DC: The New 52 Reading Order
Part 1: Point of Origin
Justice League (2011) #1 Cover
Part 1.1: In the Beginning…
After the timeline-altering events of Flashpoint, the DC Universe is rebooted in the publishing initiative known as The New 52. Named for the 52 series that debuted with new #1 issues, this relaunch presents a slightly different version of continuity that readers had come to know for the past several decades. In this world, superheroes, aliens, and magical beings have only been operating in public for about 5 years. While some characters like Batman and Green Lantern have most of their previous histories intact, others like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman have substantially different origins.
Before diving into the present day setting of The New 52, we start with Action Comics and Justice League, two series that begin roughly 5 years earlier just as super-powered beings are first emerging on Earth.
Reading Order:
Detective Comics #0
Action Comics #0 – #8
Justice League #1 – #6
Action Comics #9 – #13
Action Comics Annual #1
Action Comics #14 – #21
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Batman (2011) #8 Cover
Part 1.2: Courting Disaster
The family of Batman-related characters is larger than ever when The New 52 kicks off, with heroes like Batwing, Batgirl, Batwoman, and Nightwing operating not only throughout Gotham, but the entire world. And while Bruce Wayne himself is preoccupied with training his young son Damien as the new Robin, villains both new and old begin making moves against Batman’s family. But is there an older, more sinister threat ready to make itself known in Gotham? Enter the Court of Owls, an organization that may be as old as the city itself. Their machinations lead-up to the crossover event Night of the Owls, involving just about every person in Bruce Wayne’s life.
Reading Order:
Batman and Robin #0 – #8
Batwoman #1 – #5
Batgirl #1 – #6
Batwing #1 – #8
Birds of Prey #0 – #8
Catwoman #0 – #7
Red Hood and the Outlaws #6, #1 – #5, #7
Batwoman #6 – #11
Batman and Robin Annual #1
Detective Comics #1 – #7
Batman: The Dark Knight #1 – #8
Batgirl #7 – #8
Detective Comics #8
Batman #1 – #4
Nightwing #1 – #6
Batman #5 – #7
Nightwing #7
Catwoman #8
Batman #8
Red Hood and the Outlaws #8
Batwing #9
Batman and Robin #9
Batgirl #9
Red Hood and the Outlaws #9
Nightwing #8 – #9
Batman #9
Detective Comics #9
Batman: The Dark Knight #9
Birds of Prey #9
Batman Annual #1
Catwoman #9
Batman #10 – #12
Birds of Prey #10 – #13
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Justice League International (2011) #1 Cover
Part 1.3: A League of Their Own
We saw how The New 52 version of the Justice League first formed 5 years prior, but what have the individual members been up to since then? Let’s catch up with characters like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash to uncover how their lives have changed since entering the spotlight. Here we’re also introduced to other heroes and vigilantes like Deathstroke, Hawkman, and Green Arrow, just to name a few.
But Earth is not alone among the stars, a fact that is no more apparent to members of the Green Lantern Corps, a group of space-faring heroes tasked with protecting every sector of the universe. Here we’re introduced so several prominent Green Lanterns, as well as check in with other corps like the Yellow and Red Lanterns. One of these lanterns even comes to find themselves on a new, government-sanctioned team of superheroes: The Justice League International!
Reading Order:
Aquaman #1 – #13, #0
Wonder Woman #1 –12, #0, #13 – #23
Captain Atom #0 – #12
The Flash #1 – #5
Green Lantern Corps #0 – #7
Green Lantern #1 – #5
Green Lantern Corps #8 – #12
Red Lanterns #1 – #2
Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 – #5
Red Lanterns #3
Green Lantern: New Guardians #6 – #8
Justice League International #1 – #5
Justice League #7 – #8
Deathstroke #1 – #12, #0, #13
Green Arrow #0 – #10
The Savage Hawkman #1 – #12
Green Arrow #11 – #12
The Savage Hawkman #0, #13
Green Arrow #13 – #14
Deathstroke #14
The Savage Hawkman #14 – #18
Green Arrow #15 – #16
Mister Terrific #1 – #8
Superman #1 – #2
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Teen Titans (2011) Volume 2 Cover
Part 1.4: The Culling
This next set of books focuses on younger members of the superhero community, including teens just learning to use their newfound powers while trying to grapple with everything else life is throwing at them. While Supergirl, Blue Beetle, and lost members of the future-dwelling Legion of Super-Heroes come to terms with their new realities, a team of upstarts forms under the leadership of former Robin, Tim Drake.
But these Teen Titans soon find themselves in over their heads as they’re forced to deal with not only Superboy, a young clone of the Man of Steel himself, but also a nefarious being called Harvest. What are Harvest’s plans for these young heroes? Find out along with them as they enter The Culling.
Reading Order:
Supergirl #1 – #10
Blue Beetle #1 – #9
Red Lanterns #4 – #9
Green Lanterns: New Guardians #9 – #12
Static Shock #1 – #8
Legion of Super-Heroes #1 – #12, #0, #13 – #23
Legion Lost #1 – #7
Superboy #1
Teen Titans #1 – #2
Superboy #2 – #5
Teen Titans #3 – #5
Superboy #6
Teen Titans #6
Superman #3 – #6
Superboy #7
Teen Titans #7
Legion Lost #8
Superboy #8
Teen Titans #8
The Ravagers #0
Teen Titans Annual #1
Superboy #9
Legion Lost #9
Teen Titans #9
Superboy #10
Teen Titans #10
The Ravagers #1 – #3
Superboy #0, #11 – #13
The Ravagers #4 – #9
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