in the companion Superman & The Justice League America Vol. 2) and Supergirl/Lex Luthor Special (1993) #1 (AKA “and Team Luther”), plus Action Comics Annual 5 and Superman Annual 5 (primarily part of the Bloodlines crossover).

Prior to 2013, there was a much slimmer omnibus missing nearly 300 pages of content. That was mostly Action Comics (1938) #686  & 692 and Adventures of Superman (1987) #496 & 499, but it also reduced some issues down to excerpts to account for the additional page loss.

The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus
(745 pages, 2007 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401215507)
Collects Action Comics (1938) #683 (1 pg), 684-685, 687-691, Adventures of Superman (1987) #496 (1pg), 497-498, 500-505, Green Lantern (1990) #46, Justice League America (1989) #69, Superman (1987) #73-82, and Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #17-26.

In 2025 DC released an Absolute version of just the “Death” portion of the storyline:

Death of Superman: Absolute Edition
(2025 slipcased oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799501749)
Collects Superman (1987) #73-75; Adventures of Superman (1987) #496-497; Justice League America (1989) #69; Action Comics (1938) #683-684; Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #17-19; and Newstime: The Life and Death of Superman (1993) #1.

A Death of Superman TPB has been kept in print since 1993, but in 2016 DC extended the line to collect the rest of this story, including all four of the issues omitted from the 2013 omnibus – two in Funeral For a Friend, and one in Reign of the Supermen, plus an extra issue of Man of Steel in The Return of Superman.

The Death of Superman (2013, 978-1401241827) collects Action Comics #684, Adventures of Superman #497, Justice League America #69, Superman #74-75, and Superman: The Man of Steel #18-19. (It also includes the final pages of Action Comics (1938) #683, Adventures of Superman (1987) #496, Superman (1987) #73, and Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #17.)

Superman: Funeral for a Friend (2016, IBSN 978-1401266646) collects Action Comics #685-686, Adventures of Superman #498-500, Justice League America #70, Legacy of Superman #1, Supergirl/Lex Luthor Special #1, Superman (1987) #76-77, and Superman: The Man Of Steel #20-21 (This was previously collected as Superman: World Without a Superman with less content)

Superman: Reign of the Supermen (2016, ISBN 978-1401266639) collects Action Comics #687-688, Adventures of Superman #500-502, Superman (1987) #78-79 & Annual 5, Superman: The Man Of Steel #22-23, and Superman: The Man Of Steel Annual 2! (The final two volumes were previously collected as Superman: The Return of Superman with less content)

Superman: The Return of Superman (2016, ISBN 978-1401266622) collects Action Comics #689-692 and Annual 5, Adventures Of Superman #503-505 and Annual 5, Green Lantern (1990) #46, Superman (1987) #80-83, and Superman: The Man Of Steel #24-26!

The reading order of this mega event was made explicit by DC at the time – it is almost entirely linear. Some of the additional tie-in issues from above are not included in this order.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Prologue: Approaching Doom (November 1992)
    • Superman: Man of Steel #17
    • Superman (1987) #73
    • Adventures of Superman #496
    • Action Comics #683
  • Act 1: Doomsday! (December 1992 – January 1993)
    • Superman: Man of Steel #18
    • Justice League America #69
    • Superman (1987) #74
    • Adventures of Superman #497
    • Action Comics #684
    • Superman: Man of Steel #19
    • Superman (1987) #75 = The Death of Superman
  • Act 2: Funeral for a Friend (January 1993 – April 1993)
    • Adventures of Superman #498
    • Justice League America #70
    • Action Comics #685
    • Superman: Man of Steel #20
    • Superman (1987) #76
    • Adventures of Superman #499
    • Action Comics #686
    • Superman: Man of Steel #21
    • Superman (1987) #77
    • Adventures of Superman #500
    • Legacy of Superman #1
    • Supergirl & Team Luthor #1
  • Act 3: Reign of the Supermen! (June 1993 – July 1993)
    • Action Comics #687 = Eradicator
    • Superman: Man of Steel #22 = Steel (preceded by a flashback story in Steel (1994) Annual 2)
    • Superman (1987) #78 = Cyborg Superman
    • Adventures of Superman #501 = Superboy
    • Action Comics #688
    • Superman: Man of Steel #23
    • Superman (1987) #79
    • (A flashback story in Batman and Superman World’s Finest #9 with all four Supermen fits here)
    • (Superman Annual 5 is part of the Bloodlines event)
    • Adventures of Superman #502
  • Act 4: The Return of Superman (July 1993 – September 1993)
    • Action Comics #689
    • Superman: Man of Steel #24
    • Superman (1987) #80
    • Adventures of Superman #503
    • Action Comics #690
    • Superman: Man of Steel #25
    • Superman (1987) #81
    • Adventures of Superman #504
    • Action Comics #691
    • Superman: Man of Steel #26
    • Green Lantern (1990) #46
    • Superman (1987) #82
    • Adventures of Superman #505
  • Epilogue
    • Superman (1987) #83

1992-95: Batman: Knightfall

An event with direct and indirect crossover issues primarily in the Batman line.

Knightfall was a story-arc constrained mainly to the Batman line of titles, but like “Death and Return of Superman” its sheer scope warrants a mention alongside other line-wide crossovers.

Knightfall begins with Batman experiencing a personal crisis – he’s psychologically shaken and physically battered, leaving him uncharacteristically prone to error.

This weakness is taken advantage of by Bane, who is as canny as he is muscle-bound. He incites a prison-break from Arkham Asylum and waits patiently as Batman is worn down by a capturing a hits parade of his most-famous villains. Finally, Bane makes his first direct move against Batman – which culminates in the infamous back-breaking moment that was imitated in The Dark Knight Rises.

With Batman incapacitated – maybe permanently – he makes a surprising selection for his replacement. That, an several other plot threads, continued to play out under the Knightfal umbrella for over two years before we would see Bruce Wayne back in the cowl.

A Knightfall omnibus line began in 2017.

Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 1 Hardcover collects Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #1, Batman #484-500, Batman Shadow Of The Bat #16-18, Detective Comics #654-666, and Showcase’93 #7-8.

A 2012 series of “Batman: Knightfall” paperbacks is the most comprehensive collection of this material to date.

Batman: Knightfall, Volume 1 (2012 – 978-1401233792) collects Batman (1940) #491-500, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #16-18, Batman: Vengeance of Bane Special (1993) #1, Detective Comics (1937) #659-666, Showcase ’93 (1993) #7-8

Annual 6 is not collected. Placement is tentative. Part of Bloodlines starring Jean-Paul Valley as Batman.

Batman: Knightfall, Volume 2 – Knightquest (2012 – 978-1401235369) collects Batman (1940) #501-508, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #19-20 & 24-28, Catwoman (1993) #6-7, Detective Comics (1937) #667-675, Robin (1993) #7

Batman: Knightfall – The Search has not been collected.

Batman: Knightfall, Volume 3 – Knightsend (2012 – 978-1401237219) collects the end of Knightfall and the subsequent Prodigal storyline frmo Batman (1940) #509-510 & 512-514, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989) #62-63, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #29-30 & 32-34, Catwoman (1993) #12-13, Detective Comics (1937) #676-677 & 679-681, Robin (1993) #8-9 & 11-13, Showcase ’94 (1994) #10

Batman: Zero Hour (2017) is effectively the missing chapter of the Volume 3 trade that fits between Knightfall and Prodigal, collecting Batman #0 & 511, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #0 & 31, Detective Comics #0 & 678, Catwoman (1993) #0 & 74, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #0, and Robin (1993) #0 & 10.

A 1993 series of “Batman: Knightfall” paperbacks collected a slightly less comprehensive group of Knightfall material; they have been reprinted many times since then (sometimes with alternate trade dress).

Batman: Knightfall, Part One: Broken Bat (1993) collects Batman (1940) #491-497 and Detective Comics (1937) #659-663

Batman: Knightfall, Part Two: Who Rules the Night collects Batman (1940) #498-500, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #16-18, Detective Comics (1937) #664-666, Showcase ’93 (1993) #7-8

“The Crusade” section of Knightfall is not collected in this series

Batman: KnightsEnd (1995) collects Batman (1940) #509-510, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989) #62-63, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #29-30, Catwoman (1993) #12, Detective Comics (1937) #676-677, Robin (1993) #8-9. Does not include Catwoman (1993) #13 and Showcase ’94 #10

The Zero Hour material is not collected in this series

Batman: Prodigal (1997) collects Batman (1940) #512-514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) #32-34, Detective Comics (1937) #679-681, Robin (1993) #11-13

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

A pair of stories precede this event – Batman: Sword of Azrael #1-4 and Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1-2.

Broken Bat: Batman #491-492, Detective Comics #659, Batman #493, Detective Comics #660, Batman #494, Detective Comics #661, Batman #495, (Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual 1 is part of Bloodlines), Detective Comics #662, Batman #496, Detective Comics #663, Batman #497

Who Rules the Night: Detective Comics #664, Showcase ’93 #7-8, Showcase ’93 #8, Batman #498, Detective Comics #665 (Shadow of the Bat #16-18 aren’t officially part of this story; they are followed by Batman Annual 17, which is part of Bloodlines), Batman #499, Detective Comics #666, Batman #500

Bane appears in Catwoman (1993) #1-4, and Azrael as Batman in Catwoman (1993) #5, but these issues are not officially part of the crossover.

The Crusade: Detective Comics #667-668, Shadow of the Bat #19-20, (Bloodlines concludes in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual 3 and Bloodbath #1-2), Batman #501-502, Detective Comics #669-670, Catwoman #6, Batman #503-504, Catwoman (1993) #7, Detective Comics #671-673, (Chain Gang War #5-6  can be read here) Shadow of the Bat #24, Batman #505, Shadow of the Bat #25, Batman #506-507, Shadow of the Bat #26-27, Detective Comics #674, Batman #508, Shadow of the Bat #28, Detective Comics #675

The Search: Justice League Task Force #5-6, Shadow of the Bat #21-23, Legends of the Dark Knight #59-61, Robin (1993) #7

KnightsEnd: Batman #509, Shadow of the Bat #29, Detective Comics #676, Legends of the Dark Knight #62, Robin (1993) #8, Catwoman (1993) #12, Batman #510, Shadow of the Bat #30, Detective Comics #677, Legends of the Dark Knight #63,

KnightsEnd Aftermath: Robin (1993) #9, Catwoman (1993) #13, Showcase ’94 #10

Prodigal: Batman #512, Shadow of the Bat #32, Detective Comics #679, Robin (1993) #11, Batman #513, Shadow of the Bat #33, Detective Comics #680, Robin (1993) #12, Batman #514, Shadow of the Bat #34, Detective Comics #681, Robin (1993) #13

1993: Bloodlines & Bloodlines: Bloodbath

A story told across Annuals with a 2-issue series serving as the finale.

Bloodlines played out a brutal concept – that an alien race was dependent on human spinal fluid for sustenance, but a tiny fraction of humans harvested in such fashion would turn out to be superheroes themselves.

Conveniently, one or more of these humans happened to emergy in every Annual that was a part of this event.

Bloodbath #1-2 have not been reprinted, although some individual annuals may have been collected along with their individual series.

This story spun off the new comics Blood Pack, Razorsharp and the Psyba-Rats, Hitman, Anima, Loose Cannon, Argus, and Gunfire – of which only Hitman is especially notable.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Bloodlines: Outbreak
    • Part 1: Lobo (1993) Annual 1
    • Part 2: Superman: The Man of Steel Annual 2
    • Part 3: Batman: Shadow of The Bat Annual 1
    • Part 4: Flash Annual 6
    • Part 5: New Titans (1988) Annual 9
    • Part 6: Superman (1987) Annual 5
    • Part 7: Green Lantern (1990) Annual 2
    • Part 8: Batman Annual 17
    • Part 9: Justice League International Annual 4
  • Chapter 2: EarthPlague:
    • Part 10: Robin (1993) Annual 2
    • Part 11: Action Comics Annual 5
    • Part 12: Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) Annual 4
    • Part 13: Green Arrow Annual 6
    • Part 14: Detective Comics Annual 6
    • Part 15: Justice League America Annual 7
    • Part 16: Adventures of Superman Annual 5
    • Part 17: Hawkman Annual 1
  • Chapter 3: DeathStorm:
    • Part 18: Deathstroke Annual 2
    • Part 19: Eclipso Annual 5
    • Part 20: Demon Annual 2
    • Part 21: Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight Annual 3
    • Part 22: Team Titans (1992) Annual 1
    • Part 23: L.E.G.I.O.N. Annual 4
  • Chapter 4: BloodBath:
    • Part 24: Bloodbath #1
    • Part 25: Bloodbath #2
  • Spinoff: Bloodpack #1-4

1994: Worlds Collide

A rare direct inter-company crossover between DC’s Superman line and Milestone comics with a single titular one-shot.

In almost every instance of a crossover between two companies, the effort is self-contained in a one-shot, OGN, or mini-series. It’s largely a practical matter – a direct crossover complicates both collaboration and profits.

That’s why Worlds Collide is so interesting. It was a direct crossover between DC Comics and the African-American-owned and operated Milestone Comics.

The effects of this crossover were erased for DC heroes during Zero Hour, and then superseded for both companies by changes after Final Crisis so that Milestone characters could be incorporated into the DC Universe.

Worlds Collide has not been collected.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Part 1: Superman: The Man of Steel #35
  • Part 2: Hardware #17
  • Part 3: Superboy (1994) #6
  • Part 4: Icon #15
  • Part 5: Steel (1994) #6
  • Part 6: Blood Syndicate #16
  • Part 7: Worlds Collide #1
  • Part 8: Superboy (1994) #7
  • Part 9: Hardware #18
  • Part 10: Superman: The Man of Steel #36
  • Part 11: Icon #16
  • Part 12: Steel (1994) #7
  • Part 13: Blood Syndicate #17
  • Part 14: Static #14

1994: Elseworlds Annuals

Individual stories told across the entire line of Annuals.

In a break from the prior two years, DC’s 1994 Annuals event wasn’t an a direct crossover. In fact, it could hardly be called an event so much as it was a theme. All of DC’s annuals featured alternate reality Elseworlds stories of their featured heroes.

These annuals don’t form a cohesive story (except for Adventures of Superman and Superboy) and have not been collected comprehensively, though some annuals may be collected individually.

Click to expand list of tie-in issues

  • Action Comics Annual 6 – A 18th-century Kryptonian travels to Earth
  • Adventures of Superman Annual 6 – A crossover to the Superboy annual about the last seven heroes on Earth
  • Batman Annual 18 – A story about Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentice
  • Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual 4 – Batman as Citizen Kane.
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual 2 – Features a dystopian Batman ruling over Gotham
  • Catwoman (1993) Annual 1 – Features Talia al Ghul as a 14th-century Catwoman
  • Deathstroke, the Terminator Annual 3 – A post-apocalyptic tale
  • Detective Comics Annual 7 – A pirate Batman
  • Flash Annual 7 – Barry Allen’s life as a movie pitch by Wally Wet
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 3 – Green Lanterns on both sides of World War II
  • Justice League America Annual 8 – A century flash-forward to a new league
  • Justice League International Annual 5 – An Earth where metahumans are treated more like Marvel’s mutants – hated and feared!
  • L.E.G.I.O.N. Annual 5 – Several spoofs of Lobo in media properties like James Bond and 90210
  • Legionnaires Annual 1 – A futuristic Knights of the Round Table.
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) Annual 5 – The Legion as Wizard of Oz
  • Lobo (1993) Annual 2 – Several Western-style spoofs
  • New Titans (1988) Annual 10 – A fantasy story
  • Robin (1993) Annual 3 – Robin in feudal Japan
  • Steel (1994) Annual 1 – Set in the Revolutionary War
  • Superboy (1994) Annual 1 – Continues the story from Adventures of Superman
  • Superman Annual 6 – Superman in the 19th century Indiam jungle in the style of Mowgli and Tarzan
  • Superman: The Man of Steel Annual 3 – A story of more  than just Superman moving from Krypton to Earth
  • Team Titans (1992) Annual 2 – A space opera

 

1994: Zero Hour & Zero Month

A 4-issue event series with a lengthy lead-up and line-wide tie-in issues, and accompanied by a line-wide month of #0 issues.

Zero Hour might be the most difficult DC Event to explain, but I’ll try.

Much in the same way that Crisis simplified or eliminated many of DC’s alternate universes, Zero Hour laid waste to a number of potential futures that populated books like Legionnaires and Legion of Super-Heroes. It also sought to amend many cracks in DC’s continuity that had emerged since Crisis.

That’s an editorial perspective on Zero Hour. What about the story?

A wave of chronological blankness receding from DC’s farflung future to the present day. Seemingly unrelated elements of DC’s previously-eliminated past became tangled with the present day – including a returned Batgirl. Taking advantage of the chronal decay, the villain Extant (himself the victim of several later retcons) wanted to recreate the world in his own image.

The connection between the decay of the timeline and Extant’s plans were the true story of Zero Hour, which saw a major transformation of one of DC’s most-recognizable heroes. While the plotting isn’t as rock-solid as the original Crisis, this story is shorter and considerably less cerebral, making it an easier-to-digest time crisis for fans.

Zero Hour #4-0 (1994 & on paperback, ISBN 978-1563891847 / 2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401278519 / digital)
Along with prologue stories from Showcase ’94 (1994) #8-9.

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1779526304)
Collects Zero Hour #4-0, Showcase ’94 #8-10 (prologue stories), Action Comics #703, Adventures of Superman #516, Anima #7, Batman #511, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31, Catwoman #14, Damage #6, Darkstars #24, Detective Comics #678, The Flash #0 and #94, Green Arrow #90, Green Lantern #0 and #55, Guy Gardner: Warrior #24, Hawkman #13, Justice League America #92, Justice League International #68, Justice League Task Force #16, L.E.G.I.O.N. ’94 #70, Legionnaires #18, Legion of Super-Heroes #61, Outsiders #11, Robin #10, Steel #8, Superboy #8, Superman #93, Superman: Man of Steel #37, Team Titans #24, Valor #23.

DC Finest – Events: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time Part 1 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1779528506)
Part 1 collects Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4-3, Showcase ’94 #8-9, Superman #93, The Flash #94, L.E.G.I.O.N. #70, Green Lantern #55, Superman: The Man of Steel #37, Team Titans #24, The Darkstars #24, Valor #23, Batman #511, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31, Detective Comics #678, Legionnaires #18, Hawkman #13, Steel #8, Superboy #8, Outsiders #11

DC Finest – Events: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time Part 2 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1799501305)
Part 2 collects The Flash #0; Green Arrow #90; Adventures of Superman #516; Justice League America #92; Action Comics #703; Justice League International #68; Legion of Super-Heroes #61; Green Lantern #0; Superman: The Man of Steel #0; Guy Gardner: Warrior #24; Justice League Task Force #16; Catwoman #14; Robin #10; Showcase ’94 #10; Damage #0, #6; Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #0-2; Anima #7.

I’ve reviewed several reading orders of Zero Hour on the web, but none of them have it quite right – so I pulled out my issues to try to find a better way to do things! A number of DC’s future history titles acted as teasers to Zero Hour prior to the event – they are not listed here until the “End of an Era” crossover that marked their respective finales.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

Books you can skip or read first:

  • Aquaman (1994) #2 is not bannered and does not tie in with Zero Hour
  • Fate #9 is not bannered and does not tie in with Zero Hour
  • Steel (1994) #8 is not bannered and features a pre-Metron meeting with Superman; it’s not necessary to read it with the event.
  • Team Titans (1992) #17-20 (need to check)
  • Outsiders #10-11; #11 carries the Zero Hour banner and is mentioned in ZH4’s list of upcoming titles, but it has little ZH content aside from a time rift and can be skipped.
  • The Spectre (1992) #19-22 is not bannered for the event and does not have a specific connection.
  • L.E.G.I.O.N. ’94 #68-70 don’t tie in strongly.

Prologue

  • Showcase ’94 #8-9 backups act as a prologue and reveal background on Extant
  • “Judgement Day” in Justice League America (1989) #89, Justice League Task Force (1993) #13, Justice League International (1993) #65, JLA #90, JLTF #14, JLI #66. Flash appears in this story, so it must occur prior to Flash #92-94, which lead directly to ZH4. (An epilogue to Judgement Day runs through JLA #91, JLTF #15, and JLI #67, which don’t specifically tie to ZH.)
  • Some people choose to read Zero Hour #4 here.
  • Detective Comics#678 is a self-contained story that features Batman coming back from a normal night of patrol to find he has been thrust into an alternate past where Bruce Wayne was murdered rather than his parents. He glancingly mentions “more time anomalies.” It likely occurs just prior to Batman #511.
  • Batman #511 features Batgirl’s reappearance and leads into the Batman/Superman meeting in ZH4. While Batgirl chronologically appears first in the beginning of ZH4, that removes the mystery of this story – it should be read first.
  • Superman: Man of Steel #37 (which is 1994-33 in Superman reading order) features Superman’s encounters with many Batmen, and continues the next frames of his meeting with batman from Batman #511, ending with Metron’s arrival.
  • Superboy (1994) #8 is an isolated time problem that ends with Superman recruiting Superboy via Metron’s message in ZH4.
  • Green Lantern (1990) #54-55 end with Superman and Metron recruiting Hal Jordan that continues to ZH4.
  • Flash (1987) #92-94 is a story of the Impulse returning from a future that is missing a Legion of Superheroes (indicative of the zero wave sweeping across the future). Waverider appears in the final panel of #94, which explicitly states it continues in ZH4.

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4 shows Superman and Batman’s meeting, and Superman and Metron subsequently recruiting Aquaman, Superboy, and a post-breakup Outsiders, among others. It ends with 18hrs, 19minutes left on the Zero Hour clock.

  • The Darkstars #24 ends with the Superman Metron message, but occurs after some/most of ZH4.
  • Superman #93 (which is 1994-34 in Superman reading order) begins at 20 hours, 31 minutes with Supergirl seeing Superman’s Metron message and ends with 17 hours and 4 minutes. However, it moves us pretty far past the Superman/Batman conversation and so I think it’s best after ZH4.
  • Flash #0 continues directly from ZH4.
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31 shows Batman and Robin encountering a prior era’s Alfred
  • Robin (1993) #10  is a standalone tale of a timeswept Dick Grayson Robin, where our Robin has already witnessed “all the weird time stuff.”
  • Hawkman #9-13 is an arc called “Godspawn” that highlights the many paradoxes of Hawkman’s story. While it works as a “path to Zero Hour” story, #13 briefly features Waverider and ends with “15hrs” to Zero hour. It’s mentioned in ZH4 and continues to ZH3 rather than ZH4.
  • “End of an Era” is the final arc of three future titles – Valor #21, Legionnaires #16, Legion of Super-Heroes #59, L17, V22, LSH60, L18, V23, LSH61 … however, aspects of #61 falls after ZH3.

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #3 begins with 17 hours, 7 minutes on the clock, at 14 hours features the massive assembled forces of Metron and Superman, and ends with 12 hours, 38 minutes.It features the combination of various Hawk-People into a single hawk avatar.

  • Adventures of Superman #516 (which is 1994-35 in Superman reading order) includes a rebuilt Metropolis with a Lois and Perry that don’t know Clark. It explicitly ends with Superman and Centurian heading to Zero Hour #2.

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #2 begins with 12 hours, 36 minutes and ends between 8 hours 9 minutes and 7 hours 39 minutes.

  • Green Arrow #90 starts at 3hrs, 7m. It depicts a silent chase with two possible outcomes that somehow merge into a single ending and ends with Batman summoning Green Arrow just prior to his participation in Zero Hour #1.
  • Guy Gardner: Warrior #24 shows Guy arriving with Supergirl and Steel as Coast City’s destruction begins and ends at the start of Zero Hour #1

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #1 begins with 2 hours, 12 minutes at the destruction of Coast City, stops by the 30th century at 1 hour, 58 minutes as it evaporates into the timestream, sees The Spectre get involved at 40 minutes, and reveals Parallax’s true identity as the clock reaches 0.

  • Action Comics #703 (which is 1994-36 in Superman reading order) explicitly states it comes after two and ends with Superman departing for his part in the finale of #1 and Lois disappearing into the white.
  • “Return of the Hero” is an arc through Justice League America #92, Justice League Task Force #16, Justice League International #68 (final issue). I’m not clear on its placement yet.
  • Catwoman (1993) #14 sees Gothan teeming with dinosaurs and ends in a fade to white, but otherwise does not tie in the main events of the series.
  • Both Anima #7 and Damage #6 are bannered and end with time fading to white but otherwise do not tie in (although Damage figures heavily into Zero Hour’s conclusion).
  • Need to check
    • The New Titans (1988) #0
    • SHOWCASE ’94 #10
    • Team Titans (1992) #24 features a heavy amount of time hijinks, including people back from the dead and dinosaurs.

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #0 ends with time reforming with subtle differences, which are on display across a Zero Month of #0 issues – most of which have no direct connection to the event.

  • Issues which mention or refer to the event: Flash #0 (in sequence with ZH, above), Green Lantern #0 (need to check)
  • Issues which are mostly concerned with their own characters and not with the event: Batman #0, Deathstroke: The Terminator #0, Primal Force #0, The Legion Of Super-Heroes (1989) #0, Primal Force #0, The Spectre (1992) #0, Superboy (1994) #0, Superman: The Man Of Steel, Wonder Woman #0, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #0, The Demon #0, Hawkman #0, Justice League America #0, The New Titans (1988) #0, Starman (1994) #0, Superman #0, Adventures Of Superman #0, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #0, Detective Comics #0, Fate #0, Gunfire #0, Justice League Task Force #0, Legionnaires #0, Outsiders #0, The Ray #0, R.E.B.E.L.S. #0, Steel (1994) #0, Xenobrood #0, Action Comics #0, Anima #0, Aquaman (1994) #0, Catwoman (1993) #0, Damage #0, The Darkstars #0,  Green Arrow #0, Guy Gardner: Warrior #0, Lobo (1993) #0, Manhunter (1994) #0, Robin (1993) #0

New and Rebooted Series

  • Extreme Justice
  • Fate
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (with #0 & 62)
  • Legionnaires
  • Manhunter (1994)
  • Primal Force
  • R.E.B.E.L.S. ’94 (continues from L.E.G.I.O.N. ’94)
  • Starman (1994)
  • Xenobrood (limited series)

After Zero Hour

  • Impulse: Bart Saves The Universe (1999) is a one-shot sequel to Zero Hour, with Extant returned to try his plot again.
  • JSA (1999?) #11-15 features another return of extant.

1995: Year One Annuals

Individual stories in different continuities told across the entire line of Annuals.

Zero Hour did something distinctly different than Crisis on Infinite Earths when it came to DC’s ongoing history. Aside from DC’s future heroes, continuity didn’t see the massive, sweeping alterations that came along with Crisis merging and simplifying multiple universes. Instead, there were a series of minor adjustments.

To implement those adjustments – and to make clear to fans just what they were – all of DC’s annuals in the following year were labeled as “Year One.” This story name had been popularized by the post-Crisis Frank Miller Batman story with exactly the same goal.

These annuals don’t form a cohesive story and have not been collected comprehensively, though some annuals within a single line (like Batman) may go together.

Click to expand list of tie-in issues

  • Action Comics Annual 7
  • Adventures of Superman Annual 7
  • Aquaman (1994) Annual 1
  • Azrael Annual 1
  • Batman Annual 19
  • Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual 5
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual 3
  • Catwoman (1993) Annual 2
  • Deathstroke the Terminator Annual 4
  • Detective Comics Annual 8
  • Doomsday Annual 1
  • Flash Annual 8
  • Green Arrow Annual 7
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 4
  • Guy Gardner: Warrior Annual 1
  • Hawkman Annual 2
  • Justice League America Annual 9
  • Legionnaires Annual 2
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) Annual 6
  • Lobo (1993) Annual 3
  • New Titans (1988) Annual 11
  • Ray Annual 1
  • Robin (1993) Annual 4
  • Shadowdragon Annual 1
  • Steel (1994) Annual 2
  • Sovereign Seven Annual 1
  • Spectre (1992) Annual 1
  • Superboy (1994) Annual 2
  • Superman Annual 7
  • Superman: Man of Steel Annual 4
  • Wonder Woman Annual 4

1995: Underworld Unleashed

A 3-issue event series with branded tie-in one-shots and line-wide tie-in issues.

A villainous event that ran through a number of comics released in November and December 1995. Neron, a new ruler in Hell, tempts many of the DC Universes’s villains (and some of its heroes) with their greatest desires in order to do his bidding so that he may unleash the forces of Hell on Earth.

(This is at least partially made possible partially by the vacuum of power left by Superman being off-planet in his own crossover, The Trial of Superman.)

Underworld Unleashed (1995) #1-3 are collected in Underworld Unleashed paperback (1996, IBSN 978-1563894473) along Underworld Unleashed: Abyss, Hell’s Sentinel (1995) #1

In addition to the main series, DC released four Underworld Unleashed one-shots to go along with its linewide tie-in issues.

  • Underworld Unleashed: Apokolips, Dark Uprising #1 (1995)
  • Underworld Unleashed: Abyss, Hell’s Sentinel #1 (1995)
  • Underworld Unleashed: Batman, Devil’s Asylum #1 (1995)
  • Underworld Unleashed: Patterns of Fear #1 (1995)

A list of tie-in issues to come!

1996: Legends of the Dead Earth Annuals

Individual stories in the same continuity told across the entire line of Annuals.

In 1996 DC repeated their Elseworlds Annuals theme with a high concept attached. “Legends of the Dead Earth” followed a central conceit that in a distant future, with Earth uninhabited and its descendants scattered amongst the stars, Martian Manhunter had spread the legend of his former hero compatriots.

While the stories rely on a single, central, future continuity for their frame, the stories themselves do not go together – having been fractured by the whisper-down-the-lane nature of oral histories retold over many years.

Click to expand list of tie-in issues

  • Action Comics Annual 8
  • Adventures of Superman Annual 8
  • Aquaman (1994) Annual 2
  • Azrael Annual 2
  • Batman Annual 20
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual 4
  • Catwoman (1993) Annual 3
  • Detective Comics Annual 9
  • Flash Annual 9
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 5
  • Guy Gardner: Warrior Annual 2
  • Impulse Annual 1
  • Justice League America Annual 10
  • Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual 6
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) Annual 7
  • Legionnaires Annual 3
  • Power of Shazam Annual 1
  • Robin (1993) Annual 5
  • Sovereign Seven Annual 2
  • Starman (1994) Annual 1
  • Superboy (1994) Annual 3
  • Supergirl (1996) Annual 1
  • Superman Annual 8
  • Superman: Man of Steel Annual 5
  • Wonder Woman Annual 5

1996: Final Night

A 4-issue event series with line-wide tie-in issues.

A series where a Galactus-esque entity known as “The Sun-Eater” approaches our galaxy to devour our sun – and the combined might of DC’s heroes cannot seem to stop him!

Final Night (1996) #1-4 are collected in Final Night paperback (1998, ISBN 978-1563894190) along with Final Night (1996) Preview and Parallax: Emerald Night (1996) #1

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Final Night (1996) Preview AKA 0
  • Final Night #1 (1996)
  • Green Lantern (1990) #80
  • The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #20
  • Sovereign Seven (1995) #16
  • Superman (1987) #117
  • Final Night #2
  • Adventures of Superman (1987) #540
  • Batman (1940) #536
  • Green Arrow (1988) #114
  • Supergirl (1996) #3 (story continues to #4)
  • Final Night #3
  • Action Comics (1938) #727
  • Aquaman (1994) #26
  • Detective Comics (1937) #703
  • Superboy (1994) #33
  • Parallax: Emerald Night (1996) #1
  • The Flash (1987) #119
  • Hitman (1996) #8
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) #86
  • Robin (1993) #35
  • The Spectre (1992) #47
  • Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #62
  • Takion (1996) #6
  • Final Night #4
  • Green Lantern (1990) #81

Batman (1940) #537 was also a tie-in issue

1997: Pulp Heroes Annuals

Individual stories in different continuities told across the entire line of Annuals.

DC continued their out-of-continuity annuals in 1997 with “Pulp Heroes,” a theme that found the entire line of annuals mimicking the covers of 1930s pulp magazines and the noir stories within.

These annuals don’t form a cohesive story and have not been collected comprehensively.

Click to expand list of tie-in issues

  • Action Comics Annual 9
  • Adventures of Superman Annual 9
  • Aquaman (1994) Annual 3
  • Azrael Annual 3
  • Batman Annual 21
  • Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual 7
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual 5
  • Catwoman (1993) Annual 4
  • Detective Comics Annual 10
  • Flash (1987) Annual 10
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 6
  • Hitman Annual 1
  • Impulse Annual 2
  • JLA Annual 1
  • Nightwing (1996) Annual 1
  • Robin (1993) Annual 6
  • Starman (1994) Annual 2
  • Superboy (1994) Annual 4
  • Supergirl (1996) Annual 2
  • Superman Annual 9
  • Superman: Man of Steel Annual 6
  • Teen Titans (1996) Annual 1
  • Wonder Woman (1987) Annual 6

1997: Genesis

A 4-issue event series with line-wide tie-in issues.

An event series penned by John Byrne during his run on Wonder Woman that sought to define the creation of both DC’s gods and heroes through a “God Wave” echoing across the galaxy, with Darkseid at the center of conflict.

Genesis #1-4 have not been collected.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Genesis (1997) – Preview
  • Genesis #1 (1997)
  • Green Lantern (1990) #91
  • Power of Shazam! #31
  • Starman (1994) #35
  • Steel (1994) #43
  • Superman: Man of Steel #72
  • Genesis #2
  • Azrael #34
  • Batman #547
  • Impulse #30
  • Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #8
  • Sovereign Seven #27
  • Supergirl (1996) #14
  • Superman (1987) #128
  • Genesis #3
  • Adventures of Superman #551
  • Aquaman (1994) #37
  • Lobo (1993) #44
  • Young Heroes in Love #5
  • Resurrection Man #6
  • Genesis #4
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) #97
  • Robin (1993) #46
  • Spectre (1992) #58
  • Superboy and the Ravers (1996) #14
  • Teen Titans (1996) #13
  • Wonder Woman (1987) #126
  • Xero #6

1998: Ghosts Annuals

Individual stories in the same continuity told across the entire line of Annuals.

After several years of successful out-of-continuity annuals events, DC returned to an in-continuity story while still avoiding a direct crossover. Ghosts featured the apparitions of defeated friends and foes coming back to haunt our heroes.

Only the core JLA-related heroes participated in this event. It does not have a specific reading order and has not been collected comprehensively.

  • Aquaman (1994) Annual 4
  • Batman Annual 22
  • The Flash (1987) Annual 11
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 7
  • Martian Manhunter (1998) Annual 1
  • JLA Annual 2
  • Superman (1987) Annual 10
  • Wonder Woman (1987) Annual 7

1998: DC One Million

A story told via line-wide one-shots, a 4-issue series, and a 80-Page Giant finale.

A story that reached from 1998 to the 853rd century, when DC would publish the millionth issues of its line of titles.

This Grant Morrison story saw the future Justice League visiting that of the present day in the spirit of celebration before the entirety of time is put at risk by Vandal Savage.

This event is collected in full in the DC One Million Omnibus hardcover (2013, ISBN 978-1401242435) – DC One Million #1-4 and 80-Page Giant, Superman / Batman #79-80, and the following #1,000,000 one-shots: Action Comics, Adventures of Superman, Aquaman, Azrael, Batman, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Booster Gold (a retcon published a decade later), Catwoman, Chase, Chronos, Creeper, Detective Comics, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hitman, Impulse, JLA, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legionnaires, Lobo, Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, Power of Shazam, Resurrection Man, Robin, Starman, Superboy, Supergirl, Superman, Superman: The Man of Steel, Superman: The Man of Tomorrow, Wonder Woman, Young Heroes in Love, Young Justice

A 1998 DC One Million paperback (ISBN 978-1563895258) collected DC One Million (1998) #1-4 and the one-shots from Detective Comics, Green Lantern, JLA, Resurrection Man, Starman, and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow.
#4

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • DC One Million #1
  • Action Comics #1,000,000
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1,000,000
  • Nightwing (1996) #1,000,000
  • Green Lantern (1990) #1,000,000
  • The Power of SHAZAM! #1,000,000
  • Young Justice #1,000,000
  • DC One Million #2
  • Batman #1,000,000
  • Catwoman (1993) #1,000,000
  • Starman (1994) #1,000,000
  • Impulse #1,000,000
  • Green Arrow #1,000,000
  • Legionnaires #1,000,000
  • Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) #1,000,000
  • Azrael #1,000,000
  • The Creeper #1,000,000
  • Chase #1,000,000
  • Superboy (1994) #1,000,000
  • Aquaman (1994) #1,000,000
  • Wonder Woman (1987) #1,000,000
  • Detective Comics #1,000,000
  • Superman: The Man of Steel #1,000,000
  • Superman #1,000,000
  • JLA #1,000,000
  • DC One Million #3
  • Martian Manhunter (1998) #1,000,000
  • Resurrection Man #1,000,000 [may be out of order with Adventures, next]
  • Adventures of Superman #1,000,000 [may be out of order with Resurrection, prior]
  • Robin (1993) #1,000,000
  • The Flash (1987) #1,000,000
  • Supergirl (1996) #1,000,000
  • Chronos #1,000,000
  • Lobo (1993) #1,000,000
  • Hitman #1,000,00
  • Superman: Man of Tomorrow #1,000,000
  • DC One Million #4
  • DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1,000,000
  • Booster Gold #1,000,000
  • Superman / Batman #79-80

1999: Day of Judgment

A 4-issue event series with two one-shots and line-wide tie-in issues.

An event focused on Etrigan the Demon and the Spectre which resulted in a major change of status (and beginning of redemption) for Hal Jordan.

Day of Judgment (1999) #1-5 are collected in Day of Judgment paperback (2013, ISBN 978-1401237950) along with Day of Judgment Secret Files (1999) #1

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Day of Judgment (1999) #1
  • Anarky (1999) #7
  • Batman: Day of Judgment (1999) #1
  • Green Lantern (1990) #118
  • Martian Manhunter (1998) #12
  • Young Justice (1998) #14
  • Day of Judgment (1999) #2
  • Azrael: Agent of the Bat (1998) #58
  • Hourman (1999) #8
  • Impulse (1995) #54
  • Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (1999) #4
  • Day of Judgment (1999) #2
  • Aquaman (1994) #61
  • Superboy (1994) #68
  • The Titans (1999) #9
  • Day of Judgment (1999) #4
  • Supergirl (1996) #38
  • Day of Judgment (1999) #5
  • Day of Judgment Secret Files and Origins (1999) #1
  • Superman: The Man of Tomorrow (1995) #15
  • JLA (1997) #35
  • Impulse (1995) #61 (a later epilogue)

1999: JLApe: Gorilla Warfare!

A direct crossover between Annuals.

A lightweight annuals crossover featuring Gorilla City declaring war on humanity after their president is assassinated.

Their weapon of choice? Causing humans and their heroes to go ape – that is, turning them into apes sympathetic to their cause. And, they start with … The Justice League!

JLApe has not been reprinted, although some individual annuals may have been collected along with their individual series.

Though the annuals were not visibly numbered, each story ended with a tag that identified the next annual in sequence.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • a prologue in Legends Of The DC Universe #19
  • JLA Annual 3
  • Batman Annual 23
  • Aquaman (1994) Annual 5
  • Wonder Woman Annual 8
  • Flash Annual 12
  • Superman (1987) Annual 11
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 8
  • Martian Manhunter (1998) Annual 2

2000: Silver Age

A series of twelve one-shots.

A series of sequential one-shots penned by Mark Waid and a rotation of DC’s other writers. Though telling a modern story, these issues were styled in the manner of Silver Age comics – from their art and graphic design to their scripting style.

Silver Age has not been collected

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Silver Age
  • Silver Age: Justice League of America
  • Silver Age: Challengers of the Unknown
  • Silver Age: Teen Titans
  • Silver Age: Dial H for Hero
  • Silver Age: Flash
  • Silver Age: Doom Patrol
  • Silver Age: The Brave and the Bold
  • Silver Age: Green Lantern
  • Silver Age: Showcase
  • Silver Age: 80-Page Giant
  • Silver Age: Secret Files & Origins (contains some prequel material)

2000: Planet DC Annuals

Individual stories in the same continuity told across the entire line of Annuals.

In 2000 DC returned to a central Annuals theme with no direct crossover. Each Annual story featured a new, international superhero. The event does not have a specific reading order and has not been collected comprehensively.

  • Batgirl (2000) Annual 1
  • Batman (1940) Annual 24
  • The Flash (1987) Annual 13
  • Green Lantern (1990) Annual 9
  • JLA (1997) Annual 4
  • JSA (1999) Annual 1
  • Superman (1987) Annual 12
  • The Titans (1999) Annual 1

 

2001: Our Worlds at War

An indirect crossover story in Superman and Wonder Woman titles with linewide one-shots.

A world-invasion story told over the course of three months. Issues were released in weekly waves that proceeded roughly in chronological order. Some issues indicated the specific next issues to read in sequence.

in omnibus…

Superman: Our Worlds at War Omnibus Volume 1: Prelude to War!
(2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799503217)
Collects Superman (1987) #151-154, 159, 165, & 170-171, Adventures of Superman (1987) #576, 586, & 592-593, Action Comics (1938) #763, 777, & 779-780, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #98, 109, & 114-115, Superboy (1994) #89, Wonder Woman (1987) #171, Superman Y2K (2000) #1, Superman: Metropolis Secret Files [& Origins] (2000) #1, Superman: Lex 2000 (2000) #1, Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files (2001) #1, Young Justice: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Batman: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Green Lantern: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1

Superman: Our Worlds at War Omnibus Volume 2: Not yet announced, but should include a minimum of Action Comics (1938) #781-782, Adventures of Superman (1987) #594-595, Impulse (1995) #77, JLA: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Superboy (1994) #91, Supergirl (1996) #59, Superman (1987) #172-173, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #116-117, Wonder Woman (1987) #172-173, World’s Finest: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, & Young Justice (1998) #36.

in paperback…

Superman: Our Worlds at War
(2006 paperback, IBSN 978-1401211295)
This collects the main spine of the story in a single volume – Action Comics (1938) #780-782, Adventures of Superman (1987) #593-595, Impulse (1995) #77, JLA: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Superboy (1994) #91, Supergirl (1996) #59, Superman (1987) #171-173, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #115-117, Wonder Woman (1987) #172-173, World’s Finest: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Young Justice (1998) #36

Two prior volumes contained the same contents:

Superman: Our Worlds at War – Book One (2002, ISBN 978-1563899157) collects Action Comics (1938) #780-781, Adventures of Superman (1987) #593-594, JLA: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, Supergirl (1996) #59, Superman (1987) #171-172, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #115-116

Superman: Our Worlds at War – Book Two (2002, ISBN 978-1563899164) collection collects Action Comics (1938) #782, Adventures of Superman (1987) #595, Impulse (1995) #77, Superboy (1994) #91, Superman (1987) #173, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #117, Wonder Woman (1987) #172-173, World’s Finest: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1, and Young Justice (1998) #36

Click to expand a list of tie-in issues

  • Action Comics #780-782
  • Adventures of Superman #593-595
  • Batman #593-594
  • Batman: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Flash: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Green Lantern: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Harley Quinn: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Impulse #77
  • JLA: Our Worlds at War #1
  • JSA: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Nightwing: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Superboy (1994) #89-91
  • Supergirl (1996) #59-61
  • Superman #171-173
  • Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files #1
  • Superman: The Man of Steel #115-117,
  • Wonder Woman #171-173
  • Wonder Woman: Our Worlds at War #1,
  • World’s Finest Comics: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Young Justice #35-36
  • Young Justice: Our Worlds at War #1
  • Superman/Batman #64 & 68-71 (a retcon story set in this period)

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Prelude to War
    • Superman #171
    • Green Lantern: Our Worlds At War
    • Adventures of Superman #593
    • Batman: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Superman: The Man of Steel #115
    • Young Justice: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1
    • Superboy (1994) #89
    • Action Comics #780
    • Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files #1
    • Supergirl (1996) #59
    • Wonder Woman #171
  • All-Out War
    • Superman #172
    • JLA: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Young Justice #35
    • Adventures of Superman #594
    • Nightwing: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Superman: The Man of Steel # 116
    • JSA: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Superboy (1994) #90
    • Action Comics # 781
    • Wonder Woman: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Batman #593
    • Supergirl (1996) #60
    • Wonder Woman #172
  • Casualties of War
    • Superman #173
    • Young Justice #36
    • Adventures of Superman #595
    • Flash: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Impulse #77
    • Harley Quinn: Our Worlds at War #1
      (Some guides have this issue and S:MoS117 switched; HQ:OWaT states that it is followed by #117)
    • Superman: The Man of Steel #117
    • Superboy (1994) #91
    • Action Comics #782
    • Batman #59
    • Wonder Woman #173
    • World’s Finest Comics: Our Worlds at War #1
    • Supergirl (1996) #61
  • Superman/Batman #64 & 68-71 (a retcon story set in this period)

2001-02: Joker: Last Laugh

A 6-issue limited series with line-wide tie-in issues.

When an imprisoned Joker learns he has a terminal condition he decides to go out laughing. He engineers an increasingly (and ludicrously) complex plot that escalates from a prison break to hiding in a black hole while poisoning the entire world.

Joker: Last Laugh #1-6 are collected in Batman: Joker’s Last Laugh (2008, 978-1401217846). It does not include and Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files [and Origins] #1.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Joker: Last Laugh #1
  • Young Justice #38
  • Orion #19
  • Azrael: Agent of the Bat #83
  • Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files and Origins #1 (2001)
  • Joker Last Laugh #2
  • Superman (1987) #175
  • Batman: Gotham Knights #22
  • Birds of Prey #36
  • Nightwing (1996) #62
  • Impulse #79
  • Joker: Last Laugh #3
  • Batgirl #21
  • Superboy (1994) #93
  • Detective Comics #763
  • JSA #29
  • Harley Quinn #13
  • The Spectre (2001) #10
  • Adventures of Superman #597
  • Joker: Last Laugh #4
  • The Flash (1987) #179
  • Superman: Man of Steel #119
  • Supergirl (1994) #63
  • Green Lantern (1990) #143
  • Wonder Woman (1987) #175
  • Joker: Last Laugh #5
  • Robin (1993) #95
  • JLA #59
  • Batman #596
  • Action Comics #784
  • The Titans (1999) #34
  • Joker: Last Laugh #6

2004: Identity Crisis

A 7-issue event series with limited tie-in stories.

Despite invoking the family “crisis” name, Identity Crisis was a considerably more cerebral and less-sprawling affair than the original Crisis two decades prior.

In keeping with its name, it focuses on the concept of identity – including just how far heroes might go to protect their own. Violence against women figures heavily into the plot, including sexual violence, some of which is depicted graphically on the page.

For more on the comic trope of women in mortal peril to motivate male heroes, see Gail Simone’s classic web site Women in Refrigerators.

If you have been the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are organizations that exist to support you. Contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline @ 1-800-799-7233 or RAINN @ #1-800-656-HOPE.

Identity Crisis #1-7 has been collected in Absolute (2011, ISBN 978-1401232580), 10th anniversary deluxe hardcover (2014, ISBN 978-1401252786), hardcover (2005, ISBN 978-1401206888), paperback (ISBN 978-1401204587), and 2016 paperback (ISBN 978-1401263133) editions.

Click to expand a list of tie-in issues

Tie-ins during the course of the event in:

  • Firestorm #1-6 (though this began to be released before Identity Crisis, it stems from events in #5)
  • Flash #214-216
  • JLA #115-119
  • JSA #67
  • Manhunter (2004) #2-5

Epilogue stories in:

  • Adventures of Superman #636
  • The Flash (1987) #217
  • Manhunter (2004) #7-9
  • Robin (1993) #132
  • Teen Titans (2003) #20-23

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Identity Crisis #1
  • The Flash (1987) #213
  • Identity Crisis #2-3
  • Manhunter (2004) #2
  • The Flash Vol. 2 #214
  • Identity Crisis #4
  • Manhunter (2004) #3
  • The Flash (1987) #215
  • Identity Crisis #5
  • Manhunter (2004) #4
  • Firestorm Vol. 3 #1-6
  • The Flash (1987) #216
  • JSA #67
  • Identity Crisis #6-7
  • Manhunter (2004) #5

2005: Countdown to Infinite Crisis – Day of Vengeance

A 6-issue mini-series with a follow-up one-shot and several tie-ins that is part of the lead-up to Infinite Crisis.

Day of Vengeance is an outcome of of Identity Crisis. as well as of Green Lantern: Rebirth #1-6, which separated The Spectre from Hal Jordan. It is one of four prologue events to Infinite Crisis.

Day of Vengeance (2005) #1-6 are collected in Day of Vengeance paperback (2005, ISBN 978-1401208400) along with the “Lightning Strikes” crossover from Action Comics (1938) #826, Adventures of Superman (1987) #639, and Superman (1987) #216.

Those issues are also collected in full in Infinite Crisis Omnibus (detailed below).

The subsequent Day of Vengeance Special occurs after Infinite Crisis #2 and is collected alongside Infinite Crisis, below.

Click to expand a reading order of all tie-in issues

Note: I have not fully vetted this reading order! It is assembled from several other sources.

  • Countdown to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1
  • Superman/Shazam: First Thunder (2005) #1-4
  • Lightning Strikes in Action Comics (1938) #826 > Adventures of Superman (1987) #639 > Superman (1987) #216 (which ends parallel or after DoV #1)
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #1
  • JSA (1999) #73 (Black Vengeance, pt 1)
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #2
  • JSA (1999) #74 (Black Vengeance, pt 2)
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #3
  • JSA (1999) #75 (Black Vengeance, pt 3)
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #4
  • Blood of the Demon (2005) #6 (could be that this should be read after DoV #5?)
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #5
  • Blood of the Demon (2005) #7 (could be that this should be read after DoV #6?)
  • JSA (1999) #77
  • Day of Vengeance (2005) #6
  • JSA (1999) #78
  • Outsiders (2003) #29
  • Action Comics (1938) #832
  • Outsiders (2003) #30
  • JSA (1999) #79
  • Other related material:
    • Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special #1
    • JSA: Mixed Signals #1 (collects Collecting JSA #76-81)
    • Blue Beetle (2006) #1-6 (this intersects with the event, but I’m not sure how/where)
    • Countdown to Mystery #1
    • DC Universe: Legacies #10

2005: Countdown to Infinite Crisis – The OMAC Project

A 6-issue mini-series with a follow-up one-shot and several tie-ins that is part of the lead-up to Infinite Crisis.

Omac Project is one of four prologue events to Infinite Crisis. The story of a literal and figurative watchful eye ties in with Batman’s response to Identity Crisis and heavily features DC’s trinity of Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman.

It begins about halfway through Day of Vengeance (after #4). The Countdown to Infinite Crisis one-shot leads into the event.

The OMAC Project (2005) #1-6 are collected in The OMAC Project paperback (2005, ISBN 978-1401208370) along with prologue material from Countdown to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1 and tie-in Wonder Woman (1987) #219.

Those issues are also collected in full in Infinite Crisis Omnibus (detailed below).

Superman: Sacrifice paperback (2006, 978-1401209193) collects tie-ins from Superman #218-220, Adventures Of Superman #642-643, Action Comics #829, and Wonder Woman #219-220. These issues are not collected in the Infinite Crisis Omnibus

The subsequent O.M.A.C. Project Special fits between Infinite Crisis #6-7 and is collected alongside Infinite Crisis, below.

Click to expand a reading order of all tie-in issues

Note: I have not fully vetted this reading order! It is assembled from several other sources.

  • Prelude material
    • Birds of Prey #80
    • Superman #214-215
    • Aquaman (2003) #28-29 (need to confirm)
    • Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
  • OMAC Project #1
  • Birds of Prey #82
  • Superman #217
  • OMAC Project #2
  • Adventures of Superman #641
  • Birds of Prey #83
  • Wonder Woman #218
  • OMAC Project #3
  • Batgirl (2000) #66
  • Sacrifice: Superman #219 > Action Comics #829 > Adventures of Superman #642 >Wonder Woman #219
  • OMAC Project #4
  • During #4: Sacrifice Epilogue: Wonder Woman #220 and Adventures of Superman #643 (published earlier, but fits after WW220)
  • JSA #76
  • Manhunter (2004) #13
  • OMAC Project #5
  • Manhunter (2004) #14
  • OMAC Project #6 & Superman #220
  • Epilogue
    • Aquaman (2003) #35
    • Robin (1993) #143 > Hawkman (2002) #46 > Robin (1993) #144
    • Superman #222 > Wonder Woman (1987) #221 > Adventures of Superman #645
    • Firestorm (2004) #18

2005: Countdown to Infinite Crisis – Villains United

A 6-issue mini-series with a follow-up one-shot and several tie-ins that is part of the lead-up to Infinite Crisis.

A story spinning out of Lex Luthor’s secret plot against superheroes while president and leading into the 2006 volume of Secret Six.

This is part of the lead-in to Infinite Crisis and occurs roughly equivalent to the beginning of Countdown. It begins after OMAC Project concludes.

(I am unclear on if The Return of Donna Troy #1-4 come directly before or directly after this – if you’re sure, you’re clarification would be appreciated!)

Villains United (2005) #1-6 are collected in Villains United paperback (2005, ISBN 978-1401208387).

Those issues are also collected in full in Infinite Crisis Omnibus (detailed below).

It was subsequently re-collected in Secret Six, Vol. 1: Villains United (2015, ISBN 978-1401250751) along with Villains United (2005) Infinite Crisis Special and Secret Six (2006) #1-6.

The subsequent Villains United Special fits between Infinite Crisis #6-7 and is collected alongside Infinite Crisis, below.

Click to expand a list of official tie-in issues

  • Action Comics (1938) #830-831
  • Batman: Gotham Knights (2000) #66
  • Breach (2005) #7-8
  • Firestorm (2004) #17
  • The Flash #225
  • Nightwing (1996) #109-110
  • Prelude to Infinite Crisis (2005) One-Shot
  • Superman (1987) #221
  • Villains United (2005) Infinite Crisis Special
  • Villains United (2005) #1-6

Click to expand a reading order of all tie-in issues

Note: I have not fully vetted this reading order! It is assembled from several other sources.

  • Lead-in stories:
    • Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure
    • Manhunter (2004)
    • #3 & 6-9
    • Batman #635-638 (Under the Hood)
    • Outsiders #20-22
    • Teen Titans (2003) #20 & 23
    • JSA #70
    • Flash (1987) #219 > Wonder Woman (1987) #214, and then back to Flash (1987( #220-225
    • Robin (1993) #135 & 163
    • Breach #3
    • Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
  • Villains United #1
  • Batgirl #62-64
  • Green Arrow #50 (Deathstroke)
  • Batman: Gotham Knights #66 (Kobra)
  • Need to check: Teen Titans (2003) #24 > Outsiders #24 > Teen Titans (2003) #25 > Outsiders #25
  • Villains United #2
  • Action Comics #828 (Dr. Polaris)
  • Nightwing (1996) #109-112 (Black Mask) & Hawkman #41-42 between #109-110
  • Villains United #3
  • Breach #7
  • Firestorm #16
  • Villains United #4
  • Action Comics #830 (The Society)
  • Breach #8 (Kobra)
  • Need to check: Superman #221, might instead follow-up
  • Villains United #5
  • Need to check: JLA Classified #3
  • Villains United #6
  • Follow-up stories:
    • Flash #225 (Final issue of Rogue War from Flash #220-225)
    • Supergirl (2005) #0-2
    • Action Comics #831
    • Firestorm #17
    • Need to check: Outsiders #29
    • Need to check: a follow-up story in Batman: Gotham Knights #66

2005: Countdown to Infinite Crisis – Rann-Thanagar War

A 6-issue mini-series with a follow-up one-shot and several tie-ins that is part of the lead-up to Infinite Crisis.

The Ran-Thanagar War continues storylines from Adam Strange: Planet Heist and Green Lantern: Rebirth. It is a redux of a pre-Crisis DC story that had Strange’s planet, Rann, in continuous conflict with the home of Hawkman, Thanagar.

This is the last of the Countdown Events, and occurs after the end of Villains United.

Green Lantern: Rebirth #1-6 has been collected in Absolute (2010, ISBN 978-1401225742), hardcover (2005, ISBN 978-1401207106), 2010 paperback (ISBN 978-1401227555), and 2007 paperback (ISBN 978-1401204655).

Adam Strange #1-8 are collected in Adam Strange: Planet Heist paperback (2005, ISBN 978-1401207274)

Rann/Thanagar War (2005) #1-6 are collected in Rann/Thanagar War paperback.

Those issues are also collected in full in Infinite Crisis Omnibus (detailed below).

The subsequent Rann/Thanagar War Special occurs before Infinite Crisis #2 and is collected alongside Infinite Crisis, below.

2005-06: Infinite Crisis

A 7-issue limited series with line-wide tie-ins.

Infinite Crisis finds the DC Universe fractured by the events of its four lead-in series and DC’s Trinity of Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman fractured by story elements beginning in Identity Crisis.

Into this chaos, a number of pre-Crisis characters shelved since Crisis on Infinite Earths return – each with a competing priority for our primary earth and its heroes.

Absolute Infinite Crisis hardcover (2016, ISBN 978-1401265359) collects Infinite Crisis (2005) #1-7 and material from the original hardcover.

Infinite Crisis #1-7 were originally collected in hardcover and paperback.

Infinite Crisis Omnibus hardcover (2012, ISBN 978-1401235024) collects the event series along with all four of its lead-in events, as described above and an arc of JLA (1997) and Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006.

In total, it collects Action Comics (1938) #826 & 829, Adventures of Superman (1987) #639 & 642, Countdown to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1, Day of Vengeance (2005) #1-6 & Infinite Crisis Special, Infinite Crisis (2005) #1-7 & material from the hardcover, Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006 (2006) #1, JLA (1997) #115-119, The OMAC Project (2005) #1-6 & Infinite Crisis Special, Rann/Thanagar War (2005) #1-6 & Infinite Crisis Special, Superman (1987) #216 & 219, Villains United (2005) #1-6 & Infinite Crisis Special, and Wonder Woman (1987) #219

Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Blüdhaven (2006, ISBN 978-1401211998) collects a 6-issue limited series of the same name.

For more on the Infinite Crisis and reading order, see the fantastic Complete Infinite Crisis.

Click to expand a list of tie-in issues

  • Batman #646-650
  • Gotham Central #37-40 (an arc for Renee Montoya that plays out atop events of Infinite Crisis)
  • JLA #115-125
  • JSA Classified #1-4
  • JSA #77-82
  • Nightwing (1996) #116-117
  • Outsiders #31-33
  • Robin (1993) #146-147
  • Superman #226 > Action Comics #836 > Adventures of Superman #649
  • Teen Titans (2003) #29-32, Annual 1, 33
  • Wonder Woman #221-226

Aftermath issues: Green Arrow #54-59, Superman/Batman #26, Superman #712, and Captain Atom: Armageddon #1-9 (Captain Atom in the WildStorm Universe).

While not directly related to the main thrust of Infinite Crisis, Grant Morrison’s 7 Soldiers contains prologue themes that relate to the event.

 

2006-08: Trinity, 52, and One Year Later

A pair of year-long weekly series and a linewide story theme.

Directly after Infinite Crisis, DC’s entire line leapt forward twelve months in a change of status quo called One Year Later. It lead to the relaunch of some titles and radical changes of direction on others.

What happened in the lost year? Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman disappeared from public view, leaving a power vacuum in the DC Universe.

That vacuum was explored in real time by 52, a weekly anthology series that launched in the wake of Infinite Crisis in May 2006. Over the course of a year, it caught up to the status quo from the beginning of One Year Later. Notably, it introduced Batwoman!

What happened to DC’s trinity of iconic superheroes? That, too, merited a 52-issue weekly title, called Trinity, which launched in June of 2008. Chronologically, Trinity occurs side-by-side with 52, with both ending just prior to One Year Later.

52 (2006) #1-52 has been collected in a single 52 Omnibus hardcover (2012, ISBN 978-1401235567), in 2016 in two halves as Book 1 (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1401263256 / 2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1779525857 /  digital) and Book 2 (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1401265649 / 2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1779527622 / digital), and originally as #1-13 in Volume 1, #14-26 in Volume 2, and #27-39 in Volume 3, and #40-52 in Volume 4. Many of 52’s characters and stories continue to Countdown, below.

Prior stories establishing the heroes appearing in 52 are collected in 52 Companion – Animal Man (1988) #16, Detective Comics (1937) #350, Gotham Central (2003) #40, JSA (1999) #43-44, Metal Men (1963) #45, Mysterious Suspense (1968) #1, Rip Hunter…Time Master (1961) #6, Secret Origins (1986) #35, Strange Adventures (1950) #226, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #97

A 3-issue mini-event titled World War III occurred in Week 50 of 52 and is collected as DC: World War 3 along with 52 (2006) #50.

Trinity (2008) #1-52 has been collected as #1-17 in Volume 1, #18-35 in Volume 2, and #36-52 in Volume 3.

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1-6 was published after 52 and before Trinity. It shows the Trinity’s actions in the week of their year away. It is collected in 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen.

Click to expand a list of the first issue of each One Year Later tie-in

  • Action Comics (1938) #837
  • Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis (2006) #40
  • Batman (1940) #651
  • Birds of Prey (1999) #92
  • Blood of the Demon (2005) #13
  • Catwoman (2002) #53
  • Detective Comics (1937) #817
  • Firestorm: The Nuclear Man (2006) #23
  • Green Arrow (2001) #60
  • Green Lantern (2005) #10
  • Hawkgirl (2006) #50
  • JSA (1999) #83
  • JSA: Classified (2005) #10
  • Manhunter (2004) #20
  • Nightwing (1996) #118
  • Outsiders (2003) #34
  • Robin (1993) #148
  • Supergirl (2005) #7
  • Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes (2006) #16
  • Superman (1939) #650
  • Teen Titans (2003) #34
  • Wonder Woman (2006) #1

2007: Amazons Attack

A 6-issue limited series with a lead-up story in Wonder Woman and tie-ins in four titles.

Amazons Attack spins out of the beginning of Wonder Woman’s post Infinite Crisis status quo, bringing The Amazons out of hiding and into man’s world to attack the United States. It was not well-received by fans and critics.

Amazons Attack (2007) #1-6 are collected in Amazons Attack paperback (2006, ISBN 978-1401217327)

Wonder Girl (2007) #1-6 spun out of this series and are collected in Teen Titans Spotlight: Wonder Girl.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Wonder Woman (2006) #6-8
  • Amazons Attack! #1 (2007)
  • Wonder Woman (2006) #9
  • Amazons Attack! #2
  • Wonder Woman (2006) #10
  • Amazons Attack! #3
  • Teen Titans (2003) #48-49
  • Amazons Attack! #4
  • Catwoman (2002) #69-70
  • Supergirl (2005) #20
  • Wonder Woman (2006) #11
  • Amazons Attack! #5-6
  • Wonder Woman (2006) #12-13
  • Catwoman (2002) #71 (need to check placement)


2008-09: Final Crisis

A 7-issue event series with a lengthy lead-in and multiple tie-in and aftermath mini-series.

In 2008, Grant Morrison tied up not only several years of his own plot threads but several decades of DC continuity into the epic Final Crisis.

Unlike Infinite Earths, Zero Hour, and Infinite Crisis before it, Final Crisis was less concerned with fixing DC’s complex layers of continuity as it was in mining them. It brought Jack Kirby’s New Gods to the fore of the story. It also serves as pivotal point in Morrison’s Batman epic – with the caped crusader in an improbable 1-on-1 showdown with Darkseid.

Before the event came the Countdown – another weekly series but also a number of related mini-series and one-shots.

Countdown [to Final Crisis] #51-0 acted as a lead-in to the event, although in retrospect it is seen as less than successful. They are collected as #51-39 in Volume 1, #38-26 in Volume 2, #25-13 in Volume 3, and #12-1 in Volume 4.

A related series of one-shots are collected in Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer

Click to expand a list of Countdown tie-in issues and other Final Crisis lead-ins

  • Action Comics (1938) #852-854
  • The All New Atom (2006) #14-15
  • Captain Carrot and the Final Ark (2007) #1-3
  • Countdown Presents: Lord Havok & the Extremists (2007) #1-6
  • Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society (2007) #1, Gotham by Gaslight (2008) #1, Red Rain (2008) #1, Red Son (2008) #1, Superwoman/Batwoman (2008) #1, Wildstorm (2007) #1
  • Countdown Special: Eclipso (2008) #1, Jimmy Olsen (2008) #1, Kamandi (2008) #1, OMAC (2008) #1, The Atom (2008) #1-2, The Flash (2007) #1, The New Gods (2008) #1
  • Countdown to Adventure (2007) #1-8
  • Countdown to Mystery (2007) #1-8
  • Countdown: Arena (2008) #1-4
  • Death of the New Gods (2007) #1-8 along with various god deaths in Birds of Prey #109 (Knockout), Outsiders – Five of a Kind: Thunder/Martian Manhunter (Speed Queen, Grayven), Superman/Batman #42 (Bekka), Wonder Girl #5 (Bloody Mary), and Justice Society of America #14.
  • Detective Comics (1937) #837
  • Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (2006) #9-13 & All-Flash #1
  • The Lighting Saga in Justice League of America (2006) #8-10 and Justice Society of America (2007) #5-6
  • Outsiders: Five of a Kind – Martian Manhunter/Thunder (2007) #1 and Wonder Woman/Grace (2007) #1
  • Salvation Run (2008) #1-7
  • Supergirl (2005) #21-22
  • Superman (1939) #665
  • Teen Titans (2003) #47

Absolute Final Crisis hardcover (2012) collects Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1-2 and material from Final Crisis Sketchbook (2008) #1 and Final Crisis: Secret Files (2009) #1.

Final Crisis #1-7 are collected in 2014 paperback and 2010 paperback along with DC Universe (2008) #0, Final Crisis: Submit (2008) #1, and Final Crisis: Superman Beyond (2008) #1-2. The 2014 version adds pages from Batman (1940) #682-683.

Aside from its connection to Batman, Final Crisis was a remarkably contained line-wide event. While many titles participated in its countdown, none aside from Batman and a single Justice Society issue tied in during the event.

Click to expand a list of Final Crisis tie-in issues

  • Batman (1940) #682-683
  • Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds (2008) #1-5 (2010 paperback, ISBN 978-1401223250 / 2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1799501329 / digital)
  • Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Requiem (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Resist (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Revelations (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Secret Files (2009)
  • Final Crisis: Submit (2008)
  • Final Crisis: Superman Beyond (2008)
  • Justice League of America (2006) #21

That makes for a lot of prelude and tie-in material. Do you have to read it all? No! Here’s the semi-official reading order, based on this Newsarama interview with Morrison.

Click to expand the condensed reading order

  • DC Universe #0
  • Final Crisis # 1-3
  • Superman Beyond # 1-2
  • Final Crisis: Submit
  • Final Crisis # 4-5
  • Batman #682-683
  • Final Crisis # 6-7

 

Looking for the fuller reading order? I’m still working on it, but you can see my notes.

Click to expand my notes on a fuller reading order

SALVATION RUN #1 – 7
Countdown to Final Crisis (#51 – #52)

Death of the New Gods (#1 – #8)
DC Universe #0 (One Shot)

BATMAN #676 – 681: Batman R.I.P.

Justice League of America (2006) #21

BATMAN #701 (inserted later as an explanation)

Event

FINAL CRISIS # 1 >> FINAL CRISIS: Requiem, Terror Titans #1-6

#2 (>> Requiem, Rogue’s Revenge)

#3 (>> Final Crisis – Superman Beyond, Final Crisis – Revelations, Final Crisis – Secret Files, FINAL CRISIS: Resist, FINAL CRISIS: Submit)

FINAL CRISIS # 4-5

BATMAN #682 – 683

FINAL CRISIS # 6 – 7 (>> Final Crisis – Legion of 3 Worlds #1-5 is inessential and conflicts with #6)

Epilogue: Superman/Batman #76, DC Universe – Last Will and Testament (One Shot),

For FINAL CRISIS: Rage of the Red Lanterns, see Blackest Night, below

Finally (seriously, for an event named Final Crisis this one just won’t end!), there were a number of Final Crisis Aftermath series and arcs.

Click to expand a list of aftermath issues

  • Battle for the Cowl addresses the sudden lack of Batman, which continues to Morrion’s Batman & Robin.
  • Final Crisis Aftermath: Run!
  • Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance
  • Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape
  • Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink
  • The Flash: Rebirth addresses the return of Barry Allen
  • The Red Circle explains the arrival of Red Circle Comics characters into DC continuity
  • Milestone Forever is a limited series that explains the incorporation of Milestone characters into DC continuity. This is also addressed in Justice League of America in the story “When Worlds Collide.”

My references for this section include Reddit, Comics Alliance, and Quora

2009-10: Blackest Night

A 8-issue event series with direct crossovers into the Green Lantern titles, tie-in limited series and indirect crossovers across all lines.

In 2009 Geoff Johns continued his Green Lantern epic with some additive color theory, bringing together the newly introduced color spectrum of lanterns against the threat of Nekron.

With his black power rings, he was able to both reanimated deceased heroes and corrupt some of the strongest heroes on Earth – like Superman and Wonder Woman.

Blackest Night ran through Blackest Night (2009) #0-8, Green Lantern (2005) #44-52, and Green Lantern Corps #39-47. A prelude story ran across Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns & Green Lantern #35-43.

Absolute Blackest Night hardcover (2013, ISBN 978-1401240738) collects the core Blackest Night and Green Lantern issues (but not Green Lantern Corps) – Blackest Night (2009) #0-8, Blackest Night Director’s Cut (2010) #1, DC Universe (2008) #0, Green Lantern (2005) #43-52, and Untold Tales of Blackest Night (2010) #1

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 2 hardcover (2015, ISBN 978-1401255268) collects the full lead-up to the event from Green Lantern as well as the Tales of the Corps tie-in series – Blackest Night (2009) #0-8, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps (2009) #1-3, DC Universe (2008) #0, Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns (2008) #1, Green Lantern (2005) #26-52, and Untold Tales of Blackest Night (2010) #1

Blackest Night (hardcover / paperback) collects Blackest Night (2009) #0-8 and Blackest Night Director’s Cut (2010) #1.

The prelude material is collected as Green Lantern (2005) #26-28 & #36-38 and Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns in Green Lantern, Vol. 5: Rage of the Red Lanterns (hardcover / paperback) and Green Lantern (2005) #39-42 and Blackest Night (2009) #0 in Green Lantern, Vol. 6: Agent Orange (hardcover / paperback) from Green Lantern #35-42 &

Green Lantern #43-52 are collected in Green Lantern, Vol. 7: Blackest Night (hardcover / paperback)

Green Lantern Corps (2006) #39-47 are collected in Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 6: Blackest Night (hardcover / paperback).

Click to expand the core reading order

  • Prologue: Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns & Green Lantern #35–42
  • Green Lantern #43
  • Blackest Night #0-1, Green Lantern Corps #39, Green Lantern #44
  • Blackest Night #2, Green Lantern #45, Green Lantern Corps #40
  • Blackest Night #3, Green Lantern #46, Green Lantern Corps #41, Green Lantern #47
  • Blackest Night #4, Green Lantern Corps #42, Green Lantern #48
  • Blackest Night #5, Green Lantern Corps #43, Green Lantern #49
  • Blackest Night #6, Green Lantern Corps #44, Green Lantern #50-51, Green Lantern Corps #45
  • Blackest Night #7, Green Lantern Corps #46, Green Lantern #52
  • Blackest Night #8, Green Lantern Corps #47

Click to expand a list of tie-in issues

Blackest Night’s branded tie-in series included:

  • Blackest Night Director’s Cut (2010) #1
  • Blackest Night: Batman (2009) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: JSA (2010) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: Superman (2009) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps (2009) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: The Flash (2010) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: Titans (2009) #1-3
  • Blackest Night: Wonder Woman (2010) #1-3
  • Untold Tales of Blackest Night (2010) #1

Other tie-ins included:

  • Adventure Comics (2009) #4-7
  • The Atom and Hawkman (1968) #46
  • Booster Gold (2007) #26-27
  • Catwoman (2002) #83
  • Doom Patrol (2009) #4-5
  • Green Arrow [I] (2010) #30
  • Green Lantern (2005) #43-52
  • Green Lantern Corps (2006) #39-47
  • Justice League of America (2006) #39-40
  • The Outsiders (2009) #24-25
  • The Phantom Stranger (1969) #42
  • The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #48
  • The Question (1987) #37
  • R.E.B.E.L.S. (2009) #10-11
  • Secret Six (2008) #17-18
  • Starman (1994) #81
  • Suicide Squad (1987) #67
  • Superman/Batman (2003) #66-67
  • Teen Titans (2003) #77-78
  • Weird Western Tales (1972) #71

2010-11: Brightest Day

A 24-issue weekly event series with indirect crossover issues across all lines.

Brightest Day was a weekly series that followed a dozen heroes and villains who were resurrected at the end of Blackest Night for unknown reasons.

Some of those heroes also starred in other ongoing titles (and not just Lanterns titles), and their own issues were interwoven with the spine of the weekly story.

Brightest Day (2010) #0-24 are collected in Brightest Day Omnibus hardcover (2014, ISBN 978-1401245979).

They were previously collected in a series of three books – #0-7 in Volume 1 (hardcover / paperback), #8-16 in Volume 2 (hardcover / paperback), and #17-24 in Volume 3 (hardcover / paperback)

A series of three prestige-format issues titled DC Comics Presents: Brightest Day (2010) #1-3 collected background material.

Brightest Day: The Atom Special (2010) #1 is not collected; it continues to Adventure Comics #516.

Brightest Day Aftermath – The Search For Swamp Thing #1-3 are not collected

Brightest Day was not an explicit direct crossover, but fans have generally come to agreement on a threaded reading order.

Click to expand a reading order of tie-in issues

  • Green Lantern Corps #47
  • Brightest Day #0, Justice League – Generation Lost #1-2, Green Lantern #53, Green Lantern Corps #48
  • Brightest Day #1, Green Lantern #54-55, Green Lantern – Emerald Warriors #1
  • Brightest Day #2-3, Green Lantern Corps #49-52, Justice League of America #44-45, Titans – Villains for Hire Special #1, Justice League of America #46, Justice Society of America #41
  • Brightest Day #4-5, Brightest Day – The Atom Special #1, Flash #1-4, Justice League of America #47, Justice Society of America #42, Titans (2008) #24-25, Green Arrow #1-3
  • Brightest Day #6-8, Birds of Prey #1-5, Justice League – Generation Lost #3-6, Flash #5, Justice League of America #48, Justice League – Generation Lost #7, Justice Society of America #43, Flash #6, Justice League – Generation Lost #8-9
  • Brightest Day #9, Green Arrow #4
  • Brightest Day #10, Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1
  • Brightest Day #11-12, Green Arrow #5-7, Justice League – Generation Lost #10-14, Titans (2008) #26-28, Justice League – Generation Lost #15-16, Green Lantern – Emerald Warriors #2-3, Green Lantern #56-58, Justice League – Generation Lost #17-20
  • Brightest Day #13-14, Justice League – Generation Lost #21-24, Green Lantern #59, Green Lantern – Emerald Warriors #4, Green Lantern Corps #53-54
  • Brightest Day #15-17, The Flash #7
  • Brightest Day #18, Green Lantern #60-62, Green Lantern – Emerald Warriors #5, Green Lantern Corps #55, Green Lantern – Emerald Warriors #6, Green Lantern Corps #56
  • Brightest Day #19-21, Green Arrow #8-10, Green Lantern Corps #57
  • Brightest Day #22, Green Arrow #11
  • Brightest Day #23-24, Green Arrow #12
  • Brightest Day Aftermath – The Search For Swamp Thing #1-3

2011: Flashpoint

A 5-issue series that was the centerpiece of a line-wide break in continuity filled by various mini-series and followed by the relaunch of all titles.

A prologue from The Flash (2011) #8-12 are collected in The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to Flashpoint (hardcover / paperback)

Flashpoint #1-5 are collected in hardcover (2011, ISBN 978-1401233372) and paperback (2012, ISBN 978-1401233389)

Flashpoint: The World Of Flashpoint, featuring Batman (2012, ISBN 978-1401234058) collects Batman: Knight Of Vengeance #1-3, Deadman And The Flying Graysons #1- 3, Deathstroke And The Curse Of The Ravager #1-3, and Secret Seven #1-3.

Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint, featuring Green Lantern (2012, ISBN 978-1401234065) collects Flashpoint: Abin Sur – The Green Lantern #1-3, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1-3, Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries #1, Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1-3

Flashpoint: World Of Flashpoint, featuring The Flash (2012, ISBN 978-1401234089) collects Grodd Of War #1, Kid Flash Lost #1-3, Legion Of Doom #1-3, Reverse Flash #1, and Citizen Cold #1-3.

Flashpoint: World Of Flashpoint, featuring Superman (2012, ISBN 978-1401234348) collects World Of Flashpoint #1-3, Booster Gold #44-47, The Canterbury Cricket #1, and Project Superman #1-3

Flashpoint World Of Flashpoint Wonder Woman (and Aquaman) (2012, ISBN 978-1401234102) collects Emperor Aquaman #1- 3, Outsider #1-3, Lois Lane And The Resistance #1-3, and Wonder Woman and The Furies #1-3

2024: Absolute Power

It’s Amanda Waller vs. all of Earth’s superheroes (and some of their supervillains!) in this linewide event that affected every DC hero!

This event pulled together many plot threads that emerged across the DC line in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest (2022) by Mark Waid, Green Arrow (2023) by Joshua Williamson, Chip Zdarsky’s run on Batman (2016), Superman (2023) by Joshua Williamson (and its “House of Brainiac” crossover with Action Comics (1938)), Wonder Woman (2023) by Tom King, Green Lantern (2023) by Jeremy Adams, Suicide Squad: Dream Team (2024) by Nicole Maines, and Teen Titans (2024) by Tom Taylor.

Absolute Power Individual tie-in stories were collected with their own titles – the trinity, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern. The three main event titles of Absolute Power were:

Absolute Power: Ground Zero (2024) #1 & Absolute Power (2024) #1-4 (2025 hardcover, ISBN 978-1799500209 / digital) is the main event series, which is almost all super-powered fights.

Absolute Power: Origins (2024) #1-3 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1799500216/ digital) was a deep dive in Amanda Waller’s origins prior to and at the start of Suicide Squad, and how they inspired her lifelong plan that culminated in this event. This is entirely set in retcon past continuity save for a final montage hinting at events of Absolute Power (2024).

Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #1-7 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1799500223 / digital) were a disconnected series of one-shots by seven different authors following Waller’s Amazo robots through confrontations with different sets of heroes. Some of these one-shots continued directly from or to a tie-in in another title.

Absolute Power: Super Son (2024) #1 followed Jon Kent after the events of Absolute Power (2024) #2.

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