Court of Owls Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring the Court of Owls throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of the Court’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: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

The Court of Owls was introduced in the New 52 era and does not have any appearances prior to this era.

In this era, the Court of Owls has two major comic book roles. The first is in the first two story arcs from the Batman series. Here, the Court is introduced and is instrumental in kicking off the Night of the Owls (Reading Order) crossover event. The second is in the Robin War (Reading Order) event. Here, they return and forge a connection with Nightwing (Reading Order) that helps set up their initial role in the Rebirth era. Besides these two major appearances, the Court and members of the Court only make small appearances. Some end up as cameos but others give some additional information about their organization.

ASW = All-Star Western
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
All-Star Western issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Batgirl issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 5 series

Notes

1. These issues take place in the distant past. However, they help show how the Court operated in different periods of time.
2. This issue is somewhat of a sequel to the Batgirl tie-in from the Night of the Owls (Reading Order) event. However, it places less emphasis on the Court as a whole and more emphasis on a single Talon, Mary Turner (Reading Order).
3. This series continues many elements and plot threads from the Night of the Owls (Reading Order) event. However, it places less emphasis on the Court as a whole and more emphasis on a single Talon, Calvin Rose (Reading Order). Despite this, these issues explain more about the lore surrounding the Court than almost any other comic issue.
4. The Court only has a small appearance in this issue. However, this appearance continues a plot thread from the Night of the Owls (Reading Order) event and uses it to help set up the Robin War (Reading Order) event.
5. The Court only has a very small appearance in these issue. However, they show how Batman treats the Court after his initial encounter with them.
6. These issues of the Robin War (Reading Order) event are mostly focused on plotlines from the comics they come from, rather than the greater conspiracy stretching across this event.

Rebirth

The Court of Owls' appearances in this era directly build on teasers given at the conclusion of the Robin War (Reading Order) event and Batman #51.

The Court of Owls has two major appearances in this era. The first builds on the conclusion of the Robin War event and further develops their connection with Nightwing (Reading Order). This plays out across issues of the Nightwing series. Their second appearance continues a tease from Batman #51 and further develops their connection with Batman, specifically Scott Snyder's run on Batman (Reading Order). This plays out across the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event.

Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series

Notes

1. The Court of Owls only plays a small role in this issue. However, it helps show what they do at various points in time.
2. The Court of Owls only physically appears in Dark Nights: Metal #2, which is also the issue that most directly addresses their role in the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event. However, other issues from this event elaborate on the history and lore behind the Court and explain their appearance in Metal #2.

Universe

The Universe era is somewhat of an extension of the Rebirth era and, thus, continues elements of the Court's history without continuity changes.

In this era, the Court's major appearance relates to their ongoing connection with Nightwing (Reading Order). Here, this connection and the role of William Cobb (Reading Order) is addressed once again.

Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series

Notes

1. This issue is mostly about the Batman Who Laughs (Reading Order) and something he does to the Court. However, this does not seem to have a major impact on the Court's history, as it is not mentioned much going forward.

All DC Comics Reading Orders