DC Comics New 52 Main Storyline Reading Order

Overview

The most significant narrative running through DC's New 52 era is essentially split into two halves. The first deals with the aftermath of Flashpoint (Reading Order) and the next sets up plotlines for the Rebirth era.

The conclusion of the Flashpoint (Reading Order) event provided a new origin story for the Justice League (Reading Order) and introduced a mysterious new character, Pandora (Reading Order). Both of these story elements play out in the Justice League series, where they directly lead into the Trinity War (Reading Order) and the Forever Evil (Reading Order) events.

The conclusion of Forever Evil helps set up the Darkseid War (Reading Order) event. The conclusion of Darkseid War, together with story elements from Superman: Lois and Clark and Titans Hunt, build the foundation for the Rebirth era and the mysteries it will explore.

Notes

1. These issues chart the first exploits of the post-Flashpoint DC Universe. They also provide the base for all of the "Essential" events on this reading order. These issues are not completely necessary to understand these later events but are definitely helpful. Note: Only the "Questions" story from Justice League #0 is relevant to this reading order.
2. The primary purpose of this story arc is to introduce the newly created Justice League of America (Reading Order) team. However, a subplot explores the Secret Society of Super-Villains, which helps set up both the Trinity War (Reading Order) and the Forever Evil (Reading Order) events.
3. At the time of this event's publication, it seemed to have a large impact on the DC Universe. However, it is barely referenced after this point and its impact on the history of DC Comics seems to be minimal. The only reason this event is included here is because it brings back the pre-New 52 Superman.
4. These comics mostly focus on the individual adventures of Superman (Reading Order) and the Titans (Reading Order). However, the Superman: Lois and Clark issues further explore the mystery surrounding the pre-New 52 Superman, thus setting up major story arcs in the Rebirth era, and the Titans Hunt issues introduce a new mystery that is more fully revealed at the very start of the Rebirth era.

Before Reading

Since the New 52 era takes place after a near-complete reset of the entire DC Universe's history, there is little to no prerequisite reading before jumping into the New 52's narrative. This narrative often makes small references to previously published titles but none are necessary in understanding it.

After Reading

The conclusion of the New 52 narrative directly sets up the Rebirth narrative. This starts with the DC Universe: Rebirth (Review) one-shot and proceeds on through that era.

All DC Comics Reading Orders