Batman/The Flash: The Button Reading Order

Overview

Batman/The Flash: The Button (Review) is a DC Comics crossover event dealing with a mysterious button found in DC Universe: Rebirth (Review). The mystery behind this button leads to a tense confrontation, an amazing journey, and a startling conclusion. The entire event advances the ongoing mystery of the Rebirth era and its strange connections to Watchmen.

The Button stretches through two issues of Batman and two issues of The Flash. These issues must be read in the order shown above as they tell a single narrative.

Before Reading

Batman/The Flash: The Button (Review) primarily focuses on the mystery surrounding a button that appeared during DC Universe: Rebirth (Review). Thus, the most critical piece of prerequisite reading is DC Universe: Rebirth. 

In addition, The Button heavily references the events of Flashpoint (Review). These references mainly refer to the main Flashpoint event and not to its tie-ins. Though Flashpoint is not absolutely required before reading The Button, it will significantly enhance the reading experience.

To a far lesser extent, The Button references recent events from the Batman and The Flash comics. This include the fact that Batman recently obtained the Psycho Pirate's mask, over the course of Batman: I am Suicide (Review), and a lightning strike that occurred in The Flash Vol. 5 #19, collected in The Flash: Rogues Reloaded.

After Reading

The conclusion of Batman/The Flash: The Button (Review) helps develop the DC Rebirth mystery as it proceeds into the Doomsday Clock event.

In addition, the aftermath of this event is felt in Batman and The Flash. This impacts decision Batman makes in Batman #24, collected in Batman: I am Bane (Review), onward. It also impacts the storyline in The Flash: Running Scared.