After a divisive 85-issue run on the main Batman comics, Tom King stopped writing the series and James Tynion IV took over the book. Initially, it was announced it was just there to take the series to its 100 issues. Plans changed.
Finally, Tynion stayed, until he surprised everybody when he revealed he was leaving Batman for writing newly created-owned (non-DC) titles. His run on the Batman comics was not without events and, even if it’s not the longest, you may need a few pointers.
But first, here is the official synopsis of the story when James Tynion IV started writing the Batman series: It’s a new day in Gotham. Bane has been vanquished, but both the city and its champion are still struggling to pick up the pieces. Deathstroke, the world’s greatest mercenary, is back in town under a new contract. Soon other hired killers follow, and Batman is surrounded by assassins—as well as Gotham’s own dangerous players, from the Riddler to the Penguin to Harley Quinn.
As the Caped Crusader draws closer to uncovering the figure pulling the strings, the love of his life, Catwoman, holds the sinister secret in her claws. Can Batman pry it from her without tearing their relationship apart? And will it be enough to stop the coming plot against him?
Like a lot of writers on Batman comics, James Tynion IV worked with a lot of established characters but also introduced some of his own creations like Punchline, Ghost-Maker, Clownhunter, and more.
What to read before Batman by James Tynion?
First, James Tynion IV wrote Detective Comics at the beginning of the Batman Rebirth era–following the Batman Modern Age era and The Batman New 52 era. It’s not an obligatory read before going into his Batman comic book run, but if you are curious:
- Batman: The Rise and Fall of the Batmen Omnibus
Collects Detective Comics #934-981 and pages from issue #1000, Detective Comics Annual #1, Batman #7-8, and Nightwing #5-6.
Being that James Tynion IV picked up where Tom King left off, even if it is sold as a “new start” that you can presumably read without prior knowledge, you may want to read the last King’s storyline: City of Bane.
- Batman: City of Bane: The Complete Collection
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #75-85.
Batman Comics by James Tynion Reading Order:
Batman by James Tynion IV: The Omnibus Collection
James Tynion IV’s run on Batman (and other adjacent series) is big enough to be collected in the DC Omnibus Collection. In fact, all of his work needs two big hardcover books to be fully collected.
- Batman by James Tynion IV Omnibus Vol. 1 (in 2025)
Collects Batman #86-105, Batman Annual #5, Batman 2021 Annual #1, Batman: The Joker War Zone #1, Batman: Secret Files #3, Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1, Punchline #1, The Joker #1-4, and stories from Batman #85, Batman #107-111, Infinite Frontier #0, The Joker: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and The Joker #14. - Batman by James Tynion IV Omnibus Vol. 2
To Be Announced.
Batman by James Tynion IV: The Trade Paperback Collection
James Tynion IV became the main writer of the Batman comics with issue #86. He didn’t waste time setting up his big event leading to what was originally planned as the end of his short time on the book. Of course, he didn’t stop there.
The Joker’s new right-hand woman, Punchline, made her first appearance in Batman (Vol. 3) #89.
- Batman Vol. 1: Their Dark Designs
Collects stories from Batman (vol. 3) #86-94 and Batman Secret Files #3
Taking us to Batman #100, Batman: The Joker War is a story in which The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight Detective go head-to-head for the last time. We have a full guide available for reading the Joker War event.
- Batman Vol. 2: The Joker War
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #95–100.
This book only collects the main issues of the event that are also collected in The Joker War Saga which collects Batman (vol. 3) #95–100; Batgirl (vol. 5) #47; Detective Comics #1025; Red Hood: Outlaw #48; Nightwing (vol. 4) #74; The Joker War Zone #1; material from Harley Quinn (vol. 3) #75 and Catwoman (vol. 5) #25.
Introduced in Batman #100, the new vigilante Ghost-Maker takes center stage in the next storyline as he and Batman go toe-to-toe to decide which of them will remain Gotham City’s hero.
- Batman Vol. 3: Ghost Stories
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #101–105, Annual (vol. 3) #5; Detective Comics #1027.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: When the DC Universe is enveloped by the Dark Multiverse, the Justice League is at the mercy of the Batman Who Laughs. Humanity struggles to survive in a hellish landscape twisted beyond recognition, while Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman have all been separated and must fight to survive. For more information, go to the Dark Nights: Death Metal Reading Order.
This is the end of the Rebirth era. Following Death Metal, the DC Universe went to the future with Future State. It was not written by James Tynion IV, but you may want to read Future State: Dark Detective.
- Batman Vol. 4: The Cowardly Lot
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #106–111; Infinite Frontier #1
James Tynion IV concluded his Batman comics run with a crossover event titled Fear State. Gotham City is on the brink of martial law as Batman fights a two-front battle! The Scarecrow is unleashing a devasting attack on the city while the Magistrate has made their move to invade! Follow our guide to reading the Fear State comics in order.
- Batman: Fear State Saga
Collects Batman #112-117; Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1; Batman Secret Files: Peacekeeper #1; Batman Secret Files: Miracle Molly #1; Batman: Fear State: Alpha #1; Batman: Fear State: Omega #1.
You can also limit yourself to reading Batman Vol. 5: Fear State (Collects Batman #112-117). As for the Secret Files issues, they are also available in the Batman: Secret Files TPB.
After the Batman Comics by James Tynion, what to read?
James Tynion IV may have concluded his Batman comic book run, but we are still in the Infinite Frontier era and the story continues for a short time with .
- Batman Vol. 6: Abyss
Batman (vol. 3) #118-121, 124. - Batman: Shadow War (hardcover edition)
Collects all the parts of the Shadow War story from Batman #122-123; Robin #13-14; Deathstroke Inc. #8-9; Shadow War: Alpha #1; Shadow War: Omega #1; Shadow War Zone #1.
After that, DC Comics launched its next publishing initiative with Chip Zdarsky as the main writer on the Batman Comics, it is the Dawn of DC era.