Grant Morrison Batman Reading Order

Grant Morrison’s Batman Reading Order

Very few people have had as much of a long run and impact on Batman and the extended family’s lore than Grant Morrison’s famous Batman run. His first experience penning the Dark Knight was way back in 1986 with a Batman Annual short story called The Stalking but his most prominent work and indeed the aforementioned run started in the mid 200s and on this page we’re going to help you figure out the Grant Morrison Batman reading order in it’s simplest form – as collected editions / trade paperbacks, however we will mention what individual issues are included in which book for the die hard collectors out there.

Grant Morrison’s Batman doesn’t just stick to the Batman solo series and features some tie-ins from other characters and drifts in and out of Batman & Robin, Detective Comics etc, however this is what trades are made for – to make it easier for readers to get a full story in a single book. For full experience which includes the tie ins this is even more true.

Before we begin we’d also want to add that Grant Morrison’s run is not only a decent length but also phenomenally well written and drawn. If you haven’t started on Morrison’s run or just want to get into comics but not sure where to start then here would be a decent choice (not our recommended choice) due to the quality. Grant’s run is also quite famous for having a substantial portion with Dick Grayson as Batman following the events of Final Crisis (which Morrison also wrote). Morrison’s run is deep, engaging and varied- you won’t be bored even after the 40th issue and so on. Some writers become famous for their work on Batman comic books with names like Miller, Loeb, Dixon, Snyder and Morrison is one of them.

Click here to skip the full and complete reading order

Grant Morrison Batman Trade Paperback Reading Order

Pre-Reading – The Black Casebook

The Black Casebook is recommended reading and not officially a part of the Grant Morrison run, however he has clearly used these collections as inspiration as he has provided the forward to the TPB and once you’ve read this and RIP then you will see the connection in front of your very eyes.

Grant Morrison’s crazy tales can be steeped in context and The Black Casebook will enable you to understand it all a little bit more. However, as we’ve said previously, TBC is not Grant Morrison’s own work so technically not strictly a part of the reading order but highly recommend to have the true experience.

What’s included?

If you opt for the trade paperback (recommended) then you will get:

  • Batman #65, 86, 112, 113, 134, 156 and 162,
  • Detective Comics #215, 235, 247 and 267
  • World’s Finest #89

You’re going to have a hard time finding these individual issues we think so it’s best to get the TPB.

Batman: The Black Casebook: The Stories That Inspired Batman R.I.P.
47 Reviews
Batman: The Black Casebook: The Stories That Inspired Batman R.I.P.
  • Various (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 160 Pages - 06/23/2009 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Batman & Son

Released in September 2006 and ending in December 2006, Batman & Son is where the Grant Morrison’s run begins properly and it doesn’t half begin with a shocker! Batman has a son?! Indeed, and Bruce Wayne’s son with Talia al Ghul is aptly named Damian and a character which is still used a lot today. Damian also features heavily throughout Grant’s trade run too.

Batman & Son refers heavily to Batman: Son of the Demon especially the idea of Bruce Wayne having a son, now Grant Morrison has been able to really flesh this out. There are also some other stories included in this trade paperback including a Man-Bat short as well as a Joker segment so it’s not entirely about Batman and his son.

Batman & Son not only serves as the start of Grant Morrisons streak but also as one of the most significant storylines in Batman’s entire graphic history. Not to be missed.

What’s included?

Although you can get a Deluxe Edition which has both this and The Black Glove together, the Batman & Son TPB technically includes:

  • Batman #655-658
  • Batman 663-666
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Batman and Son
138 Reviews
Batman and Son
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 200 Pages - 07/22/2008 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

The Black Glove

If Batman & Son is notable for being the beginning of Grant Morrison’s arc proper then The Black Glove is where his run really gets going and becomes the intertwined, labyrinthine masterpiece it is and starts getting closer to RIP and Final Crisis as the critical mass events. The Black Glove explores a secret society before The Court of Owls was even a thing. It’s also notable for introducing Dr. Simon Hurt as well as shining some light on the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne all those years ago.

This doesn’t follow

What’s included?

Getting the Black Glove trade paperback will get you:

  • Batman #667-675

Which means it follows Batman & Son uninterrupted. Get the Deluxe edition if you want both of these two in one book – it’ll probably save you some money, too.

Batman: Black Glove
92 Reviews
Batman: Black Glove
  • Grant Morrison (Author)
  • German (Publication Language)
  • 180 Pages - 09/01/2011 (Publication Date) - Panini Verlags GmbH (Publisher)

Batman R.I.P.

Next up for the Grant Morrison Batman reading order is R.I.P and this is where it gets tricky and confusing and we wouldn’t really recommend any reader to jump right into here without reading some of Morrison’s previous work and perhaps The Black Casebook. We’ve reviewed RIP as a masterpiece and it’s a supremely well done book that’s thought provoking and quite an iconic book – think Dark Knight Returns, Killing Joke and you’re on the right track.

What’s included?

Along with the issues that immediately follow The Black Glove you will also get a prologue from DC Universe #0 in the trade paperback

Included in the TPB are:

  • Batman #676-683
  • DC Universe #0
Batman R.I.P.
655 Reviews
Batman R.I.P.
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 06/22/2010 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Optional – Last Rites, RIP The Missing Chapter and Final Crisis

We don’t think that Last Rites, RIP The Missing Chapters and Final Crisis are essential but reading the three of these will definitely enhance the Grant Morrison Batman. Final Crisis was actually written by Grant Morrison anyway. However, what is essential to know is that during Final Crisis Bruce Wayne “dies” and leaves the cowl to Dick Grayson and Damian is his Robin.

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Final Crisis (New Edition)
829 Reviews
Final Crisis (New Edition)
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 352 Pages - 04/22/2014 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Batman & Robin

After the “disappearance” of Bruce Wayne and the events from Battle of the Cowl (not Grant Morrison but is optional, will be discussed in the full and complete reading order) we have Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin in a completely unique dynamic partnership. The 16 issues across the three TPB from Batman & Robin occur in parallel with The Return of Bruce Wayne which is described next – so try and read them simultaneously for the full experience. There is a big revel in Batman Must Die! #15 so make sure to read The Return of Bruce Wayne before this point.

Batman & Robin has been written to be enjoyed on it’s own and it’s only towards the end that the series really links to The Black Glove and RIP.

We’ve reviewed the entire Grant Morrison Batman & Robin arc and have reviewed them here. Excellent books even on their own.

Batman Reborn Review

Batman Vs Robin Review

Batman Must Die Review

What’s included?

Pretty simple, the Batman & Robin three trade paperback collection collects;

  • Batman & Robin #1-#16
Batman & Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
494 Reviews
Batman & Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 168 Pages - 04/05/2011 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)
Batman & Robin Vol. 2 Batman vs. Robin
201 Reviews
Batman & Robin Vol. 2 Batman vs. Robin
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 168 Pages - 11/22/2011 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)
Batman & Robin Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
251 Reviews
Batman & Robin Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

The Return of Bruce Wayne

As mentioned in the Batman & Robin section, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne should be read alongside Batman & Robin. Bruce Wayne is struggling against time following the events of Final Crisis and is doing everything he can to get back to Earth and of course Gotham City. As it involves different periods of time this book is a bit out there and a little but ‘elseworld’ but if you want to read Grant Morrison in full then you can’t skip it!

What’s included?

Collected in the TPB are the six issues of The Return of Bruce Wayne and that’s it

  • Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6
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Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
312 Reviews
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 232 Pages - 01/10/2012 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Batman: The Return (One shot)

The one shot issue of Batman: The Return is the official return of Bruce Wayne from his trials of time. It may be quite difficult to get a hold of however. Batman: The Return is essentially the first issue of incorporated and explores what’s next in the storyline with the final issue of the Return of Bruce Wayne exploring his return as opposed to his plans.

Batman: The Return #1 (One Shot)
2 Reviews
Batman: The Return #1 (One Shot)
  • Grant Morrison (Author)
  • 31 Pages - 11/17/2010 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Batman Incorporated

The final set of trade paperbacks are the Batman Incorporated volumes and the Leviathan Strikes! one shot in the middle. Following Batman’s return from being trapped in time he has seen the light and decides that the Bat-family needs to be global and have Batmen all over the world. The reading order is of course, Volume 1, Leviathan Strikes! (included in the new edition of volume 1) and then Volume 2 for the rest. That’s it! You’re now done with Grant Morrison’s Batman in the collected edition format.

Within Incorporated spins out a mini story called Requiem for those wanting to explore that more.

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Batman Incorporated Vol. 1 Deluxe Edition
156 Reviews
Batman Incorporated Vol. 1 Deluxe Edition
  • Hardcover Book
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham's Most Wanted (The New 52)
183 Reviews
Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham's Most Wanted (The New 52)
  • Morrison, Grant (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages - 08/26/2014 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

What’s included?

  • Batman: Incorporated #1-16
  • Batman: Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! #1
  • Batman Incorporated Special #1

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this list helpful in finding and knowing how to read Grant Morrison’s epic run. Collecting them as trade and only the parts written by GM himself is the easiest way if you just want to enjoy Grant Morrison’s work. However, if you want to enjoy the story and the expanded Universe surrounding Morrison’s work then the full and complete reading order might be the one for you.

The Full and Complete Grant Morrison Batman Reading Order

This list is for the full Grant Morrison experience and does included numerous issues of books not written by Grant Morrison but does revolve around his overall storyline and enhances the experience. This collection may be hard to find as it does contain the odd issue and buying a TPB just for that one issue is expensive. However, if you’re on this page this is just the information you’re after, especially if you’re a collector and may want to bind them all yourself for the 100% Grant Morrison Batman book.

Bold denotes a tie in.

Here it is, complete and in order:

  • The Black Casebook
  • Batman and Son (Batman #655-658, 663-666)
  • The Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul (TPB)
  • The Black Glove (Batman #667-669, #672 –675)
  • Heart of Hush (Batman #846-#850)
  • Batman RIP (Batman #676-678)
  • Robin (#175-176)
  • Batman RIP (Batman #679-681)
  • Outsiders (#11-13) 
  • Nightwing (#147-150)
  • Last Rites – Last Days of Gotham (Detective Comics #851, Batman #684)
  • RIP Missing Chapter (Batman #701)
  • Final Crisis(#1-5)
  • Last Rites – Batman(Batman #682-683)
  • Final Crisis (#6-7)
  • RIP Missing Chapter  (Batman #702)
  • Whatever happened to the Caped Crusader (Batman #686, Detective Comics #853)
  • Last Rites – Nightwing (151-153)
  • Last Rites – Faces of Evil Epilogue (Detective Comics #852, Batman #685)
  • Robin (#183)
  • Battle for the Cowl (TPB)
  • Batman Reborn (Batman #687)
  • Batman and Robin (#1-12)
  • The Return of Bruce Wayne (#1-4)
  • The Road Home Prequel (Batman #703)
  • Time and the Batman (Batman #700)
  • Batman and Robin (#13-14)
  • The Return of Bruce Wayne (#5-6)
  • Batman and Robin (#15-16)
  • The Road Home
  • Batman: The Return
  • Batman Incorporated (#1)
  • Batman and Robin (#17-25)
  • Batman Incorporated (#2-8)
  • Batman Incorporated – Leviathan Strikes!
  • Batman Incorporated (#9-16)

Last update on 2024-03-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API