Skip to content

Please note that when you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks!

Superman Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC Reading Order (with Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor & Joshua Williamson)

Following recent events (with Dark Nights: Death Metal, Generations, and Future State), the DC Multiverse has expanded into a larger Omniverse, where everything was now canon. It was a way for DC to continue what was launched with Rebirth, meaning re-establishing popular past stories and relationships while retaining the new characters and simple backstories from the modern era. DC simply wants the best of both worlds!

This situation leads us to the Infinite Frontier era, where Clark Kent and his son Jonathan Kent are both Superman. Each one of them is the star of his own title, with Clark starring in Action Comics by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Phil Hester, and Jon Kent starring in Superman: Son of Kal-El by Tom Taylor and John Timms.

During this period was also published the ongoing series Batman/Superman (vol. 2), Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, and the limited series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Superman ’78, Superman and the Authority, and Superman: Red & Blue.

What to read before Superman/Action Comics Infinite Frontier?

In the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal took place the Future State event, one of these DC storylines that explores a possible future of the DC Universe. The conclusion leads into the DC’s Infinite Frontier relaunch. And a few issues (House of El and Worlds of War) were written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and serves as a teasing for what’s to come:

  • Future State: Superman
    Collects Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1-2, Future State: Superman: Worlds of War #1-2, Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1-3, Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #1-2, Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1-2, and Future State: Superman: House of El #1

For more Superman stories, we invite you to go see our other Superman reading orders:

  1. Superman Reading Order, The Modern Age (Post-Crisis)
  2. Superman/Action Comics New 52 Reading Order
  3. Superman/Action Comics Rebirth Reading Order (by Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason & Dan Jurgens)
  4. Superman/Action Comics by Brian Michael Bendis

Superman/Action Comics Infinite Frontier Reading Order by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Tom Taylor

In the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal comes a glimpse into brave new worlds within the DC Universe…but what are these strange planets? This is Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis’s last tale on Batman/Superman (vol. 2), taking place at the beginning of the Infinite Frontier era, with minor ties to the Infinite Frontier book, but totally optional for what’s to come.

A new dynamic is set up in the Infinite Frontier era, with Clark Kent living some adventures in space in Action Comics. He leaves the Earth under the protection of his son Jon (see reading order) as the new Superman, in Superman: Son of Kal-El. Also, Grant Morrison wrote his last Superman story which is connected to Action Comics, and can serve as a prequel to the Warworld Saga told by Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

What about Supergirl? She is the star of her own miniseries in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, written by Tom King. Kara Zor-El can no longer find any meaning or purpose in her life. But all that changes when an alien girl seeks her out to help her take revenge on the bad guys who destroyed her world. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

In Justice League #75, Superman and the other members of the Justice League are “killed.” It is how the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths began, and how the Infinite Frontier era concluded. See our Dark Crisis Reading Order for more information.

Superman/Action Comics Dawn of DC Reading Order by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Joshua Williamson & Al.

New! Dark Crisis is over, Superman is back on Earth and the future finally looks bright for the Kryptonian and his family! But naturally, new and old enemies are ready to strike down the Man of Steel! Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his run on Action Comics with artist Rafa Sandoval, while writer Joshua Williamson and artist Jamal Campbell are penning the new Superman title!

Before discovering those new Superman adventures, you can take a short detour with Dan Jurgens for a follow-up to the Superman: Lois & Clark miniseries. This story revisits the time near the end of the New 52 era when Clark, Lois, and their young son Jon lived on the Kent farm.

While Superman was off in space, Jon Kent took up his father’s mantle. But now that Clark is back on Earth full-time, what does this mean for Jon? The Son of Superman is carving out his own path in a solo limited series by Tom Taylor and Henry Clayton. Also returning after recent events is Conner Kent, aka Superboy, who stars in his own short limited series by Kenny Porter and Jahnoy Lindsay.

House of Brainiac! When Brainiac invades Metropolis, it’s time for a Superman crossover event coming from Joshua Williamson! Brainiac has unleashed an army of Czarnians on Earth, leading to an unlikely team-up between Superman and Lobo!

  • Superman: House of Brainiac
    Collects Action Comics #1064-1066, Superman (2023) #13-15, and the Superman: Superman: House of Brainiac Special

After the events of Beast World and House of Brainiac, the DC Universe is put in shambles by Amanda Waller who created the perfect situation to steal the metahuman abilities of every hero and villain on planet Earth. Coming from Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora, Absolute Power sees our superheroes take a last stand against Waller to help relaunch the DC Universe!

  • Absolute Power
    Collects Absolute Power #1-4 and Absolute: Ground Zero #1.
  • Superman Vol. 3: Justice Reborn
    Collects Superman (2023) #16-20. The first three issues of this collection are ties-in to Absolute Power. #16 must be read after AP #1 while #17-18 take place after AP #2. Check out our Absolute Power Guide for more information! Superman #19 is set in the DC All In era!

Other Superman titles published during the Infinite Frontier era

The following titles have been released during this period but can be read at any time, as they are not part of the main continuity.

  • Superman ’78
    Collects Superman ’78 #1-6. Written by Robert Venditti. Serves as an alternative continuation of Richard Donner’s first two Superman films
  • Superman: Red & Blue
    Collects Superman: Red & Blue #1–6. Various authors and artists. This is an anthology series showcasing the Man of Steel in his two signature colors!
  • Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Vol. 1: The Devil Nezha
    Collects Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #1-6. By Mark Waid. A story taking place in a not-too-distant past (at a time when Dick was still Robin).
  • Superman Vs. Lobo
    Collects: Superman and Lobo #1-3. Part of Black Label.
  • Superman: Space Age
    Collects Superman: Space Age #1-3.
  • World of Krypton
    Collects: World of Krypton #1-6. Robert Venditti’s version of how Krypton was destroyed.
  • My Adventures with Superman new
    collects My Adventures with Superman #1-6. Comic book set in the universe of the Adult Swim animated series–bridging the gap between seasons one and two.

Next… Superman is All In!

The Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC came to an end with Absolute Power. Following this event, Superman is All In! So you can check out the DC All-In Special #1 establishing the new status-quo for our superheroes as well as introducing the new “Absolute Universe”! More Coming Soon!

Read More Comics With the Superman Family!

Pin
Tags: