DC Rebirth has been an unequivocal success for DC Comics, transitioning the publisher out of the New 52’s PR quagmire (even when the comics were good, there was a malaise around the line) into the premier Big 2 superhero lineup.
Keep in mind that I’m including every issue of the recommended essential series below, from the first two years of DC Rebirth. This will give you a whole lot of comics to read, but as always, it’s not necessarily essential to read each and every piece. If you’re not feeling Batman (*audible gasp!*), move on to Superman, and so on.
Related: Complete DC Rebirth reading order
DC Rebirth Comics Fast Track
Superman: Road to Rebirth
Sets up Superman’s essential role in the foundation of DC Rebirth with two New 52 era collections.
Superman’s “Road to Rebirth” is a good set-up for the new era of DC as a whole, both as a primer for the direction of the Superman corner, and as a clear indicator that what’s past is prologue.
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Although Rebirth gets all the accolades of moving on from the New 52, the comics continually reference and build off continuity established during the maligned DC relaunch. The saving grace is that Rebirth blends that New 52 continuity with the complete history of DC.
Lois and Clark is a true test of this approach, bringing in the pre-New 52 Superman mythos via the throwaway 2015 DC event Convergence. It’s almost the antithesis of new reader friendly, but somehow it works.
So long story short, if you feel confused by the world-building, dont’ worry, that’s inevitable. Keep calm and carry on and you’ll enter Rebirth safely soon enough!
Collects: Superman: Lois and Clark #1 to #8
Superman: The Final Days of Superman
Reading Order:
Superman #51
Batman/Superman #31
Actions Comics #51
Superman/Wonder Woman #28
Batman/Superman #32
Action Comics #52
Superman/Wonder Woman #29
Superman #52
DC Rebirth One-Shots
The Rebirth omnibus collects all the one-shot Rebirth specials for the major characters of the DC Universe. Note that a number of these Rebirth specials are also collected in the first volume of each respective character’s collected comics.
The biggest exception is of course DC Universe: Rebirth #1
Do you need to read every DC Rebirth one-shot to understand the upcoming comics? No, of course not! At the end of the day, you only need the one-shots for the series you plan to read.
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
Superman by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
If nothing else, DC Rebirth re-establishes Superman (and the below Action Comics) as core, essential, and delightfully good DC comics.
Tomasi and Gleason (coming off an excellent ride on the New 52’s Batman & Robin) are particularly well-suited for Superman, breathing new life into the man of steel through family adventure and quiet moments of being a parent.
Superman Vol. 1: Son Of Superman
Collects: Superman: Rebirth #1, Superman #1 to #6
Superman Vol. 2: Trials of the Super Son
Collects: Superman #7 to #13
This is where Superman becomes one of Rebirth’s best comics, with a family adventure comic on the level of good Fantastic Four or The Incredibles.
Collects: Superman #14 to #17, Superman Annual #1
Hot dog I love this comic, riding high on the coattails of Grant Morrison’s Multiversity.
Collects: Superman #20 to #26
Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears
Collects: Superman #27 to #32
Collects: Superman #33-36 And #39-41
Action Comics by Dan Jurgens
Whereas Superman gets to (primarily) play ball in Smallville, Action Comics spends more time in the traditional Metropolis setting. Dan Jurgens work as writer on the series also builds towards most of the huge, big picture storylines that impact DC continuity as a whole, including Superman: Reborn and “The Oz Effect.”
If you’re looking to start a quarterback controversy, I definitely prefer Superman to Action Comics, but as always, everyone’s mileage may vary.
Action Comics Vol. 1: Path Of Doom
Collects: Action Comics #957 to #962
Action Comics Vol. 2: Welcome to the Planet (Rebirth)
Collects: Justice League #52, Action Comics #963 to #966
Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3
Collects: Actions Comics #967 to #972
Superman: Action Comics Vol. 4
Collects: Action Comics #977 to #984
Crossover reading order should go as follows (thanks to Matt and Sean in the comments below!):
Suicide Squad #17: Earthlings on Fire: Part 2: Page 1-17
Action Comics #979: Revenge: Part 1
Suicide Squad #17: Earthlings on Fire: Part 2: Page 18-end
Suicide Squad #18: Earthlings on Fire: Part 3: Page 1-12
Action Comics #980: Revenge: Part 2
Suicide Squad #18: Earthlings on Fire: Part 3: Page 13-end
Suicide Squad #19: Earthlings on Fire: Part 4
Action Comics #981-984: Revenge: Part 3-6
Note that Action Comics continues in additional volumes, but I call out the next story arc, “The Oz Effect” on its own below.
Tom King’s Batman
While there are many, many talented creators working in comics, Tom King has steadily cemented a place as my favorite comic book writer during the time since Rebirth launched.
Oddly, King’s takeover on Batman (following the excellent run by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo) was his rockiest start. The early Batman issues oscillate between interesting and merely fine, until the series grows into something truly special through “The War of Jokes and Riddle” and “Terms of Engagement.”
Now (at the start of 2018), Batman is a can’t miss read every other week, as King writes alongside the incredible creative talents of Mikel Janin, Lee Weeks, Clay Mann, and Joelle Jones (among many others).
Collects: Batman: Rebirth #1, Batman #1 to #6
Batman: Night of the Monster Men
There is some overlap with the first Bat-family crossover and the subsequent collections, but this will give you the crossover in its intended order.
Do not read if monster designs straight out of Bloodborne and Dark Souls keep you up at night!
Collects: Batman #7, Nightwing #5, Detective Comics #941, Batman #8, Nightwing #6, Detective Comics #942
Collects: Batman #9 to #15
Collects: Batman #16 to #20, #23 to #24, Batman Annual #1
Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles
Collects: Batman #25 to #32
Much of “The War of Jokes and Riddles” takes place in Batman’s early years, about a year after Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s New 52 “Zero Year
Collects: Batman #33 to #37, Batman Annual #2
Collects: One-shots
If you like the King run on Batman to this point, you have to check out the Batman/Elmur Fudd one-shot.
Collects: Batman #38 to #43
James Tynion IV’s Detective Comics
Detective Comics is a risk at DC to fall victim to second-tier Bat-Universe status. That such a drop hasn’t happened is a testament to the plotting and output of James Tynion IV and artistic teams.
Detective finds a unique niche in Batman lore with a never-before-seen team of Batman, Batwoman, Red Robin (Tim Drake), Spoiler (Stephanie Brown), and former villain Clayface.
Detective Comics Vol. 1: The Rise Of The Batmen
Collects: Detective Comics #934 to #940
Absolutely one of my favorite DC Rebirth titles, with a great Bat-family team.
Detective Comics Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate
Collects: Detective Comics #943 to #949
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 3: League of Shadows
Collects: Detective Comics #950 to #956
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4
Collects: Detective Comics #957 to #961
Much like Action Comics, the next arc of Detective Comics, “A Lonely Place of Living,” is called out separately below as part of the road to Doomsday Clock.
All-Star Batman by Scott Snyder
All-Star Batman is less consistent than the “core” DC Universe Bat-titles (Batman and Detective Comics), but remains extremely compelling. Scott Snyder’s New 52 and DC Metal track record writing Batman is irrefutable, and while All-Star isn’t his best work, it retains a notably high level of quality.
Most relevant, All-Star Batman is the best source for the developments of Duke Thomas, Gotham City’s newest Bat-family hero.
All-Star Batman Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy
Collects: All-Star Batman #1 to #5
All-Star Batman Vol. 2: Ends of the Earth
Collects: All-Star Batman #6 to #9
All-Star Batman Vol. 3: First Ally
Collects: All-Star Batman #10 to #14
Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka
Wonder Woman’s launch into DC Rebirth coincides with Diana’s long awaited big screen debut. Fortunately, perennial 2000’s comic book storytelling great Greg Rucka was there to guide Wonder Woman through the best visibility the character’s ever had.
Note that the first two volumes of Wonder Woman oscillate between odd and even numbered issues. The odd numbered issues form “The Lies,” while the even numbered issues offer a “Year One” story from Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott.
Collects: Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman #1, #3, #5, #7, #9
Collects: Wonder Woman #2, #4, #6, #8, #10
Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth
Collects: Wonder Woman #13, #15, #17, #19, #21, #23, #25
Collects: Wonder Woman #16, #18, #20, #22, #24, Wonder Woman Annual #1
“Godwatch” brings the Greg Rucka run on Wonder Woman to a close.
Wonder Woman Vol. 5: Heart of the Amazon
Collects: Wonder Woman #26 to #30, Steve Trevor Annual #1
Green Arrow by Benjamin Percy
The surprise DC fan favorite of the 2010’s (thanks the CW’s Arrow!) gets a quality comic series to match his surging profile.
Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Death and Life Of Oliver Queen
Collects: Green Arrow: Rebirth #1, Green Arrow #1 to #5
Collects: Green Arrow #7 to #12
Green Arrow Vol. 3: Emerald Outlaw
Collects: Green Arrow #12 to #17
Collects: Green Arrow #18 to #25
Collects: Green Arrow #26 to #31
Collects: Green Arrow #33-39
Deathstroke by Christopher Priest
DC Rebirth’s Deathstroke is a critical favorite, and (alongside the mind blowing success of the MCU’s Black Panther) has revived acknowledgements of Christopher Priest’s immense talent as a comic book writer.
Deathstroke miraculously feels at times like an Image comics series and a big picture superhero comic, with humor, action, and family drama to spare.
Deathstroke Vol. 1: The Professional
Collects: Deathstroke: Rebirth #1. Deathstroke #1 to #6
Collects: Deathstroke #7 to #12
Collects: Deathstroke #13 to #18
Collects:
Titans #11
Teen Titans #8
Deathstroke #19
Teen Titans Annual: Lazarus Contract #1
Deathstroke #20
Collects: Deathstroke #21 to #25
Collects: Deathstroke #26 to #29, Annual #1
Aquaman by Dan Abnett
One of the great secrets of DC (at least among people who don’t actually read a lot of DC Comics) is that Aquaman’s starred in some of DC’s most consistent books since 2011!
Collects: Aquaman: Rebirth #1, Aquaman #1 to #6
Aquaman Vol. 2: Black Manta Rising
Collects: Aquaman #7 to #12
Aquaman Vol. 3
Collects: Aquaman #13 to #18
Collects: Aquaman #23 to #28
Aquaman Vol. 5: The Crown Comes Down
Collects: Aquaman #29-34 And Crownspire Annual #1
Justice League vs. Suicide Squad
The first DC Rebirth event (a respectfully limited crossover event named after a 1980’s Justice League International and Suicide Squad mini crossover) is honestly underrated in its economy of storytelling and indebtedness to DC lore.
Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad Reading Order
New Super-Man
New Super-Man is one of the purest superhero inventions of Rebirth, with the preposterously excellent Gene Luen-Yang crafting Kenen Kong into China’s man (child) of steel.
New Super-Man Vol. 1: Made In China
Collects: New Superman #1 to #6
New Super-Man Vol. 2: Coming to America
Collects: New Super-Man #7 to #12
New Super-Man Vol. 3: Equilibrium
Collects: New Super-Man #13-19
Super Sons
The dynamics between the cheery, well-behaved Jonathan Kent and brooding, devilish Damian Wayne were such a captivating force in Superman that the duo were destined for their own adventures.
Collects: Super Sons #1 to #5
Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet of the Capes
Collects: Super Sons #6 to #10
Superman #37
Super Sons #11
Teen Titans #15
Superman #38
Super Sons #12
Superman Reborn
Reborn is essentially the answer to all the weird timey-wimey continuity conundrums raised during the transition from New 52 to DC Rebirth. That the Supreman storytelling teams are able to actually craft an entertaining, and at times tearjerking saga out of the potential quagmire is nothing short of remarkable.
Order:
Action Comics #973 to #974
Superman #18
Action Comics #975
Superwoman #8
Superman #19
Action Comics #976
Superman #20 (Reborn Aftermath)
Trinity #8 (Reborn Aftermath)
Action Comics #977 (Reborn Aftermath)
Supergirl #8 (Reborn Aftermath)
Superwoman #9 (Reborn Aftermath)
Superman #21 (Reborn Aftermath)
Action Comics #978 (Reborn Aftermath)
New Super-Man #9 to #10 (Reborn & Aftermath)
Superwoman #10 (Reborn & Aftermath)
Batman/The Flash: The Button
The short “Road to Doomsday Clock” crossover between Flash and Batman delivers appropriately high stakes, and an all-time great Batman vs. Reverse-Flash fist fight in the Batcave.
Order:
Batman #21
Flash #21
Batman #22
Flash #22
Dark Nights: Metal
DC Metal (with core event issues by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo) is my favorite comic book event since 2015’s Secret Wars, and likely my second favorite event of the 2010’s.
Comic Book Herald’s complete Dark Nights: Metal reading order!
Superman: The Oz Effect
Superman finally meets the shadowy “Oz” figure lingering in the background of Action Comics since the New 52. No, he’s not who you expect him to be.
Action Comics: Superman-The Oz Effect
Collects: Action Comics #985 to #992
Detective Comics: A Lonely Place of Living
Batman’s Detective Comics unit uncovers secrets that have been building since the first Rebirth story arc, with a build toward Doomsday Clock.
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5
Collects: Detective Comics #963 to #968, Detective Comics Annual #1
Doomsday Clock
Every big picture development since DC Universe Rebirth #1 leads up to the controversial, highly anticipated follow-up to Watchmen, DC’s Doomsday Clock.
Doomsday Clock begins five years after the events of Watchmen and brings the characters of the Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons classic into the DC Universe for the first time.
Comic Book Herald’s complete Doomsday Clock reading order!
Could you update the list to date? It looks like you haven’t updated it in while (would be appreciated).
Hmmm… I’ll think about this. It seems like a very useful think to revamp and rewrite.
In the meantime, my order would focus on getting into Infinite Frontier with as much useful context as possible rather than rushing you to the current era.
Something like
Super Sons, King’s Batman skipping all the non Bat/Cat stuff, The important beats of the flash story, Jon Kent’s Aging. Naomi Season 1 and meeting superman, Leviathan Story, Heroes in Crisis, Damian’s slow spiral, the important beats of Synder’s JL, maybe 1 or 2 more things?
Noticed that this was last updated in 2018 or so. Any chance it’s going to be update to date?
Okay so I’m super new to the comic scene I don’t understand issues or Collects, so I’m still confused. I was wondering if you or someone could make a more simple on with just the titles of the comics in order for a “simpleton” like me. Thanks.
I guess you could compare comics to a TV show. Issues are episodes which are released after X time. After that those issues get collected in a collected volume. So you could say that’s like a season. For example volume 1 of a Batman comic could contain issues 1-7, just like season 1 of Game of Thrones contains episodes 1-10. Hope this helps
was wondering if you are going to put hero’s in crisis on your reading DC fast track guide
Why, Action Comics Vol. 4 after Vol. 3? I got confused when I read Vol. 4. Double checked, issue #977 is also in your Reborn reading sequence. Did you made a mistake putting Vol. 4 after Vol. 3 or am I missing something?
Because I think Vol. 4 should be read after Reborn?