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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2023-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API