Red Robin (Tim Drake) Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Red Robin (Timothy Drake) 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, 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. This created some significant changes for Tim Drake and essentially removed all of his pre-New 52 adventures. All that was preserved was his general association with Batman and the rest of the Bat-family.

Tim is mostly reintroduced through the Teen Titians series, in which he has a starring role. His association with the Teen Titans (Reading Order) continues throughout the era and provides the bulk of his adventures. However, he also has a number of adventures that take place alongside the Bat-family, mostly in the Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal comics. These appearances alongside the Bat-family introduce more details about Tim and help create relationships that will go on to be important in the Rebirth era.

RHatO = Red Hood and the Outlaws
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
The first set of Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Red Hood and the Outlaws issues are from the Vol. 1 series
Superboy issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Legion Lost issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman and Robin issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman Incorporated issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
The second set of Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 5 series

Notes

1. Tim Drake's appearance here is mostly just a cameo. However, it helps establish his relationship with the Bat-family early on.
2. This issue mostly centers around Red Hood (Reading Order). However, Tim makes an appearance in a flashback that helps establish a unique friendship between Tim and Jason while also showing a piece of information that led to what happened in Teen Titans #1.
3. These issues are mostly about Damian Wayne. However, they feature brief appearances from Tim that establish Tim's feelings toward Damian.
4. Only the "Tomorrow" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order. This story is a flashback that simply shows a brief moment of inspiration from Tim's past.
5. This issue is mostly about Batman but features some unique interactions between Batman and Tim that some fans may find interesting.
6. These issues have the Bat-family come together in order to face a threat. Though Tim is only one of many characters contributing here, these issues showcase his skills and his dedications to his allies.
7. Tim and the rest of the Teen Titans only make a small appearance in the Forever Evil (Reading Order) event. However, their actions during this storyline provide the basis for Teen Titans: The Trial of Kid Flash (Review). These actions are also summarized at the beginning of The Trial of Kid Flash (Review), making these issues somewhat nonessential.
8. This arc serves as an emotional successor to the hurt feelings present at the conclusion of the Death of the Family (Reading Order) event.
9. Tim only makes a brief appearance in this comic. However, it may be interesting for fans wanting to see him interact with Maps (Reading Order) from Gotham Academy (Reading Order).
10. This issue only features a few brief appearances from Red Robin. However, it depicts a reunion that changes things within the Bat-family.
11. The last issue of Batman & Robin Eternal contains a jump forward in time that spoils something from Batman #50.

Rebirth

Besides a general change in his situation, explained at the beginning of the Detective Comics Rebirth series, this era introduces little to no continuity changes for Tim Drake. However, it does further refine his origin story to better reflect what it was before the New 52.

Tim Drake's adventures in this era are mostly told through the Detective Comics series and is particularly tied to writer James Tynion IV's time writing the series (Reading Order). He first appears as an essential part in assembling the Gotham Knights team. Then, his role is radically diminished for a while. He then returns to have a large role in the conclusion of James Tynion IV's time writing the series (Reading Order). 

1. These issues feature brief flashbacks that show Tim's role in assembling the Gotham Knights. Though these appearances are brief, they help give a full picture of his role here.
2. Tim's appearance here is very brief and simply helps further elaborate on his current situation.

Universe

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