The legacy of Batman is encroaching on nearly a century of reading material. That means a singular Batman reading order is becoming more and more of a distant relic. New fans are entering the franchise with each passing day and finding their footing in their own unique way.
However, if you’re looking for best Batman reading order, then you must want a little bit more structure to your reading. This guide will take you through each era of Batman, from 1939 up until the present day, and provide you with the accessible Batman collections for you to experience each iteration of the superhero if you should wish.
Batman Reading Order
Batman has become one of the most famous and legendary superheroes of all time. Since his introduction in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, Batman has underwent the ebb and flow of time to reflect the current markets. The style and tone of his comics fluctuated, his stories evolved, and so did Batman’s motivations.
The below list of comics and collections will go through the six eras of Batman: Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Post-Crisis, New 52, and Rebirth. Below each title will be a list of the comics collected in that edition.
This encompasses nearly every Batman comic and reading each and every one would truly be a superheroic feat. So, to make this list less intimidating, a handful of arguably the best titles from each era will be included in bold typeface. These titles are great entry points for any beginner and provide a foundation for any Batman reading order.
Some of the below editions have gone out of print, while the comic volumes have been digitized. When this is the case, the most accessible format has been linked or both.
Batman Reading Order: The Golden Age Era
The Golden Age Era of Batman spans from his introduction in 1939 until roughly 1964. It is called such because this is seen as the Golden Age of Comic Books. This era saw the introduction of some of the most legendary superheroes and also largely defined what makes a superhero.
Batman was first created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Bruce Wayne of Earth-Two is largely seen as the Batman of this era.
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
- Detective Comics #27-56
- Batman #1-7
- World’s Best Comics #1
- World’s Finest Comics #2, 3
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2
- Detective Comics #57-74
- Batman #8-15
- World’s Finest Comics #4-9
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3
- Detective Comics #75-91
- Batman #16-25
- Stories from World’s Finest Comics #10-14
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4
- Detective Comics #93-112
- Batman #26-35
- World’s Finest Comics #15-22
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5
- Detective Comics #113-132
- Batman #36-45
- Stories from World’s Finest Comics #23-32
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 6
- Detective Comics #132-153
- Batman #46-55
- Stories from World’s Finest Comics #33-42
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7
- Detective Comics #154-174
- Batman #56-66
- Stories From World’s Finest Comics #43-52
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 8
- Detective Comics #174-191
- Batman #66-75
- Stories From World’s Finest Comics #54-62
- Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 9
- Detective Comics #192-208
- Batman #76-84
- Stories From World’s Finest Comics #63-70
- Batman in the 40s
- Batman #7, 15, 20, 31, 37, 47, 48, 49
- Detective Comics #27, 33, 38, 49, 80
- Real Fact Comics #5
- World’s Finest Comics #30
- Star Spangled Comics #70
- Batman in the 50s
- Batman #62, 81, 92, 105, 113, 121, 128
- Detective Comics #156, 168, 185, 216, 233, 244, 252, 267
- World’s Finest Comics #81
Batman Reading Order: The Silver Age Era
Next, as one might imagine, came the Silver Age Era of Batman. This era spanned from 1964 until about 1969. More specifically, many see DC Comics’ Showcase #4, which introduced The Flash to mark the beginning of the Silver Age.
This era saw new characters being introduced as the industry tried to regain the success and popularity it had experienced in the previous Golden Age. It also saw the backstories of characters from the previous era, such as Batman, obtain more depth in order to create nuanced, interesting, and relatable superheroes.
- Batman: The TV Stories
- Batman #53, 73, 121, 140, 169, 171
- Detective Comics #230, 346, 359
- Batman in the 60s
- Batman #131, 144, 148, 155, 179, 181, 200, 217
- Batman Kellogg’s Special #6
- Batman ’66
- Batman & Superman: World’s Finest – The Silver Age Vol. 1
- Superman #76
- World’s Finest #71-94
- Batman & Superman in World’s Finest: The Silver Age Vol. 2
- World’s Finest #95-116
- Batman & Superman in World’s Finest: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
- World’s Finest #117-158
Batman Reading Order: The Bronze Age Era
Then we enter the Bronze Age Era of Batman and comic books in general. The Silver and Bronze eras may be lumped together, but the Bronze Age spans from about 1969 until roughly 1985/1986. This is the last era before readers move into the modern era.
The biggest reason the Silver and Bronze eras tend to be viewed together is because there was no singular event to mark the change between these periods. The difference between these two ages is in tone, and the prevalence of relevant social issues and dark storylines that appeared in the Bronze Age. This era also features a large change-up of writers and artists with younger creators taking the helm.
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
- Brave and the Bold #74-106
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
- Brave and the Bold #110-156
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold: The Bonze Age Omnibus Vol. 3
- Brave and the Bold #157-200
- Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 1
- Batman #200, 203, 210
- Brave and the Bold #75, 76, 79-85
- Detective Comics #370, 372, 385, 389, 391, 392
- World’s Finest #174-176, 178-180, 182, 183, 185, 186
- Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2
- Batman #217, 220-222, 224-227, 229-231
- The Brave and the Bold #86, 88-90, 93, 95
- Detective Comics #394-403, 405-411
- World’s Finest #199, 200, 202
- Batman #219
- Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 3
- Batman #232, 234, 237, 243, 244, 245, 251, 255
- Tales of the Batman: Carmine Infantino
- Detective Comics #327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 357, 359, 361, 363, 367, 369, 500
- The Brave and the Bold #172, 183, 190, 194
- Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin
- Detective Comics #437, 438, 440-443
- Detective Comics Annual #3
- Showcase ’95 #11
- Batman Black and White #1, 4
- Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #132-136
- Batman: Night Cries
- Batman: Tales of the Demon
- Batman #232, 235, 240, 242, 243, 244
- Detective Comics #411, 485, 489, 490
- DC Special Series Volume 2 #15
- Batman: Strange Apparitions
- Detective Comics #469-476, 478, 479
- Tales of the Batman: Len Wein
- Detective Comics #408, 444-448, 466, 478, 479, 500, 514
- Batman #307-310, 312-319, 321-324, 326, 327
- World’s Finest Comics #207
- DC Retroactive Batman – The 70s
- Untold Legends of the Batman #1-3
- Batman Black and White #5
- Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart
- Detective Comics #439, 469-476
- Batman #311
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #109-111
- Legends of the DC Universe #26, 27
- Batman: Dark Detective #1-6
- A Story from Batman Chronicles #19
- Tales of the Batman: Marv Wolfman Vol. 1
- Batman #328-335, 436-439
- Detective Comics #408
- The Brave and the Bold #167
- World’s Finest Comics #288
- The New Teen Titans #37
- Batman and the Outsiders #5
- Tales of the Batman: Don Newton Vol. 1
- Batman #305, 306
- Detective Comics #480, 483-492
- The Brave and the Bold #153-165
- Tales of the Batman: Alan Brennert
- The Brave and the Bold #178, 181, 182, 197
- Detective Comics #500
- Batman: Holy Terror #1
- Tales of the Batman: Gerry Conway Vol. 1
- Detective Comics #463, 464, 497-499, 501-504
- The Brave and the Bold #158, 161, 171-174
- Batman #295, 305, 306
- Batman Family #17
- Man-Bat #1
- World’s Finest Comics #250, 269
- Tales of the Batman: Gerry Conway Vol. 2
- Batman #337-346, 348
- World’s Finest Comics #270
- Detective Comics #505-513
- Tales of the Batman: Gene Colan Vol. 1
- Batman #340, 343-345, 348-351
- Detective Comics #510, 512, 517, 528, 529
- Tales of the Batman: Gene Colan Vol. 2
- Batman #373
- Detective Comics #530-538, 540-544
- World’s Finest Comics #297, 299
- Tales of the Batman: J.H. Williams III
- Batman #526, 550, 667-669
- Batman Annual #21
- Legends of the Dark Knight #86-88, 192-196
- Chase #7, 8
- Detective Comics #821
Batman Reading Order: The Post-Crisis Era
Now, we enter the modern era, which is where many new fans may begin or recall beginning. The crisis refers to the Crisis on Infinite Earth which took place in 1985-1986. This effectively rebooted the DC Universe to condense and simplify the realities.
In this era, Batman underwent a lot of changes to his upbringing and personality. This Batman reading order has a darker, grittier tone and a lot of his relationships were changed or rendered apocryphal. The Post-Crisis Era lasted up until 2011.
- Batman: Year One
- Batman #404-407
- Batman: Shaman
- Legends of the Dark Knight #1-5
- Batman: Gothic
- Legends of the Dark Knight #6-10
- Batman: Four of a Kind
- Poison Ivy in Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual #3
- Man-Bat in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #5
- Scarecrow in Batman Annual #19
- Riddler in Detective Comics Annual #8
- Batman: Venom
- Legends of the Dark Knight #16-20
- Batman: Haunted Knight
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special #1
- Batman: Madness – A Legend of the Dark Knight Halloween Special
- Batman: Ghosts – A Legend of the Dark Knight Halloween Special
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Batman: The Long Halloween #1-12
- Batman: Year Two
- Detective Comics #575-578
- Batman and the Monster Men
- Batman and the Monster Men #1-6
- Batman and the Mad Monk
- Batman and the Mad Monk #1-6
- Batman: Prey
- Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15, 137-141
- Batman: The Man Who Laughs
- Detective Comics #784-786
- Batman: Dark Victory
- Dark Victory #0-13
- Batgirl/Robin: Year One
- Robin: Year One #1-4
- Batgirl: Year One #1-9
- Batman: Batgirl
- Batman: Batgirl #1
- Batman: Collected Legends of the Dark Knight
- Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #32-34, 38, 42, 43
- Batman: Night Cries
- Batman: Night Cries Graphic Novel
- Batman: The Cat and The Bat
- Batman Confidential #17-21
- Batman: Other Realms
- Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #35, 36, 76-78
- Nightwing: Year One
- Nightwing #101-106
- Batman & the Outsiders Vol. 1
- The Brave and the Bold #200
- Batman and the Outsiders #1-13
- New Teen Titans #37
- Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 2
- Batman and the Outsiders Annual #1
- Batman and the Outsiders #14-23
- Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Vol. 1
- Detective Comics #579, 582-594, 601-607
- Stories from Batman Annual #11, 12
- Batman: Going Sane
- Batman: The Killing Joke
- Batman: The Cult
- Batman: Second Chances
- Batman #402, 403, 408-416
- Batman Annual #11
- Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 1
- Batman #417-425, 430, 431
- Batman Annual #12
- Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 2
- Batman #432-439, 443, 444
- Batman Annual #13
- Batman: A Death in the Family
- Batman #425-429
- Batman: Blind Justice
- Detective Comics #598-600
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying
- Batman #426-429, 440-442
- New Titans #60, 61
- Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 3
- Batman #445-454
- Detective Comics #615
- Batman Annual #14
- Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City
- Batman #452-454
- Detective Comics #629-633
- Robin: A Hero Reborn
- Batman #455-457
- Detective Comics #618-621
- Robin #1-5
- Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 4
- Batman #455-465
- Batman Annual #15
- Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 5
- Batman #466-473
- Detective Comics #639, 640
- Batman: Birth of the Demon
- Batman: Son of a Demon
- Batman: Bride of a Demon
- Batman: Birth of the Demon
- Batman: Sword of Azrael
- Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 1
- Batman: Vengeance of Bane Special #1
- Batman #491-500
- Detective Comics #659-666
- Showcase ’93 #7, 8
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18
- Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 2: Knightquest
- Detective Comics #667-675
- Shadow of the Bat #19, 20, 24-28
- Batman #501-508
- Catwoman #6, 7
- Robin #7
- Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 3: Knightsend
- Batman #509, 510, 512-514
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29, 30, 32-34
- Detective Comics #676, 677, 679-681
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62, 63
- Robin #9, 11-13
- Catwoman #12, 13
- Batman by Doug Moench & Kelley Jones, Vol. 1
- Batman #515-525, 527-532, 535
- Batman by Doug Moench & Kelley Jones, Vol. 2
- Batman #536-555
- Batman: Vampire / Elseworlds: Batman Vol. 2
- Batman/Dracula: Red Rain
- Batman: Bloodstorm
- Batman: Crimson Mist
- Batman: Prodigal
- Batman #512-514
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-34
- Detective Comics #679-681
- Robin #0, 11-13
- Batman: Anarky
- Detective Comics #608, 609
- Batman Chronicles #1
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #40, 41
- Anarky #1-4
- Batman: Contagion
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #48-52
- Detective Comics #695, 696
- Robin #27-30
- Catwoman #31, 32
- Azrael #15, 16
- Batman #529-532
- Batman Chronicles #4
- Batman: Legacy
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #53, 54
- Batman #533, 534
- Detective Comics #700-702
- Catwoman #36
- Robin #32, 33
- JLA: New World Order
- JLA #1-9
- JLA Secret Files #1
- Batman Adventures Vol. 1
- Batman Adventures #1-10
- Batman Adventures Vol. 2
- Batman Adventures #11-20
- Batman Adventures Vol. 3
- Batman Adventures #21-27
- Annual #1
- Batman Adventures Vol. 4
- Batman Adventures #28-36
- Annual #2
- Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1
- Batman & Robin Adventures Vol. 1
- Batman & Robin Adventures #1-10
- Batman & Robin Adventures Vol. 2
- Batman & Robin Adventures #11-18
- Annual #1
- Batman & Robin Adventures Vol. 3
- Batman & Robin Adventures #19-25
- Annual #2
- Batman: Cataclysm
- Detective Comics #719-721
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73, 74
- Nightwing #19, 20
- Batman #553, 554
- Azrael #40
- Catwoman #56, 57
- Robin #52, 53
- Batman Blackgate #1
- Batman Chronicles #12
- Batman: Huntress & Spoiler #1
- Batman: Arkham Asylum – Tales of Madness #1
- Batman: Road to No Man’s Land Vol. 1
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #75-79
- Batman #555-559
- Detective Comics #722, 724-726
- Batman Chronicles #14
- Batman: Road to No Man’s Land Vol. 2
- Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47-49
- Batman #560-562
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80-82
- Detective Comics #727-729
- Batman Chronicles #15
- Batman: No Man’s Land Secret Files and Origins #1
- Batman: No Man’s Land, Vol. 1
- Batman: No Man’s Land #1
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-86
- Batman #563-566
- Detective Comics #730-733
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #117, 118
- Azrael #51-55
- Batman Chronicles #16
- Batman: No Man’s Land, Vol. 2
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #119-121
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #87, 88
- Batman #567, 568
- Detective Comics #734, 735
- Batman Chronicles #17
- Young Justice in No Man’s Land #1
- Robin #67
- Azrael #56
- Nightwing #35-37
- Catwoman #72-74
- Batman: No Man’s Land, Vol. 3
- Batman #569-571
- Detective Comics #736-738
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #122-124
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #90-92
- Robin #68-72
- Azrael #58
- Batman: No Man’s Land Secret Files #1
- Batman: No Man’s Land, Vol. 4
- Detective Comics #739-741
- Batman #572-574
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #125, 126
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #93, 94
- Batman Chronicles #18
- Robin #73
- Azrael #59-61
- Catwoman #75-77
- Nightwing #38, 39
- Batman: No Man’s Land #0
- Batman: No Man’s Land, Vol. 5
- Batman: No Man’s Land #0
- Batman #573, 574
- Detective Comics #740, 741
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #126
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat #94
- Batman: Evolution
- Detective Comics #742-750
- Batman: Turning Points
- Batman by Azzarello and Risso
- Batman: Gotham Knights #8
- Batman #620-625
- Wednesday Comics #1-12
- Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance #1-3
- Batman by Ed Brubaker Vol. 1
- Batman #582-586, 591-597
- Batman: Our Worlds at War #1
- Batman by Ed Brubaker Vol. 2
- Batman #598-607
- Batman: Officer Down
- Batman #587
- Robin #86
- Birds of Prey #27
- Catwoman #90
- Nightwing #53
- Detective Comics #754
- Gotham Knights #13
- Batman by Brian K. Vaughn
- Batman #588-590
- Detective Comics #787
- Wonder Woman #160-161
- Batman: Gotham City Secret Files #1
- Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock Knock Jokes
- Harley Quinn #1-7
- Batman & Huntress: A Cry for Blood
- JLA: Tower of Babel
- JLA #18-21, 32, 33, 43-46
- Batman: Bruce Wayne Murderer?
- Detective Comics #766-770
- Batgirl #24, 27
- Nightwing #65, 66, 68, 69
- Batman: Gotham Knights #25-29
- Birds of Prey #39-41
- Robin #98, 99
- Batman #599-602
- Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1
- Batman: Bruce Wayne Fugitive, Vol. 1
- Gotham Knights #29-32
- Detective Comics #768-775
- Batman #603-607
- Batgirl #29, 33
- Batman: Bruce Wayne Fugitive, Vol. 2
- Detective Comics #768-772
- Batman: Gotham Knights #31
- Batman #605
- Batman: Bruce Wayne Fugitive, Vol. 3
- Detective Comics #773-775
- Batman #606, 607
- Batgirl #33
- Gotham Central, Book 1: In the Line of Duty
- Gotham Central #1-10
- Batman: Hush
- Batman #609-619
- Batman: Broken City
- Batman #620-625
- Arkham Asylum: Living Hell
- Gotham Central, Book 2: Jokers & Madmen
- Gotham Central #11-22
- Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
- Superman/Batman #1-13
- Batman: Death and the Maidens
- Batman: Death & the Maidens #1-9
- Detective Comics #783
- Batman: War Drums
- Detective Comics #790-796
- Robin #126-128
- Gotham Central, Book Three: On the Freak Beat
- Gotham Central, #23-31
- Batman: War Games Book One
- Detective Comics #790-797
- Batman #631
- Legends of the Dark Knight #182
- Nightwing #96
- Gotham Knights #56
- Robin #126-129
- Batgirl #53, 55
- Catwoman #34
- Batman: The 12-Cent Adventure
- Solo #10
- Batman: War Games Book Two
- Detective Comics #798-800, 809, 810
- Batman #632-634, 642-644
- Legends of the Dark Knight #183, 184
- Nightwing #97, 98
- Gotham Knights #57, 58
- Robin #130, 131
- Batgirl #56, 57
- Catwoman #35, 36
- Batman Secret Files and Origin Allies 2005
- Batman Secret Files and Origin Villains 2005
- Identity Crisis
- Identity Crisis #1-7
- Batman: Under the Red Hood
- Batman #635-641, 645-650
- Batman Annual #25
- Batman/Two Face: Face the Face
- Detective Comics #817-820
- Batman #651-654
- Gotham Central, Book Four: Corrigan
- Gotham Central #32-40
- Batman: Detective
- Batman: The Black Casebook
- Batman #65, 86, 112, 113, 134, 156, 162
- Detective Comics #215, 235, 247, 267
- World’s Finest Comics #89
- Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1
- Batman #655-658, 663-683
- DC Universe #0, 30, 47
- Batman and Son
- Batman #655-658, 663-666
- Batman: Death and the City
- Batman: The Black Glove
- Batman #667-669, 672-675
- Batman: The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul
- Batman #670, 671
- Robin #168, 169
- Detective Comics #838, 939
- Nightwing #138, 139
- Batman Annual #26
- Robin Annual #7
- Batman: Private Casebook SC
- Detective Comics #840-845
- DC Infinite Halloween Special
- Batman: The Heart of Hush
- Detective Comics #846-850
- Batman: Cacophony
- Batman: The Widening Gyre
- Batman R.I.P.
- Batman #676-683
- Final Crisis
- DC Universe #0
- Final Crisis #1-7
- Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1, 2
- Final Crisis: Submit
- Batman #682, 683
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl
- Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? #1
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1-3
- Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? #1
- Batman: Last Rites
- Batman #684, 685
- Detective Comics #851
- Batman and Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
- Batman and Robin #1-6
- Batman: Long Shadows
- Batman #687-691
- Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol 1: Hush Money
- Detective Comics Vol. 1 #852
- Batman Vol. 1 #685
- Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4
- Batman: Arkham Reborn
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham Reborn
- Detective Comics Vol. 1 #864, 865
- Batman Arkham: Black Mask
- Batman #386, 387, 484, 485, 648
- Detective Comics #553
- Catwoman #16, 83
- Black Mask: Year of the Villain #1
- Batman Arkham: Clayface
- Detective Comics #40, 298, 478, 479
- Outsiders #21
- Secret Origins #44
- Batman #550
- Catwoman #4
- Batman Gotham Knights #69, 70, 71
- Batman Secret Files and Origins Villain #1
- Batman Arkham: Hugo Strange
- Detective Comics #36, 471, 472, 942
- Batman #356
- Batman Annual #10
- Batman: Gotham Knights #8-11
- Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #18
- Batman: Joker’s Daughter
- Batman Family #6, 8, 9, 16, 19
- Batman: Joker’s Daughter #1
- Batman: The Dark Knight #23
- Detective Comics #482-483
- Titans Secret Files and Origins #2
- Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files and Origins #1
- Batman: Arkham: Killer Croc
- Batman: Arkham: Man-Bat
- Batman: Arkham: Mister Freeze
- Batman: Arkham: Penguin
- Batman: Arkham: Poison Ivy
- Batman: Arkham: Ra’s Al Ghul
- Batman: Arkham: Riddler
- Batman: Arkham: Scarecrow
- Batman: Arkham: Two-Face
- Batman: Arkham: Victor Zsasz
- Batman: Arkham: Talia al Ghul
- Batman: Life After Death
- Batman #692-699
- Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol. 2: Leviathan
- Batman: Streets of Gotham #5-11
- Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 2
- Batman & Robin #1-16
- Batman #700-702
- Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6
- Batman: Imposters
- Detective Comics #867-870
- Batman and Robin, Vol. 2: Batman vs. Robin
- Batman and Robin #7-12
- Batman: Time and the Batman
- Batman #700-703
- Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
- Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6
- Batman: Bruce Wayne: The Road Home
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Batman and Robin #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Red Robin #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Batgirl #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Outsiders #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Catwoman #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Oracle #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Commissioner Gordon #1
- Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Ra’s al Ghul #1
- Batman and Robin, Vol. 3: Robin Must Die!
- Batman #13-16
- Batman: The Return #1
- Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol. 3: The House of Hush
- Batman: Street of Gotham #12-14, 16-21
- Batman: Eye of the Beholder
- Batman #704-707, 710-712
- Batman: Gotham Shall Be Judged
- Batman #708, 709
- Red Robin #22
- Gotham City Sirens #22
- Batman & Robin: Dark Knight vs White Knight
- Batman & Robin #17-25
- Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 3
- Batman Incorporated #1-8
- Batman: The Return #1
- Batman Incorporated #0-13
- Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1
- Batman Incorporated Special #1
- Batman, Incorporated – Vol. 1
- Batman, Incorporated #1-8
- Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1
- Batman: The Dark Knight: Golden Dawn
- Batman: The Dark Knight #1-5
- Superman/Batman #75
- Batman: The Black Mirror
- Detective Comics #871-881
- Batman: Gates of Gotham
- Batman: Gates of Gotham #1-5
- Detective Comics Annual #12
- Batman Annual #28
- Batman: Storybook Endings
- Batman #713
- Batman Incorporated: Demon Star
- Batman Incorporated Vol. 2 #0-6
- Batman Incorporated: Gotham’s Most Wanted
- Batman Incorporated #7-13
- Batman Incorporated Special #1
Batman Reading Order: The New 52 Era
The New 52 Era was another revamp and reboot by DC of the entire universe. This era saw the launch of 52 titles with a new first issue. It began in 2011 following Flashpoint and lasted until 2016.
This era was extremely short-lived and passionately disliked overall by many fans. A lot of the controversy stems from the changes that were made and whether a reboot was necessary.
The intention from DC was to attract new fans to the universe and make the material more approachable. But whether they even came close to accomplishing that goal to warrant the negatives is contested. There was a lot of confusion surrounding continuity and canon during this era.
This Batman reading order begins with Scott Synder and Greg Capullo taking over the creative helm. There are two ways you can begin reading the Batman stories of this era. You can either begin with The Court of the Owls, or begin with Zero Year, which revisits the early days of Batman in the same way as Year One.
- Batman, Vol. 1: The Court of Owls
- Batman #1-7
- Batman: The Night of the Owls
- Batman #8, 9
- Batman Annual #1
- Detective Comics #9
- Batman: The Dark Knight #9
- Batwing #9
- Batman and Robin #9
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #9
- Birds of Prey #9
- Batgirl #9
- Nightwing #8, 9
- All-Star Western #9
- Catwoman #9
- Batman, Vol. 2: The City of Owls
- Batman #8-12
- Batman Annual #1
- Batman, Vol. 4: Zero Year – Secret City
- Batman #21-24
- DC Comics: Zero Year
- Batman #24, 25
- Detective Comics #25
- Batgirl #25
- Batwing #25
- Batwoman #25
- Birds of Prey #25
- Catwoman #25
- The Flash #25
- Green Arrow #25
- Green Lantern Corps #25
- Nightwing #25
- Red Hood and The Outlaws #25
- Action Comics #25
- Batman, Vol. 5: Zero Year – Dark City
- Batman #25-27, 29-33
- Detective Comics: Faces of Death
- Detective Comics #1-7
- Batman, Incorporated, Vol. 1: Demon Star
- Batman, Incorporated #0-6
- Batman and Robin: Born to Kill
- Batman and Robin #1-8
- Detective Comics: Scare Tactics
- Detective Comics #8-12
- Annual #1
- Batman and Robin: Pearl
- Batman and Robin #0, 9-14
- Batman, Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Batman #13-17
- The Joker: Death of the Family
- Detective Comics #16, 17
- Catwoman #13, 14
- Batgirl #14-16
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #15, 16
- Teen Titans #15
- Nightwing #15, 16
- Batman and Robin #15-17
- Batman #17
- Suicide Squad #14, 15
- Batgirl #13
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #13, 14
- Teen Titans #14, 16
- Nightwing #14
- Batman #13
- Detective Comics: Emperor Penguin
- Detective Comics #13-18
- Batman, Incorporated, Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted
- Batman, Incorporated #7-13
- Batman, Incorporated Special #1
- Batman and Robin: Requiem For Damian
- Batman and Robin #18-23
- Detective Comics: The Wrath
- Detective Comics #19-24
- Detective Comics Annual #2
- Batman, Vol. 6: The Graveyard Shift
- Batman #0, 18-20, 28, 34
- Batman Annual #2
- Batman Eternal, Vol. 1
- Batman Eternal #1-21
- Batman Eternal, Vol. 2
- Batman Eternal #22-34
- Arkham Manor
- Arkham Manor #1-6
- Batman Eternal, Vol. 3
- Batman Eternal #35-52
- Batman, Vol. 7: Endgame
- Batman #35-40
- The Joker: Endgame
- Batman Annual #3
- Batman #35-40
- Gotham Academy: Endgame #1
- Batgirl: Endgame #1
- Detective Comics: Endgame #1
- Arkham Manor: Endgame #1
- Batman Vol. 8: Superheavy
- Batman #41-45
- Batman Vol. 9: Bloom
- Batman #46-50
- Batman Vol. 10: Epilogue
- Batman #51, 52
- Batman: Futures End #1
- Batman Annual #4
- Batman vs. Superman: The Greatest Battles
Batman Reading Order: The Rebirth Era
All of that brings us up-to-date to the current era: Rebirth. This marks yet another revamp and reboot of the DC universe, and brings much of it back in-line with the pre-New 52 era. A lot of the classic canon that was beloved by fans was reinstated in this era, while some elements of New 52 were carried over as well.
The consequences of the New 52 era were that all characters lost 10 years of history following Flashpoint, rather than the alternate timelines being merged. The below is what the recommended Batman reading order looks like for this era, along with the top titles in bold typeface.
- DC Universe: Rebirth #1
- Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham
- Batman: Rebirth #1
- Batman #1-6
- Detective Comics Vol. 1: The Rise of Batmen
- Detective Comics #934-939
- Nightwing Vol. 1: Better Than Batman
- Nightwing: Rebirth #1
- Nightwing #1-4, 7, 8
- Batman: Night of the Monster Men
- Batman #7, 8
- Nightwing #5, 6
- Detective Comics #941, 942
- Batgirl and The Birds of Prey Vol. 1: Who Is Oracle?
- Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1
- Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1-6
- Batgirl Vol. 1: Beyond Burnside
- Batgirl #1-6
- Red Hood & the Outlaws Vol. 1: Dark Trinity
- Red Hood & the Outlaws #1-6
- Rebirth #1
- All-Star Batman Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy
- All-Star Batman #1-5
- Batman Vol. 2: I Am Suicide
- Batman #9-15
- Detective Comics Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate
- Detective Comics #943-949
- Justice League of America Vol. 1 (Rebirth)
- Justice League of America #1-5
- Justice League: Rebirth
- Batman Vol. 3: I Am Bane
- Batman #16-20, 23, 24
- Batman Annual #1
- Batman/The Flash: The Button
- Batman #21
- Flash #21
- Batman #22
- Flash #22
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 3: League of Shadows
- Detective Comics #950-956
- Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles
- Batman #25-32
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4: Deus Ex Machina
- Detective Comics #957-962
- All-Star Batman Vol. 3: First Ally
- All-Star Batman #10-14
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: Lonely Place of Living
- Detective Comics #963-968
- Batman Vol. 5: The Rules of Engagement
- Batman #33-37
- Batman Annual #2
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 6: Fall of the Batmen
- Detective Comics! Collects #969-974
- Annual #1
- Batman Vol. 6: Bride or Burglar
- Batman #38-44
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 7: Batman Eternal
- Detective Comics #975-981
- Dark Nights: Metal
- Dark Nights Metal #1-6
- Batman & the Signal
- Batman and the Signal #1-3
- The Cursed Wheel
- Batman Vol. 7: The Wedding
- Batman #45-50
- Catwoman Vol. 1: Copy Cats
- Catwoman #1-6
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 8: On the Outside
- Detective Comics #982-986
- Batman Vol. 8: Cold Days
- Batman #51-57
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 9: Deface the Face
- Detective Comics #988-993
- Batman Vol. 9: The Tyrant Wing
- Batman #58-60
- Batman Annual #3
- Batman Secret Files #1
- Batman Vol. 10: Knightmares
- Batman #61-63, 66-69
- Heroes in Crisis
- Heroes in Crisis #1-7
- Batman/Flash: The Price
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Mythology
- Detective Comics #994-999
- Detective Comics #1000: The Deluxe Edition
- Detective Comics #1000
- The Batman Who Laughs
- The Batman Who Laughs #1-7
- The Batman Who Laughs: The Grim Knight #1
- Batman Vol. 11: The Fall and the Fallen
- Batman #70-74
- Batman Secret Files #2
- Batman Vol. 12: City of Bane Part 1
- Batman #75-79
- Batman/Superman Vol. 1
- Batman/Superman #1-6
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 2: Arkham Knight
- Detective Comics #1001-1005
- Annual #2
- A Story From Detective Comics #1000
- Batman: Universe
- Batman Universe #1-6
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 3: Greetings from Gotham
- Detective Comics #1006-1011
- Batman Vol. 13: The City of Bane Part 2
- Batman #80-85
- Annual #4
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4: Cold Vengeance
- Detective Comics #1012-1019
- Doomsday Clock
- Doomsday Clock #1-12
- Batman Vol. 1: Their Dark Designs
- Batman #86-94
- Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5 Joker War
- Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1
- Detective Comics #1020-1026
- Detective Comics Annual #3
- The Black Casebook story from Detective Comics #1027
- Batman Vol. 2: Joker War
- Batman #95-100
- Batman Vol. 3: Ghosts Stories
- Batman #101-105
- Batman Annual #5
- A story from Detective Comics #1027
- Detective Comics Vol. 6: Road to Ruin
- Detective Comics #1028-1033
- Dark Nights: Death Metal
- Dark Nights: Death Metal #1-7
- Future State: The Next Batman
- Future State: The Next Batman #1-4
- Future State: Dark Detective #1-4
- Future State: Nightwing #1, 2
- Future State: Dark Detective
- Future State: Dark Detective #1-4
- Future State: Red Hood #1, 2
- Future State: Catwoman #1, 2
- Future State: Harley Quinn #1, 2
- Future State: Robin Eternal #1, 2
- Future State: Batman/Superman #1, 2
- Infinite Frontier #0
- Batman Vol. 4: The Cowardly Lot
- Batman #106-111
- Infinite Frontier #1
- Detective Comics Vol. 1
- Detective Comics #1034-1039
- The Joker Vol. 1
- Joker #1-6
- Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 1
- Batman: Urban Legends #1-6
- The Next Batman: Second Son
- The Next Batman: Second Son #1-12
- Batman/Superman: The Archive of Worlds
- Batman/Superman #16-21
- Batman: The Detective
- Batman: The Detective #1-6
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #1-5
- Batman: Beyond: Neo-Year
- Batman Vol. 5: Fear State
- Batman #112-117
- Batman Vol. 6: Abyss
- Batman #118-121, 124
- The Joker War
- Batman #95-100
- Batgirl #47
- Detective Comics #1025
- Red Hood: Outlaw #48
- Nightwing #74
- The Joker War Zone #1
- Stories from Harley Quinn #75 and Catwoman #25
- Batman: Secret Files
- Batman: Shadow War
Other Important Stories for a Batman Reading Order
While dividing the Batman reading order into eras is fairly all-encompassing, there are other Batman stories that do not neatly fit into the eras we’ve included above. This can be because they take place in the future, take place in Elseworlds, are special editions, or are limited series.
We’ve included those stories below for you to browse. Again, our top picks are included in bold typeface.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
- Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
- Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
- Batman: Year 100 & Other Tales Deluxe Edition
- DC Comics/Dark Horse: Batman vs. Predator
- BATMAN VS. PREDATOR I, II, & III
- DC/Dark Horse: Aliens
- BATMAN/ALIENS #1-2
- BATMAN/ALIENS II #1-3
- SUPERMAN/BATMAN VS. ALIENS/PREDATOR #1-2
- WILDC.A.T.S/ALIENS #1
- The Batman/Judge Dredd Collection
- Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment On Gotham
- Batman/Judge Dredd: Vendetta In Gotham
- Batman/Judge Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle
- Batman/Judge Dredd: Die Laughing #1-2
- Lobo/Judge Dredd: Psycho Bikers Vs. Mutants From Hell!
- Batman Lobo
- Batman: Collected Legends of the Dark Knight
- Batman: Mitefall
- The Joker by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo
- Batman: Noel
- Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham
- Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham #1-3
- Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
- Elseworlds: Batman Vol. 1
- Batman: Holy Terror
- Batman: The Blue, The Grey, And The Bat
- Robin 3000 #1, 2
- Batman/Dark Joker: The Wild
- Batman/Houdini: The Devil’s Workshop
- Batman: Castle Of The Bat
- Batman: In Darkest Knight
- Batman: Dark Allegiance
- Batman: Earth One Complete Collection
- Batman: Earth One Vol. #1-3
- Batman: White Knight
- Batman: White Knight #1-8
- Batman: Curse of the White Knight
- Batman: Curse of the White Knight #1-8
- Batman: White Knight Presents Harley Quinn
- Batman: White Knight Presents Harley Quinn #1-8
- Batman: Beyond the White Knight
- Batman: Beyond the White Knight #1-8
- Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses
- Batman/The Shadow #1-6
- Stories From Batman Annual #1
- Detective Comics #253, 259
- Batman: Child of Dreams
- Batman: Damned
- Batman: Damned #1-3
- Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1
- Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
- Batman: Last Knight on Earth
- Batman: Last Knight On Earth #1-3
- Batman: Three Jokers
- Batman: The Imposter
- Robin & Batman
Final thoughts on Batman Reading Order
There you have a mammoth reading list all about the Caped Crusader, and how best to approach a Batman reading order. The beginning of each era will feature an introduction or reintroduction to the character, but reading the eras chronologically will depict the evolution of this iconic figure.
There are no right or wrong ways to go about beginning these comics, but there are certainly ways that may be more confusing. Hopefully this list of the Batman comics through the eras has helped you understand more about the vigilante of Gotham City.
2 thoughts on “Best Batman Reading Order for Every Era [Ultimate Guide]”
Great job with this reading order! I have some suggestions of more works to add to your list:
– Definitely put in Batman: Death and the Maidens between Hush and Under the Red Hood.
– After The Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul, you’re missing Paul Dini’s Batman: Private Casebook, and after Heart of Hush is Kevin Smith’s Batman: Cacophony and Batman: The Widening Gyre.
– Sean Murphy’s Batman: White Knight has spawned two sequels: Batman: Curse of the White Knight and Batman: Beyond the White Knight.
– Looks like you’re also missing some great one offs in Batman: Three Jokers, Batman: The Imposter, Robin & Batman.
– This last suggestion is a bit pedantic of me but I’m coming towards the end of reading Grant Morrison’s run at the moment and I think the best way to read between Battle for the Cowl and The Black Mirror, based on publication dates & getting the most out of the flow of the story, is the following: Battle for the Cowl, Long Shadows, S.o.G. Hush Money, Batman & Robin Vol. 1, S.o.G. Leviathan, Batman & Robin Vol. 2, Life After Death, Arkham Reborn, Time & the Batman, Return of Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne The Road Home, Batman & Robin Vol. 3, S.o.G. House of Hush, Batman & Robin, vol. 4, Eye of the Beholder, Batman Incorporated, Gates of Gotham, & finally The Black Mirror.
Thank you! We’ve made changes to the article based on your suggestion. Much appreciated.