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:
- Superman Reading Order, The Modern Age (Post-Crisis)
- Superman/Action Comics New 52 Reading Order
- Superman/Action Comics Rebirth Reading Order (by Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason & Dan Jurgens)
- Superman/Action Comics by Brian Michael Bendis
Superman/Action Comics Infinite Frontier Reading Order
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.
- Batman/Superman: The Archive of Worlds (optional)
Collects Batman/Superman #16-22 and Batman/Superman 2021 Annual #1.
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.
- Superman: The One Who Fell
Collects Action Comics #1029 and Superman #29-32. - Superman and the Authority
Collects Superman and the Authority #1-4. - Superman: Action Comics – Vol. 1: Warworld Rising
Collects Action Comics #1030–1035. - Superman: Son of Kal-El – Vol. 1: The Truth
Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #1-6 - Superman: Action Comics – Vol. 2: The Arena
Collects Action Comics #1036-1042
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.
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Collects Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1-8 - Superman: Son of Kal-El – Vol. 2: The Rising
Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #7-10, Nightwing #89, and Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual #1 - Action Comics Vol. 3: Warworld Revolution
Collects Action Comics #1043-46, Action Comics 2022 Annual, Superman: Warworld Apocalypse #1 - Superman: Son of Kal-El Vol. 3: Battle for Gamorra
Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #11-15 - Superman: Kal-El Returns (crossover story)
Collects Superman: Son Of Kal-El #16-18, Action Comics #1047-1049, And Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1!
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.
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.
After Superman/Action Comics Infinite Frontier
It’s time for a new initiative with Dawn of DC, starting with Action Comics #1051 (still by Phillip Kennedy Johnson) and the launch of the sixth volume of Superman written by Joshua Williamson. The adventures of Jon Kent continue in the limited series Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (by Tom Taylor), while Conner Kent is the star of Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow (by Kenny Porter). Stay tuned for more!
- Action Comics #1050-ongoing
#1050 does not have the “Dawn of DC” Label but serves as a setup for this new era.