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Batman Omnibus Reading Order!

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Today is Batman Day! One of the most popular comic book characters, Batman needs no introduction. Since his first appearance in May 1939, the Caped Crusader has investigated crimes of various natures, ranging from murder and theft to supernatural occurrences. Originally conceived as an heir to the pulp heroes, Batman has evolved over time, gradually softening and refining into the hero we know today.

The world of Batman expanded with more team-ups, new villains and allies, and iconic stories. His adventures have been chronicled in ongoing series, annuals, miniseries, maxiseries, one-shots, graphic novels, and every other format imaginable. Over the years, DC Comics has collected many of these tales, story arcs, crossovers, and runs in various formats, including the famous Omnibus line.

With a growing collection of Omnibus editions dedicated to Batman (and his extended family), we have decided to create a specific Batman Omnibus Reading Order. This guide can serve as a roadmap to explore the world of the Dark Knight, helping both new and seasoned readers discover more about the World’s Greatest Detective!

Batman, The Omnibus Collection

Note: The DC Omnibus is a line of large-format, high-quality, full-color hardcover editions that have been published since 2007. Each volume typically reprints older stories in chronological order, encompassing an entire series, focusing on a specific run, or highlighting the work of a particular creator. However, the Omnibus format implies a substantial amount of material. The listing also includes Omnis dedicated to other members of the Bat-Family.

To complete this guide, we also include some DC Deluxe Edition to complete the listing as this is another oversized hardcover collection featuring the same dimensions as the Omnibus line but designed to collect shorter runs or stories that couldn’t justify a larger Omnibus edition. Some stories have been published in both formats. In this guide, the Omnibus line is indicated in bold, while all other titles are part of the Deluxe Edition line.

 

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus (Earth-2)

For other editions, see our Guide dedicated to Classic Batman Tales. Batman was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. Behind the mask hides Bruce Wayne, a wealthy, philantropic playboy living in Gotham City. His parents were murdered in front of him when he was a child, an event that shaped all his life. He chose to train himself, physically and intellectually, and took on the persona of Batman to fight crimes at night. The character made his debut in Detective Comics #27, received his own series a year later and was joined by Robin. He also co-starred with Superman in World’s Finest Comics. This part is collected in ten omnibuses:

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Pre-Crisis Batman Omnibus

The adventures of Batman continue in the Silver and Bronze Age. The Original Batwoman, aka Kathy Kane is introduced during this era, as well as the villain Mr. Freeze.

DC Comics has also collected in an Omnibus the work of artist Neal Adams, considered one of the greatest Batman artists of all time:

  • Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus [New Printing]
    Collects World’s Finest Comics #175-176; The Brave And The Bold #79-86, 93; Detective Comics #395, 397, 400, 402, 404, 407-408, 410; Batman #219, 232, 234, 237, 243-245, 251, 255; “Stacked Cards” From Power Records Pr-27; “Robin Meets Man-Bat” From Power Records Pr-30; Batman: Odyssey Vol. 1 #1-6 And Batman: Odyssey Vol. 2 #1-7.

Batman Extended Universe! Go deeper into the World of Batman with stories featuring Batgirl and Robin, as well as 1970s tales of the clown prince of crime!

  • The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus
    Batman #251, 260, 286, 291–294, 321, 353, 365–366, 400; Detective Comics #475–476, 504, 526, 532; The Brave and the Bold #111, 118, 129–130, 141, 191; Justice League of America #77; The Joker #1–10; DC Comics Presents #41, 72; the Huntress back-up stories from Wonder Woman #280–283; a page from Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Volume XI
  • Batgirl The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Detective Comics #359, #363, #369, #371, #384, #385, #388-389, #392, #393, #396, #397, #400, #401, #404-424; Batman #197; and Batman Family #1, #3-7, #9-11.
  • Batgirl The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects stories from Batman Family #12-20 and Detective Comics #481-519 and Batgirl Special #1
  • Robin: The Bronze Age Omnibus
    Detective Comics #390–391, 394–395, 398–403, 445, 447, 450–451, 481-485; Batman #192, 202–203, 227, 229–231, 234–236, 239–242, 244–245, 248, 250, 252, 254, 259, 333, 337–339, 341–343; World’s Finest Comics #200; Batman Family #1, 3, 4–9, 11–20; DC Comics Presents #31, 5. This omnibus reprints stories from June 1967 to June 1983. Beware! It contains stories in common with the Batgirl omnibuses from this era.

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Batman Post-Crisis Omnibus

For other editions a more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Batman in the Modern Age! The World of DC Comics has been rebooted following Crisis on Infinite Earths. The origins of Batman were rewritten in Year One. The Bat-family grew but also endured tragedy, loss, and catastrophic events. 

  • Batman by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale Omnibus
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Madness–A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Ghosts–A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13, Batman: Dark Victory #0-13, Catwoman: When in Rome #1-6 and a short story from Superman/Batman Secret Files & Origins 2003. Those stories have also been collected in Four Deluxe Edition.
  • Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Batman #484-500, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #16-18, Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #1, Detective Comics #654-666, and Showcase ’93 #7-8.
  • Batman Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 2 [New Printing]
    Collects Batman #501-508, Batman Legends Of The Dark Knight #59-61, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #19-28, Catwoman #6-7 Detective Comics #667-675, Justice League Task Force #5-6, Robin #1-2 And 7, And Showcase ’94 #7.
  • Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3: KnightsEnd
    Collects Batman #509-510 & #512-515, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #29-30 & #32-35, Detective Comics #676-677 & #679-682, Robin #8-9 & #11-14, Catwoman #12-13, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #62-63, Showcase ’94 #10, Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1, Batman: Vegeance Of Bane #2.
  • Batman: Road to No Man’s Land Omnibus
    Collects Azrael: Agent of the Bat #40, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47-50, Batman #554-562, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73-82, Detective Comics #719-722, Detective Comics #724-729, Catwoman #56-57, Robin #52-54, The Batman Chronicles #12, The Batman Chronicles #14-15, Nightwing #19-20, Batman: Arkham Asylum – Tales of Madness #1, Batman: Blackgate – Isle of Men #1, Batman: Huntress/Spoiler – Blunt Trauma #1
  • Batman: No Man’s Land Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116-121, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #51-57, Batman #563-568, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-88, Detective Comics #730-735, Catwoman #72-74, Robin #67, The Batman Chronicles #16-17, Nightwing #35-37, Batman: No Man’s Land (Collector’s) #1, Batman: No Man’s Land Gallery #1, and Young Justice In No Man’s Land #1.
  • Batman: No Man’s Land Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #122-126; Azrael: Agent of the Bat #58-61; Batman #569-574; Batman: Shadow of the Bat#89-94; Detective Comics #736-741; Catwoman #75-77; Robin #68-73; The Batman Chronicles #18; Nightwing #38-39; Batman No Man’s Land #0; and Batman: No Man’s Land Secret Files #1.
  • Batman: Bruce Wayne – Murderer Turned Fugitive Omnibus
    Collects Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1, Batman #599-607, Azrael: Agent Of The Bat #91-92, Batgirl #24, #27, #29, And #33, Birds Of Prey #39-41 And #43, Nightwing #65-66 And #68-69, Robin #98-99, And Stories From Detective Comics #766-775 And Batman: Gotham Knights #25-32.
  • Batman: The Hush Saga Omnibus
    Collects Batman #608-619 and #685; Batman: Gotham Knights #50-55, #60-71, and #73-74; Detective Comics #846-850 and #852; a Hush interlude from Wizard #0; the Hush tales from Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4, #14, and #16-21; and a brand-new short story from Batman: Hush: 20th Anniversary Edition. Also in Deluxe Edition, Batman: Hush 15th Anniversary.

    • Batman by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso
      Set after the first Hush story (#608-619).Collects Batman #620–625; Batman: Gotham Knights #8; Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance #1–3; Wednesday Comics #1–12 
  • Batman: War Games Omnibus [July 15, 2025]
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182-184; Batman #631-634, #642-644; Detective Comics #790-800, #809-810; Robin #126-131; Nightwing #96-98; Batman: Gotham Knights #56-58; Batgirl #53, #55-57; Catwoman #34-36; Solo #10; Batman Allies Secret Files 2005 #1; Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure #1; Batman Villains Secret Files 2005 #1.
  • Catwoman of East End Omnibus
    Detective Comics #759–762; Catwoman (vol. 2) #1–37; Catwoman Secret Files and Origins #1; Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score. Catwoman #34-36 are ties-in to War Games.
  • Gotham Central Omnibus
    Collects Gotham Central #1-40. Gotham Central #25 is considered an unofficial issue dealing with the aftermath of War Games.
  • Superman / Batman Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Superman/Batman #1-43, plus Superman/Batman Secret Files #1, and Annual #1 and #2.

Infinite Crisis Logo Reading Order

Infinite Crisis is a major event with ramifications for the entire DC Universe, and 52 chronicles the events set in the year following the Crisis. While neither of these stories is heavily focused on Batman, they are worthwhile reads for gaining a broader understanding of the DC Comics world at that time.

  • Infinite Crisis Omnibus
    Collects Action Comics #826, #829, Adventures of Superman #639, #642, Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Day of Vengeance #1-6, Day of Vengeance Infinite Crisis Special, JLA #115-119, Infinite Crisis #1-6, Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006, The OMAC Project #1-6, The OMAC Project Infinite Crisis Special, Rann-Thanagar War #1-6, The Rann-Thanagar Infinite Crisis Special, Superman #216, #219, Villains United #1-6, Villains United Infinite Crisis Special and Wonder Woman #219.
  • 52 Omnibus
    Collects 52 #1-52.

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

  • Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Batman #655-658, #663-683 and stories from DC Universe #0 and #30 and #47. Also collected in Deluxe Edition Batman: The Black Glove and Batman: R.I.P.
  • Final Crisis Omnibus
    Collects Batman #676-683, #701-702, Birds Of Prey #118, Dc Universe #0, Dc Universe: The Last Will And Testament #1, Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds #1-5, Final Crisis: Requiem #1, Final Crisis: Resist #1, Final Crisis: Revelations #1-5, Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #1-3, Final Crisis: Secret Files #1, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2, The Flash #240-241, Justice League Of America #21, Superman/Batman #76, Teen Titans #59-60 And Terror Titans #1-6.
  • Superman/Batman Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Superman/Batman #44-87 and Superman/Batman Annual #3-5.
  • Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Batman & Robin #1-16, Batman #700-702 and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6. Also collected in Deluxe Edition.
  • Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens: Omnibus
    Collects Gotham City Sirens #1-26 and Catwoman #83.
  • Batman by Paul Dini Omnibus [New Printing]
    Collects Batman #685 (1940-), Batman Annual #1 (2016-), Batman Black and White #3 (2013-), Batman: Gotham Knights #14 (2000-), Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4, #7, #10-14, #16-21, DCU Holiday Special #1, Detective Comics #821-824, #826-828, #831, #833-834, #837-841, #843-850, #852, #1000. Streets of Gotham happens both before, during, and after the return of Bruce Wayne, so we recommend to simply read it after! 
  • Batwoman Omnibus
    Collects Detective Comics #854-863, Batwoman (New 52) #0, Batwoman #0-24, and Batwoman Annual #1. Part of it is set in New 52, but Batwoman’s adventures are pretty disconnected from the rest of the Batfamily. Batwoman: Elegy (or Detective Comics #854–860) has also been reprinted in Deluxe Edition.
  • Batman Black Mirror
    Collects Detective Comics #871-881 and includes additional bonus material featuring sketches, designs, a wraparound cover by Jock, and more!
  • The Dark Knight: Golden Dawn
    Collects Batman: The Dark Knight #1–5
  • Batman Gates of Gotham
    Collects Batman: Gates of Gotham #1–5; material from Detective Comics Annual #12; Batman Annual #28
  • Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 3
    Collects Batman Incorporated #1-8, Batman: The Return #1, Batman Incorporated #0-13, Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1, Batman Incorporated Special #1. Part of this Omni is set during New 52. Something major for the Batfamily happens in it and will have repercussions on other series. The Pre New 52 Batman Inc. is also available in Deluxe Edition.

Flash Barry Allen - Flashpoint Reading Order

Flashpoint marks the end of the Modern Age/Post-Crisis era, leading into the New 52 relaunch. While this event isn’t essential for understanding Batman’s main continuity, it’s notable for introducing Thomas Wayne as Batman in an altered DC Universe.

 

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Batman in New 52

For other editions a more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Batman New 52! A new and edgier Batman under the creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo define this era of Batman. This is also maybe one of the best collected periods in Omnibus for the whole Batfamily, so enjoy!

From this era, you can also find in Deluxe Edition Robin: Son of Batman by Patrick Gleason.

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Batman Rebirth in Omnibus

For other editions a more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Batman Rebirth! Batman entered this new era under the creative team of Tom King, with artwork by David Finch and Mikel Janín. A period more focus on Batman and Catwoman’s relationship. Scott

From this era, you can also find in deluxe Edition, Harley Quinn: Rebirth (Three Volumes), and Nightwing: Rebirth (3 Volumes only, the whole era has not been collected)

Batman who laughs Icon Reading Order

  • Dark Nights Metal Omnibus
    Collects Dark Nights: Metal #1-6, tie-in stories from Dark Days: The Forge #1, Dark Days: The Casting #1, Batman: The Red Death #1, Batman: The Devastator #1, Batman: The Merciless #1, Batman: The Murder Machine #1, Batman: The Drowned #1, Batman: The Dawnbreaker #1, Dark Nights: The Batman Who Laughs #1, Batman: Lost #1, Hawkman: Found #1, Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1, Nightwing #29, The Flash #33, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #32, Green Arrow #32, Suicide Squad #26, Teen Titans #12, and Justice League #32-33. The main event is also available in Deluxe Edition.
  • Dark Nights: Death Metal Omnibus
    Collects Dark Nights: Death Metal #1-7, Dark Nights: Death Metal Guidebook #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Infinite Hour Exxxtreme! #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Multiverse’s End #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Rise of the New God #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Robin King #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal The Last 52: War of the Multiverses #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal The Multiverse Who Laughs #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal The Secret Origin #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1, and Justice League #53-57. The main event is also available in Deluxe Edition.
  • You can complete the collection with The Batman Who Laughs Deluxe Edition.

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Batman Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC

It’s too soon! Come back later!

Batman Reading Order - Logo 1998

Out Of Continuity/Non-Canon Batman Omnibus

  • Batman ’66 Omnibus 
    Collects Batman ’66 #1-30 and Batman ’66: The Lost Episode #1.
  • Batman: The Arkham Saga Omnibus
    Collects Batman: Arkham Asylum: The Road to Arkham, Batman: Arkham City #1-5, Batman: Arkham City: End Game #1, Batman: Arkham Knight #1-12, Batman: Arkham Knight Annual #1, Batman: Arkham Knight: Batgirl & Harley Quinn #1, Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis #1-6, Batman: Arkham Knight: Robin Special #1, Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Unhinged.
  • The Batman Adventures Omnibus
    CollectsThe Batman Adventures #1-36, The Batman Adventures Annual #1-2, The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, A Story From Batman Black & White #1, The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1, And For The First Time Ever, The Never-Before-Reprinted Comic Book Adaptation Of The Animated Feature Film Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm!
  • The Batman and Robin Adventures Omnibus
    Collects The Batman & Robin Adventures #1-25, The Batman & Robin Adventures Annual #1-2, The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years #1-5, And The Batman & Robin Adventures: Sub-Zero #1, And More!
  • Batman: Black & White Omnibus
    Collects Black and White #1-4, Batman: Black and White #1-6 and stories from Batman: Gotham Knights #1-49.
  • Superman & Batman: Generations Omnibus
    Collects Superman & Batman: Generations: An Imaginary Tale #1-4, Superman & Batman: Generations II #1-4, and Superman & Batman: Generations III #1-12.
  • Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Omnibus
    Collects Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1-6, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ii #1-6, And Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Iii #1-6, Plus Hundreds Of Pages Of Behind-The-Scenes Material From Artist Freddie E. Williams Ii And A Brand-New Introduction By Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Co-Creator Kevin Eastman! The first crossover also exists in Deluxe Edition.

Did we forget an Omnibus? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

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