For a long time, Batman considered the Court of Owls just a legend. They didn’t exist. They couldn’t exist. They were just a legend told only through whispers and one really famous Gotham City nursery rhyme:
“Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed. Speak not a whispered word about them, or they’ll send the Talon for your head.
As Batman will learn, the Court of Owls is real. They are watching and they are coming for the Dark Knight at the beginning of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s run on Batman. An ancient secret society that has controlled Gotham City for centuries, the Court was introduced at the start of the New 52 era, becoming the iconic antagonist at the heart of an instant classic story. Their confrontation against Batman and his allies was also depicted in the first Batfamily event of this era, called the Night of Owls.
We are right now responding to Alfred’s call to fight back against the Talons of the Court with our Ultimate Night of Owls Reading Guide, going from the first appearance of the Court to this fatal night and its conclusion.
What to read before Batman: Night of Owls?
As mentioned previously, the Court of Owls was introduced at the launch of the New 52 era, a new starting point for readers and the DC Universe. This is the perfect story for new Batman readers, as no prior knowledge is required.
For the perfectionists out there who still want to really go deeper into Gotham City mythology and its wealthy society, you can check out Batman: Black Mirror, the last Post-Crisis Batman story written by Scott Snyder, and illustrated by Jock and Francesco Francavilla. This story shares themes that Snyder would explore again in his run, and it actually was that tale that convinced DC Comics to hire him as the main writer for Batman in New 52.
Also from a story by Snyder (and written by Kyle Higgins and Ryan Parrott) is Batman: Gates of Gotham, which explores Gotham’s history, going back to the turn of the century, when three prominent families (the Waynes, Kanes, and Elliotts) shaped the construction of modern-day Gotham City. This story is recommended for all those who really like to go deep into the past and learn more about how Gotham City was built. This story can be read at any time, as it sort-of works as an independent prequel to The Court.
Collecting Batman: Night of the Owls
The Court of Owls unleashes its army across every corner of Gotham City in a Compendium book that hit the shelves this year, covering the whole story, tie-ins included, for the first time:
- Batman: Night of the Owls Compendium [2026]
Collects Batman #1-12, All-Star Western #9, Batwing #9, Batman and Robin #9, Nightwing #8-9, Batgirl #9, Red Hood and the Outlaws #9, Birds of Prey #9, Detective Comics #9, Batman: The Dark Knight #9, Batman Annual #1, and Catwoman #9.
The story can also be collected in several trade paperbacks:
- Batman, Vol. 1: The Court of Owls
Collects Batman #1-7. - Batman: Night of the Owls (The Event)
Collects Batman #8-11, Nightwing #8-9, All Star Western #9, Catwoman #9, Batgirl #9, Batman: Dark Knight #9, Batwing #9, Batman and Robin #9, Birds of Prey #9, Red Hood and the Outlaws #9, Batman Annual #1 and Detective Comics #9. All those issues have been reprinted in the collected editions of each character. - Batman, Vol. 2: The City of Owls
Collects Batman #8–12, and Batman Annual #1.
🦉 The main story (only the Batman issues) is today known as the Court of Owls Saga. You’ll find all the collections that DC has put out there for this now classic Batman tale in our Court of Owls guide.
Batman: Night of Owls – An Issue-by-Issue Reading Order
Part 1: The Court of Owls
There is simply no reason to read The Night of Owls without the Court of Owls. This is where it all starts for Batman and Nightwing…
- Batman #1-7 – “The Court of Owls”: There is no Night without the Court! This is the story that introduces the Court of Owls into Batman’s mythology and puts everything in motion for the famous night. [Essential]
- Nightwing #1-7 – “Traps and Trapezes”: Dick Grayson returns to Haly’s Circus to uncover why a mysterious assassin is targeting him. The story takes place in parallel to the events of The Court of Owls, concluding with the pivotal scene between Bruce and Dick in the Batcave, as seen in Batman #7. Although it does not add much background information, it can be viewed as supplementary reading, especially given the Court’s interest in Dick.
Part 2: Night of Owls
This is the Night of the Owls event! Gotham is under siege. As the Court of Owls strikes at the heart of the city, every member of the family answers the call to stop the Talons and save as many lives as possible.
This is an event focused on action. Except for the Batman core issues, most, if not all, issues are optional. Batwing and Catwoman are the worst culprits here, feeling more like characters passing through and mostly unconcerned by what is going on.
This reading order diverges from the one you’ll find on DC Universe Infinite, especially around Batman #9. To be honest, you can easily move some issues without impacting the flow of the story. Most issues function well independently, telling for the most part a complete story set during the Night of Owls. I choose to try to follow as best as possible the timeline given in the titles, while taking into account the appearances of the characters who pop up in more than their own comic.
- Batman #8 – “Attack on Wayne Manor/The Call”: This is the official start of the Night of Owls crossover as the Courts launch their strike against Bruce Wayne… and Gotham City! Alfred put the call out to the family at 7:40 PM. [Essential]
- Batwing #9 – “You Have Been Judged Unworthy”: From 4:30 PM to past 7:40 PM.
- Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #9 – “Robin Hears a Hoo”: The issue starts with Robin receiving the call and his mission from Alfred.
- Batgirl vol. 4 #9 – “In the Line of Fire”: From 6:07 PM to past 7:40 PM. The issue makes references to events happening in Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #9 and Red Hood and The Outlaws #9 but nothing spoiler-y.
- Nightwing Vol. 3 #8-9 – “Bloodlines/The Gray Son”: From 7:40 PM to past 8:22 PM. The story starts at the GCPD, where Gordon and Batgirl are, although it doesn’t reflect their situation at all. While still optional, this 2-part story is the most interesting of the tie-ins as Dick Grayson has links to the Court of Owls and the Talon (also the most developed of the bunch). [Complementary reading]
- Batman Vol. 2 #9 – “Night of the Owls”: From 7:51 PM to 11:02 PM [Essential]
- Detective Comics Vol. 2 #9 – “The Owls Take Arkham”: From 8:26 PM to 9:49 PM. Set during Batman #9, depicting his visit at Arkham. Nightwing calls Batman at the end, a contact made after he dealt with his own mission. While Batman referred to the Birds of Prey, there is no contact between them during the night.
- Batman: The Dark Knight vol. 2 #9 – “I Can No Longer Be Broken”: From 10:55 PM to Midnight. Zoom on the events taking place at the end of Batman Vol. 2 #9, but mostly focused on one particular Talon. Dick, Damian, and Red Robin make a cameo appearance at the end.
- Red Hood and The Outlaws #9 – “Who Are You?– –Hoo? Hoo?”: From 7:40 PM to 8:53 PM. The appearance of Batgirl in this issue places this story after Batgirl.
- Birds of Prey vol. 3 #9 – “Gangland Style”: Starts at 8:20 PM. Batgirl joins the fight at 9:03 PM
- Batman Annual Vol. 2 #1 – “First Snow”: The story takes place past midnight and functions as a New 52 origin story for Mr. Freeze, who was in Red Hood and the Outlaws at the beginning of the night. Also present in this issue is Jeremiah Arkham, who was also in Detective Comics (and apparently just returned to work), Dick and Damian. It fits thematically, because of Freeze’s connection with the Court, but feels like an unnecessary detour for Batman.
- Catwoman Vol. 4 #9 –“Mirrors Come in All Sizes”: This is the last confrontation of the night, as the story takes place at 2:00 AM.
Interlude
The action of All-Star Western takes place in 19th-century Gotham. Amadeus Arkham, a pioneer in criminal psychology, has enlisted Jonah Hex to help the Gotham Police Department track down some villains. Although there are no links to the famous Night of Owls, Issue #9 is considered part of this event. It actually introduces a 3-part story featuring a talon and the Court in very small doses. This can completely be skipped. At best, it is recommended for those who love reading about Gotham’s history.
- All Star Western #9 – “Vengeance in the Big Easy”: The only issue labelled as a Night of Owls tie-in. This is really the first part of a story for…
- All Star Western #10-12 – “The War of Lords and Owls”: The follow-up to #9 that explores a conflict that pits the Religion of Crime against the Court of Owls, with Jonah Hex ans his “friends” in the middle of it.
Part 3: City of Owls, the Conclusion
The Night of Owls is over, but the story is not! Read the conclusion to the Court of Owls saga in those Batman issues.
- Batman #10 – “Assault on the Court” [Essential]
- Batman #11 – “My Brother’s Keeper” [Essential]
- Batman #9-11 – “The Fall of the House of Wayne”: This backup story works perfectly as a second conclusion to the Court of Owls saga.
What about Batman #12? It was presented as an epilogue to “The Court of Owls!” and while the related events take place during the story, this issue is focused on Harper Row, who made her first full appearance in Batman #7, and explains her relationship with the Dark Knight.
What to Read After the Night of Owls
The Court of Owls certainly made an impact. While none of their subsequent appearances have really made such an impression, they have still reappeared here and there, since then. You can read about their actions and the stories of some of their Talons in our reading order for the Court of Owls.
Even better, you can continue reading Snyder and Capullo’s Batman series as the Joker returns to Gotham City in Death of the Family.
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!