Brainiac is a long-time foe of Superman, having attempted to bottle up the city of Metropolis countless times. However, the latest encounter appears to be different. The classic Superman villain has unleashed an army of Czarnians (the alien race that Lobo is) on Earth, with Brainiac seemingly having an ulterior motive for the visit that somehow involves the Brainiac Queen.
This takes in House of Brainiac, a crossover event in the pages of Superman, Action Comics, and other series. This is not only a big Superman story but a stepping stone in the much larger meta-story that DC Comics is telling through the Dawn of DC publishing initiative.
This reading order has been put together so you don’t miss the action. It features the recommended order to read House of Brainiac alongside other details like tie-ins, background reading, and more.
Happy reading!
Do I need to read all the tie-ins?
Superman: House of Brainiac has a handful of tie-ins that expand the story through the perspectives of different characters. These are optional reads that you can check out if you want to expand your reading experience. Check them out if you’re invested in the characters or creators involved or if story elements grab your attention.
If you’re budget only stretches so far, you can skip the tie-ins and focus on the core House of Brainiac issues in Action Comics and Superman.
Background reading
House of Brainiac has been teased many times in the past 12 months. Check out the following comics if you want to check out the hints to this comic book event or want to catch up on Joshua Williamson’s Superman run.
Superman (2023 series) #1-12
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Jamal Campbell and others.
These issues (minus annuals or tie-in miniseries) make up Joshua Williamson’s Superman run that was launched with Dawn of DC. Check it up to see the slow build-up to House of Brainiac as well as get an understanding of how Williamson writes Superman and his extended cast.
Superman 2023 Annual #1
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Mahmud Asrar, Max Raynor, Jack Herbert, and Caitlin Yarsky.
This annual is another comic that hints at House of Brainiac.
Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1
Written by Dan Watters. Art by Eddy Barrows.
This one-shot includes hints and teases for House of Brainiac.
Knight Terrors: Superman #1-2
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Tom Reilly.
This Knight Terrors tie-in provides more teases of what will happen in House of Brainiac.
House of Brainiac reading order
Take a look below at the reading order for House of Brainiac. This includes all the core issues, tie-ins, and annotations to make reading this comic book event easy.
Action Comics #1064 (Part 1)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval.
On sale 9th April
Green Lantern (2023 series) #10 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by Xermanico and Kevin McGuire.
On sale 9th April
Note: Only the back-up story for Green Lantern (2023 series) #10 ties into House of Brainiac. This features part one of three-part Guy Gardner story in which he’s on a mission to arrest Lobo.
Superman (2023 series) #13 (Part 2)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval.
On sale 16th April
Power Girl (2023 series) #8 (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.
On sale 23rd April
Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1 (Part 2.5)
Written by Joshua Williamson and Mark Russell. Art by Edwin Galmon and Steve Pugh.
On sale 30th April
Action Comics #1065 (Part 3)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval and Mirko Colak.
On sale 14th May
Note: Action Comics #1065 has a back-up story focusing on the Brainiac family.
Green Lantern (2023 series) #11 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by Xermanico and Kevin McGuire.
On sale 14th May
Note: Only the back-up story for Green Lantern (2023 series) #11 ties into House of Brainiac. This features part two of three-part Guy Gardner story in which he’s on a mission to arrest Lobo. Based on DC’s marketing, it’s unclear if part two and three tie into this event.
Superman (2023 series) #14 (Part 4)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval.
On sale 21st May
Power Girl (2023 series) #9 (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.
On sale 28th May
Green Lantern (2023 series) #12 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by Xermanico and Kevin McGuire.
On sale 11th June
Note: Only the back-up story for Green Lantern (2023 series) #12 ties into House of Brainiac. This features part three of three-part Guy Gardner story in which he’s on a mission to arrest Lobo.
Action Comics #1066 (Part 5)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval.
On sale 18th June
Power Girl (2023 series) #10 (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira.
On sale 25th June
Superman (2023 series) #15 (Part 6)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafa Sandoval.
On sale 25th June
Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale July
Note: Absolute Power: Ground Zero is a prelude issue that bridges the gap between the conclusion of House of Brainiac and DC’s next big event, Absolute Power.
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After House of Brainiac
Trying to figure out what to read after House of Brainiac? Below are some recommendations.
Absolute Power
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale July.
While setting up future Superman stories, House of Brainiac is also a stepping stone to Absolute Power – DC Comics’ next comic book event.
Superman (2023 series) #16
Written and art by TBC.
On sale July.
This is the first issue of Superman after the House of Brainiac event.
Action Comics #1067
Written and art by TBC.
On sale July.
DC is doing things a bit different with Action Comics in 2024. Instead of having a regular creative team, the publisher is opting to change up the writers and artists every few months as part of a publishing initiative called Superman Superstars. July will see a new, but unannounced, creative team and the start of a new story.
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I´m kind of lost about those “hints” in the Doomsday special. The only thing I could think of is when Brainiac got to control Doomsday a long time ago.