Some storylines are more complicated than you can think – or they just seemed weirdly confusing for no reason. In the case of Batman R.I.P., the complication (and confusion) comes from the fact that it’s connected to the Final Crisis event. This story concluded the first third of Grant Morrison’s Batman run (full reading order here), leading to a new status quo as the series was renamed Batman and Robin for a time.
Here is the official synopsis: The troubled life of Bruce Wayne seems to spin out of control when his relationship with the mysterious Jezebel Jet deepens. Soon Bruce Wayne drops out completely, having seemingly become the victim of mental illness and abandoning his Batman identity for a life on the streets of Gotham City. Capitalizing on the fall of their greatest foe, the Club of Villains begins a crime spree through the streets of Gotham that threatens to bring the city to its knees.
What to read before Batman R.I.P.?
- Batman: The Black Casebook
Collects Batman #65, 86, 112, 113, 134, 156 And 162, Detective Comics #215, 235, 247 And 267, And World’s Finest Comics #89. - Batman and Son (collects previous editions Batman & Son and The Black Glove in one volume)
Collects Batman issues #655-658, #663-669 and #672-675. - Batman: Heart of Hush
Collects Detective Comics #846-850.
- Grant Morrison’s run and Batman R.I.P. take place during the Modern Age period. For more Batman’s adventures during this time, check out our Batman reading order, the Modern Age.
Batman RIP Reading Order: Collected Editions
- Batman R.I.P.
Collects Batman #676-683 and DC Universe #0.- Robin: Search for a Hero (RIP tie-ins not written by Morrison)
Collects Robin (vol. 4) #175–183 - Nightwing: The Great Leap (RIP tie-ins not written by Morrison)
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #147-153
- Robin: Search for a Hero (RIP tie-ins not written by Morrison)
- Final Crisis (DC Essential Edition)
Collects DC Universe #0, Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Batman #682-683. - Batman: Time and the Batman
Collects Batman #700-703.
Also available in the omnibus:
- Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Batman #655-658, #663-683 and stories from DC Universe #0 and #30 and #47.
Batman RIP Reading Order: Issue by Issue
Batman R.I.P.
- DC Universe #0 (three-page interior prelude to the storyline)
- Batman #676-678
- Robin (vol. 4) #175-176
- Batman #679-681
- Batman and the Outsiders (vol. 2) #11–13
- Nightwing (vol. 2) #147–150
Final Crisis
- Final Crisis #1-3
- Superman Beyond #1-2
- Final Crisis: Submit
- Final Crisis #4-5
- Batman #682-683
- Final Crisis #6-7
R.I.P. – The Missing Chapter
- Batman #701–702
Last Rites
- Detective Comics #851
- Batman #684
- Detective Comics #852 (“Heart of Hush” epilogue)
- Batman #685 (“Heart of Hush” epilogue)
- Nightwing (vol. 2) #151-153 (Nightwing “R.I.P.” storyline epilogue)
- Robin (vol. 4) #183 (the conclusion of Robin (vol. 4))
After Batman RIP
Once Batman RIP/Final Crisis/Last Rites story had concluded, Batman was no more and a new Batman had to be chosen. It happened in the “Batman: Battle for the Cowl” crossover storyline.
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Collects Batman: Battle For The Cowl #1-3, Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? #1 And Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? #1.
Grant Morrison continued his story with Batman & Robin and more, once more, take a look at the Batman By Grant Morrison Reading Order for more information.
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
Collects Batman & Robin #1-6.