Justice League Reading Order

Yo, it’s the Justice League.

Updates by: Nathan Payson

Index:

I) JLA by Grant Morrison to Tower of Babel

II) After Tower of Babel, Before Identity Crisis

III) From Identity Crisis to Infinite Crisis

IV) Relaunched Justice League of America (Pre New 52)

V) New 52 Justice League

VI) Bonus Round: Batman Reading Order

VII) Bonus Round: Wonder Woman Reading Order

VIII) Bonus Round: Superman Reading Order

Where to Start With DC Comics’ Justice League

Justice League: Year One

While this guide will mostly focus on more modern Justice League comics (from 1997 to present day), if you want to get some good older origins going, Justice League: Year One is as good a place as any to start.

Silver Age and Bronze Age Justice League

The silver age Justice League does a lot of world building and has a lot of very famous moments. From the first Crisis to meeting the JSA, and the first appearance of Earth 3, the Silver Age Justice League is surprisingly a lot of fun.

Justice League of America Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1

Collects: The Brave and the Bold #28-30 and Justice League of America (1960) #1-30 and Mystery in Space #75

Justice League of America Silver Age Vol. 1

Collects: The Brave and the Bold #28-30 and Justice League of America #1-8

Starro the Conqueror’s first appearance is The Brave and the Bold #28

Justice League of America Silver Age Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League of America #9-19

The Origin of the Justice League is in #9

Justice League of America Silver Age Vol. 3

Collects: Justice League of America #20-30

Contains Crisis on Earth One, Crisis on Earth Two, and Crisis on Earth Three.

Justice League of America Silver Age Vol. 4

Collects: Justice League of America #31-41

Justice League of America Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League of America #31-76 and Mystery in Space #75

Justice League of America Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1

Collects: Justice League of America (1960) #77-113

Justice League of America Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League of America #114-146

Justice League of America Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 3

Collects: Justice League of America #147-182

If you want to read the Annual Crises of the Silver Age specifically, check out

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 1

Collects: Justice League of America (1960) #21-22, #29-30, #37-38, and #46-47

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League of America #55-56, #64-65, #73-74, and #82-83

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 3

Collects: Justice League of America #91-92, #100-102, #107-108, and #113

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 4

Collects: Justice League of America #123-124, #135-137, and #147-148

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 5

Collects: Justice League of America #159-160, #171-172, #183-185

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 6

Collects: Justice League of America #195-196, #197, #207, All-Star Squadron #14, Justice League of America #208, All-Star Squadron #15, Justice League of America #209

Following all of these Crises and crossovers, it’s time for the most famous one! You can read the Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover here!

Justice League: The Detroit Era Omnibus

Collects: Justice League of America Annual #2, Justice League of America (1960) #233-244, Justice League of America Annual #3, Justice League of America #245-261, Justice Leagye Classified #22-25, and JSA Classified #14-16

The final couple issues take place during the DC Legends event which set up many of the post-crisis titles including the Post-Crisis Justice League Series.

Legends

Collects: Legends #1-6
The entire collection with the crossover tie-ins has never been collected, but you can read the main 6 issue series.

Post-Crisis Justice League

This new Justice League series is very different. It’s cast is more lighthearted and full of b and c tier characters including Mister Miracle, Captain Marvel (Shazam!), Doctor Fate, Oberon, and Blue Beetle. The title renames itself a bunch, so it gets confusing, but all issues are part of Justice League of America (1987) or Justice League Europe

Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 1

Collects: Justice League #1-6, Justice League International #7-12, Justice League International Annual #1, Justice League International #13-24, Justice League International Annual #2, Justice League International #25, Justice League #26-30, Justice League Europe #1-6.

Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League of America #31-50, Justice League Europe #7-25, Justice League of America Annual #4, Justice League Europe Annual #1, Justice League International Special #1

Unfortunately, large portions of the era past this point, aren’t digitized or collected. A couple more issues are available on DC Universe Infinite or available on Amazon here.

Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s JLA

The majority of modern comic book readers will want to start with Grant Morrison’s run on JLA. Starting around 1997, Morrison took a post-Death of Superman, post-Knightfall, post-Parallax DC Universe, and returned the world’s finest heroes to the Justice League.

The core lineup of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter has become the Justice League standard since this time, particularly solidified in DC’s Animated Justice League: Unlimited.

JLA: The Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

Collects: JLA #1-9 (1997) and JLA Secret Files and Origins #1

JLA: The Deluxe Edition Vol. 2

Collects: JLA #10-17, Prometheus #1, and JLA/WILDCATS #1

JLA: The Deluxe Edition Vol. 3

Collects: JLA #22-26, JLA #28-31, and JLA #1000000

For more of the One Million event make sure to check out DC One Million or JLA One Million.

JLA: The Deluxe Edition Vol. 4

Collects: JLA #34, 36-41

JLA: The Tower of Babel: Deluxe Edition

Collects: JLA #18-21, #32-33, and #43-46 and JLA Annual #3

All the comics that were skipped from JLA are included in the Justice League: Tower of Babel The Deluxe Edition. Tower of Babel is one of the defining Batman stories of the early 2000’s, and was turned into a DC Animated movie.

This time period will also take you through the Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely JLA: Earth 2 graphic novel.

You’ll also note that I included DC One Million above. This takes place after JLA #23, and is another recommended Grant Morrison event from this era. The JLA: One Million collection is a more affordable approach to get the basics of the event.

Justice League After the Tower of Babel

JLA Vol. 5 – Issues #47 to #60

JLA Vol. 6 – Issues #61 to #76

JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice

JLA Vol. 7 – Issues #77 to #93

JLA: The Tenth Circle – Issues #94 to #99

JLA: Pain of the Gods – Issues #101 to #106

JLA: Syndicate Rules – Issues #107 to #114

Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis Takeover

If you’ve looked into essential DC Universe stories from the 2000’s, you’re likely at least a little familiar with Identity Crisis. The controversial mystery from Brad Meltzer has major ramifications on both the DCU and the Justice League. For all intents and purposes, it’s a Justice League story.

Identity Crisis

Collects: Identity Crisis #1-7

JLA: Crisis of Conscience

Collects: JLA (1997) #115 to #119

JLA: World Without a Justice League

Collects: Issues #120 to #125

Infinite Crisis

Collects: Infinite Crisis #1-7

You can also read the rest of Infinite Crisis with the help of CBH’s Infinite Crisis Reading Order

A New Justice League of America (Pre New 52)

Following the events of Infinite Crisis and 52, DC relaunched Justice League of America with a new number one issue, and Identity Crisis money-maker Bred Meltzer.

 

Justice League of America Vol. 1: Tornado’s Path

Collects: Justice League of America (2006) #1-7

Justice League of America Vol. 2: Lightning Saga

Collects: Justice League of America #8, Justice Society of America #5, Justice League of America #9, Justice Society of America #6, Justice League of America #10-12

Justice League of America Vol. 3: The Injustice League

Collects: JLA Wedding Special #1 and Justice League of America #13-16

Justice League of America Vol 4: Sanctuary

Collects: Justice League of America #17-21

Justice League of America: The Second Coming

Collects: Justice League of America #22-26

Justice League of America: Worlds Collide

Collects: Justice League of America #27-28, #30-34

Justice League of America: Team History

Collects: Justice League of America #38-43

Justice League of America: The Dark Things

Collects: Justice League of America 44-46, Justice Society of America #41, Justice League of America #47, Justice Society of America #42, Justice League of America 48, Justice Society of America #43

This Volume is part of the Brightest Day Event. Check out CBH’s Brightest Day reading order if you want to read more.

Justice League of America: Omega

Collects: Justice League of America (2006) #49-53

Justice League of America: Rise of Eclipso

Collects: Justice League of America #54-60

This era of comics ends with Flashpoint. You can check out the rest of CBH’s Flashpoint Reading Order for more.

The New 52 Justice League Reading Order

In 2011 DC Comics rebooted their entire comic book line into the New 52. This means a relaunch and brand new origin for the Justice League, with Geoff Johns and Jim Lee on creative duties.

If you want to see every DC Comic from this era, you can check out the full Comic Book Herald New 52 reading order!

 

Justice League: Origin

Collects: Justice League (2011) #1-6

Justice League: The Villain’s Journey

Collects: Justice League #7-12

Throne of Atlantis Reading Order

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

Hey we made it 12 issues without a crossover! Throne of Atlantis crosses over with another Johns written title, Aquaman.

Issues:

Justice League #13

Justice League #14

Aquaman #14

Justice League #15

Aquaman #15

Justice League #16

Aquaman #16

Justice League #17

Aquaman #17

Justice League of America Vol. 1: World’s Most Dangerous

Collects: JLA #1 to #5

Following Throne of Atlantis, Justice League of America launches a fresh series in the New 52. Note that although the above collection includes six issues, the sixth issue of Justice League of America will work best as a Trinity War tie-in.

Justice League: The Grid

Collects: Justice League #18 to #23

Trinity War Reading Order

Justice League: Trinity War

For the most part, Trinity War is the DC event that had been promised since the end of Flashpoint . It’s also the first Justice League event that crosses over with Justice League Dark. I haven’t listed JLD to date, but if you want to catch up on the magical Justice League, now’s the perfect time, and you can do so as follows:

Justice League Dark Vol. 1

Collects: Justice League Dark #1-6

Justice League Dark Vol. 2

Collects: Justice League Dark #7-12

Justice League Dark Vol. 3

Collects: Justice League Dark #13-18

Trinity War

Issues:

Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1

Justice League #22

Justice League of America #6

Justice League Dark #22

Constantine #5

Trinity of Sin: Pandora #2

The Phantom Stranger #11

Justice League of America #7

Trinity of Sin: Pandora #3

Justice League Dark #23

Justice League #23

Forever Evil Reading Order (Justice League Style)

Forever Evil

Collects: Forever Evil #1-7

Justice League: Forever Heroes

Collects: Justice League #24-29

Justice League of America, Vol. 2: Survivors of Evil

Collects: Justice League of America #8-14

Forever Evil

Issues:

Forever Evil #1

Justice League Dark #24

Justice League Dark #25

Forever Evil #2

Justice League #24

Justice League of America #8

Justice League of America #9

Justice League Dark #26

Justice League #25

Justice League of America #10

Forever Evil #4

Justice League #26

Justice League #27

Justice League of America #11

Justice League Dark #27

Justice League Dark #28

Justice League #28

Forever Evil #5

Justice League of America #12

Justice League Dark #29

Justice League of America #13

Forever Evil #6

Justice League #29

Forever Evil #7

Justice League #30

Justice League of America #14

Justice League: Injustice League

Collects: Justice League #30-39

This takes you through the Amazo Virus story arc as well.

Justice League Darkseid War Reading Order

Justice League: Darkseid War Part 1

Collects: Justice League #40-44

Justice League: Darkseid War – Power of the Gods

Collects: Justice League: Gods and Men Superman #1, Justice League: Gods and Men Batman #1, Justice League: Gods and Men The Flash #1, Justice League: Gods and Men Green Lantern #1, Justice League: Gods and Men: Shazam! #1 and Justice League: Gods and Men: Lex Luthor #1.

Justice League: Darkseid War Part 2

Collects: Justice League #45-50 and Justuce League: Darkseid War Special #1

Issues:

Justice League #40

Free Comic Book Day DC Comics: Divergence #1

Justice League #41

Justice League #42

Justice League #43

Justice League #44

Justice League: Gods and Men Batman #1

Justice League #45

Justice League: Gods and Men The Flash #1

Justice League: Gods and Men Superman #1

Justice League #46

Justice League: Gods and Men Green Lantern #1

Justice League: Gods and Men Shazam! #1

Justice League: Gods and Men Lex Luthor #1

Justice League #47

Justice League #48

Justice League #49

Justice League #50

Epilogue:

Justice League #51

Justice League #52 (Collected in various Rebirth collections)

DC Rebirth Justice League (2016-2018)

You can find the context for Justice League in DC Rebirth as part of Comic Book Herald’s complete DC Rebirth reading order.

Justice League Vol. 1: The Extinction Machine

Collects: Justice League: Rebirth #1, Justice League (2016) #1 to #5

Justice League Vol. 2 (Rebirth)

Collects: Justice League #7 to #12

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad Reading Order

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad spins out into the fun Justice League of America series. I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Orlando’s book, however, the book isn’t super important to DC as a whole.

Justice League of America: The Road to Rebirth

Collects: Justice League of America: Killer Frost — Rebirth #1, Justice League of America: Atom– Rebirth #1, Justice League of America: Ray– Rebirth #1, Justice League of America: Vixen– Rebirth #1

Justice League of America Vol. 1: Extremist

Collects: Justice League of America: Rebirth #1 and Justice League #1-6

Justice League Vol. 3: Timeless

Collects: Justice League #14-19

Justice League of America Vol. 2: Curse of the Kingbutcher

Collects: Justice League of America #7-11

Justice League Vol. 4: Endless

Collects: Justice League #20-25

Justice League of America Vol. 3: Panic in the Microverse

Collects: Justice League of America #12-17

Justice League Vol. 5: Legacy

Collects: Justice League #26-31

Justice League of America Vol. 4: Surgical Strike

Collects: Justice League of America #26-31

Justice League Vol. 6: The People vs. The Justice League

Collects: Justice League #34-38

Justice League of America Vol. 5: Deadly Fable

Justice League of America #22-28

Justice League Vol. 7: Justice Lost

Collects: Justice League #39-43

New Justice Begins! (2018-2020)

The Snyder Era of the Justice League Titles begins with his Dark Nights: Metal Event which you can check out here!

Justice League: No Justice

Collects: Justice League: No Justice #1-4 And Stories From Dc Nation #0

Following the events of Dark Nights: Metal, the Justice League lineup of comics rebranded with new core rosters under the “New Justice” umbrella. The “No Justice” mini kicked things off, and leads to three core titles: Justice League, Justice League Dark, and Justice League Odyssey.

Justice League Vol. 1: The Totality

Collects: Justice League (2018) #1-7

The Scott Snyder written era of Justice League begins, with artists including Jim Cheung and Jorge Jimenez.

Justice League Vol. 2: Graveyard of Gods

Collects: Justice League #8-12

Justice League Odyssey Vol. 1: The Ghost Sector

Collects: Justice League Odyssey #1-5

Justice League Dark Vol. 1: The Last Age of Magic

Collects: Justice League Dark #1-3 And 5-7

Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth

Collects: Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1, Justice League #10-12, Aquaman #40-41, Titans #28 And Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth #1

You can find a checklist and reading order for this crossover with Comic Book Herald’s Drowned Earth guide.

Wonder Woman & the Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour

Collects: Wonder Woman/Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour#1-2, Wonder Woman #56-57 And Justice League Dark #4

You can find a checklist and reading order for this crossover with Comic Book Herald’s Witching Hour guide.

Justice League Vol. 3: Hawkworld

Collects: Justice League #13-16, Justice League Annual #1, Justice League #17 To #18

Justice League Dark Vol. 2: Lords of Order

Collects: Justice League Dark #8-13 and Justice League Dark Annual #1

Justice League Odyssey Vol. 2: Death of the Dark

Collects: Justice League Odyssey #6-12

Justice League Vol. 4: Sixth Dimension

Collects: Justice League #19-25

Justice League: Vengeance is Thine

Collects: Justice League #40-47

This book chronologically takes place before Year of the Villain. As such you can read it here or after Death Metal and not much changes.

Justice League: Galaxy of Terrors
Collects: Justice League #48-52

Justice League Odyssey Vol. 3: Final Frontier

Collects: Justice League Odyssey #13-18

Justice League Dark Vol. 3: The Witching War

Collects: Justice League Dark #14-19

Justice League Vol. 5: Justice Doom War

Collects: Justice League #26-39

Justice League Odyssey Vol 4: Last Stand

Collects: Justice League Odyssey #19-25

Justice League Dark Vol. 4: A Costly Trick of Magic

Collects: Justice League Dark #20-28

Year of the Villain: Hell’s Arisen

Following Hell’s Arisen, DC begins Death Metal. Make sure to read the Dark Nights Death Metal Reading Order for more info.

To close out this era of the Justice League, DC released a 9 part crossover that gives very small teases to the future of DC including emphasizing Hippolyta ahead of her Infinite Frontier story. This story Justice League: Endless Winter is one of my favorite crossover’s DC has written. You can check out Comic Book Herald’s Endless Winter reading order!!

Infinite Frontier(2021-Present)

Future State: Justice League
Collects: Future State: Justice League #1-2

Infinite Frontier #0

Justice League: Infinite Frontier Arc 1

Justice League (2018) #59-

Note: This series also includes a back-issue for Justice League Dark by Ram V.