Following the events of the DC Comics event Flashpoint
The merits of DC’s decision can be and will be debated for years to come. Either way, the New 52 gives us a set collection of DC Universe comics that extends from late 2011 to early 2016.
Below you’ll find a complete guide to the entire New 52, in the reading order that I have defined. The guide follows a structure similar to what I’ve compiled for Marvel NOW!, with comics grouped according to affiliations (Batman Universe, Superman Universe, etc) where possible.
Fans who want the fast track, check out my guide to 25 essential New 52 Comics!
Please note, that if you see something off as you’re reading, I definitely appreciate the feedback and suggestions in the comments below! The Comic Book Herald community has been great about shaping the reading orders on this site, and I fully expect the same to apply to DC’s New 52.
Support For Comic Book Herald:
Comic Book Herald is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a qualifying affiliate commission.
Comic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.
Any size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading!
Index:
0) Zero Year – Batman & Superman’s Early Years
4) Flashback / Before Modern Day
7) Meet the Green Lantern Corps
9) Batman: The Court of Owls & Night of The Owls Reading Order
10) Justice League Throne of Atlantis Reading Order
11) Green Lantern Rise of the Third Army & Wrath of the First Lantern Reading Order
13) Superman: H’el on Earth Reading Order
15) Batman: Death of the Family
17) Green Lantern: Lights Out Reading Order
18) New 52 Year Two Continued…
19) Batman: Requiem
20) Superman Krypton Returns Reading Order
24) Justice League Trinity War & Forever Evil Reading Orders
25) After Evil
26) Red Daughter of Krypton and Superman: Doomed Reading Orders
27) Batman: Robin Rises and Batman Eternal
28) Future’s End
30) Green Lantern / New Gods: Godhead Reading Order
31) New 52 Seeks New Life as Old Series Conclude!
32) Batman vs. the Joker: Endgame
33) Multiversity
34) Convergence
36) You Say DC You, I Say New 52
0) Zero Year – Batman & Superman’s Early Years
As I’ve suggested in the New 52 Batman reading order, you have two approaches with starting the New 52. Chronologically, the Batman story told in Batman #21 to #33 occurs very early in Batman’s career (hence: Zero Year). But as I’m sure you can tell, this means you are not starting with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #1, which may short circuit your continuity senses.
I’ve tried reading through them both ways, and personally I prefer starting with Batman: Zero Year, rather than going into flashback mode midway through the Batman run. That said, if you want to read The New 52 more closely aligned with the books’ publication release dates, skip past Batman Vol. 5 below and be on your merry way!
Action Comics was actually published at the launch of the New 52, with Grant Morrison and Rags Morales telling the story of Superman’s early years. Note that although Action Comics ran alongside the launch of other New 52 books, Morrison and Morales set their Superman story deeper in the past. This means you’ll make your way through more issues of Action Comics than other comics early on.
1) Justice League Origins
Geoff Johns and Jim Lee tell the New 52 formation of the Justice League in just about the most epic way possible. This collection likely sets the tone for a lot of the cinematic DC Expanded Universe.
2) Meet the New 52
2.1) Meet the New 52: Red, Weird, and Green
Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE Vol. 1
2.2) Meet the New 52: Justice Leaguers
Justice League International Vol. 1
Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men Vol. 1
2.3) Meet the New 52: Outsiders
2.4) Meet the New 52: Earth 2
2.5) Meet the New 52: World at War
2.6) Meet the New 52: Superteams
3) Meet the Superman Family
4) Flashback / Before Modern Day
DC’s Demon Knights is set during the medieval ages, so if you’re enjoying, you can go ahead and read the whole series all at once without fear of overlapping continuity.
5) Meet the Bat Family
This Penguin backstory is really more of a limited series that just happened to see release around the same time as New 52 launch. Regardless, it’s much better than I would have expected from a Penguin limited series, and adds some quality background for the history of Gotham, similar to Gates of Gotham
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 1
6) The Culling
The Culling: Rise of the Ravagers
Reading Order:
Superboy #8
Legion Lost #8
Teen Titans #8
Teen Titans Annual #1
Superboy #9
Legion Lost #9
Teen Titans #9
7) Meet the Green Lantern Corps
Green Lantern: New Guardians Vol. 1
8) New 52 Year One Continued
8.1) Meet the New 52: Red, Weird, and Green
Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE Vol. 2
8.2) New 52 Year One: Justice Leaguers
Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men Vol. 2
Justice League International Vol. 2
8.3) New 52 Year One: Outsiders
8.5) New 52 Year One: World at War
8.6) New 52 Year One: Superteams
8.7) New 52 Year One: Batman Family
8.8) New 52 Year One: Green Lantern Corps
Green Lantern: New Guardians Vol. 2
9) Batman: The Court of Owls & Night of The Owls
Note that the ‘Night of the Owls’ collection will overlap with tie-in issues collected in a number of Bat-family second volumes. It also includes issues #8 to #11 of Batman vol. 2 below.
Night of the Owls Reading Order:
Batman #7
Batman #8
Red Hood & the Outlaws #8
Batwing #9
Nightwing #8
Batman & Robin #9
Batgirl #9
Batman #9
Red Hood & the Outlaws #9
Nightwing #9
Detective Comics #9
Batman: The Dark Knight#9
Birds of Prey #9
Batman Annual #1
Catwoman #9
Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 1
10) Justice League Through Throne of Atlantis
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis
Throne of Atlantis Reading Order:
Aquaman #14
Justice #15
Aquaman #15
Justice League #16
Aquaman #16
Justice League #17
Aquaman #17
11) Green Lantern Rise of the Third Army & Wrath of the First Lantern
Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army
Rise of the Third Army Reading Order:
Green Lantern Annual #1
Green Lantern #13
Green Lantern New Guardians #13
Green Lantern Corps #13
Red Lanterns #13
Green Lantern #14
Red Lanterns #14
Green Lantern Corps #14
Green Lantern New Guardians #14
Green Lantern Corps #15
Green Lantern #15
Green Lantern New Guardians #15
Green Lantern New Guardians #16
Red Lanterns #15
Green Lantern #16
Green Lantern Corps #16
Red Lanterns #16
Green Lantern Corps Annual #1
Green Lantern: Wrath of the First Lantern
Wrath of the First Lantern Reading Order:
Green Lantern #17
Green Lantern Corps #17
Green Lantern: New Guardians #17
Red Lanterns #17
Green Lantern #18
Green Lantern Corps #18
Green Lantern: New Guardians #18
Red Lanterns #18
Green Lantern #19
Green Lantern Corps #19
Green Lantern: New Guardians #19
Red Lanterns #19
Green Lantern #20
Green Lantern Corps #20
Green Lantern: New Guardians #20
Red Lanterns #20
Green Lantern: New Guardians Vol. 4
12) The New 52 Continued…
12.2) New 52 Continued: Justice Leaguers
Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men Vol. 3
12.3) New 52 Continued: Outsiders
12.4) New 52 Continued: Earth 2
12.6) New 52 Continued: Superteams
12.7) New 52 Continued: Batman Family
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 2
Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 2
Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 3
13) Superman: H’el on Earth
Note that Supergirl #18 to #20 included in volume three should be read after H’el on Earth, and that Supergirl #16 to #17 are tie-ins for H’el on Earth below.
H’el on Earth Reading Order
Superman #15
Supergirl #16
Superboy #16
Superboy Annual #1
Superman #16
Supergirl #17
Superboy #17
Superman #17
14) Rotworld
Rotworld Reading Order:
Animal Man #12
Swamp Thing #12
Animal Man #13
Animal Man #14
Animal Man #15
Animal Man #16
Swamp Thing #13
Swamp Thing Annual #1
Swamp Thing #14
Swamp Thing #15
Swamp Thing #16
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #13
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #14
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #15
Animal Man #17
Swamp Thing #17
Animal Man #18
Swamp Thing #18
15) Batman: Death of the Family
The Joker: Death of the Family
Death of the Family Reading Order:
Batman #13
Batgirl #13
Catwoman #13
Catwoman #14
Batman #14
Batgirl #14
Batman and Robin #13
Batman and Robin #14
Suicide Squad #14
Suicide Squad #15
Detective Comics #15
Batgirl #15
Batgirl #16
Batman #15
Batman and Robin #15
Batman and Robin #16
Detective Comics #16
Detective Comics #17
Nightwing #15
Nightwing #16
Red Hood and The Outlaws #15
Teen Titans #15
Red Hood and The Outlaws #16
Teen Titans #16
Batman #16
Batman #17
Batgirl #17
Batman and Robin #17
Red Hood and The Outlaws #17
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3
16) DC Villains Month
17) Green Lantern: Lights Out
Note that you should only read Green Lantern #21 to #23 prior to Lights Out.
Lights Out Reading Order:
Green Lantern #24
Green Lantern Corps #24
Green Lantern: New Guardians #24
Red Lanterns #24
Green Lantern Annual #2
18) New 52 Year Two Continued…
18.6) New 52 Year Two Cont: Superteams
The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires Vol. 1
18.7) New 52 Year Two Cont: Batman Family
18.9) New 52 Year Two Cont: Superman Family
Superman Unchained: Deluxe Edition
19) Batman: Requiem
20) Superman: Krypton Returns + Team-Ups
Krypton Returns Reading Order:
Action Comics Annual #2
Superboy #25
Supergirl #25
Superman #25
Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 2: War And Peace
21) New 52 Year Two Redux
21.2) New 52 Year Two Cont: Justice Leaguers
Justice League of America’s Vibe Vol. 1
Justice League of America Vol. 1
21.3) New 52 Year Two Cont: Outsiders
21.4) New 52 Year Two Cont: Earth 2
21.7) New 52 Year Two Cont: Batman Family
Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 4
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 4
21.8) New 52 Year Two Cont: Green Lantern Corps
Green Lantern New Guardians Vol. 5
21.9) New 52 Year Two Cont: Superman Family
22) Batman: Gothtopia
Detective Comics Vol. 5: Gothtopia
Gothtopia Reading Order:
Detective Comics #27
Batwing #27
Batgirl #27
Birds of Prey #27
Catwoman #27
Detective Comics #28
Batwing #28
Birds of Prey #28
Catwoman #28
Detective Comics #29
23) Green Lantern: Uprising
24) Justice League: Trinity War Through Forever Evil
Trinity of Sin: Pandora Vol. 1
Trinity War Reading Order:
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:
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
Trinity of Sin: Pandora Vol. 2
25) After Evil
25.2) After Evil: Justice Leaguers
25.3) After Evil: Outsiders
Infinity Man and the Forever People Vol. 1
25.4) After Evil: Earth 2
25.5) After Evil: Batman Family
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 5
25.6) After Evil: Superteams
26) Red Daughter of Krypton and Superman: Doomed
Supergirl Vol. 5: Red Daugher of Krypton
Red Daughter of Krypton Reading Order:
Red Lanterns #27
Supergirl #28
Supergirl #29
Green Lantern #28
Red Lanterns #28
Red Lanterns #29
Supergirl #30
Red Lanterns #30
Supergirl #31
Red Lanterns #31
Red Lanterns #32
Supergirl #32
Supergirl #33
Superman Doomed Reading Order:
Action Comics #30
Superman / Wonder Woman #7
Superman #30
Superman Doomed #1
Action Comics #31
Superman / Wonder Woman #8
Superman #31
27) Batman: Robin Rises and Batman Eternal
Robin Rises Reading Order:
Robin Rises Omega #1
Batman and Robin #33
Batman and Robin #34
Batman and Robin #35
Batman and Robin #36
Batman and Robin #37
Robin Rises Alpha #1
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 6
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 7
28) Future’s End
29) Batman Eternal Continues
Batgirl Vol. 1: Batgirl of Burnside
30) Green Lantern / New Gods: Godhead
Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead
Green Lanterns: New Guardians Vol. 6
Godhead Reading Order:
New Gods: Godhead #1
Green Lantern #35
Green Lantern Corps #35
Green Lantern New Guardians #35
Infinity Man & The Forever People #4
Red Lanterns #35
Sinestro #6
Green Lantern #36
Green Lantern Corps #36
Green Lantern New Guardians #36
Infinity Man & The Forever People #5
Red Lanterns #36
Sinestro #7
Green Lantern #37
Green Lantern Corps #37
Green Lantern New Guardians #37
Infinity Man & The Forever People #6
Red Lanterns #37
Sinestro #8
Green Lantern Annual #3
31) New 52 Seeks New Life as Old Series Conclude!
DC’s Secret Origins series are another example of books that were not published during the New 52’s launch, but go back in time to explain the state of a lot of the DC New 52, and to provide origins for several key characters.
G.I. Zombie: A Star-Spangled War Stories Vol. 1
Teen Titans Vol.1: Blinded by the Light
Deathstroke Vol. 1: Gods of War
Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 4: Dark Truth
Deathstroke Vol. 2: God Killer
Harley Quinn Vol. 4: A Call to Arms
Harley Quinn Vol. 5: The Joker’s Last Laugh
32) Batman vs. the Joker: Endgame
Batman: Endgame Reading Order:
Batman #35
Batman #36
Batman #37
Batman Annual #3
Gotham Academy: Endgame #1
Batgirl: Endgame #1
Detective Comics: Endgame #1
Arkham Manor: Endgame #1
Batman #38
Batman #39
Batman #40
33) Multiversity (If You’re Nasty)
Multiversity is, in many ways, Grant Morrison’s omniversal follow-up to the 2009 DC event Final Crisis
34) Convergence (Shark Sandwich)
35) Previously, In The Future
36) You Say DC You, I Say New 52
Doctor Fate Vol. 1: The Blood Price
Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: The Epiphany
Black Canary Vol. 1: Kicking and Screaming
Batman and Robin Eternal Vol. 1
Green Lantern Corps: Lost Army Vol. 1
Sinestro Vol. 4: The Fall of Sinestro
Batgirl Vol. 2: Family Business
Harley Quinn Vol. 6: Black, White and Red All Over
Starfire Vol. 2: A Matter of Time
Teen Titans Vol. 2: Rogue Targets
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 8
The final issue (#47) in this collection is a Robin War tie-in.
Note that the Grayson Vol. 4 collection includes both Grayson #15 (a Robin War tie-in) and Robin War #1 to #2.
Gotham Academy Vol. 2: Calamity
Robin: Son of Batman Vol. 1: Year of Blood
Robin War Reading Order:
Robin War #1
Grayson #15
Detective Comics #47
We Are Robin #7
Red Hood / Arsenal #7
Robin: Son of Batman #7
Gotham Academy #13
Teen Titans #15
Robin War #2
Robin: Son of Batman #8
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 9
Batman & Robin Eternal Volume 2
Robin: Son of Batman Vol. 2: Dawn of the Demons
The first two issues in this Robin: Son of Batman collection (issues #7 to #8) are included in the Robin War tie-ins.
Gotham Academy Vol. 3: Yearbook
Note that Gotham Academy #13 is included as a Robin War tie-in.
Teen Titans Vol. 3: The Sum of It’s Parts
Issue of Teen Titans #15 is included in the Robin War tie-ins above.
Black Canary Vol. 2: New Killer Star
Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War
Justice League: Darkseid War – Power of the Gods
Justice League Vol. 8: Darkseid War Part 2
Wonder Woman Vol. 9: Resurrection
Superman Vol. 2: Return to Glory
Superman: Action Comics Vol. 9: Last Rites
Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 5: A Savage End
Aquaman Vol. 8: Out of Darkness
Green Lantern Vol. 8: Reflections
Max Landis’s Superman project could be read at essentially any point in the New 52, as this details a broad history of Superman, removed from ongoing universe continuity. It’s the godson to Morrison and Quitely’s All-Star Superman, with plenty of enjoyable moments.
37) DC: Road to Rebirth
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
Continue on to DC Rebirth!
37.1) Injustice: Gods Among Us
Sure, it’s an alternate timeline, but Injustice is a key part of DC’s output during the New 52, turning a simple video game formula into a shockingly entertaining alternate reality.
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year One
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Two
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Two Vol. 2
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three Vol. 2
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Four Vol. 1
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Four Vol. 2
Next: DC Rebirth
Heroically Support Comic Book Herald!
If you like Comic Book Herald, and are able to donate, any small contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Donate here! Or, support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards! Or you can even check out the CBH Merch store and get something nice with a small portion benefiting the site! Thank you for reading!
View Comments (119)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 2 3 … 5 Next »Constantine Vol. 2: Blight is missing from the list.
Suicide Squad Vol. 5: Walled In is also missing
Just thought I'd mention you are missing a ton of books
Red Hood/Arsenal Vol 2
New Suicide Squad vol 3 & 4
Batman Beyond Vols 1, 2, & 3
Green Arrow vols 8 & 9
Catwoman vols 7 & 8
Just to name a few
Have you read all of these?
(**SPOILERS FOR BATMAN**)
Batman Eternal still has Robin dead from what Im currently reading (issue 5) but I already read Robin Rises which Robin is resurrected. Gotta put Batman Eternal after Forever Evil then before Robin Rises if that's the case. If the event happened between issues then a note is ok. Truth be told this is very annoying and frustrating for a reader but still, thank you for the list. But please change it
May I add, Im currently on Detective Comics vol. 6 (issue 30) and Robin is still dead. Its really hard to continue when you already have the emotional Impact in Robin Rises...
Hello, I am noticing this New 52 Reading Order, as it pertains to Batman, is in a different order from your "Batman Reading Order". This one begins with Year Zero, but then has us reading both Vol. 1 of Batman and Robin & Vol. 1 of Detective Comics, before reading Court of Owls, while in your Batman Reading Order, you suggest beginning with either Year Zero or Court of Owls. Also, I am noticing this New 52 Reading Order has us read Suicide Squad Vol. 1 before reading the Batman storyline involving the Joker's face, which is out of chronology and confusing for the reader.
I am just beginning the New 52 and wanted to use your reading order, but it seems all out of chronology. Please let us know if you fix this. Thank you.
Hi. Just like you I'm just beginning The New 52 and I've already read Flashpoint.
Can you tell what comes after that going?
Zero Year acts as a Flashback story set in New 52 continuity. Realistically, he can follow either order.
You can either read it in release order as a flashback story or you can kick off with it as an origin story that sets the stage for New 52 Batman. This isn't like Star Wars or the MCU where you have to follow it in the order it was released.
Hope that helps!
I've recently been reading the Batman and Bat-Family related titles, however i noticed that 'We Are Robin Vol. 2: Jokers' hasn't been listed in the 'Robin War' end of the New 52 reading order.
I found info elsewhere referring to the title going after Robin War #1&2, though i wanted to know if it goes directly after or slightly later?
(Also, thanks heaps for this extensive list!!!)
Hi! Thanks for this reading order. But I think there is a small problem about Action Comics vol. 4. Vol. 4 contains a story about Diana and Clark going on a date. The in the order you put vol. 4 they haven't even know each other that well. Just saw each other in Justice League vol. 1.
And also vol. 4 contains Psi War part 2. Part 1 is in Superman vol. 4. So Action Comics Vol.4 needs to be read after Superman, vol. 4: Psi War.
Have a good day!
Hiya, I'm a big fan of the lists and all the hard work you and everyone involved put into it. Thank you so much for all you do. It has been a big help when organizing my collection.
I'm noticing an inconsistency with the Robin Rises/Batman Eternal, section 27. The list states that the Robin Rises arc predates Batman Eternal. However, I am currently reading through Batman Eternal and have nearly finished the final volume. It is stated throughout the arc that Robin/Damian is still very much gone as well as Nightwing.
Anyway, I'm a patron now, and been returning to this page for 4 months now, and found it nearly impossible to get thru this list. I understand some people just read/consume, but if I'm not collecting books then there's no point for me, meaning I have to really like a series to continue with it. Not an OCD completionist! Obviously, it's quite expensive to go the book route vs digital, and have had to cull/curate the list to a manageable level because 200 books is too much.
I found while making this attempt that I really do not enjoy the serialized books. It's all just so much BS to me when I read so many books quickly in order. I don't like seeing the marketing BS, the circular storytelling, the garbage writing (and at least half of New 52 is truly just a pile of horseshit not worth reading).
My solution was to return to the characters I like most, explore a little, and only dive deep with known/good series. Given up on about 3/4 of the library. It was educational.
where is batman vol 2 ?
Está no capítulo 9 Batman the court of owls
When is this last updated? i see some missing miniseries. are they intentionally leftout cause they dont have a major role in the main story of the "52 universe", or did you forget? its fine either way, i just want to know.
Two volumes I don't see listed are Forever Evil: Blight and Gotham by Midnight Vol. 2.
Curious where in the timeline those go.
Where do volumes 3 and 4 of New Suicide Squad belong?
Your list is missing AQUAMAN VOL 3
nvm, I see that it's duped in JL: ToA. I hate it when DC does that.
If you got yourself a DC Uvinerse account, and want to start reading this Reading order of the New 52 i will make some playlist to share with you, i´ll be making them as i go on reading the comics so be patient with me.
Anyway Lets start with:
Batman, Vol. 4: Zero Year - Secret City:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/batman-2011-24/dbf1fb5e-e3d5-4a6a-8a8c-8a9439a78f76/
Sorry wrong link, here it is: https://www.dcuniverse.com/mydc/lists/f229fbc3-e41d-43fb-a065-cd6a587e81a1
DC COMICS: ZERO YEAR:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/mydc/lists/abaaab74-aa9a-4360-b6fe-cecff75e21be
Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year - Dark City:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/mydc/lists/38bb33de-3efa-4bfe-b280-78ca61c4fa34
Action Comics, Vol. 1: Superman and the Men of Steel:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/mydc/lists/b8193047-79d4-4b78-8651-694fa4b718d1
And this concludes Zero Year – Batman & Superman’s Early Years
I will post more if you guys want
Batman/Superman Vol. 1: Cross World:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/mydc/lists/98fb4a31-d589-4248-9c64-71bd76384245