Robin (Damian Wayne) Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Robin (Damian Wayne) 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

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe was reset. In this new continuity, almost every character’s history was mostly wiped clean and they were reintroduced to the DC Universe. However, Damian was relatively unaffected by this reset. His tense relationship with the Bat-family, his complex ties to his mother, and many of his most significant storylines, specifically those within Grant Morrison’s time writing Batman, are all preserved.

In this era, Robin’s adventures start out in two, separate comics. The Batman Incorporated series continues many of the Damian-related storylines from the previous era while the Batman and Robin series focuses more on Damian’s emotional/character development. Then, a significant shift in the status quo is introduced through Batman Incorporated #8, which significantly impacts Damian’s life. Later on, another shift in the status quo is introduced through Batman and Robin #37, which significantly impacts Damian’s life and helps set up his appearances from that point forward. The rest of his appearances mostly play out through the Robin: Son of Batman series, which stars Robin.

B: TDK = Batman: The Dark Knight
R:SB = Robin: Son of Batman
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Batman Incorporated issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Batman and Robin issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Batman: The Dark Knight issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Red Hood and the Outlaws issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 3 series.

Notes

1. Damian's appearance here is mostly just a cameo. However, it helps establish his relationship with the Bat-family early on.
2. Damian's appearances in Batman Incorporated #0 are relatively small. However, the issue as a whole helps set up the entire Batman Incorporated series.
3. The majority of Batman Incorporated #5 is set in a possible version of the future. However, what takes place in this future helps inform Batman's decisions in the Batman Incorporated series.
4. These issues are mostly about Batman but Damian's brief appearances in them help highlight a few emotional moments between the two.
5. This issue only features brief appearances from Damian but may be interesting for fans looking to see him participate in some lighthearted frivolity.
6. These issues are mostly about the Huntress (Reading Order) and Power Girl (Reading Order) from Earth 2 (Reading Order). However, they establish an interesting connection between Huntress and Damian that some fans may enjoy seeing.
7. Nightwing #17 briefly has Damian in the spotlight and highlights the unique relationship between him and Dick Grayson (Reading Order). Nightwing #18 shows Dick reacting to the events of Batman Incorporated #8. Neither issue is essential to understanding Damian but may be interesting for readers who enjoy the dynamic between Robin and Nightwing.
8. Damian does not physically appear in these issues. However, flashbacks and videos help further develop him as a character and show how other people think of him.
9. This issue mostly just reviews aspects of Damian's history in preparation for other events taking place in the Batman and Robin series.
10. Only the "A Boy's Life" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order.
11. These issues are mostly about the students of Gotham Academy (Reading Order). However, Damian makes brief appearances that helps establish his friendship with Maps (Reading Order).
12. This issue focuses on reconnecting Damian with Dick Grayson (Reading Order). However, the issue is mostly focused on Dick, not Damian.
13. Damian only makes a very brief appearance in this issue but it helps explain a plot point from later in the Robin War (Reading Order) event.
14. Robin has a relatively small role in this series. In addition, the majority of this series technically takes place sometime before Robin War (Reading Order). However, we have placed it here to better reflect the status quo present in the final issue of the series.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era does not introduce any specific continuity changes for Damian. Instead, this era builds upon his New 52 history, specifically a few characters and concepts introduced through the Robin: Son of Batman series.

Robin's adventures here mostly play out in two simultaneously published comics. His adventures with Superboy start in the Superman comic series and then evolve further in Super Sons (Reading Order), while his adventures with the Teen Titans (Reading Order) play out in the Teen Titans series. These comics help position Robin as an important figure in the Lazarus Contract (Reading Order), Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order), and Super Sons of Tomorrow (Reading Order) crossover events. Meanwhile, a number of smaller appearances in Batman-related titles help continue Robin's relationship with the Bat-family.

JL:NJ = Justice League: No Justice
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Deathstroke issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Superman issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Super Sons issues are from the Vol. 1 series
Suicide Squad issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Notes

1. Damian's role in this issue is essentially a cameo that helps prelude his role in the Teen Titans series.
2. Robin has a very small role in these issues, as they are mostly about Nightwing (Reading Order). However, Nightwing Rebirth #1 explains how Robin's condition from the Robin War (Reading Order) event was dealt with and the rest of these issues help elaborate on Nightwing and Robin's friendship.
3. These issues are mostly about Deathstroke (Reading Order). However, Damian plays a small role in Deathstroke's conflict with Batman.
4. Robin does not have a large role in any of these issues. However, they feature various members of the Bat-family and serve to highlight Robin's connection to them.
5. This story arc is mostly about Nightwing (Reading Order) and the problems he is currently working through. However, the arc features significant contributions from Damian and also serves as a spiritual successor to Dick and Damian's time as Batman and Robin.
6. Robin's appearance here is relatively small but continues his general connection to the Gotham Academy Detective Club (Reading Order), specifically with Maps (Reading Order).
7. This story arc is mostly about Superman (Reading Order) and Superboy. However, Robin makes small appearances in it that somewhat build on the general progression of the Super Sons (Reading Order) team-up.
8. Only the "The Last Minute" story is relevant to this reading order.
9. Robin's contributions to the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event are pretty small, outside of the "Gotham Resistance" tie-in.
10. Only the "Holiday Spirit" story is relevant to this reading order. Robin's role in this story is very small.
11. This annual issue is more about the Super Pets rather than the Super Sons (Reading Order), though the Super Sons do make small appearances.

All DC Comics Reading Orders