In April and May DC Comics is taking a break from their usual publishing schedule (mostly to move offices from New York to California) and will be releasing a weekly limited series called Convergence. This series will see interpretations of various characters of different periods in DC Comics history return – which will give lapsed and older readers a nostalgic kick and newer readers a gateway into new concepts.
But how will all this happen? Over the years DC Comics has changed the structure of their comics universe which have brought change through removing older concepts. But, what if these concepts never actually disappeared? That’s were the Superman villain Braniac comes in to the picture, hording all of these lost ideas and bottle them up in his collection. Although, one day he decides to open up his collection and see what happens when they call converge on each other.
As mentioned earlier, this aims to appeal to both older readers and new readers alike. Lapsed and more seasoned readers will enjoy seeing old concepts and characters return, allowing for new stories about them one last time. DC Comics has said that Convergence will be new reader friendly by bringing readers up to speed on each character and concept so they don’t feel lost.
As an added bonus all the issues in May will be over-sized with an an extra original story which gives readers a taste of the new comics that DC Comics has on offer in June.
For those who are interested in this event a Convergence Reading Order Guide which lets you know about all the available tie-ins, the creators behind them as well as release dates. If you see any details that are wrong please let me know (nicely) in the comments below.
Additionally, I have induced which era each starring character originates from to get a better feel for each series. For those not familiar with older periods of DC Comics’ history Josie Campbell from Comic Book Resources has created a great guide to all of them feature in Convergence.
Lead-Up Stories
While Convergence #0 should explain everything you need to know going in there are a few stories/issues that hint of lead up to Convergence. These are:
Superman: Doomed #2
Future’s End
Earth 2: World’s End
Future’s End: Booster Gold #1
Convergence
Written by Jeff King, Dan Jurgens and Scott Lobdell. Art by Ethan Van Sciver, Carlo Pagulayan and Stephen Segovia.
Convergence #0 – April 1st
Convergence #1 – April 8th
Convergence #2 – April 15th
Convergence #3 – April 22nd
Convergence #4 – April 29th
Convergence #5 – May 6th
Convergence #6 – May 13th
Convergence #7 – May 20th
Convergence #8 – May 27th
Tie-Ins
Convergence will also feature 40 two-part standalone stories that spin out of the main story. These are not all essential to read but instead centre around a character or team from a certain period in DC Comics history.
If you want to read the tie-ins would suggest reading Convergence #0 and #1 for some background then reading any of the titles with characters or creative teams that take your interest. They can be read at any time and from what I can tell are not linked to specific issues of Convergence eg: you don’t need to read Convergence #4 to understand part 2 of a miniseries.
The Atom
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Tom Peyer. Art by Steve Yeowell.
Convergence: The Atom #1 – April 8th
Convergence: The Atom #2 – May 6th
Batgirl
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Alisa Kwitney. Art by Rick Leonardi and Mark Pennington.
Convergence: Batgirl #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Batgirl #2 – May 6th
Batman & Robin
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Ron Marz. Art by Denys Cowan and Klaus Janson.
Convergence: Batman & Robin #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Batman & Robin #2 – May 6th
Harley Quinn
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Steve Pugh. Art by Phil Winslade and John Dell.
Convergence: Harley Quinn #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Harley Quinn #2 – May 6th
Justice League
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Frank Tieri. Art by Vicente Cifuentes.
Convergence: Justice League #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Justice League #2 – May 6th
Nightwing/Oracle
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Gail Simone. Art by Jan Duursema and Dan Parsons
Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #2 – May 6th
The Question
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Cully Hamner.
Convergence: The Question #1 – April 8th
Convergence: The Question #2 – May 6th
Speed Force
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Tony Bedard. Art by Tom Grummett and Sean Parsons.
Convergence: Speed Force #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Speed Force #2 – May 6th
Superman
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written Dan Jurgens. Art by Lee Weeks and Dan Jurgens.
Convergence: Superman #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Superman #2 – May 6th
Titans
Originating Era: Pre-Flashpoint (2000s up until 2011)
Written by Fabian Nicieza. Art by Ron Wagner and Jose Marzan.
Convergence: Titans #1 – April 8th
Convergence: Titans #2 – May 6th
Aquaman
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Tony Bedard. Art by Cliff Richards.
Convergence: Aquaman #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Aquaman #2 – May 13th
Batman: Shadow of the Bat
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Larry Hama. Art by Philip Tan and Jason Paz.
Convergence: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #2 – May 13th
Catwoman
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Justin Gray. Art by Ron Randall.
Convergence: Catwoman #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Catwoman #2 – May 13th
Green Arrow
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Christy Marx. Art by Rags Morales and Claude St-Aubin.
Convergence: Green Arrow #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Green Arrow #2 – May 13th
Green Lantern/Parallax
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Tony Bedard. Art by Ron Wagner and Bill Reinhold.
Convergence: Green Lantern/Parallax #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Green Lantern/Parallax #2 – May 13th
Justice League International
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Ron Marz. Art by Mike Manley.
Convergence: Justice League International #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Justice League International #2 – May 13th
Suicide Squad
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Frank Tieri. Art by Tom Mandrake.
Convergence: Suicide Squad #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Suicide Squad #2 – May 13th
Superboy
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Fabian Nicieza. Art by Karl Moline and Jose Marzan Jr.
Convergence: Superboy #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Superboy #2 – May 13th
Supergirl: Matrix
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Keith Giffen. Art by Ramon Bachs.
Convergence: Supergirl: Matrix #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Supergirl: Matrix #2 – May 13th
Superman: The Man of Steel
Originating Era: Zero Hour (Late 80s and 1990s)
Written by Louise Simonson. Art by June Brigman and Roy Richardson.
Convergence: Superman: The Man of Steel #1 – April 15th
Convergence: Superman: The Man of Steel #2 – May 13th
The Adventures of Superman
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Marv Wolfman. Art by Roberto Viacava and Andy Owens.
Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #2 – May 20th
Batman and the Outsiders
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Marc Andreyko. Art by Carlos D’anda.
Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders #2 – May 20th
The Flash
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Dan Abnett. Art by Federico Dallocchio.
Convergence: The Flash #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: The Flash #2 – May 20th
Green Lantern Corps
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by David Gallaher. Art by Steve Ellis and Ande Parks.
Convergence: Green Lantern Corps #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Green Lantern Corps #2 – May 20th
Hawkman
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written Jeff Parker. Art by Tim Truman and Enrique Alcatena.
Convergence: Hawkman #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Hawkman #2 – May 20th
Justice League America
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Fabian Nicieza. Art by Chriscross.
Convergence: Justice League America #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Justice League America #2 – May 20th
New Teen Titans
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Marv Wolfman. Art by Nicola Scott and Marc Deering.
Convergence: New Teen Titans #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: New Teen Titans #2 – May 20th
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Stuart Moore. Art by Gus Storms and Mark Farmer.
Convergence: Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #2 – May 20th
Swamp Thing
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Len Wein. Art by Kelley Jones.
Convergence : Swamp Thing #1 – April 22nd
Convergence : Swamp Thing #2 – May 20th
Wonder Woman
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Larry Hama. Art by Josh Middleton.
Convergence: Wonder Woman #1 – April 22nd
Convergence: Wonder Woman #2 – May 20th
Action Comics
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986) mixed with alternate universe ideas.
Written by Justin Gray. Art by Claude St-Aubin and Sean Parsons.
Convergence: Action Comics #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Action Comics #2 – May 27th
Blue Beetle
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Scott Lobdell. Art by Yishan Li.
Convergence: Blue Beetle #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Blue Beetle #2 – May 27th
Booster Gold
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Dan Jurgens. Art by Alvaro Martinez and Raul Fernandez.
Convergence: Booster Gold #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Booster Gold #2 – May 27th
Crime Syndicate
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986) mixed with alternate universe ideas.
Written by Brian Buccellato. Art by Phil Winslade.
Convergence: Crime Syndicate #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Crime Syndicate #2 – May 27th
Detective Comics
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Len Wein. Art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.
Convergence: Detective Comics #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Detective Comics #2 – May 27th
Infinity Inc.
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Jerry Ordway. Art by Ben Caldwell.
Convergence: Infinity Inc. #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Infinity Inc. #2 – May 27th
Justice Society of America
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986) mixed with alternate universe ideas.
Written by Dan Abnett. Art by Tom Derenick and Trevor Scott.
Convergence: Justice Society of America #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Justice Society of America #2 – May 27th
Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986) mixed with alternate universe ideas.
Written by Simon Oliver. Art by John Mccrea.
Convergence: Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters #2 – May 27th
Shazam
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986) mixed with alternate universe ideas.
Written by Jeff Parker. Art by Evan “Doc” Shaner.
Convergence: Shazam #1 – April 29th
Convergence: Shazam #2 – May 27th
World’s Finest Comics
Originating Era: Before Crisis on Infinite Earths (Before 1986)
Written by Paul Levitz. Art by Jim Fern and Joe Rubinstein (with cartoons by Shannon Wheeler).
Convergence: World’s Finest Comics #1 – April 29th
Convergence: World’s Finest Comics #2 – May 27th
Convergence Collected
For those who prefer to read in the collected format, here’s how Convergence will be collected.
After Convergence
While Convergence is now finished it doesn’t mean that’s the end of the concepts and characters. Starting in October 2015 DC Comics will release spin-off series coming out of this event. These are:
Superman: Lois and Clark
Written by Dan Jurgens. Art by Lee Weeks.
Telos
Written by Jeff King. Art by Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz.
Titans Hunt (12 issue maxiseries)
Written by Dan Abnett. Art by Paulo Siqueira.
Have Your Say
Have you found the Convergence Reading Order Guide helpful? Will you be reading this event? Let me know at the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
You still didn’t provide a “Reading Order”
Need to list in ORDER the comic books to read
You showed wonderful info but still have no clue what to read first, second, etc.
Hi Jeff, thanks for the feedback. I talk about the Reading Order in the tie-ins section in regards to the tie-ins being optional. The tie-ins are self contained, but I did suggest reading #0 and #1 of the main series to create context for them. For example, you don’t have to read the Batman tie-ins followed by the Superman one followed by the Flash etc. Just pick the ones that appeal to you and read #1 and #2.
Hi Trevor. I looked under the Tie in section and didn’t see a reading order mentioned. I have been reading and collecting Convergence. When I read Aquaman #2, at the end it said that the story continues in Convergence #8, I believe. So a Reading Order from start to finish would be helpful.
this is in no way a reading order guide, its a reading list.
From the readings before Convengence. Do I need to read Future’s End and Earth 2: World’s End full series? Sorry I’m new to this.
Hi, anything that leads into Convergence is not essential reading as the early issues of Convergence will tell you anything you need to know.
Thanks!!
Is it really necessary to read all the Tie Ins or can you read just the main story line?
You should be fine reading main storyline. The tie-ins are optional and I suggest just picking up the ones that interest you instead of them all.
That’s what I thought….I’m thinking the same with Secret Wars. Will you be doing a check list for that event? Great job on this site btw…..keep it up. I’m enjoying comics more today than I have in a while.
Totally agree with @Chris. Since I started getting into comics 2 years ago, this site is so critical to understanding what to read in an EVENT series and also learn when things are being released in an easy fashion.
Thanks for the work @Trevor!
Thanks ClearHeatVision!
Thanks Chris! The Secret Wars one is on its way. It’ll be up towards the end of April.
wow thank you…will be at the launch here in the philippines…
Actually I look back on it and its not so bad wasn’t civil war way bigger?
Civil War was probably bigger, but this is condensed into 2 months instead of Civil Wars 8ish.
Yea true its good amount to be dishing in just 2 months.
WOAH that is a huge ass event bro dam lol. I’m so glad you guys are covering it.
Hmmm. I wonder if this will be the thing to finally get me to read DC consistently. I enjoy the big crossovers that Marvel employs so maybe this will be more in my wheel house.