The Joker is Batman’s most iconic villain, the perfect foil for the Dark Knight. He adapts to every situation, injecting unpredictability, danger, and a sense of theatre. He was naturally bound to make a splash during Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s run on Batman. Following the Night of Owls, the duo decided to continue with another event focused on Joker’s return to Gotham City after a year of absence.
The Clown Prince of Crime is back, and he has a specific plan in mind. He is not targeting Batman directly, but rather everyone close to him: Commissioner Gordon, Alfred, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood and Red Robin — his family. He is unleashing his most unpredictable, vicious and psychotic assault yet on everyone Batman holds dear. Will the family survive such an attack? Can Batman stop his most vile and unpredictable enemy this time?
We are right now confronting Batman’s craziest and most nihilistic villain with our Ultimate Death of the Family Reading Guide, going from the Joker’s return to his Machiavellian performance and its aftermath.
What to read before Batman: Death of the Family?
Batman: Death of the Family is Snyder and Capullo’s second story in their run, following the now classic Court of Owls saga. You can check out Batman’s fight against the Court and their Talons before diving into the Joker’s violent return to Gotham if you like. It is completely optional, and you can read Death of the Family without any prior knowledge.
Before this event, the Joker was introduced in the New 52 continuity in Detective Comics #1 by Tony S. Daniel, an issue worth checking out as it quickly lays the foundation of the Joker and Batman’s dynamic in this era before their big confrontation.
More optional, but interesting to read, are Suicide Squad (Vol. 4) #6-7 written by Adam Glass and illustrated by Clayton Henry. This 2-part follows Harley Quinn after she escapes from Belle Reve as she has recently discovered the Joker could be dead. It also contains flashback scenes revealing Harley’s Origin in the New 52 era.
The title ‘Death of the Family’ also references the classic Batman story arc ‘A Death in the Family‘ (1988), in which the Joker murders Jason Todd (it’s not a secret anymore!). Obviously, this is a defining story in the Batman mythos and for Jason, as well as one of the classic tales featuring the Joker. You don’t have to read it, but I thought I should acknowledge this classic piece of pop culture here!
Collecting Batman: Death of the Family
The full attack of Joker against the Bat-family will be available in a Compendium book that will hit the shelves next year, covering the whole story, tie-ins included, for the first time:
- Batman: Death of the Family Compendium [2027]
Collects Batman #13-20, Batman Annual #2, Detective Comics #1-4 and #15-17, Batman and Robin #13-17, Batgirl #13-17, Catwoman #13-14, Nightwing #14-16, Red Hood and the Outlaws #0 and #15-18, Suicide Squad #14-15, and Teen Titans #15-16.
The event can also be found in two trade paperbacks. The Batman volume contains the main story, while the Joker volume is a collection of tie-ins. Unfortunately, DC Comics did a poor job of putting this particular collection together, as they did not follow any logical order.
- Batman Vol. 3: Death of the Family
Collects Batman #13-17. - The Joker: Death of the Family
Collects the tie-in Catwoman 13-14, Batgirl 13-16, Suicide Squad 14-15, Batman and Robin 15-17, Nightwing 15-16, Detective Comics 15-16, Red Hood and The Outlaws 15-16, and Teen Titans 15-16. All those issues have been reprinted in the collected editions of each character/series.
🃏 The main story (only the Batman issues) has also been reprinted in Batman by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo Omnibus Vol. 1.
Batman: Death of the Family – An Issue-by-Issue Reading Order
The main story of Death of the Family takes place in Batman #13-17, with tie-ins in Detective Comics, Suicide Squad, Catwoman, Batman and Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Teen Titans.
My reading order contains a few more unbannered issues that I feel should be acknowledged. Some contain only a few panels connected to the event, while others help simply contextualize or conclude a story. That way, you can actually decide which you want to skip or take a look at.
I feel Detective Comics is a special case. DC Comics labelled #15 as a tie-in for a scene that is mostly unnecessary in the grand scheme of things, yet they didn’t put a banner on #17, which concludes the story launched in the previous issue. This story is connected to the chaos in Gotham following Joker’s return. Overall, John Layman used the event to build his Emperor Penguin arc around it (the character exploited the situation to his advantage) I think there are three options here: simply skip all DC issues; go all in and read the Emperor Penguin story; or focus on the #16-17 story, which is a parallel story featuring Batman dealing with a problem indirectly caused by the Joker.
Prologue
DC Comics actually released two comics, promoted as a prologue to the event: Batgirl #13 and Catwoman #13. Neither of those issues functions as such, however. Instead, I propose reading the backup story from Detective Comics #12, written by James Tynion, which really works as a teaser.
- Detective Comics (2011) #12 – “The Tell-Tale Face”: A rookie police officer has been assigned to work the graveyard shift in the evidence room where Joker’s face is kept.
Part. 1: Joker’s return to Gotham
After a year of absence, the Joker is back in Gotham City, ready to unleash a new brand of crazy on Batman and his allies. Most tie-in issues in this part are really optional. Read the ones you want!
- Detective Comics #13 – “Duck and Cover/IQ Test“: Unbannered issue. This is the start of the Emperor Penguin story. Skip it if you are not interested in going all in on this story.
- Batman #13 – “Knock Knock”: This is the official start of the Death of the Family crossover, with the Joker making his comeback in Gotham City by raiding the GCPD. The story arc spans several days, during which the Joker establishes his presence and begins to plot against the Batfamily. [Core Issue]
- Batman #13 – “Tease”: This backup story featuring the Joker and Harley takes place during the event of the main story, so this can be read here.
- Catwoman #13-14 – “Burnt Offerings/To Skin a Cat”: While the first issue is labelled as a prologue, the Joker’s appearance in #14 indicates that the events are taking place during Batman #13. The story is quite disconnected from the main story, adding nothing of value for the event or the character. This can be easily skipped.
- Suicide Squad #14-15 – “Running with the Devil“: When the Joker was not busy with Batman or Catwoman, he was spending some time with Harley Quinn! This story takes place between the pages of Batman #13-14, exploring Harley Quinn’s dynamics with the Joker and contextualizing Harley’s place in the event. A note at the end references Batman #14, although the issue contains no spoilers and it doesn’t really affect the story. Better to read it earlier.
- Batman and Robin #13-14 – “Eclipsed/Devoured“: This is a 2-part story that expands on Joker’s activities following his return but before the conclusion of Batman #13.
- Nightwing #13-14 – Unbannered issues. This takes place after Joker’s return, while Dick is dealing with Lady Shiva and featuring Batgirl processing the Joker’s return. Mostly, the Clown Prince of Crime appears on the last page. [For Completionists]
- Batman #14 – “Funny Bones“: The issue continues from where the previous one left us, with Batman working to stop the most driven and dangerous Joker he has ever encountered (that’s me trying not to spoil anything!). [Core Issue]
- Batman #14 –”Men of Worship“: Once again, the backup story featuring Penguin and the Joker takes place during the main story and can be read here.
- Detective Comics #14-15 – #14 is an unbannered issue. Continues the Emperor Penguin story. The issue also starts the Poison Ivy/Clayface story that dominates #15 that is officially part of the tie-ins. With that said, you can skip both of them for the Death Family event.
Part. 2: The Batfamily vs. The Joker
This is the core of the event and where the tie-ins expand on the main story. While still optional, I’ll recommend checking a few of them to have a better grasp of Joker’s actions towards the Batfamily. I think it adds value and a better appreciation of the final confrontation, as I think Snyder doesn’t do a great job in the main title to make everything cohesive and palpable when it comes to Batman’s allies.
- Teen Titans #14 – “The Origin of Wonder Girl, Part Two” – Unbannered issue. This concludes a TT story before using the last few pages to set the scene for the official Death of the Family tie-in. [For Completionist]
- Batman #15 – “But Here’s the Kicker“: Continues from #14 and deals with the impact of the Joker on the Batfamily. Batgirl referred to the story taking place in her own title, which doesn’t align well continuity-wise. [Core Issue]
- Batman #15 – “Red Light, Green Light“: The backup story focused on The Joker’s confrontation with the Riddler as he prepares everything for his show.
- Detective Comics #16-17 – “Nothin’ But Smiles/Pecking Order/The Pursuit of Happiness/Doctor’s Orders“: No night off for Batman. References to events from Batman #14 indicated the story takes place after. It can function as a little detour during Batman’s investigation about the Joker, set during Batman #15. It naturally continues the Emperor Penguin story.
- Nightwing #15-16 – “Cleaning House/Curtain Call“: Nightwing is the Joker’s target. The story starts with Nightwing and Batgirl having left Wayne Manor after the Batfamily reunion in Batman #15.
- Batgirl #13-16 – “A Blade of Memory/Collision“: #13 is bannered as a prologue. Only the final pages tie into the event, and they clearly take place after the Joker’s return. The following issue picks up exactly where the story left off, with Batgirl continuing from one location to the next without much of a break. It didn’t help that Batgirl appears in TT #15 (I suppose, in the middle of Batgirl #14). Continuity-wise, this is messy and looks like bad communication in the Batman office or Gail Simone simply didn’t care! In all cases, read the whole story in one sitting!
- Teen Titans #15 – “Teen Scream“: The team is searching for Red Robin while Tim is facing the Joker. Batgirl made an appearance at the beginning, while the Outlaws appeared at the end. The story between Teen Titans and Red Hood and the Outlaws is interconnected, so you cannot read one without the other.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #14 – “Up, Up and Away…My Beautiful, My Beautiful Balloon!”: Unbannered issue. The bulk of this issue (featuring Superman) takes place before the little Bat-family reunion in Batman #15. The last few pages take place a little bit later, leading to the confrontation with the Joker for Red Hood. This is similar to Batgirl #13, in that only the final few panels tie into the event, with the next issue picking up exactly where this one leaves off.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #15-16 – “It Only Hurts When You Laugh/Family Matters!” The first issue takes place at the same time as Teen Titans #15 while the second (and optional) focuses on the team-up between the Teen Titans and the Outlaws.
- Teen Titans #16 – “Gotham Runs Red!“: Jason Todd and Tim Drake must rely on each other to survive The Joker’s attack.
- Batman and Robin #15-16 – “Little Big Man/Cast a Giant Shadow“: This is Damian vs. The Joker, and for my money, the best tie-ins of the whole event. Patrick Gleason’s art is impressive, completed with Tomasi’s always thoughtful writing. Joker’s creepy factor is full on, as well as Damian’s natural determination. I also think the conclusion of this story works perfectly as the last one before the showdown.
- Batman #16-17 – “Castle of Cards/Judgement/The Punchline”: Time’s for the Joker’s show and the conclusion of this event. [Core Issues]
Part 3: Epilogue
The event has concluded, but before leaving, the Joker has given Jason a gift, once again highlighting the impact he has had on Jason’s life and his relationship with Batman. It’s a fitting end to the story.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws #17-18 – “Don’t Let the Door Hit You on Your Way Out!/Last Dance. Last Chance…for Death!“
- Batman and Robin #17 – “Life Is But a Dream“: This self-contained issue is a dream tale following the recent event… and before the next tragedy. It’s a cute and peaceful issue, a good way to conclude.
What about Teen Titans #17? While labelled as an issue in “the wake of Death of the Family”, it is actually the start of a new run and the launch of a new story. Yes, Tim talked about the recent events with the Joker, but this does not give more closure. So skip it!
What to read after Death of the Family?
Before continuing Snyder and Capullo’s Batman run, you have to check out the conclusion of Grant Morrison’s run on Batman (with Batman Inc.) that took place around here to avoid any form of spoilers. The run concludes with a massive tragedy for the family, which kind of makes the whole Death of the Family less meaningful. The aftermath is actually explored in the Batman: Requiem crossover, which includes Batman (Vol. 2) #18. The truth is, the next two issues (#19-20) continue to deal with the aftermath of Morrison’s run, before Snyder and Capullo launch their next story, Batman: Zero Year. This can be read at any time, as this is a year-long story retelling the origins of Batman for the New 52 continuity.
Also part of the Batman: Requiem crossover is Detective Comics #18, which deals with the aftermath of the Death of the Family for the Penguin and concludes the Emperor Penguin story arc.
Finally, if you want to read more classic stories with the Joker, check out our Essential Reading Order for the Clown Prince of Crime.
Note: An earlier version of this guide appeared on our site in 2021. It has been completely refreshed and updated with a new revised reading order, new information, and new images!