Crisis on Infinite Earths Reading Order

Few comic book events have had the ambition, scope, or impact of DC’s 1985 to 1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. The 12 issue event series is such a defining point, DC fans mark “Pre-Crisis” and “Post-Crisis” eras of comics to this day.

Why reset the DC Universe so drastically? Here’s a piece of how writer Marv Wolfman explains it in his forward to the collected graphic novel:

Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, this is exactly what DC Comics attempted to do, relaunching Superman in Man of Steel, Batman in Year One

, and Wonder Woman in the George Perez ongoing.

Crisis also makes a number of strides towards increasing DC’s overall legacy characters (at least temporarily), with a new female Doctor Light, Wildcat, and Doctor Mid-Nite.

Broadly speaking, many comics readers new to the DC Universe will be best suited simply diving in to the 12 issue event series, and checking out a handful of tie-ins they find particularly interesting. Truly from Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 to #3, the majority of tie-ins are simply references to the reddening of the sky, or appearances from the new “Harbinger” as she recruits legends from the DCU.

Crisis on Infinite Earths Collected Edition Checklist

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Collects: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 to #12, History of the DC Universe Special #1

Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

Collects: Justice League Of America #244, Justice League Of America Annual #3, Green Lantern #194, Wonder Woman #327-328, Infinity Inc. 318 to 320, Dc Comics Presents #87-88, Omega Men #31, Blue Devil #17-18, All-Star Squadron #50-51 And Fury Of Firestorm #41 to #42

Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe Edition Vol. 2

Collects: Detective Comics #558, DC Comics Presents #86, Swamp Thing #44, Losers Special #1, Legends of the DCU: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, Infinity Inc. #18-25, Justice League of America #244-245, Infinity Inc. Annual #1 and New Teen Titans #13-14

Crisis on Infinite Earths Issue by Issue Reading Order

Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

Fury of Firestorm #41

All-Star Squadron #50

I’d note that unless you’re all in on All-Star Squadron’s 80’s reliving of the classic DC JLA (as written by Marvel legend Roy Thomas), all of the All-Star Squadron comics are pretty passable. Again, for most modern readers trying out the event for the first time, making it through these particular tie-ins will require huge reserves of endurance.

All-Star Squadron #51

All-Star Squadron #52

Infinity, Inc. #18

Take what I said above for All-Star Squadron and double it for Infinity, Inc. This despite more writing from Roy Thomas and art by future comics superstar Todd McFarlane.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #2

Although it’s not a direct tie-in or prequel, Flash #350 is referenced for the first time here as contextual background knowledge for the appearances of The Flash!

Batman #389

Detective Comics #556

Batman #390

Detective Comics #557

Batman #391

Detective Comics #558

This Batman and Detective Comics 6 issue crossover does not include the “Crisis” tie-in label on covers, although it does make reference to the red skies. Worth a read for dedicated Bat-fans, pretty light on connection to Crisis as a whole!

Green Lantern #194

Infinity, Inc. #19

Justice League of America #244

Infinity, Inc. #20

Vigilante #22

Crisis on Infinite Earths #3

Losers Special #1

Occurs alongside main event issue #3 in a story titled “Losers Die Twice.”

DC Comics Presents #86

The DC Comics Presents tie-ins are easily some of the most interesting and relevant connected stories within Crisis, expanding the Superman family in particularly meaningful ways.

Swamp Thing #44

While this remains true for most comics on the list, it’s particularly true that DC fans of all stripes should check out the full run on Swamp Thing by writer Alan Moore and artists John Totleben and Stephen Bissette (among others). The run begins in earnest with Saga of The Swamp Thing #21. It’s a very clear indicator of where DC Comics were going as opposed to where they’d been.

Swamp Thing #45

Infinity, Inc. Annual #1

Infinity, Inc. #21

Crisis on Infinite Earths #4

Although it’s some minor place-setting, main event issue #4 does reference Omega Men #26 for context. This is for die-hards only!

Crisis on Infinite Earths #5

Legends of the DCU: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

This giant-size issue retroactively fills in Flash details, from original event writer Marvel Wolfman.

Swamp Thing #46

All-Star Squadron #53

All-Star Squadron #54

All-Star Squadron #55

All-Star Squadron #56

Infinity, Inc. #22

Crisis on Infinite Earths #6

Main event issue #6 does also reference Superman #413 for context.

Infinity, Inc. #23

Wonder Woman #327

Wonder Woman #328

Wonder Woman #329

Crisis on Infinite Earths #7

Green Lantern Vol. 2 #195

Infinity, Inc. #24

Legion of Super-Heroes #16

Legion of Super-Heroes #17

Legion of Super-Heroes #18

DC Comics Presents #87

For my money, the single most compelling tie-in comic!

Superman #414

Omega Men #31

Crisis on Infinite Earths #8

Blue Devil #18

DC Comics Presents #88

Justice League of America Annual #3

Crisis on Infinite Earths #9

Justice League of America #245

Fury of Firestorm #42

New Teen Titans #13

New Teen Titans #14

Crisis on Infinite Earths #10

Crisis on Infinite Earths #11

Amethyst Vol. 2 #13

Green Lantern Vol. 2 #196

Green Lantern Vol. 2 #197

Crisis on Infinite Earths #12

Green Lantern Vol. 2 #198

Superman #415