The DC Universe has a vast number of secret organisations, both criminal and government. Perhaps you could say that there’s too many even. The mysterious Leviathan seems to agree with this sentiment and has begun to systematically take them all down with ease.
In all of the chaos, DC Comics’ greatest detectives, including Batman, Lois Lane, Green Arrow, Batgirl, The Question, Manhunter, and others will pool their skills together to figure out Leviathan’s sinister intentions before it is too late.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action of this espionage focused event, I have put together the Event Leviathan Reading Order Checklist. It includes the recommended reading order, tie-ins, background reading, and heaps more.
Soon you’ll be able to dig into Event Leviathan and attempt to solve the mystery along with some of the greatest detectives ever.
Happy reading!
Background Reading
Looking to see which comics lead up to Event Leviathan? You’ll want to check out the Leviathan Rising storyline which ran through the below issues.
Action Comics #1007
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Steve Epting.
Action Comics #1008
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Steve Epting.
Action Comics #1009
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Steve Epting.
Action Comics #1010
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Steve Epting.
Action Comics #1011
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Steve Epting.
Leviathan Rising Special
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Greg Rucka, and Marc Andreyko. Art by Steve Lieber and Mike Perkins.
If you prefer to read these in a collected format, DC Comics will be releasing these issues in hardcover as part of Superman: Action Comics Volume 2: Leviathan Rising.
Additionally, the 25 cent Year of the Villain special has a short story in it which builds up to Event Leviathan. If you’re not close to a comic book store, you can read Year of the Villain Special for free.
Year of the Villain Special
Written and art by various.
Event Leviathan Reading Order
Now we’re into the main event! DC has made it quite easy to follow Event Leviathan with the only one or two tie-ins a month.
Event Leviathan #1 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available June 12th.
Action Comics #1012 (Tie-in)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Szymon Kudranski.
Available June 26th.
Event Leviathan #2 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available July 10th.
Action Comics #1013 (Tie-in)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Szymon Kudranski.
Available July 24th.
Event Leviathan #3 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available August 14th.
Action Comics #1014 (Tie-in)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Szymon Kudranski.
Available August 28th.
Event Leviathan #4 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available September 11th.
Supergirl #34 (Tie-in)
Written by Marc Andreyko. Art Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.
Available September 11th.
Event Leviathan #5 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available October 9th.
Supergirl #35 (Tie-in)
Written by Marc Andreyko. Art Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.
Available October 9th.
Wonder Woman Annual #3 (Tie-in)
Written by Steve Orlando. Art V Ken Marion and Sandu Florea.
Available October 30th.
Event Leviathan #6 (of 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available November 13th.
After Event Leviathan
Event Leviathan was only the beginning! Threads from Event Leviathan continue in 2020 as it begins to collide with Year of the Villain.
Check out the comics belong to continue the Leviathan saga:
Lois Lane #6
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Mike Perkins.
Available December 4th.
The aftermath of Event Leviathan from Lois Lane’s perspective.
Action Comics #1018 onward
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by John Romita and Klaus Janson.
Available from January 1st, 2020.
Action Comics sees Leviathan returns and clashes with Superman and the Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. Leviathan returns in #1018, but it’s worth noting that this story actually begins in #1017. Check that out too if you want to read the full story. This fits into the larger landscape of Year of the Villain.
Note: Wonder Woman #752 (originally solicited as Wonder Woman #84) was originally announced to deal with the fallout of Steve Trevor in Event Leviathan. Although, this has now changed and has no longer related to this series.
Leviathan Dawn (one-shot)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art Alex Maleev.
Available February 26th.
Leviathan’s new plot is revealed!
Event Leviathan: Checkmate
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Alex Maleev.
Available TBC.
The sequel to Event Leviathan, Checkmate sees the Green Arrow, Talia Al Ghul, The Question, and Lois Lane form a new version of the classic spy agency. Unfortunately, this has been indefinably delayed.
Have Your Say!
What are your favourite secret organisations over at DC Comics? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
Have you found this reading order helpful? Share it on social media or with your friends so it can help even more people.
“Lois Lane” and “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” are considered spin-offs from the “Event Leviathan” storyline. You have “Lois Lane” #6 listed, but where would the rest fall chronologically? Thanks!
Hey man! Thanks for putting this together! I was wondering about something. Is it still only Action Comics that ties in to this or is it now officially Supergirl and Wonder Woman? In the paragraph before it says only Action Comics will tie in. I don’t want to miss anything!
As usual, this is my number one stop for anything crossovers!
Hey Cres! As time has gone on the tie-ins have shifted a bit to include more than Action Comics. I have corrected the paragraph you have referenced.
Does the Lois Lane 12 issue series tie into Leviathan? Does it tie into Year of the Vilian?
buen día. ustedes mencionan luisa lane. de ella se lee algo, antes ?? gracias.
Thanks for the article Trevor.. Helpful as usual.. Keep up the good work!! 👍🏼