The DC Universe started over after the massive CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS event. Well, in theory! The wasn’t a straight ‘cut off and restart’ after Crisis, with stories featuring the Earth-One versions of Superman, Batman, the Teen Titans, Justice League and more still being told while taking the events of the climactic battle with the Anti-Monitor in their stride.
Even when Superman and Wonder Woman were given new first issues to back the birth of New Earth continuity, many other titles just carried on as normal and even referred back to stories taking place before the Crisis.
So take some of it with a bag of salt when looking back at what did or didn’t happen in the pre and post-Crisis timelines of the DCU. Take the ‘pick n mix’ approach, pull out the bits you like and skip the parts you don’t! If you plan on reading Legends (or you’re just curious as to how it all fits together) here are the stories that influence and are referenced in LEGENDS (1986-1987) – the first post-Crisis event that united a new Justice League. And it factors in all the various realities for you to choose from!
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Anthology Issues: When an issue contains multiple stories, the relevant story is denoted with square brackets. For example, [2/5] refers to the second story of the five stories in that issue, so you don’t need to read the other four.
References: The titles in [square brackets] denote the Legends tie in they are related to.
Just the ‘Must-Read’ stories that take place before this event:
- Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134-136
- Detective Comics #474
- Justice League of America #218
- Justice League of America Annual (1983) #2
- Green Lantern #194-195
- New Teen Titans (1984) #19-21
- Detective Comics #570
- Action Comics #585
This is broken down into Earth-One (mainstream pre-CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS) continuity and New Earth (post-Crisis) continuity. Despite some stories taking place before the DC Universe continuity shake-up, the examples below are considered to have still transpired in some form:
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| The Brave and the Bold #25 (1959) During World War II, Colonel Rick Flag leads the original ‘Suicide Squad’ against the Red Wave Beast. 1st appearance: Suicide Squad (Jess Bright, Hugh Evans, Rick Flag, Karin Grace) [Secret Origins] | |
| Star-Spangled War Stories #110 (1963) The Suicide Squad are sent on a mission to Dinosaur Island as part of ‘The War That Time Forgot’. [Secret Origins] | |
| Adventure Comics #466 (1979) The Justice Society of America refuse to unmask in front of Congress and instead decide to disband. [Secret Origins] | |
| Blackhawk #109 (1957) Ace World War II pilots the Blackhawks face the threat of the Nazi War Wheel once again when it’s controlled by the Question Mark. 1st appearance: Suicide Squad (Jess Bright, Hugh Evans, Rick Flag, Karin Grace) [Secret Origins] | |
| Sarge Steel #1 (1964) Debut of the original Sarge Steel, a private detective and CIA agent from Earth-Four. 1st appearance: Sarge Steel, Bessie Forbes [Secret Origins] | |
| Batman #59 (1950) While Batman is away from Gotham City, a billionaire playboy in a domino mask calling himself Deadshot makes a bid to replace him as the city’s protector; when Batman discovers the vigilante act is a cover for Deadshot to carry out crimes, he’s jailed; while the origins of Deadshot still stand, this story actually takes place in Earth-Two continuity. 1st appearance: Deadshot/Floyd Lawton [Legends] | |
| Adventure Comics #247 (1958) The Legion of Super-Heroes first meet their inspiration, the young Superboy. 1st appearance: Legion of Super-Heroes (Cosmic Boy/), Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl), Legion Clubhouse, Time Bubble [Cosmic Boy] | |
| Adventure Comics #317-318 (1964) The Time Trapper erects an “Iron Curtain of Time” to prevent the Legion of Super-Heroes from travelling into their own future. 1st appearance: Dream Girl/Nura Nal, Time Trapper [Cosmic Boy] | |
| The Brave and the Bold #30 (1960) The Justice League of America face Amazo – a robot capable of emulating their powers – and its creator Professor Ivo; Ivo consumes an immortality elixir created using the creatures stolen by Amazo. 1st appearance: Amazo, Professor Ivo/Anthony Ives [Justice League of America, Legends] | |
| The Flash #117 (1960) Captain Boomerang makes his debut; the Flash opposes his initial crime spree in Central City. 1st appearance: Captain Boomerang/George ‘Digger‘ Harkness, WW Wiggins [Legends] |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| Justice League of America #9 (1962) The story of how the Justice League of America formed is revealed; the Manhunter from Mars became one of the founding members. 1st appearance: Appellaxians [Justice League of America, Legends] | |
| Detective Comics #345 (1965) The superhumanly-strong brute Blockbuster makes his debut, clashing with Batman and Robin. 1st appearance: Blockbuster/Mark Desmond [Legends] | |
| Strange Adventures #187 (1966) June Moone becomes the host of the Enchantress when she’s tricked into speaking her name. 1st appearance: Blockbuster/Mark Desmond [Legends] | |
| Green Lantern #59 (1968) It’s revealed that Guy Gardner was Abin Sur’s first choice to become the Green Lantern of 2814; as Abin Sur was near death, he passed the mantle to Hal Jordan who was closer. 1st appearance: Guy Gardner [Green Lantern Corps] | |
| ✔ | Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134-136 (1970-1971) Darkseid makes his debut, scheming against Earth – and, in particular, Superman – for the first time. 1st appearance: Darkseid/Uxas, Dubbilex, Four-Armed Terror, Golden Guardian/Jim Harper (clone), Mokkari, Simyan, Mountain of Judgment [Legends, Superman] |
| New Gods #1 (1971) The dark world of Apokolips – ruled by Darkseid – is first seen. 1st appearance: Dog Cavalry, Hunger Dogs/Lowlies, Kalibak, Victor Lanza, Harvey Lockman, Dave Lincoln, New Gods (Highfather/Izaya, Lightray/Solis, Metron, Orion) Parademons, Claudia Shane, the Source, Apokolips, New Genesis [Legends, Superman] | |
| Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter #1 (1975) Ben Turner first appears, training alongside Richard Dragon under O-Sensei. 1st appearance: Richard Dragon, Benjamin Turner [Legends] | |
| 1st Issue Special #8 (1975) US Air Force pilot Lt Colonel Travis Morgan ejects while on a reconnaissance mission over the Arctic Circle and finds himself in the other-dimensional Skartaris – a land of magic, barbarians and dinosaurs; Travis learned to survive in this strange land, becoming revered as the legendary Warlord. 1st appearance: Warlord/Travis Morgan, Deimos, Tara, Hellfire (sword), Skartaris [Warlord] | |
| Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter #18 (1977) Richard Dragon battles the Bronze Tiger who is revealed to be Ben Turner, having been brainwashed by the League of Assassins. New identity: Benjamin Turner as the Bronze Tiger [Legends] | |
| ✔ | Detective Comics #474 (1977) Deadshot returns with a vastly different new look; Deadshot seeks revenge against the Batman, blaming him for the turn his life took. [Legends] |
| Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #1 (1978) Ronnie Raymond tries to save Prof Martin Stein from an explosion at the Hudson Nuclear Power Plant, but a terrorist bomb goes off and merges them into Firestorm. 1st appearance: Firestorm/Ronnie Raymond & Martin Stein, Danton Black, Cliff Carmichael, Doreen Day, Eddie Earheart, Wallace Hapgood [Firestorm, Legends] |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis | Event / Crossover |
| Green Lantern/Green Arrow #116-118 (1979) When Guy Gardner is believed to be dead, his girlfriend Kari Limbo starts getting closer to Hal Jordan. 1st appearance: Kari Limbo [Green Lantern Corps] | ||
| New Gods #6 (1984) Armagetto – one of the worst slums on Apokolips – is first seen. 1st appearance: Armagetto [Superman] | ||
| DC Graphic Novel #4: The Hunger Dogs (1985) Orion leads the Hunger Dogs in revolt against Darkseid. 1st appearance: Bekka [Legends, Superman] | ||
| Green Lantern/Green Arrow #122 (1979) Green Lantern #123 (1979) Guy Gardner is brainwashed by the Phantom Zone criminals and attacks Hal Jordan and Kari Limbo’s wedding; in the conflict between Hal, Guy, Superman and General Zod, Guy Gardner is left comatose. [Green Lantern Corps] | WITH THESE RINGS… | |
| Justice League of America #179-180 (1980) Firestorm joins the Justice League. [Legends, Justice League of America] | ||
| Justice League of America #183-185 (1980) The Justice League first oppose Darkseid when he poses a threat to both Earth-One and Earth-Two. [Legends, Superman] | ||
| Superman Family #204 (1980) The Enchantress takes a more villainous turn when she sets off earthquakes in Santa Augusta to generate enough magic to become supremely powerful; the Enchantress is defeated by Supergirl. [Legends] | ||
| ✔ | Justice League of America #218 (1983) Professor Ivo begins to mutate due to the effects of his immortality formula; Ivo abducts people with a specific genetic make-up to seek a way to counter his mutation until he’s thwarted by the Justice League. [Justice League of America, Legends] | |
| Batman #368 (1984) After orphan Jason Todd repeatedly trying to prove himself worthy, Batman finally relents and allows him to pick up the mantle as Robin (though this origin is altered for New Earth continuity soon after ‘Legends’). New identity: Jason Todd as Robin [Batman, Detective Comics] | THE GREEN GHOSTS OF GOTHAM | |
| Action Comics #552 (1984) It’s revealed that the Suicide Squad saw a mysterious golden temple while fighting Yetis; as a member of the Forgotten Heroes, Rick Flag helps defeat the Immortal Man and solve the mystery of the golden temple. [Secret Origins] | ||
| ✔ | Justice League of America Annual #2 (1984) The Justice League relocate to Detroit and take on Gypsy, Steel, Vibe and Vixen as members; while the formation of the Detroit Justice League remains intact after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the events leading to it (namely the Earth/Mars War) do not. 1st appearance: Dale Gunn, Gypsy/Cindy Reynolds, Steel/Hank Heywood III, Vibe Paco Ramone [Legends, Justice League of America] | THE END OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis | Event / Crossover |
| Justice League of America #235 (1985) Steel reveals his origin; Hank Heywood III was transformed into a cyborg super-soldier by his grandfather, the original Commander Steel. 1st appearance: Shrike/Vanessa Kingsbury, Cadre (cameo) [Legends, Justice League of America] | ||
| Green Lantern #193 (1985) Guy Gardner fully awakens from his coma with a very different attitude and the belief that the role of Green Lantern of Sector 2814 should be his. [Green Lantern Corps] | ||
| ✔ | Green Lantern #194-195 (1985) Guy Gardner fights Hal Jordan for the title of Green Lantern; as Hal had already retired from the role, the Guardians of the Universe make Guy a Lantern in preparation for the impending Crisis; it’s suggested that Guy may be brain damaged. [Green Lantern Corps] | CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS |
| Crisis on Infinite Earths #5 (1985) The Anti-Monitor hits Kid Flash (Wally West) with a blast that alters his body chemistry, slowing him down to the speed of sound; the Flash (Barry Allen) sacrifices himself to destroy the Anti-Monitor’s anti-matter cannon. [Legends] | CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS | |
| World’s Finest #321 (1985) Chronos the Time-Thief becomes ‘temporarily interactive’ with the timestream during a confrontation with Batman. [Blue Beetle] | ||
| Green Lantern #196-198 (1986) Guy Gardner recruits a number of villains to oppose John Stewart when they butt heads over their loyalties to the divided factions of the Guardians of the Universe; Guy leads the villains against the Green Lantern Corps. 1st appearance: Lurlan Dupo [Green Lantern Corps] | CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS | |
| Legionnaires 3 #1-4 (1986) Cosmic Boy fights the Time Trapper in his Citadel at the End of Time when he kidnaps Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad’s son. [Cosmic Boy] | ||
| ✔ | New Teen Titans #19-21 (1986) Wally West returns to the Teen Titans having taken up the mantle and costume of the Flash in honour of his mentor and friend, Barry Allen. [Legends] | |
| Green Lantern #200 (1986) Green Lantern Corps #201 (1986) The Guardians of the Universe leave the universe, allowing the Green Lanterns to relocate to the areas they feel they’ll be most-needed; Hal Jordan leads a small band of Lanterns to Earth; Ch’p is revealed to have lost his wife in the Crisis; Guy Gardner is assigned to Maltus with Appa Ali Apsa. 1st appearance: Kilowog, Ub’x, Whiteout, Green Lantern Corps of Earth, Green Lantern Citadel [Green Lantern Corps] | IGNITION | |
| Legion of Super-Heroes #23 (1986) Cosmic Boy and Night Girl leave the 30th Century for their vacation in the in our present. 1st appearance: Pocket Universe Superboy [Cosmic Boy] | BACK HOME IN HELL |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis | Event / Crossover |
| Blue Beetle #5-7 (1986) Blue Beetle is caught up in a gang war on the streets of Chicago when the Muse rallies rival street gangs to form an army capable of taking on his father, Vincent Perignon and his mob associates. 1st appearance: Thomas Kord, Muse/Richard Perignon [Blue Beetle] | ||
| New Teen Titans #24 (1986) Hawk takes issue with the Teen Titans ‘soft’ approach to crime-fighting and quits the team. 1st appearance: Hybrid (Gorgon/Andonis Bal, Harpi/Angelika Bal, Pteradon/Israel Harel) [Firestorm] | ||
| Wonder Woman #7 (1987) The heroic Wonder Woman is celebrated by the people of Boston when she makes the city her home, attracting fame and positive attention. [Legends] | ||
| ✔ | Detective Comics #570 (1987) Joker brainwashes Catwoman, turning her back to a life of crime; this story is no longer considered part of New Earth continuity and officially takes place on Earth-85. [Legends] |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Action Comics #585 (1987) Superman first encounters the Phantom Stranger when they join forces to defeat a creature created from the earth by the Sherabite Stone. [Legends, Superman] |
| Shazam! A New Beginning #1-4 (1987) Billy Batson gains the superhuman powers form the wizard Shazam which transform him into Captain Marvel; the story is no longer considered part of New Earth continuity and, instead, takes place on Earth-85. 1st appearance: Captain Marvel/Billy Batson, Black Adam, Shazam, Dr Thaddeus Sivana [Legends, Shazam] | |
| Green Lantern Corps #205-206 (1986) Guy Gardner battles Apros and K’ryssma; Arisia’s ring rapidly ages her to adulthood, as if in response to her needs to grab Hal Jordan’s attention; Kilowog defeats Black Hand; Hal and Arisia are caught kissing by Kilowog; news reporter Tawny Young hounds the GLC, causing Kilowog to react violently. [Green Lantern Corps] | |
| Justice League of America #255-257 (1986) Martian Manhunter and Gypsy track down runaway Pamela Cross. [Justice League of America] |
The story continues in LEGENDS (1986-1987)
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Absolute Fourth World by Jack Kirby vol.1 Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus vol.1 Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen by Jack Kirby | Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134-136 |
| Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years Batman: Strange Apparitions Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman – The Deluxe Edition The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told Legends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart | Detective Comics #474 |
| Justice League of America #218 | |
| Justice League: The Detroit Era Omnibus | Justice League of America Annual (1983) #2 |
| Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion – Deluxe Edition vol.1 Green Lantern: Sector 2814 vol.3 | Green Lantern #194-195 |
| New Teen Titans vol.11 New Teen Titans Omnibus vol.4 | New Teen Titans (1984) #19-21 |
| Batman: The Dark Knight Detective vol.1 DC Finest: Batman – Year One & Two Legends of the Dark Knight: Alan Davis vol.1 | Detective Comics #570 |
| Superman: The Man of Steel (2003) vol.2 Superman: The Man of Steel (2020) vol.1 | Action Comics #585 |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
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