Bane Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Bane throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52 (Reading Order), the DC Universe was reset. In this new continuity, most of Bane’s history is wiped clean. However, it appears that Bane’s most famous fight against Batman, in which he broke Batman’s back, is still in continuity.

Unlike most Batman villains, Bane’s progression through the New 52 era mostly follows a single narrative that continues through several comics. This narrative begins in the Batman: The Dark Knight series, transitions in an issue of Detective Comics, is further established in a Talon story arc, and finally comes to fruition through the Forever Evil: Arkham War. After this point, Bane’s adventures still continue in a logical pattern but have less of a specific focus.

Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batwoman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman/Superman issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Notes

1. Only the Bane story, from this issue, is necessary in this Reading Order.
2. These issues only feature extremely brief appearances from Bane. However, they explain his role in Batman Eternal #47-50.
3. Neither of Bane's appearances here fit well into his continuity. Bane and Batman's status in these issue do not match their status at the time these issues were published. We have placed them here as a compromise but warn readers that the continuity surrounding these appearances is murky at best.
4. These issues have Bane as a minor villain in another story arc. They can be skipped if necessary as they do not fit in well with the rest of his narrative.
5. This issue has Bane as a pawn in another villain's plan. Bane is a main character in this issue but it does little to enhance anything about his character.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era does not introduce any obvious continuity changes for Bane. However, almost nothing in his New 52 history is mentioned in the Rebirth era. Instead, Bane's most famous fight against Batman, in which he broke Batman's back, is the largest piece of Bane's history mentioned in Rebirth.

Like the previous era, Bane's progression in the Rebirth era is unique among Batman villains in that it mostly follows a single narrative. Bane quickly appears in multiple Batman story arcs, taking on a major role in Tom King's run on the series (Reading Order). His final appearance in this era directly sets up his role in the next era.

Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Universe

In the Universe era, Bane's story directly continues his story from throughout the Rebirth era. Everything he did in that era is immediately relevant to his appearances here and is referenced in numerous places. Alongside these references, the entirety of Tom King's Rebirth run on Batman (Reading Order) is often brought up.

Like the previous era, Bane's story here primarily plays out through the Batman series. There, his plans from the Rebirth era come to fruition and play out through the series. Ultimately, this leads to the "City of Bane" story arc, which is the climax of Bane's activities from this era and the one preceding it.

Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. Only the "Alethephobia" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order. Though not directly related to the main Batman narrative, this story helps further develop Bane's pre-Batman history.
2. Bane's appearance here is very small and simply serves to set up a more significant appearance in the next issue.
3. This issue is mostly about events surrounding the Joker (Reading Order) and the Joker War. However, Bane makes an appearance that serves as somewhat of an epilogue to the "City of Bane" story arc.

All DC Comics Reading Orders