Published in late 1988-early 1989 by DC Comics, Invasion! is crossover event plotted by Keith Giffen (from Justice League International) with the main series scripted by Bill Mantlo (with art from Todd McFarlane, Bart Sears, and Giffen). It was the biggest DC event since Crisis on Infinite Earths, and it was about the heroes of Earth facing a massive Alien invasion. It is now known for its introduction of the metagene as the explanation within the DC Universe as to how some people gain superhuman abilities. Also, it’s the inspiration for the 2016 TV crossover event between the series from the Arrowverse on The CW.
Here is the official synopsis: Resilient. Overpowering. Unstoppable. By their very nature, our planet’s superheroes have become a threat to the rest of the universe. Now, an alliance has formed between the fiercest, most calculating alien races (led by the war-like Dominators and Khunds) to pursue a single goal: the elimination of Earth’s guardians. As war erupts all over the world, Superman leads the charge against these would-be alien conquerors. Can our planet’s greatest champions repel an army of invaders, each with the strength to rival the Man of Steel? One thing is certain: surrender is not an option!
What to read before Invasion?
You don’t really need to read anything specific before Invasion!, but these (optional) issues contain minor references to the event to come.
- Wonder Woman (vol. 2) Annual #1 & #24
- Adventures of Superman #448
- The Flash (vol. 2) #20
- Swamp Thing (vol. 2) #80
- Spectre (vol. 2) #22
Invasion! Reading Order:
- Invasion! (New Edition)
Collects Invasion! #1-3.
For now, there’s not a collection of all the tie-ins. Being a somewhat minor ’80s event, it’s not on the priority list of books to publish at DC Comic
Invasion! Reading Order: Issue by Issue
- Invasion! #1 (1989)
- Daily Planet Invasion Special #1 (1988)
- Spectre Vol. 2 #23
- Flash Vol. 2 #21
- Manhunter #8
- Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #25
- Justice League International #22
- Swamp Thing Vol. 2 #81
- New Guardians #6
- Captain Atom #24
- Animal Man #6
- Firestorm Vol. 2 #80
- Starman #5
- Checkmate #11
- Power of the Atom #7
- Superman Vol. 2 #26
- Detective Comics #595
- Doom Patrol Vol. 2 #17
- Adventures of Superman #449
- Invasion! #2
- Superman Vol. 2 #27
- Adventures of Superman #450
- Suicide Squad #23
- Flash Vol. 2 #22
- Checkmate #12
- Manhunter #9
- Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #26
- Captain Atom #25
- Justice League International #23
- Animal Man #7
- New Guardians #7
- Starman #6
- Power of the Atom #8
- Firestorm Vol. 2 #81
- Doom Patrol Vol. 2 #18
- Invasion! #3
After Invasion!
The event Invasion! is not without consequences. The invasion of Earth had some long-lasting effects on the DC Universe, especially with the Gene Bomb that gave to or changed the powers of multiple characters.
Here are the issues offering some sort of epilogues to the event
- Justice League Europe #1
- Blasters Special #1
- L.E.G.I.O.N. ’89
- Doom Patrol: Crawling from the Wreckage
- Hawk and Dove (Vol. 3) #1
- Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (Vol. 4) #2
- Spectre (Vol. 2) #24
- Starman #22
- Animal Man #7
- Swamp Thing #96-98
The event marked the end of the “old” Doom Patrol, and the beginning of the one famously written by Grant Morrison (see Doom Patrol Reading Order).