Batman by Scott Snyder Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of Scott Snyder’s time writing Batman for DC Comics. It attempts to find the best way to showcase the narrative that stretches through this author’s time with the character. It may not encompass every one of the character’s 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: Post-Infinite Crisis – New 52 – Rebirth

Post-Infinite Crisis

Scott Snyder’s run on Batman starts shortly before the New 52 era began. At this time, Bruce Wayne was working on Batman Incorporated so Dick Grayson was working as Batman in Gotham.

In this era, there are only two major Batman story arcs written by Scott Snyder. The first focuses heavily on Dick Grayson, Commissioner Gordon, and James Gordon Jr. (Reading Order). The second places focus on the Bat-family and the history of Gotham while, somewhat, serving as a transition into the New 52 era.

Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, Bruce Wayne took back the role of Batman and Dick Grayson became Nightwing (Reading Order) once more. In addition, the DC Universe was reset. However, the reset appears to have preserved almost all of Bruce Wayne's history, albeit in a more condensed form.

Scott Snyder's work on Batman, throughout this era, is far more prominent than in the previous era. It primarily plays out through the Batman series, of which Scott Snyder wrote the vast majority. However, it also extends into smaller appearances in other comics and the entirety of the Batman Eternal and Batman and Robin Eternal series. All of this helps form one mostly cohesive narrative about Batman through this era.

Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Swamp Thing issues are from the Vol. 5 series

Notes

1. Though not written by Snyder, a moment in this issue stems from a concept created by Tony S. Daniel and Scott Snyder. This moment also goes on to have a big impact on the Batman: Death of the Family (Reading Order) story arc.
2. These are all large crossover events that spin out of the Batman series. The core issues from these crossovers are included in this reading order but the tie-in issues are not. Readers interested in this tie-ins, which may help give a better picture of the events as a whole, should see their respective reading orders.
3. These issues, co-written by Snyder, have guest appearances by Batman. As a whole, the Talon series continues plot threads started back in the Court of the Owls saga.
4. These issues, written by Snyder, do not have Batman as the focus. However, they do have him exhibiting some impressive tactics and technology, which may be of interest for Batman fans.
5. These issues take place in an alternate reality and only have brief appearances from Batman. However, Snyder's take on Batman in this alternate reality may be of interest for fans of his work on Batman in the mainstream reality.
6. Certain aspects of the Batman and Batman & Robin Eternal comics do not line up perfectly. However, we recommend approaching them like this for a more enjoyable reading experience.
7. Only the "Twenty-Seven" chapter from this issue is relevant to this reading order.
8. Technically, almost all of Batman & Robin Eternal #13-26 takes place before the events of Batman: Bloom (Review). However, due to a spoiler at the conclusion of Batman & Robin Eternal #26, we suggest reading these issues after Batman: Bloom.

Rebirth

The transition into the Rebirth era does not introduce many significant changes for Batman and mostly continues the story from the New 52. 

In this era, Scott Snyder moved from writing the Batman series to writing the All-Star Batman series and Tom King took over the main Batman series (see our "Batman by Tom King Reading Order" here). This series told stories of its own but also worked as somewhat of a prelude to the Dark Knights: Metal (Reading Order) event. Dark Knights: Metal is a massive event that serves as the culmination of Snyder's work on Batman. This event also transitions Snyder from writing Batman as an individual to Snyder writing Batman as a member of the Justice League (Reading Order), which plays a part in Justice League: No Justice and in Vol. 4 of the Justice League series.

This portion of the read heavily relates to ComicBookWire's "Justice League by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV Reading Order".

Notes

1. Only the "Silent Night" chapter from this issue is relevant to this reading order.
2. This series stars Batman but does not contribute much to his overall character progression.
3. This series mostly stars the Signal (Reading Order) and only has Batman in a supporting role. However, it continues plot elements from the All-Star Batman series and, thus, may be of interest to many fans.
4. Only the "No Justice: Prelude" chapter from this issue is relevant to this reading order.

All DC Comics Reading Orders