Since James Tynion IV stopped writing Batman, Joshua Williamson is the main writer of the series. He also writes Robin, Deathstroke, Inc., and everything linked to Infinite Frontier. This summer, he will be in charge of the Dark Crisis event, but before that he organized another crossover event in the Batmanverse called Shadow War—illustrated by Viktor Bogdanovic.
Here is how it starts: When Deathstroke assassinates Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul demands revenge and sends her League of Shadows to kill Deathstroke and Deathstroke Inc.! Batman and Robin must team up to track down Deathstroke and bring him to justice … but do they?
Expect over-the-top fights, action, mystery, and betrayal as this crossover event creates a major impact on the DCU!
What to read before Shadow War?
With this kind of event, it’s always better to be up-to-date, especially with Joshua Williamson’s writing. First, we’ve got Batman, the first story after the Fear State event, then Damian Wayne in Robin (see Damian Wayne Reading Order for more info), and Deathstroke in the new Deathstroke, Inc. series.
- Batman Vol. 6: Abyss
Collects Batman #118-121, #124. - Robin Vol. 1: The Lazarus Tournament
Collects Robin #1-6. - Robin Vol. 2: I Am Robin
Collects Robin #7-12; Robin 2021 Annual #1. - Deathstroke Inc. Vol. 1
Collects Deathstroke Inc. #1-7 and a story from Batman: Urban Legends #6.
Shadow War Reading Order:
The Collected Editions:
- Batman: Shadow War (hardcover edition)
Collects all the parts of the Shadow War story from Batman #122-123; Robin #13-14; Deathstroke Inc. #8-9; Shadow War: Alpha #1; Shadow War: Omega #1; Shadow War Zone #1.
Shadow War Reading Order: Issus by Issue
- Shadow War: Alpha #1
- Batman Annual 2022 (optional)
- Batman #122
- Deathstroke, Inc. #8
- Robin #13
- Batman #123
- Shadow War Zone #1
- Deathstroke, Inc. #9
- Robin #14
- Shadow War: Omega #1
After Shadow War
Shadow War is one step in the direction of the Dark Crisis. The next step is Justice League #75.