DC Silver Age Reading Order

Part 1: Welcome to Earth-1

Return to Introduction

Superman #90 Cover

Part 1.1: 1954

While not yet defined for several years, the majority of Silver Age stories in the DC universe take place on Earth-1, an entirely different reality than the world (known as Earth-2) which was depicted in the Golden Age. Later stories clarify the differences between these two universes, making it apparent that the following stories represent the transition from Earth-2 to Earth-1 for heroes like Batman and Superman. For example, it is established that only the Superman of Earth-1 publicly fought crime as Superboy in Smallville (as depicted in Superman #90), and that Earth-1’s Catwoman is the only version who returned to a life of crime (shown in Detective Comics #203). While this delineation between Earth-2 and Earth-1 versions of Superman and Batman is a bit murky at first, the transition will become more apparent in the years to come as more Silver Age characters are introduced.

Reading Order:

  • Detective Comics #203

  • Batman #81 – #88

  • Detective Comics #204 – #215

  • Superman #90 – #94

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #1 – #2

  • World's Finest #71 – #73


World’s Finest #74 Cover

Part 1.2: 1955

The Silver Age continues on with little in the way of major changes or crossover appearances for characters, other than the team-ups between Batman, Robin, and Superman in World’s Finest. This year is significant in that it introduces the Earth-1 version of Aquaman in Adventure Comics, though this character’s first appearance has been debated as the only distinction between the Golden and Silver Age versions of the character is the color of his gloves. Martian Manhunter also makes his first appearance in Detective Comics, a character who had no Earth-2/Golden Age counterpart.

Reading Order:

  • Detective Comics #217 – #219, #221 – #226

  • Batman #89 – #96

  • Action Comics #209 – #211

  • Superman #97 – #102

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #3 – #9

  • Adventure Comics #211 – #219

  • World's Finest #74 – #79


Showcase #4 Cover

Part 1.3: 1956

Despite the earlier appearances of a few Earth-1 characters, some argue that DC’s Silver Age truly began with the publication of Showcase #4. That’s because the issue introduces Barry Allen and his alter-ego the Flash. This is a significant building block in terms of establishing the fact that the Golden and Silver Age DC stories take place on two different Earths—the Golden Age already featured the Flash as a man named Jay Garrick who operated during World War II. Showcase #4 establishes that Jay Garrick’s Flash never existed in Barry’s world, but more on that later. Another significant addition in 1956 was Batwoman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #233.

Reading Order:

  • Showcase #4

  • Detective Comics #227 – #238

  • Batman #97 – #104

  • Superman #106 – #109

  • Action Comics #212 – #223

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #10 – #17

  • Adventure Comics #220 – #231

  • World's Finest #80 – #85


Detective Comics #244 Cover

Part 1.4: 1957

Few significant events or characters are introduced in 1957 as Batman and Superman (as well as their extended family of characters) continue to have mostly standalone adventures across their various series. The Flash’s rogues gallery does begin to expand with the arrival of one of his most prominent adversaries, Captain Cold.

Reading Order:

  • Detective Comics #239 – #248

  • Batman #105 – #112

  • Action Comics #224 – #235

  • Superman #110 – #117

  • Showcase #8 – #10

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #18 – #25

  • Adventure Comics #232 – #243

  • World's Finest #86 – #91

  • Detective Comics #249 – #250

Wonder Woman #98 Cover

Part 1.5: 1958

Another major DC character transitions to the Silver Age with the introduction of the Earth-1’s Diana Prince in Wonder Woman #98. This issue recounts and retells her origin story before leaping forward in time to explore her continuing adventures in the world of man alongside Steve Trevor. Meanwhile Batman, Robin, and Superman’s adventures continue and even expand with the introduction of Lois Lane’s own solo series.

Reading Order:

  • Wonder Woman #98 – #102

  • Showcase #13 – #19

  • Detective Comics #251– #262

  • Batman #113 – #120

  • Action Comics #236 – #247

  • Superman #118 – #125

  • Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane #1 – #5

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #26 – #33

  • Adventure Comics #244 – #255

  • World's Finest #92 – #98

Related Collections:

Action Comics #252 Cover

Part 1.6: 1959

The final year of the decade features the introduction of several major characters. First up is the original incarnation of the Suicide Squad in Brave and the Bold, followed by Hal Jordan’s debut in Showcase. Like the Flash before him, this is another example of DC establishing a new character behind the mask of an older hero, in this case Green Lantern whose Golden Age counterpart only exists on Earth-2. Last but not least, Superman gets a surprise with the arrival of his cousin Kara Zor-El, who will come to be known as Supergirl.

Reading Order:

  • The Flash #105 – #109

  • Brave and the Bold #25 – #27, #37 – #39

  • Wonder Woman #103 – #110

  • Showcase #22 – #24

  • Detective Comics #263 – #274

  • Batman #121 – #128

  • Action Comics #248 – #259

  • Superman #126 – #133

  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #34 – #41

  • Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane #6 – #13

  • Adventure Comics #256 – #267

  • World's Finest #99 – #106

Related Collections: