There are few things in comics more exciting than omnibus and absolute collections. If you love comic books, and the DC Universe, what could be better than GIANT books filled to the brim with DC Comics? The power to chef burritos with but a thought? Ok, yes, but what else?
Very little, that’s what.
I love Omnibus collections, and every time I see one, I feel a compulsion to read every comic book ever made. Seriously, I nearly went into debt putting together the Marvel Omnibus guide, and the ultimate DC collection of Omnibus editions and absolute collections was no different.
The guide below will inform you of any available Omnibus and Absolute editions from DC Comics (including Vertigo Comics). The collections are listed in relative chronological order, so the collected issues could be read in sequence to make your way through the vast history of the DCU.
As with many omnibus and absolute collections, I’d clarify that these editions often sell out and remain out of print for multiple years. As a result, you may find the going rate for some editions to be excessively pricey. You can do whatever you want with your wallet (buy a boat! go crazy!), but in these instances I’d advise that there is always a more affordable version of the comics somewhere, particularly with absolute editions. They’re great collector’s items, and I love the look on a bookshelf, but if you just want the story first, don’t worry, this ain’t the only way to read Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight
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DC Comics Omnibus & Absolute Comics Collections
Golden Age DC Comics
Unlike Marvel, DC’s Golden Age of comics isn’t purely historical curiosity, and truly kicks off the proper DCU (and superhero comics in general!).
While comics published in the late 1930’s and into the 1940’s certainly feel of their time, these collections also offer a fascinating, often joyous look into the true origins of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. More than anything, it’s often amazing to find how much of DC’s Trinity began during the 40’s, from Superman’s origins on Krypton to the first appearance of The Joker.
In my opinion, you don’t have to start all the way back in the 1940’s to understand these characters, but DC’s long and storied history is frequently referenced in future comics, and the Golden Age in particular comes back in a big way during events like 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths or 2005’s Infinite Crisis.
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Action Comics #1-31, New York World’S Fair #1, New York World’S Fair 1940, And Superman #1-7
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Detective Comics #27-56, Batman #1-7, New York World’S Fair Comics #2, World’S Best Comics #1 And World’S Finest Comics #2-3
Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: All Star Comics #8, Sensation Comics #1 to #24, Wonder Woman #1 to #7
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Action Comics #32-47, Superman #8-15, World’S Best Comics #1 And World’S Finest Comics #2-4
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Detective Comics #57-74, Batman #8-15 And World’S Finest Comics #4-9
Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Comic Cavalcade #5 to #12, Sensation Comics #25 to #48, Wonder Woman #8 to #15
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: Action Comics #48-65, Superman #16-24 And World’S Finest Comics #6-10
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: Detective Comics #75-91, Batman #16-25, And Stories From World’s Finest Comics #10-14
Green Arrow: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: More Fun Comics #73-107, Adventure Comics #103-117 And World’S Finest Comics #7-28
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4
Collects: Action Comics #66 to #85, Superman #25 to #33, World’s Finest #11 to #17
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4
Collects: Detective Comics #93-112, Batman #26-35 And World’s Finest Comics #15-22
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5
Collects: Action Comics #86-105, Superman #34-43 And World’s Finest Comics #19-25
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5
Collects: Detective Comics #113-132, Batman #36-45 And Stories From World’s Finest Comics #23-32
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 6
Collects: Detective Comics #133-153, Batman #46-55 And World’S Finest Comics #33-42
Weirdly, the Dark Horse library edition is the only collected option that includes the Giant-Size Annual issue, which I’d read between Black Hammer #6 and issue #7. Also worth noting that the smaller trade paperback options pull Black Hammer #12 out of the second Black Hammer trade, and into the lead of Sherlock Frankenstein & the Legion of Evil. This is a defensible decision, but I prefer to read all fourteen issues of Black Hammer (including the annual) before progressing to the mini.
Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 6
Collects: Action Comics #106-124, Superman #44-54 And World’S Finest Comics #26-36
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7
Collects: Detective Comics #154-173, Batman #56-66 And Stories From World’S Finest Comics#43-53
Silver Age DC Comics
DC’s Silver Age is the most overlooked time period in Big 2 superhero comics. More often than not, Marvel Comics get all the attention for launching it’s superhero universe in earnest behind the creative explosion of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Stan Lee (among others, of course).
In recent years, Marvel’s Silver Age has simply become more accessible with affordable digital reading libraries like Marvel Unlimited. DC Comics, on the other hand, gets less attention because 1) They never stopped publishing these characters as a continuation from the Golden Age and 2) The comics are far less accessible and affordable!
Naturally, this doesn’t mean DC’s Silver Age isn’t worth reading; far from it. From wonderful Legion of Superheroes future-flung space adventures to “The Flash of Two Worlds” inventing parallel earths and alternate realities in Flash #123, there are plenty of all time great comic book moments in the pages below.
Batman & Superman in World’s Finest: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: World’s Finest #71 to #116
Batman & Superman in World’s Finest: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: World’S Finest Comics #117-158
Collects: Showcase #4, #8, #13 to #14, The Flash #105 to #132
Challengers Of The Unknown Omnibus By Jack Kirby
Collects: Showcase 6, 7, 11 And 12 And Challengers Of The Unknown #1-8
Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus v1
Collects: Action Comics #252 to #307
Legion of Super Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus
Collects: Adventure Comics #247, #267, #282, #290, #293, #300-328; Action Comics #267, #276, #287 And #289; Superman #147; Superman Annual #4 & Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #72, #76; And Superboy #86, #89, #98 And #117
Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus
Collects: Showcase #17 to #19, Mystery in Space #53 to #74
The Jack Kirby Omnibus Vol. 1: Starring Green Arrow
Collects: Adventure Comics #250–256, World’s Finest Comics #96–99, All-Star Western #99, House of Mystery #61, 63, 65–66, 70, 72, 76, 78–79, 84–85, House of Secrets #3–4, 8, 11–12, My Greatest Adventure #15–18, 20–21, 28, Real Fact Comics #1–2, 9, and Tales of the Unexpected #12–13. 15–18, 21–24
Green Lantern: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Showcase #22 to #24, Green Lantern #1 to #45
Justice League of America Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Justice League of America #1 to #30, The Brave and The Bold #28 to #30
Teen Titans: The Silver Age Omnibus
Collects: The Brave And The Bold #54, #60 And #83, Showcase #59 And Teen Titans #1 to #19
Doom Patrol: The Silver Age Omnibus
Collects: My Greatest Adventure #80 to #85, Doom Patrol #86 to #124
The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: The Flash #133 to #163
Green Lantern: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Green Lantern #1 36-75
Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Action Comics #308-333, #335-340, #342, #344-346, #48-350, #353-354, #356-359, #361-372 And #374-376
Justice League of America: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Justice League of America #31 to #76, Mystery in Space #75
Bronze Age DC Comics
We’ve spent some time discussing the true origins of the Bronze Age in the My Marvelous Year reading club, but the general consensus places it around the start of the 1970’s, with Jack Kirby leaving Marvel Comics (and moving to DC!).
The Bronze Age for DC always makes me think of Neal Adams and Denny O’Neil’s socially conscious Green Lantern / Green Arrow run, taking on societal ills that plague us to this day. It may read as ham-fisted in many ways, but simply tasking DC powers like Green Lantern with considering problems like racism was a novel step for the publisher.
Green Lantern / Green Arrow is also notable in this guide for marking the first DC Absolute Edition on the list. In general, you’ll note that Absolute Editions contain fewer issues and pages than any Omnibus, often focusing on a more self-contained story, or shorter run, with plenty of extra content for fans of the arc.
Batman in The Brave & The Bold: The Bronze Age Omnibus
Collects: The Brave and the Bold #74 to #106
Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Justice League of America #77 to #113
Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus
Collects: Teen Titans #25-52; The Brave And The Bold #94, #102, #149; Batman Family #6 And World’S Finest Comics #205
Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Detective Comics #359, #363, #369, #371, #384, #385, #388, #389, #392, #393, #396, #397, #400, #401, #404-424; Batman #197; And Batman Family #1, #3-7, #9-11
Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Justice League Of America #114-146
Absolute Green Lantern/Green Arrow
By Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams.
Collects: Green Lantern #76-87, #89, The Flash #217-219, #226
Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: The House Of Secrets #92, Swamp Thing #1-24, The Saga Of The Swamp Thing #1-19 And The Saga Of The Swamp Thing Annual #1
Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: Justice League Of America #147-181
Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Batman Family #12-20 And Detective Comics #481-519 And Batgirl Special#1
The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus
Collects: Batman #252, 260, 286, 291-294, 321, 353, 365-366, 400; The Brave And The Bold#111, 118, 129-130, 141, 191; The Joker #1-10, Detective Comics #475-476, 504, 526, 532, Wonder Woman #280-283; Dc Comics Presents #41, 72; Who’S Who: The Definitive Guide To The Dc Universe #11
DC Universe Bronze Age Omnibus by Jack Kirby
Collects: In The Days Of The Mob#1, Spirit World #1, The Demon #1-16, The Sandman #1-6, Omac #1-8, Our Fighting Forces#151-162, Super Powers #1-5 (1984), Super Powers #1-6 (1985), 1St Issue Special #1, 5 And 6, Dc Comics Presents #84, Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #3, Weird Mystery Tales #1-3 And Forbidden Tales Of The Dark Mansion #6
Jack Kirby’s DC Comics (And Neal Adams, And Steve Ditko!)
DC Comics has done a solid job highlighting some of the more prestigious talent working extensively across the DC Universe, with work from Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, and Steve Ditko all collected in larger formats.
This section marks a major creative explosion in DC history, with Kirby’s Fourth World (Darkseid, Orion, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, etc!!!) and Neal Adams’ Batman (primarily in creative conjunction with writer Denny O’Neil) forever shaping the direction of the DC Universe moving forward.
Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus
Collects: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #133-139 And #141-148, The Forever People #1-11, The New Gods #1-11, Mister Miracle #1-18, New Gods (Reprint Series) #1-6, Dc Graphic Novel #4: The Hunger Dogs And Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory Of The Dc Universe #2-3, #6, #8-18, #20, #22 And #25.
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133-139, Forever People #1-3, New Gods #1-3 And Mister Miracle #1-3
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: New Gods #4-6 ,Forever People #4-6, Jimmy Olsen #141-145 And Mister Miracle #4-6
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: The New Gods #7-10, The Forever People #8-10, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #146-148, Mister Miracle #7-9
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 4
Collects: Final issues of fourth world series, Hunger Dogs
Jack Kirby’s The Demon Omnibus
Collects: The Demon #1 to #16
Collects: Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 to #40
Collects: The Best of DC #22;,Black Magic #1–9, DC Comics Presents #84, 1st Issue Special #1, 5–6, Kobra #1, Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #3, The Sandman #1, 4–6, Super Powers #1–5, Super Powers vol. 2 #1–6
Collects: Batman #200, 203 and 210; The Brave and The Bold #75-76 and 79-85; Detective Comics #370, 372, 385, 389, 391, and 392; and World’s Finest Comics #174-176, 178-180, 182-183, 185, 186; Batman #217, 220-222, 224-227, 229-231, The Brave and The Bold #86, 88-90, 93, 95, Detective Comics #394-403, 405-311, World’s Finest Comics #199, 200, 202; Batman #232, 234-241, 243-246, 251, 255; Batman Annual #14; Batman Black & White #4; Brave and the Bold #99, Detective Comics #412-422, 439, 600; Heroes Against Hunger; Limited Collectors Edition C-25, C-51, C-59; Robin #1; Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #4; World’s Finest #211, 244-246, 258; Batman: Odyssey Vol. 1 issues #1-6 and Vol. 2 issues #1-7
The Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol. 1: Starring Shade The Changing Man
Collects: Shade, The Changing Man #1-8, Stalker #1-4, Stories From Strange Adventures, Plop, House Of Mystery, House Of Secrets, Weird War Tales, Secrets Of Haunted House, Tales Of The Unexpected, Time Warp, Ghosts And Mystery In Space
The Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Showcase #75, The Hawk And The Dove #1-2, Man-Bat #1, Detective Comics #483-485 And 487, Adventure Comics #467-468, Legion Of Super-Heroes #267, 268, 274, 276 And 281, Outsiders #13, Legends Of The Dc Universe 80-Page Giant #1, The Tales Of The New Gods
DC Comics Enters the 1980’s
As it stands, DC Comics 1980’s omnibus collections are surprisingly underrepresented, without collections for the likes of John Byrne’s Man of Steel or Mike Grell’s Green Arrow.
The collections that do exist are appropriately George Perez and Frank Miller focused, with Perez’s collaboration with Marv Wolfman on New Teen Titans and his post Crisis on Infinite Earths relaunch of Wonder Woman getting the true Omnibus treatment.
A few all-time greats (including my number one favorite comic of all time!) also get the deserving Absolute treatment here, with Frank Miller’s work on Batman and Alan Moore & Dave Gibbon’s Watchmen standing out.
By Frank Miller.
Collects: Ronin #1 to #6
Absolute Swamp Thing by Alan Moore Vol. 1
Collects: Saga Of The Swamp Thing #20-34 And Swamp Thing Annual #2
Justice League: The Detroit Era Omnibus
Collects: Justice League Of America #233-261, Justice League Of America Annual #2-3, Jla Classified #22-25, Jsa Classified #14-16, Dc Retroactive: Jla-The 80’S #1 And Infinity Inc #19
New Teen Titans Vol. 1 Omnibus
Marv Wolfman and George Perez team-up to reinvent the New Teen Titans roster of Cyborg, Robin, Kid Flash, Raven, Starfire and more.
Collects: DC Comics Presents #26, New Teen Titans #1-24, Tales Of The Teen Titans #1-4 And Best Of Dc #18
The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: New Teen Titans #21-40, Tales Of The New Teen Titans #41-44, New Teen Titans Annual #1- 2, Tales Of The New Teen Titans Annual #3 And Batman And The Outsiders #5
The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: Tales Of The Teen Titans #45- 61 And 66-67, New Teen Titans #38, New Teen Titans #1-6 And Secret Origins Annual #3
New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 4
Collects: New Teen Titans #10-31, New Titans Annual #1-2 And A Story From Omega Men #34
Wonder Woman by George Perez Omnibus Vol. 1
George Perez classic run on Wonder Woman following Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Collects: Wonder Woman #1 to #24, Wonder Woman Annual #1
Wonder Woman By George Perez Omnibus
Collects: Wonder Woman #25 to #45, Wonder Woman Annual #2
By Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Collects: Watchmen #1 to #12
Frank Miller’s all-time great retelling of the Dark Knight’s origins.
Collects: Batman #404 to #407
Frank Miller’s all-time great telling of the Dark Knight’s future.
Collects: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 to #4, Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again #1 to #3
Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 1
Justice like “one punch!” by Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis.
Collects: Justice League International Omnibus Volume One Collects Justice League #1-6, Justice League International #7-25, Justic League America #26-30, Justice League Annual #1, Justice League International Annual #2-3, Justice League Europe #1-6 And Suicide Squad #13.
Superman: Exile and Other Stories Omnibus
Collects: The Adventures Of Superman #445-460, Superman #23-37, Action Comics #643-646 And Action Comics Annual #2
DC Comics Enters the 1990s and Vertigo Comics
The addition of premiere (mature!) Vertigo Comics to DC’s publication sphere pushes the 1990’s Omnibus and Absolute editions to new heights, with all time great writers like Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis, Neil Gaiman, and Garth Ennis producing some of their best (if not their absolute best) comic book work.
The likes of Morrison and Case’s Doom Patrol, Gaiman’s Sandman, and Ennis and Dillon’s Preacher all reside within the top 20 of my favorite comic books of all time, and these Omnibus and Absolute collections are some of the most glorious items on my bookshelf.
In DC Comics proper, the 90’s also brought about the downfall of many heroes, with The Death of Superman and Knightfall dragging two-thirds of the Trinity through the ringer. The mid-90’s also saw the creative partnership of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale lead to a great deal of Batman success with their Long Halloween trilogy of collections.
By Grant Morrison and Richard Case. Currently my fourth favorite comic book run of all time.
Collects: Doom Patrol #19 to #63, Doom Force Special #1
By Grant Morrison.
Collects: Animal Man #1 to #26, Secret Origins #39
By Neil Gaiman.
Collects: Sandman #1 to #37
Collects: Sandman #38 to #75, Vertigo Jam #1, Vertigo: Winter’s Edge #3
Collects: Death: The High Cost Of Living #1 to #3, Death: The Time Of Your Life #1 to #3, Sandman #8 “The Sound Of Her Wings”, “Façade” from Sandman #20, “A Winter’s Tale” & “The Wheel.”
Absolute WildC.A.T.S. by Jim Lee
Collects: Wildc.A.T.S #1-13, 31, 50; Cyberforce #1-3, Wildc.A.T.S/X-Men: The Silver Age #1; Wildcats Adventures #1 And Wildcats #1
More Grant Morrison.
Collects: Invisibles #1-25(1994-96), Invisibles #1-22(1997-99) and Invisibles #12-1(1999-2000)
By Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.
Collects: Planetary #1 to #27
Superman: The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus
Collects: The Death of Superman, World Without a Superman, The Return of Superman
Collects: Superman: The Doomsday Wars 1-3, Superman/Doomsday: Hunter Prey #1-3, Doomsday Annual #1, Adventures Of Superman #594 And Superman #175
Batman by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale Omnibus
Collects: Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Madness–A Legends Of The Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Ghosts–A Legends Of The Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13, Batman: Dark Victory #0-13, Catwoman: When In Rome #1-6 And A Short Story From Superman/Batman Secret Files & Origins 2003
Absolute Batman: The Long Halloween
By Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.
Collects: Batman: The Long Halloween #1 to #13
Collects: Batman: Dark Victory #0 to #13
Absolute Batman: Haunted Knight
Collects: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special #1, Batman: Madness #1, Batman: Ghosts #1, Catwoman When in Rome #1-6
Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 1
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
Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 2: Knightquest
Collects: Batman #501-508, Batman Legends Of The Dark Knight #59-61, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #19-27, Catwoman #6-7 Detective Comics #667-675, Justice League Task Force #5-6, Robin #1-2 And 7, And Showcase ’94 #7
Batman Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3 – Knightsend
Collects: Batman #509-510 & #512-515, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #29-30 & #32-35, Detective Comics #676-677 & #679-682, Robin #8-9 & #11-14, Catwoman #12-13, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #62-63, Showcase ’94 #10, Nightwing: Alfred’S Return #1, Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #2
Impulse by Mark Waid & Humberto Ramos Omnibus
Collects: Impulse #1-27, The Flash #108-111 And Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1.
By Mark Waid and Alex Ross.
Collects: Kingdom Come #1 to #4
By Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon.
Collects: Preacher #1 to #26
Collects: Preacher #27 to #40
The 90’s Continue As DC Approaches The New Millenium
The 90’s are such a fruitful period for Omnibus and Absolute Editions of comics that I had to break it into two parts.
James Robinson and Tony Harris’ extended run on Starman may well be my favorite ongoing DC series ever published, and DC also adds Alan Moore’s Promethea and Top 10 to their Absolute Edition lineup.
By James Robinson and Tony Harris.
Collects: Starman #0 to #16
Collects: Starman #17-29, Starman Annual #1, Showcase ’95 #12, Showcase ’96 #4-5
Collects: Starman #30-38, Starman Annual #2, Starman Secret Files #1 And The Shade #1-4
Collects: Starman #39-46, Starman 80-Page Giant #1, The Power Of Shazam #35-36, Starman: The Mist #1 And Batman/Hellboy/Starman #1-2
More Grant Morrison.
Collects: Dc One Million 1-4, Action Comics 1,000,000, Adventures Of Superman 1,000,000, Aquaman 1,000,000, Azrael 1,000,000, Batman 1,000,000, Batman:Shadow Of The Bat 1,000,000, Catwoman 1,000,000, Chase 1,000,000, Chronos 1,000,000, Creeper 1,000,000, Detective Comics 1,000,000, Flash 1,000,000, Green Arrow 1,000,000, Green Lantern 1,000,000, Hitman 1,000,000, Impulse 1,000,000, Jla 1,000,000, Legion Of Super-Heroes 1,000,000, Legionnaires 1,000,000, Lobo 1,000,000, Martian Manhunter 1,000,000, Nightwing 1,000,000, Power Of Shazam 1,000,000, Resurrection Man 1,000,000, Robin 1,000,000, Starman 1,000,000, Superboy 1,000,000, Supergirl 1,000,000, Superman 1,000,000, Superman:The Man Of Steel 1,000,000, Superman:The Man Of Tomorrow 1,000,000, Wonder Woman 1,000,000, Young Justice 1,000,000, Jla In Crisis Secret Files, Dc One Million 80-Page Giant #1, Booster Gold 1,000,000, Superman/Batman 79-80
Collects: Starman #47-60, Starman 1,000,000, Stars And S.T.R.I.P.E. #0, All Star Comics 80-Page Giant #1, JSA: All Stars #4
Collects: Starman #61 to #81
Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 1
By Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson.
Collects: Transmetropolitan #1-18, Transmetropolitan: I Hate it Here, Vertigo Winter’s Edge #2
Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 2
Collects: Transmetropolitan #19 to #39, Trasmetropolitan: Filth of the City
By Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III.
Collects: Promethea #1 to #12
Collects: Promethea #13 to #23
Collects: Promethea #24 to #32
By Alan Moore.
Collects: Top 10 #1-2, Top 10: The Forty-Niners, Smax #1-5, America’s Best Comics Special #1
DC Comics Enters the 2000’s
As we enter the 2000’s, prepare yourself for virtually every Geoff Johns run published by DC. The longtime comic book writer and current DC Chief Creative Officer has earned full omnibus collections of his runs (long live the chief, right?), from JSA to Green Lantern to his latter New 52 work.
The 2000’s also inspired an increase of Absolute Editions for instant classics like All-Star Superman and Vertigo’s Y: The Last Man.
It’s not a one for one match, but using the below guide of comics will resemble my Modern DC Fastrack guide, taking you through the 25 most essential DC storylines from 2000 to the New 52.
Geoff Johns and David Goyer.
Collects: JSA #1-25, JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice, JSA All-Stars #1-8, JSA Our Worlds at War #1, JLA/JSA Secret Files #1, JSA Secret Files #1, All-Star Comics #1-2, All-American Comics #1, Adventure Comics #1, National Comics #1, Sensation Comics #1, Smash Comics #1, Star Spangled Comics #1 and Thrilling Comics #1
Collects: Collected here are JSA #26-81
Collects: Hawkman #1 to #25, JSA #56 to #58, Hawkman Secret Files
Collects: JSA #76-87, Justice Society of America #1-28, Justice League of America #8-10, Justice Society of America Annual #1, JSA Kingdom Come Special:Superman #1, JSA Kingdom Come Special: Magog #1, JSA Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom #1
Collects: The Authority #1-29, Planetary/The Authority: Rule The World #1, Jenny Sparks: The Secret History Of The Authority #1-5, Authority Annual 2000 #1, Wildstorm Summer Special #1
Collects: The Authority #1 to #12
Collects: The Authority #13 to #29
Orion by Walter Simonson Omnibus
Collects: Orion #1 to #25
Absolute Green Arrow by Kevin Smith
Collects: Green Arrow #1 to #15
Ex Machina: The Complete Series Omnibus
Collects: Ex Machina #1 to #50, Ex Machina Special #1 to #4
The Flash by Geoff Johns Omnibus, Vol. 1
Collects: The Flash #164-176, The Flash: Our Worlds at War #1, The Flash: Iron Heights #1, The Flash Secret Files #3
The Flash by Geoff Johns Omnibus, Vol. 2
Collects: The Flash #177 to #200, DC First: Flash/Superman #1
The Flash by Geoff Johns Omnibus, Vol. 3
Collects: The Flash #201 to #225, Wonder Woman #214
Wonder Woman by Phil Jimenez Omnibus
Collects: Wonder Woman #164-188, Wonder Woman: Our Worlds At War #1, Wonder Woman Secret Files & Origins #3 And Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2003 #1-4
Collects: Batman #608-619, 685, Batman: Gotham Knights #50-55, 60-71, 73-74, Detective Comics #846-850, 852, 855, A Hush Interlude From Wizard #0, And The Hush Tales From Batman: Streets Of Gotham #1-4, 14 And 16-21
Batman: Hush (Absolute Edition)
Collects: Batman #608 to #619
Collects: All-Star Superman #1 to #12
Collects: Danger Girl #1 to #7
Absolute All-Star Batman And Robin, The Boy Wonder
Collects: All-Star Batman and Robin #1 to #10
Absolute Y: The Last Man Vol. 1
Collects: Y: The Last Man #1 to #20
Absolute Y: The Last Man Vol. 2
Collects: Y: The Last Man #21 to #40
Absolute Y: The Last Man Vol. 3
Collects: #41 to #60
From Identity Crisis Through Infinite Crisis
The mid-2000’s sparked the return of the Crisis for DC Comics, with Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales unraveling the Justice League through Identity Crisis, and Geoff Johns and a variety of writers and artists marking the 20th anniversary of Crisis on Infinite Earths with the new Infinite Crisis.
In between, Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver launched John’s most well-known (and my personal favorite) DC run with Green Lantern: Rebirth. Likewise, Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, and Michael Lark teamed up to deliver another all-time great with Gotham Central, yet another comic inside the top portion of my favorite comics of all time.
All of this drives directly into one of the most successful DC projects of the 2000’s, with DC 52, as weekly series sparked by a creative braintrust of Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns.
Collects: Identity Crisis #1 to #7
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1
Note that the first Omnibus collection of Geoff Johns (and a big chunk of Ethan Van Sciver’s) run on Green Lantern overlaps with the Absolute Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps
Collects: Green Lantern Rebirth #1-6, Green Lantern Corps Recharge #1-5, Green Lantern #1-25, Green Lantern Corps #14-18, Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1, Green Lantern Secret Files 2005 #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman Prime #1 and Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files #1
Absolute Superman/Batman Vol. 1
Collects: Superman/Batman #1 to #13
Absolute Superman/Batman Vol. 2
Collects: Superman/Batman #14 to #26
Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow
Collects: Superman #204 to #215
Collects: Gotham Central #1 to #40
Collects: Action Comics #826, #829; Adventures of Superman #639, #642; Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1; Day of Vengeance #1-6, Special #1; JLA #115-119; Infinite Crisis #1-7; Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006; The OMAC Project #1-6, Special #1; Rann-Thanagar War #1-6, Special #1; Superman #216, #219; Villains United #1-6, Special #1; Wonder Woman #219
Teen Titans by Geoff Johns Omnibus
Collects: Teen Titans #1/2-26, 29-46 And 50, Legends Of The Dc Universe #2, Titans Secret Files #2, Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2003, Beast Boy #1-4, Teen Titans/Legion Of Super Heroes Special #1, Outsiders #24-25, Robin #147-147, Infinite Crisis #5-6 And Teen Titans Annual #1.
Collects: DC 52 #1 to #52
Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens Omnibus
Collects: Gotham City Sirens #1-26 And Catwoman #83
Blackest Night, Brightest Day, And Final Crisis
DC Comics closed out the pre-New 52 slate with one Final Crisis by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones, and two Green Lantern focused events with Blackest Night and Brightest Day.
You can find Comic Book Herald’s reading orders for Blackest Night and Brightest Day within the Green Lantern reading order.
Collects: Justice #1 to #12
Collects: Luthor #1 to #5, Joker original graphic novel
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Green Lantern #26-52, Blackest Night #0-7, DC Universe #0, Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1-2, Blackest Night Tales of the Corps #1-2
Seven Soldiers by Grant Morrison Omnibus
Collects: Seven Soldiers #0-1, Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1-4, Seven Soldiers: Guardian #1-4, Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1-4, Seven Soldiers: Klarion The Witch Boy #1-4, Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1-4, Seven Soldiers: Bulleteer #1-4 And Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1-4
Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1
Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Batman #700-702, Batman & Robin #1-16 And Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne#1-6
Absolute Final Crisis by Grant Morrison
Collects: Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2
Absolute Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
Collects: Batman & Robin #1 to #16, Bruce Wayne: The Return #1
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects: Green Lantern #53-60, Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1, Green Lantern (2011) #1-20, Green Lantern Annual #1, Green Lantern Corps #58-60, And Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #8-10
Blackest Night Omnibus (10th Anniversary)
Collects: Adventure Comics #4-5,7, Blackest Night #0-8, Blackest Night: Batman #1-3, Blackest Night: The Flash #1-3, Blackest Night: Jsa #1-3, Blackest Night: Superman #1-3, Blackest Night: Tales Of The Corps #1-3, Blackest Night: Titans #1-3, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1-3, Catwoman #83, Green Arrow #30, Green Lantern #43-53, Green Lantern Corps #39-47, Phantom Stranger #42, Starman #81, Suicide Squad #67, The Atom And Hawkman #46, The Power Of Shazam! #48, The Question #37, Untold Tales Of Blackest Night #1 And Weird Western Tales #71
Collects: Brightest Day #0 to #24
Collects: iZombie #1 to #28
DC’s New 52
Following DC’s Flashpoint event, the entire DC Universe rebooted into the New 52, a fresh take on every series, character, and legacy in the DCU.
The New 52 ran from 2011 to 2016, and you can find a complete guide with Comic Book Herald’s New 52 reading order.
Batman Incorporated is a bit of an anomaly in that the initial nine issues are an extension of Grant Morrison’s Batman run (reading order here!), and occur prior to the New 52. The remainder of the series continues within The New 52, but really continues to function as a continuation of Morrison’s work on Batman prior to the New 52.
As a result, I would recommend reading Batman Inc. all at once, which this Absolute edition makes easier.
Collects: Batman, Incorporated #1-8, Batman, Incorporated Leviathan Rises #1, Batman, Incorporated Vol. 2 #1-13, Batman, Incorporated Special #1
About 8 or 9 issues into DC’s New 52, the publisher launched a linewide #0 issue initiative, which took each series back to an origin state during the New 52.
These zero issues were published after the #1 issues collected below, but tend to precede the storylines there chronologically.
Collects: Every New 52 #0 issue
This 1,000 plus page New 52 collection is strangely not listed among DC Omnibus editions, but clearly belongs.
Collects: Every debut New 52 #1 issue (52 of them!)
Absolute Justice League: Origin
Collects: Justice League #0-12
Absolute Batman: The Court of Owls
Collects: Batman #1 to #11
Absolute Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang Vol. 1
Collects: Wonder Woman #0 to #18
Aquaman By Geoff Johns Omnibus
Collects: Aquaman #0-16, Justice League #14-16
The Flash By Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato Omnibus
Collects: The Flash #0 to #25, Flash #23.2 (villain’s month starring Reverse-Flash)
Batman & Robin by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus
Collects: Batman And Robin #20-22, Batman And Robin #0-40, Batman And Robin #23, Batman And Robin Annual #1-3, Robin Rises: Omega #1, Robin Rises: Alpha #1, Secret Origins #4 And Detective Comics #27
Collects: Justice League #23.1-23.4, Justice League Of America #7.1-7.4, Justice League Dark #23.1-23.2, Aquaman #23.1-23.2, Earth 2 #15.1-15.2, The Flash #23.1-23.3, Green Arrow #23.1, Wonder Woman #23.1-23.2, Action Comics #23.1-23.4, Superman #23.1-23.4, Batman/Superman #3.1, Batman #23.1-23.4, Batman And Robin #23.1-23.4, Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1-23.4, Detective Comics #23.1-23.4, Green Lantern #23.1-23.4, Swamp Thing #23.1 And Teen Titans #23.1-23.2
Futures End: Five Years Later Omnibus
Collects: Action Comics: Futures End #1, Aquaman and the Others: Futures End #1, Aquaman: Futures End #1, Batgirl: Futures End #1, Batman: Futures End #1, Batman and Robin: Futures End #1, Batman/Superman: Futures End #1, Batwing: Futures End #1, Batwoman: Futures End #1, Birds of Prey: Futures End #1, Booster Gold: Futures End #1, Catwoman: Futures End #1, Constantine: Futures End #1, Detective Comics: Futures End #1, Earth 2: Futures End #1, Flash: Futures End #1, Grayson: Futures End #1, Green Arrow: Futures End #1, Green Lantern Corps: Futures End #1, Green Lantern: Futures End #1, Green Lantern: New Guardians: Futures End #1, Harley Quinn: Futures End #1, Infinity Man and the Forever People: Futures End #1, Justice League Dark: Futures End #1, Justice League United: Futures End #1, Justice League: Futures End #1, New Suicide Squad: Futures End #1, Red Hood and the Outlaws: Futures End #1, Red Lanterns: Futures End #1, Sinestro: Futures End #1, Star-Spangled War Stories Featuring G.I. Zombie: Futures End #1, Superboy: Futures End #1, Supergirl: Futures End #1, Superman: Futures End #1, Superman/Wonder Woman: Futures End #1, Swamp Thing: Futures End #1, Teen Titans: Futures End #1, Trinity of Sin: Pandora: Futures End #1, Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger: Futures End #1, Wonder Woman: Futures End #1, Worlds’ Finest: Futures End #1
Collects: Grayson #1-20, Grayson: Futures End #1, Secret Origins #8, Grayson Annual #1-3, Robin War #1-2 And Nightwing: Rebirth #1
Collects: Before Watchmen: Comedian #1-6, Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1-4, Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1-6, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1-4, Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1-4, Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1-4, Before Watchmen: Moloch #1-2, Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1-6, Before Watchmen: Crimson Corsair #1 And Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill #1
DC’s Rebirth
In 2016, DC ended the New 52 and restored much of the prior DC Universe history through DC Rebirth. In addition to the omnibus editions below, you can find the full DC Rebirth lineup in Comic Book Herald’s DC Rebirth reading order.
Collects: Aquaman: Rebirth #1, Batgirl & The Birds Of Prey: Rebirth #1, Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1, Batman: Rebirth #1, Blue Beetle: Rebirth #1, Cyborg: Rebirth #1, Deathstroke: Rebirth #1, DC Universe: Rebirth #1, Green Arrow: Rebirth #1, Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1, Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1, Hellblazer: Rebirth #1, Justice League: Rebirth #1, Nightwing: Rebirth #1, Red Hood And The Outlaws: Rebirth #1, Suicide Squad: Rebirth #1, Supergirl: Rebirth #1, Superman: Rebirth #1, Teen Titans: Rebirth #1, The Flash: Rebirth #1, Titans: Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1
Collects: Super Sons #1-16, Super Sons Annual #1, Superman #10-11, #37-38, Teen Titans #15 And A Story From Dc Rebirth Holiday Special #1
View Comments (12)
Hi Dave,
It’s been three years since this awesome list was created. But there have been so many more omnis released since then.
Any chance you’ll update the list all the way up to the end of 2021 (and perhaps the solicitations for 2022)?
Many thanks
Is there any way on earth that a fellow like myself can get a version of the entire new 52 storyline and rebirth storyline in an easy to read, succinct (sp), concise collection that covers what exactly these stories are about: beginning, middle and end???
They are collected on TPs and/or HCs. Smaller colelctions with 120 until 400 pages. Look for the book you want, put vol 1, 2, 3 and so on
Great list however I'm still mildly disappointed. The Vertigo line seems to be a little short changed each year! We get constant books on the Sandman, Animal Man, Invisibles etc. The ones that are ignored for publication in these Deluxe formats are Hellblazer, Shade the Changing man, Fables and most importantly, the comic I would love most to see printed in the Omnibus format is Sandman Mystery Theatre by Matt Wagner, Steven T. Seagle & Guy Davis.
Why oh why are we never hearing anything about these books? Surely they deserve a re-print.
I don't see Legion of Super-Heroes: Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2, only Vol. 1
There are two glaring omissions from the DC omnibus list: (A) Travis Morgan: Warlord by Mike Grell and (B) Tom Strong by Alan Moore. How can DC even consider their list complete without these two titles?
Still missing Justice League Darkseid War Saga Omnibus w/ Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok and Harley Quinn by Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner Omnibus.
Hello! Thank you so much for this list.
Was just wondering as I didn't see it, where does Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths fit in?
Hi there. Great list! I'm going to use this as a guide for an epic DC read through!
I did notice a few things missing. Could you please update it to include:
Justice League International Omni
Grayson Omni
Harley Quinn By Conner & Palmiotti Omni
Swamp Thing The Bronze Age Omni
Izombie Omni
Justice League Darkseid War Saga Omni
Batman & Robin By Tomasi & Gleason Omni
Justice League Of America The Detroit Era Omni
Absolute Sandman Overture
Absolute Death
Absolute League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Absolute Justice League Origin
As well as some upcoming books announced but not yet published:
Absolute WildC.A.T.S.
Harley Quinn and the Gotham Sirens Omnibus
Ex Machina The Complete Series Omnibus
Batman by Grant Morrison Omni
Impulse by Waid & Ramos Omni
Batman 66 Omnibus
7 Soldiers of Victory by Morrison Omni
Thanks for the great work! :-)
Josh Angel
That was quick! Thanks for the update. :-)
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi Dave!
One more question for you: where would Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths fit in the timeline?
Thanks again!
Josh