In DC Universe: Rebirth, Batman made an odd discovery in the Batcave. He found a yellow badge, embellished with a smiley face and a blood smear. To the well read this is clearly the same badge that appeared in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s Watchmen – a comic is published by DC Comics, but until now has NEVER connected with the greater superhero universe. To Batman, this leads to a greater mystery. How did it get there? What does it mean? Well, with the help of The Flash, he’s going to find some answers!
That’s right, two of the world’s greatest detectives are teaming-up to solve this mystery in a short crossover known as The Button. This crossover, which DC Comics has mentioned will be part of the larger story in the DC Comics Universe, with the story running through issues #21 and #22 of Batman and The Flash which are released in April and May.
As comic book crossovers can be puzzling, I have put together Batman/The Flash: The Button Reading Order Checklist. This handy reading order checklist is your guide to this crossover, with not only the reading order but creator credits, background reading, release dates and more.
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Lead up Stories
Watchmen #1-12
I’m putting Watchmen in here because The Button appears to have Watchmen references to it. It might even end up having some of the characters in there too. If that’s the case it will be worth reading for character familiarity. (It’s also a really good read!) Although, if you don’t have the time to read Watchmen if you’ve seen the movie you’re going to get the gist of who the characters are.
Flashpoint #1-5
In this Flash-centric event, we see the Flash accidentally stumble on Earth which has been drastically changed through tampering of the timeline. In the result of fixing it he instigated many changes which are still be felt or, in some cases, fixed today. The marketing for The Button has suggested that this story will be referenced due to the inclusion of certain characters.
DC Universe: Rebirth #1
This issue kicks off the mystery with Batman finding the Button in the Batcave.
The Button Reading Order
Batman #21 (Part 1)
Written by Tom King. Art by Jason Fabok.
Available from April 19th.
The Flash #21 (Part 2)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from April 26th.
Batman #22 (Part 3)
Written by Tom King and Joshua Williamson. Art by Jason Fabok.
Available from May 3rd.
The Flash #22 (Part 4)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from May 17th.
After The Button
Plot elements of The Button hint at a 12-part series called Doomsday Clock, which begins on November 22nd.
The Button Collected Edition
The Button has been collected in a deluxe hardcover and trade paperback.
Batman/The Flash: The Button
Collects: Batman #21-22 and The Flash #21-22
This crossover is also collected in the The Flash By Joshua Williamson Omnibus Volume 1. This includes the first 35 issues of the Rebirth era Flash series, the Batman issues that crossover for The Button, and other stories.
The Flash By Joshua Williamson Omnibus Volume 1
Collects: The Flash: Rebirth #1, The Flash #1-35, Batman #21-22, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #32, Justice League #32-33, and a story from DC Holiday Special 2017 #1 and features an introduction from Williamson and dozens of pages of behind-the scenes development art.
Will You Be Reading Batman/The Flash: The Button?
Will you be reading this Batman and Flash crossover? Did you find this reading order guide helpful? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
Great write up Trevor keep up the good work. I have been trying to wait as long as I can to start reading doomsday clock .But at the rate it is coming out,its hard. So i will use this time to catch up on all books leading into this. I appreciate being pointed in the right direction .I usually do not buy DC titles with a few exceptions. (guilty pleasure being LOBO in the 90s) or marvel books. But that seems to be changing lately . Between doomsday clock and the newer book damage dc is sucking me in …
Thanks, Gerald! With all the great comics, it’s certainly an exciting time to be reading DC.
Is that it, just 4 issues or is it incomplete?
Just the four issues. A short and sharp crossover 😀
Trevor is there any cheap places you can buy the graphic novel version the “trade paperback “
Hi Shae, DC Comics have just announced this story will be collected in a hardcover edition in October. As to where the cheapest place to find it you might have to shop around. Here’s a good list of places you’ll most likely find it cheap online.