The end of New 52 is around the corner, as Justice League: The Darkseid War is the penultimate story of this era, leading into DC Rebirth. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Jason Fabok, the story shows the return of Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips, but this time he’s set his sights on the world-shattering Anti-Monitor.
The Justice League is caught in a war between those two gods, and are they enough to protect Earth from becoming collateral damage in this fight?
What to read before Justice League: Darkseid War?
Darkseid War takes place at the end of the New 52 Justice League, written by Geoff Johns. There are hints and setup for the event throughout the series. That said, if you haven’t read his Justice League (you can find a full reading order here), you’ll find the most essential background in the first volume (with the introduction of Darkseid) and the sixth volume. Then, Forever Evil leads into the event…
- Justice League Vol. 1: Origin
Collects Justice League (vol. 2) #1–6 - Forever Evil (check out the full reading order for the event)
Collects Forever Evil #1–7. The event itself is a follow-up to Trinity war. - Justice League Vol. 6: Injustice League
Collects Justice League (vol. 2) #30–39
Justice League: Darkseid War Reading Order
Justice League: Darkseid War Reading Order: Collected Editions
The storyline has been collected in an omnibus:
- Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga
Collects Justice League (vol. 2) #40–50; Justice League: The Darkseid War Special #1; Divergence #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – Batman #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – The Flash #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – Green Lantern #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – Lex Luthor #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – Shazam! #1; Justice League: The Darkseid War – Superman #1
It’s also available in trade paperbacks:
- Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War
Collects Justice League #40-44 And Dc Sneak Peek: Justice League #1 - Justice League Vol. 8: Darkseid War Part 2
Collects Justice League (vol. 2) #45–50, Justice League: Darkseid War #1 - Justice League: The Darkseid War – Power of the Gods
Collects Justice League: Gods And Men Superman #1, Justice League: Gods And Men Batman #1, Justice League: Gods And Men The Flash #1, Justice League: Gods And Men Green Lantern #1, Justice League: Gods And Men Shazam! #1 And Justice League: Gods And Men Lex Luthor #1.
Justice League: Darkseid War Reading Order: Issue by Issue
Prologue
- Justice League #40
- Divergence: The Other Amazon
The Main Event
- Justice League #41
- Justice League #42
- Justice League #43
- Justice League #44
- Justice League #45
Tie-Ins
Those one-shots are optional side stories focusing on one individual character following the event of Justice League #45
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Batman
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Flash
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Superman
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Green Lantern
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Lex Luthor
The Main event, Part 2
- Justice League #46
- Justice League #47
- Justice League #48
- Justice League: Darkseid War Special
- Justice League #49
- Justice League #50
What to read after Justice League: Darkseid War?
The storyline continues and all loose ends are closed up during Rebirth. More specifically, go read:
- DC Universe: Rebirth
- Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3: Men of Steel — For Lex’s part with Apokopolis.
- Superman Vol. 6: Imperius Lex, for issues #33-36 — Also for Lex’s part with Apokopolis.
- Wonder Woman Vol. 6: Children of the Gods — For Darkseid and Grail.
Naturally, the Justice League continues to save the world in Justice League Rebirth!