Man-Bat Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Man-Bat (Kirk Langstrom) 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. However, for Man-Bat, this reset does not appear to have taken place until after his appearance in the Batman Incorporated series, which further develops on his role in the previous era. After this point, it is made clear that his history has been rewritten.

Man-Bat’s role in this era is a bit erratic and inconsistent. His most significant appearances are in the Detective Comics series, where he plays a key role in a story arc. From here, his status quo changes dramatically for his supporting role in the Red Hood and the Outlaws series and then dramatically changes again for his even smaller role in the Gotham Academy series.

RHatO = Red Hood and the Outlaws
Batman Incorporated issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Red Hood and the Outlaws issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Notes

1. Kirk Langstrom makes a brief appearance in this issue. However, his role here continues the role he played in earlier issues of Grant Morrison's run on Batman.
2. Man-Bat appears in this issue and this issue technically takes place around this time period. However, his appearance here is a radical departure from his other appearances and has little to no impact on his overall progression in this era.
3. Dr. Langstrom's role here is relatively small, as this arc focuses on Red Hood (Reading Order), Starfire (Reading Order), and Arsenal (Reading Order).
4. Dr. Langstrom's role here is very small, as these issues focus on the Gotham Academy Detective Club (Reading Order).

Rebirth

Man-Bat's only major appearance in this era is a starring role in a single story. This story seems to indicate some continuity changes have occurred sometime for him sometime prior to it, mostly regarding Kirk Langstrom's relationship with his wife.

Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. Man-Bat takes part in the "War of Jokes and Riddles" but his role in the war is so small that his extremely brief appearance in this issue is at all significant. The only importance of this issue is affirming that Man-Bat took part in the war.
2. Only the "Nocturnal Animal" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order.

All to DC Comics Reading Orders