Chip Zdarsky’s Batman Run Reading Order

It was recently announced Chip Zdarsky’s run on Batman is coming to an end. Since taking over the comic in mid-2022, there have been plenty of big stories and moments. However, what’s most interesting about this run is its central theme about control and how Batman grapples with it. Zdarsky has the ultra-disciplined Dark Knight face what happens when he doesn’t have control of crime, the Bat-Family, his body, and his mind. It’s a Batman at his lowest point, which sees him tackle these challenges in ways that call for personal growth.

Does that sound like your jam? This easy-to-use reading order guide will help you read this Batman run. It lists the comics you will need to read along with background reading, collected editions, and heaps more.

Background reading

Chip Zdarsky’s run is mostly self-contained, but there are a few references made within it that some may want to read further into. You can find out about these below.

Batman R.I.P.

Grant Morrison and Tony S. Daniel’s Batman R.I.P (as told through Batman #676-681) introduced the modern interpretation of Zur En Arrh, who plays a big part throughout Zdarsky’s run. The character is a reinterpretation of a character originating in 1958’s Batman #113. However, would only suggest that issue as a curiosity.

The Joker War

This one is less essential but I’ve noted it down because some elements of its aftermath, most notably Bruce Wayne’s financial situation, play out through Zdarsky’s Batman run.

Reading order

Learn how to read Chip Zdarsky’s run on Batman below in this reading order.

Batman: The Knight

Before Chip Zdarsky was on the core Batman title, he did this ten-part series called Batman: The Knight with artist Carmine Di Giandomenico. This focuses on a young Bruce Wayne, who ventures out into the world to learn the skills necessary to become the Batman. It a story that has been alluded to and lightly touched on for decades but never explored like this before.

The Knight is worth checking out as characters featured in it return in the core Batman series in the future.

Batman: The Knight #1 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #2 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #3 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #4 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #5 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #6 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #7 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #8 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #9 (of 10)

Batman: The Knight #10 (of 10)

Batman (ongoing series)

Zdarsky kicked off a new era of Batman comics when he became the writer of Batman (2016 series). The writer has worked with a bunch of different artists during this run, including Jorge Jimenez, Mike Hawthorne, Belén Ortega, and others. See all the issues below plus how to read additional material that ties into it.

Batman (2016 series) #125

Batman (2016 series) #126

Batman (2016 series) #127

Note: Batman (2016 series) #125-127 serialises the “Two Birds, One Throne” backup story. This is written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Belén Ortega. DC Comics has published these comics as The Penguin #0, acting as a prelude to the 12-part Penguin series by Tom King and Rafael de Latorre.

Batman (2016 series) #128

Batman (2016 series) #129

Batman (2016 series) #130

Note: Batman (2016 series) #128-130 serialises the I Am A Gun backup story. This is written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Leonardo Romero.

Batman (2016 series) #131

Batman (2016 series) #132

Batman (2016 series) #133

Batman (2016 series) #134

Note: Batman (2016 series) #131-134 serialises the Toy Box backup story. This is written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Miguel Mendonça.

Batman (2016 series) #135

Note: Batman (2016 series) #135 is also known as Batman #900. This adds up all the issues of Batman (1940 series), Batman (2011 series), and Batman (2016 series) to reach this legacy numbering. It is also the first issue of this run to have the Dawn of DC branding.

Batman (2016 series) #136

Knight Terrors: Batman #1

Knight Terrors: Batman #2

Note: Knight Terrors: Batman #1-2 are tie-ins to DC Comics’ Knight Terrors event. These are not written by Chip Zdarksy, with Joshua Williamson writing them instead. However, they are worth exploring as they fit well thematically with Zdarsky’s run.

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War

Note: The Gotham War is a Batman/Catwoman crossover. It covers Batman (2016 series) #137-138. Check out our reading order to understand how these issues fit in with the Catwoman ones and tie-ins.

Batman (2016 series) #139

Batman (2016 series) #140

Note: Batman (2016 series) #139-140 serialises The Savage Garden of Gotham backup story. This is written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Jorge Corona.

Batman (2016 series) #141

Batman (2016 series) #142

Batman (2016 series) #143

Batman (2016 series) #144

Note: Batman (2016 series) #142-144 are the flashback story The Joker: Year One.

Batman (2016 series) #145

Batman (2016 series) #146

Batman (2016 series) #146

Batman (2016 series) #147

Note: Batman (2016 series) #146-147 serialises Doctor’s Order backup story. This is written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Jorge Corona.

Batman (2016 series) #148

Batman (2016 series) #149

Batman (2016 series) #150

Batman (2016 series) #151

Batman (2016 series) #152

Note: Batman (2016 series) #150-152 are tie-ins to the Absolute Power comic book event. Find out how they fit into the larger story in our Absolute Power reading order.

Batman (2016 series) #153

Note: Batman (2016 series) #153 is the first issue of Batman under DC Comics’ All In publishing initiative.

Batman (2016 series) #154

Batman (2016 series) #155

Batman (2016 series) #156

Batman (2016 series) #157

What to read afterwards?

Wondering what to read once you’ve finished Chip Zdarsky’s Batman run? Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee will return to the title for a follow up to their 2002-2003 story Hush. Hush 2 will begin in Batman (2016 series) #158. A prelude story was published in Justice League Unlimited (2024 series) #1.

Collected editions

You can read this run in the following collected editions.

Batman: The Knight
Collects: Batman: The Knight #1-10

Batman Volume 1: Failsafe
Collects: Batman (2016 series) #125-130

Batman Volume 2: The Bat-Man of Gotham
Collects: Batman (2016 series) #131-135

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War
Collects: Batman (2016 series) #137-138, Catwoman (2018 series) #57-28, Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Battle Lines #1, Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Scorched Earth #1, and Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Red Hood #1-2

Batman Volume 3: The Joker: Year One
Collects: Batman (2016 series) #139-144

Batman Volume 4: Dark Prisons
Collects: Batman (2026 series) #145-150

Batman Volume 5: The Dying City
Collects: Batman (2026 series) #153-157

I will update this section when DC Comics announces more collections.

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