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The Authority Reading Order, The DC/Wildstorm series

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The Authority Reading Order

Created in 1999, when Wildstorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics (After Jim Lee left Image Comics), The Authority is a dark and violent superhero comic created by Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan) and illustrated by Bryan Hitch (JLA).

The Authority is a spin-off set in the StormWatch universe. Following the events of the WildC.A.T.S/Aliens one-shot that saw the deaths of multiple characters, Jenny Sparks (aka “The Spirit of the Twentieth Century”), Jack Hawksmoor (aka “The God of Cities”), and Swift (aka “The Winged Huntress”), the survivors of the StormWatch Black team, went on to form a new team: The Authority.

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Booster Gold Reading Order

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Not to be confused with Green Lantern, Booster Gold was created by Dan Jurgens and made his debut in Booster Gold #1 in February 1986. He’s the first significant new hero introduced after the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths!

Booster Gold, aka Michael Jon Carter, is presented as an opportunist hero who likes a good publicity stunt and making money. Simply put, he’s no Superman and he knows it!

Michael and his twin sister Michelle were born in the 25th Century Gotham. They had a loving mother and debts inherited by a gambling father who abandoned them. At first, Michael was dreaming of a career in football but had to stop when his mother fell ill. He turned to illegal gambling to help pay for treatment but was caught by the authorities.

Michael tried to rebuild his life in Metropolis where he worked at the Space Museum and studied superheroes and villains from the 20th century. This is where Michael stole several devices in order to go back in time and make money as a superhero. For his first adventure, he saved the life of the President of the United States Ronald Reagan.

Our gold-seeking hero would soon join the Justice League (International), until the group disbanded in 1996. This is where he met his new best friend, Blue Beetle II (Ted Kord), known together as “Blue and Gold”.

Like other DC Comics Superheroes, Booster Gold goes through a lot of personal tragedies and other traumatic experiences, and all those events push him to become a more honest hero, despite having quite a reputation for being a glory-seeking character!

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The Question Reading Order, from Vic Sage to Renee Montoya

Like The Peacemaker, The Question was originally a Charlton Comics character. In fact, he made his first appearance in Blue Beetle #1 in 1967–in the backup feature. Created by Steve Ditko, he was based on Mr. A, a hero based on Ditko himself. The Question was however more mainstream, even if he was more ruthless than what readers could expect at that time.

The Question is Vic Sage, a TV investigative journalist who fights crime, hiding his true identity behind a special mask created by his former professor, the scientist Aristotle Rodor–inventor of an artificial skin called Pseudoderm. That mask transformed Sage into a man without a face. He had no power, but a great sense of what is right or wrong.

After only a few stories in Blue Beetle, and a compilation of unpublished materials in Mysterious Suspense #1, The Question‘s run at Charlton Comics ended. He only reappeared briefly in the anthology Charlton Bullseye years later, before joining DC Comics in 1983.

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Wally West Reading Order (Kid Flash, the Flash III, the Scarlet Speedster)

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Created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino, Wally West made his debut in The Flash #110 in December 1959, as the original Kid Flash.

Wallace Rudolph “Wally” West is the nephew of Iris West who accidentally gained powers while visiting Barry Allen in his Central city police lab. There, he is splattered with lightning-charged chemicals as the freak accident that gave Barry his powers happened again!

Wally West became Kid Flash, the sidekick to the second Flash, and distinguished himself with a primarily yellow costume. He also was a founding member of the Teen Titans, where he became close friends with Dick Grayson (alias Robin/Nightwing).

He eventually succeeded Barry Allen as the Flash and had to deal with the difficult task of replacing his mentor. At the same time, he became a founding member of Justice League Europe, then moved to the Justice League of America, and had stints with Titans and Justice League Elite.

This Scarlet Speedster has appeared in many animated television series and video games and was played by Keiynan Lonsdale in the Arrowverse.

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Jon Kent Reading Order (Superboy, Superman)

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Almost a decade ago, the Superman Family expanded with the introduction of Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, bringing a refreshing change to the Superman legacy. Created by Dan Jurgens—who also created Doomsday, Cyborg Superman, and Booster Gold—Jon Kent made his first appearance as a baby in Convergence: Superman #2 (July 2015).

When your father is Superman, chances are you’re not an ordinary kid. Jon inherited incredible powers, including solar radiation absorption, invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, hearing, flight, X-ray vision, and more. As Jurgens explained in a ComicBook.com interview, “Lots of people might expect Jon to be something like his dad’s younger self, but it would be a bit of a mistake.” Instead, he described Jon as “looking like Clark but with Lois’ spitfire attitude and inquisitiveness” (Newsarama).

That description of Jon fits him best as a child. Writers Dan Jurgens and Peter Tomasi brought life to the character, making it feel like a normal kid trying to do his best, making mistakes while learning how to be a responsible person and how to use his powers, whether he was with his parents or living some adventure with his best friend, Damian Wayne/Robin!

While it can take decades for some DC Comics characters to grow up, Jon’s childhood was cut short when Brian Michael Bendis aged him up—a controversial decision among readers. Since that event, Jon has joined the Legion of Super-Heroes, taken up the mantle of Superman, and been revealed as bisexual.

Despite being a young character in the DC Universe, Jon Kent has already found his way to the screen and has been played by Jordan Elsass (in seasons 1 & 2) and Michael Bishop (from season 3) in the series Superman & Lois. Jack Dylan Grazer has also voiced the character in the animated film Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons.

Now, let’s explore the many adventures of Jon Kent, Son of Superman, with our Complete Jon Kent Comics Guide!

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Who is Black Manta? The Origins of Aquaman’s iconic villain

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Black Manta is one of the most fearless supervillains in the DC Universe, and one of the pettiest there is – next to Eobard Thawne aka Reverse Flash. He just hates Aquaman, pure and simple, and wants to destroy the Atlantean world.

Why Black Manta is so fixated on making Arthur Curry’s life hell? That’s the question you could ask yourself. And one that didn’t find an answer for a long time in the comic book pages of the DC Universe.

Black Manta was created by Bob Harney and Nick Cardy and made his debut in Aquaman #35 in September 1967. Though Aquaman’s nemesis made his first appearance here, it was not the first time the two characters fought, as the story made it clear they clashed before – in untold stories. But Manta was not given clear motivation at all.

The readers would have to wait more than 25 years to discover Black Manta’s first proper origin story and more so to discover his real name. His complete name, David Milton Hyde, was given only in 2020 in Aquaman Vol. 8 #62. Proof that you don’t need a (solid) backstory to ruin the life of a superhero and become an iconic villain!

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Batman Infinite Frontier Reading Order


In the middle of James Tynion IV’s run on Batman comics, the DC Comics Universe was once more softly relaunched. Following the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, Generations, and Future State, the DC Multiverse has in fact expanded into a larger Omniverse (and everything became canon). This was how the Infinite Frontier era was introduced—and launched in March 2021. It concluded with the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event, in December 2022.

It was less than two years, but a lot has happened in Batman’s life with events like Fear State and Shadow War, and a new costume at one point. As usual, the Dark Knight’s adventures were published in Batman and Detective Comics, but also in the comic book anthology Batman: Urban Legends, the team books Batman/Superman and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, and more!

There’s also a new Batman Incorporated comics and a new and different Batman in I Am Batman. Jace Fox is first introduced as the new Batman during Future State but soon gets his own series, written by John Ridley, and a lot of miniseries, most of which are out-of-continuity.

Of course, this is mainly about Batman, but the BatFamily is also featured. Nevertheless, their books are not necessarily included. Though, you can find them on their dedicated pages: Nightwing, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Jason Todd, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Barbara Gordon, Batwoman, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Terry McGinnis (The Batman Beyond).

What to Read Before Batman Infinite Frontier?

As this new era started during James Tynion IV’s Batman comics run, it is recommended to be up-to-date with his work.

  • Batman Vol. 1: Their Dark Designs
    Collects stories from Batman (vol. 3) #85-94 and Batman Secret Files #3
  • The Joker War Saga
    Collects Batman (vol. 3) #95–100; Batgirl (vol. 5) #47; Detective Comics #1025; Red Hood: Outlaw #48; Nightwing (vol. 4) #74; The Joker War Zone #1; material from Harley Quinn (vol. 3) #75 and Catwoman (vol. 5) #25
  • Batman Vol. 3: Ghost Stories
    Collects Batman (vol. 3) #101–105, Annual (vol. 3) #5; Detective Comics #1027

Following Dark Nights: Death Metal, the DC Comics Universe went to the future with Future State. It may be skipped, but it is better to be familiar with some elements of this story to fully apprehend what is at stake, especially during the Fear State event. You can learn more about Future State in the dedicated reading order.

  • Future State: Dark Detective
    Collects Future State: Dark Detective #1-4 (main story), Future State: Catwoman #1-2, Future State: Harley Quinn #1-2, Future State: Robin Eternal #1-2, Future State: Batman/Superman #1-2.
  • Future State: The Next Batman
    Collects Future State: The Next Batman #1-4, Future State: Nightwing #1-2, Future State: Dark Detective #1 & 3 (select stories), and backup stories.

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Nubia Reading Order (Wonder Woman)

Introduced in 1973 in Wonder Woman #204, Nubia was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Don Heck. She is an Amazon, and DC Comics’ first Black woman superhero.

At first, Nubia was Wonder Woman‘s long-lost fraternal twin–she was raised by Mars the god of war as his weapon of destruction against the Amazons. Mars’ plan failed and Nubia only made a few appearances after that, then disappeared for 20 years!

When reintroduced during the Post-Crisis/Modern Age era of the DC Universe in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) Annual #8 in 1999, she was renamed Nu’Bia and was charged to guard “Doom’s Doorway” a very long time ago. So long in fact that the Themyscirian Amazons assumed she had perished. It was a short comeback.

But now in the Infinite Frontier era, after appearing in Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman, Nubia is fully back. Reintroduced as an Amazonian champion tasked with guarding Doom’s Doorway, Nubia shortly became Queen of Amazons and started sharing the title of Wonder Woman with Diana.

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Poison Ivy Reading Order

Created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, Poison Ivy made her debut in Batman #181 in June 1966. She is a botanist with the power to control all plant life. Determined to protect all plants, whatever the costs, she became an “eco-terrorist of global importance,” as she calls herself.

Also known under the name Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley, Poison Ivy is also part of Batman Rogues Galleries, and one of his most famous enemies, at first juggling between wanting him to fall in love with her or kill him.

Poison Ivy walks the fine line between antagonist and antiheroine, as her several team affiliations illustrate it. She has been a member of the Injustice Gang and Secret Society of Super Villains, as well as part of the Gotham City Sirens,  the Birds of Prey, and Suicide Squad.

Today, she is most famous for her partnership with her best friend, recurring ally, and love interest Harley Quinn. And like all relations in comic books, it’s complicated!

She has been featured in several adaptations of live-action, animated, and video games. She has been portrayed by Uma Thurman in the movie Batman & Robin; Clare Foley, Maggie Geha, and Peyton List in the television series Gotham, and Bridget Regan in the third season of Batwoman.

This reading order was requested by Nani, one of our readers! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or write to us with some other suggestions!

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Superman Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC Reading Order (with Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor & Joshua Williamson)

Following recent events (with Dark Nights: Death Metal, Generations, and Future State), the DC Multiverse has expanded into a larger Omniverse, where everything was now canon. It was a way for DC to continue what was launched with Rebirth, meaning re-establishing popular past stories and relationships while retaining the new characters and simple backstories from the modern era. DC simply wants the best of both worlds!

This situation leads us to the Infinite Frontier era, where Clark Kent and his son Jonathan Kent are both Superman. Each one of them is the star of his own title, with Clark starring in Action Comics by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Phil Hester, and Jon Kent starring in Superman: Son of Kal-El by Tom Taylor and John Timms.

During this period was also published the ongoing series Batman/Superman (vol. 2), Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, and the limited series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Superman ’78, Superman and the Authority, and Superman: Red & Blue.

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