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You are here: Home / Reading DC Comics / DC Infinite Frontier Reading Order / Dark Crisis Reading Order

Dark Crisis Reading Order

Death of the Justice League

By Nathan Payson

DC’s biggest event of the summer is here! Following the “Death of the Justice League” in Justice League #75, Earth plunges into a Dark Crisis. How do the heroes of earth move on from the death of an entire generation of heroes?

Previously: DC Infinite Frontier

Dark Crisis really begins with the Justice League dying in Justice League #75, but Justice League #75 really is the beginning of the third act of a 3 act saga. The first act is the launch point of the Infinite Frontier era: Infinite Frontier #0-6

Infinite Frontier

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Collects: Infinite Frontier #0, Infinite Frontier: Secret Files #1, and Infinite Frontier #1-6

Following Infinite Frontier is “Act 2” which is Justice Incarnate. The story is heavily based on Grant Morrison’s Multiversity. It may make sense to read it, or else JLI might feel a little difficult to understand.

Justice League Incarnate

Collects: Justice League Incarnate #1-6

Finally, there’s the Death of the Justice League.

Justice League #75

Shadow War




The other major prelude to Dark Crisis is also written by Joshua Williamson, and focuses on three different series of his coming together: Batman, Deathstroke Inc., and Robin. Of those, Robin and Deathstroke Inc. are the most important, while the Batman story is much smaller. These books take place before Death of the Justice League but around the same time as Infinite Frontier and Justice League Incarnate.

Robin Vol. 1: The Lazarus Tournament

Collects: The Prelude (“Demon or Detective”) in Batman #106 then Detective Comics #1034, and then Robin #1-6

Robin Vol. 2: I am Robin

Collects: Robin 2021 Annual, and Robin #7-11

Deathstroke Inc. Vol. 1

Collects: Black Canary Story from Batman: Urban Legends #6 and Deathstroke Inc. #1-7

Shadow War: Prelude

Read: Deathstroke Inc. #6-7 and Robin #12

Shadow War

Read: Shadow War: Alpha #1, Batman #122, Deathstroke Inc. #8, Robin #13, Batman #123, Shadow Warzone #1, Deathstroke Inc. #9, Robin #14, Shadow War: Omega #1

Dark Crisis Prelude

Dark Crisis has two official preludes. The FCBD book is very unimportant, but is a sort of mood piece. Aquamen essentially takes place right after the Justice League die and is both a wrap up of the 6 issue mini and also a couple stories designed to connect stories to the Death of the Justice League. While some of these stories were written well after Dark Crisis had begun, they do help clarify exactly what happened in the moments right before Justice League #75

A couple of stories focus on bridging the gap from the main continuity to Death of the Justice League. While these stories aren’t super important, it might help answer some questions you have like “why is John green?”

Green Lantern: Emerald Knight #1

Context: John Stewart’s recently gained access to the godstorm, a power that basically makes him a New God. While Jon doesn’t technically teleport in the issue, it’s implied in Justice League #75 that it happens around this time.

Superman: Kal-el Returns Special #1

Context: This is a set of short stories focused on Superman returning to Earth after a lengthy adventure in space. The final story is the “teleport” scene.

Finally, there’s the Death of the Justice League.

Justice League #75

Aquamen #6

Dark Crisis #0 FCBD Special Edition 2022

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1

Dark Crisis

Dark Crisis as a reading order has essentially been 4 main storylines that go through the event: the central Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths plot, the Worlds without a Justice League, The Young Justice storyline, and the Flash storyline. Each thread is generally best viewed as a simultaneous plot. As such, I best recommend reading the threats separately, generally speaking.

Dark Crisis #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice

Read: Dark Crisis: Young Justice #1 to #6

Dark Crisis #2

Dark Crisis #3

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League

Read: Dark Crisis: World’s Without a Justice League–Superman, Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League–Green Lantern, Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League–Wonder Woman, Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League–Green Arrow, Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League–Batman

Context: These issues are a set of stories about an “idealized” version of the world for each hero. Among them includes another story with a teenage Andy Curry (Aquaman’s Daughter) that continues elements of Aquaman: Future State.

Flash #783 to #785

Dark Crisis #4

Flash #786

Dark Crisis #5

Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1

I am Batman #15

Dark Crisis #6

Dark Crisis: The Dark Army #1

Dark Crisis: War Zone #1

Dark Crisis #7

Dark Crisis: Big Bang #1

Dark Crisis Aftermath

Dark Crisis leads directly into Dawn of the DCU, the next era of DC Comics.

Dark Crisis Checklist

There’s an official Dark Crisis Checklist out. However, as with most event checklist, the actual reading order based on chronology is different from the checklist which is based on release dates. I’ve added the other tie-ins that weren’t on the checklist to the mix. Also check out the incredible Obituary for the Justice League by David Mann.

April

Justice League #75

May

Dark Crisis #0 FCBD Special Edition 2022

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1

June

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #1

The Flash #783

July

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #2

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Superman #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #2

The Flash #784

August

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Green Lantern #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #3

The Flash #785

September

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Wonder Woman #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4

The Flash #786

October

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #5

Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Green Arrow #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #5

November

I am Batman #15

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #6

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Batman #1

Dark Crisis: Young Justice #6

Dark Crisis: The Dark Army #1

December

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7

Dark Crisis: War Zone #1

Dark Crisis: Big Bang

Next: Dawn of the DCU

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Richard says

    February 10, 2023 at 7:46 am

    Just finished read Dark Crisis with your reading order! Thanks for all your guidance. I wanted to suggest a correction. Deadly Green should probably be read before Dark Crisis 5. Superman and the magic team go into the Great Dark was and find Pariah’s machine in Deadly Green. They return with it and present it to Mr. Terrific at the beginning of Dark Crisis 5.

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      February 21, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      I’m so thrilled that you used it! I always appreciate corrections. Sometimes I get stuff wrong or mis-remember stuff and it helps alot!!! Hope you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Nathan says

    February 7, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    Does dark crisis and death of the justice leauge happen before batman vol 1 failsafe?

    Reply
    • LB says

      February 21, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      That’s actually addressed in the “Before the Dawn” section of the Dawn of the DC reading order.

      https://www.comicbookherald.com/reading-dc-comics/dawn-of-the-dcu-reading-order/

      Reply
    • Nathaniel Bradley Payson says

      February 21, 2023 at 5:16 pm

      LB is right! Failsafe is a bizzarre situation as the answer is *both* which basically means editorial oversight. The idea was that it takes place before, but the recent comics imply it takes place after. My assumption is that we will know the answer once the solicits for Batman #801 comes out in June, but until then I’ve place it in the Dawn of the DCU order.

      Reply
  3. LB says

    January 12, 2023 at 1:28 am

    Flash #783-785 should come before Dark Crisis #4

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      January 17, 2023 at 12:24 pm

      Thanks for noting that! I definitely meant for that to go before Dark Crisis #4….Always appreciate when people note the small errors!

      Reply
      • LB says

        February 21, 2023 at 3:35 pm

        No problem. I saw the email Dave sent out a few weeks ago about you becoming the new head DC guide writer. Congrats!

        Reply
  4. Kevin says

    December 18, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Any idea where “Superman Returns” one shot fits?

    Reply
    • Owen Reason says

      December 22, 2022 at 8:07 pm

      Directly before justice league 75 as it end with clark being teleported to the start of that story

      Reply
    • Nathaniel Bradley Payson says

      December 24, 2022 at 10:13 pm

      Owen is right, check out the Infinite Frontier Reading Order for more comics that fall outside of Dark Crisis’s timeframe.

      Reply
  5. Bakari Meshack saaks says

    November 18, 2022 at 5:54 am

    Hello, I’m new to the rebirth reboot. I want to start it. I’m what order should I start to be up to speed with dark crisis?

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      December 9, 2022 at 5:11 pm

      Start with our Infinite Frontier Reading Order! https://www.comicbookherald.com/reading-dc-comics/dc-infinite-frontier-reading-order/

      Infinite Frontier is the current (although soon ending) era of DC Comics. If you want a fast track to the event, I’d recommend following the road to Dark Crisis. I did my best to include the important beats so that you’d find it as accessible as possible.

      Reply
  6. Dalton says

    November 11, 2022 at 11:12 pm

    Looks like you forgot Dark Crisis: The deadly green, somewhere between Dark Crisis #4 and #5

    Reply
    • Dalton says

      November 12, 2022 at 1:11 am

      Also flash 786

      Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      December 9, 2022 at 5:12 pm

      All the issues are in now. Sorry for the delay. I tried to wait until I was certain where each of the issues should *actually go* in the order versus DC’s Checklist. Those specific issues were announced after the initial checklist, and as such weren’t included where they should have been.

      Reply
  7. Michael says

    September 22, 2022 at 11:47 am

    Hello! Just picked up Flash #786. I was wondering about it’s placement in this event?

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      December 9, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      Sorry for the delayed response, just read it with the other flash issues.

      Reply
  8. Ethan says

    July 15, 2022 at 9:35 pm

    Has there yet to be a Dark Crisis collected edition or is this still currently ongoing?

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guide Writer) says

      July 16, 2022 at 7:27 pm

      Still ongoing. They will probably collect this in a couple trades.

      Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      December 9, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      There are Dark Crisis Collected editions although on pre-order now (check the link above for it).

      Reply

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