Batman Knightfall Reading Order

Batman Knightfall is one of the longest and famous storylines in the history of the Dark Knight and the Batman family. It introduces the Venom addicted Bane as an enemy and the famous back break Bruce endures which is referenced almost every year even now. However, it is a bit of a slog and several hundreds of pages long but a big part of the modern timeline.

Thankfully, it has been collected a few times which actually makes it easy to read even with all the tie-ins. But, for the purists out there we have included an issue by issue reading order for those who want a perfect collection.

We have reviewed Volume 1, 2 and 3 of the 2012 Knightfall omnibus.

Batman Knightfall Trade Reading Order

Contents

Knightfall is too big for a single omnibus, but these collections are the cheapest and best way to enjoy this series.

Before Knightfall

A lot happens before Knightfall proper which really does make Knightfall more enjoyable.

Venom

Venom introduces the powerful steroid well before Bane uses it, it also includes Bruce’s experience dealing with its use and addition to it. Collects Legends of the Dark Knight #16-#20.

Read our review of Venom.

Sword of Azrael

Azrael/Jean-Paul Valley is a major character in Knightfall. Collects Sword of Azrael #1-#5.

Batman: Sword of Azrael
62 Reviews
Batman: Sword of Azrael
  • O'Neil, Dennis (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 112 Pages - 06/10/1993 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Prelude to Knightfall

Covers everything up to Knightfall itself and recently re-cut for modern audiences. Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, Batman #484-#491, Detective Comics #654-658.

Knightfall

Knightfall, Volume 1

Collects the first few issues of Knightfall including the famous back break. Batman #492-#497, Detective Comics #659-#663, and Batman: Villains Secret Files and Origins #1.

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Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1 (25th Anniversary Edition)
423 Reviews
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1 (25th Anniversary Edition)
  • Dixon, Chuck (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 280 Pages - 09/18/2018 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Knightfall, Volume 2

Bruce is broken, this volume collects what happens next with a lot of it pretty shocking. Detective Comics #664-#666. Showcase ’93 #7-#8, Batman #498-#500, and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18.

Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 (25th Anniversary Edition)
262 Reviews
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 (25th Anniversary Edition)
  • Dixon, Chuck (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 304 Pages - 09/25/2018 (Publication Date) - Dc Comics (Publisher)

Knightquest

Knightquest: The Crusade

Knightquest follows Jean-Paul Valley’s time as the new Batman. Big changes are made to the design and of course how Batman is seen by friends and allies. Collects Detective Comics #667-#670, Robin #1-#2, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #19-20, Batman #501-#504 and Catwoman #6-#7.

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Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 1
126 Reviews
Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 1
  • Dixon, Chuck (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 360 Pages - 10/02/2018 (Publication Date) - DC Comics (Publisher)

Knightquest: The Crusade, Volume 2

More Jean-Paul stories as the Batman. Collects Detective Comics #671-#675, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #24-#28, Batman #505-#508 and Showcase ’94 #7.

Knightquest: The Search

This book is more Valley but also how Bruce is recovering from his broken back. Collects Justice League Task Force #5-#6, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #21-#23, Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight #59-#61 and Robin #7.

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Batman Knightquest: The Search
186 Reviews
Batman Knightquest: The Search
  • O'Neil, Dennis (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages - 11/27/2018 (Publication Date) - Dc Comics (Publisher)

Knightsend

Batman: Knightsend

Bruce Wayne returns to take his mantle from the lunatic Jean-Paul. Collects Batman #509-#510, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #29-#30, Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight #62-#63, Robin #8-#9, Detective Comics #676-#677, Catwoman #12-#13 and Showcase 94 #10.

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Batman Knightsend
148 Reviews
Batman Knightsend
  • Moench, Doug (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 374 Pages - 12/04/2018 (Publication Date) - Dc Comics (Publisher)

Batman Knightfall Issue by Issue Reading Order

  1. Legends of the Dark Knight #1
  2. Legends of the Dark Knight #2
  3. Legends of the Dark Knight #3
  4. Legends of the Dark Knight #4
  5. Legends of the Dark Knight #5
  6. Sword of Azrael #1
  7. Sword of Azrael #2
  8. Sword of Azrael #3
  9. Sword of Azrael #4
  10. Batman #484
  11. Batman #485
  12. Batman #486
  13. Batman #487
  14. Detective Comics #654
  15. Batman #488
  16. Detective Comics #655
  17. Batman #489
  18. Batman #490
  19. Detective Comics #656
  20. Detective Comics #657
  21. Detective Comics #658
  22. Batman #491
  23. Batman #492
  24. Detective Comics #659
  25. Batman #493
  26. Detective Comics #660
  27. Batman #494
  28. Detective Comics #661
  29. Batman #495
  30. Detective Comics #662
  31. Batman #496
  32. Detective Comics #663
  33. Batman #497
  34. Detective Comics #664
  35. Showcase ’93 #7
  36. Showcase ’93 #8
  37. Batman #498
  38. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16
  39. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #17
  40. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #18
  41. Detective Comics #665
  42. Batman #499
  43. Detective Comics #666
  44. Batman #500
  45. Robin #1
  46. Robin #2
  47. Detective Comics #667
  48. Detective Comics #668
  49. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #19
  50. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #20
  51. Batman #501
  52. Batman #502
  53. Detective Comics #669
  54. Detective Comics #670
  55. Catwoman #6
  56. Batman #503
  57. Batman #504
  58. Catwoman #7
  59. Detective Comics #671
  60. Detective Comics #672
  61. Detective Comics #673
  62. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #24
  63. Batman #505
  64. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #25
  65. Batman #506
  66. Batman #507
  67. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #26
  68. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #27
  69. Detective Comics #674
  70. Batman #508
  71. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #28
  72. Detective Comics #675
  73. Showcase ’94 #7

Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API