Welcome to the ultimate hub of DC Comics timelines and other various timelines related to this superhero universe. This list compiles all of the DC trade paperbacks in a chronological reading order. Additionally, this page also includes fan favorites like the DC Extended Universe or the Arrowverse shows. We hope you enjoy! let us know on our contact page if there’s another DC timeline you would like to see. In addition, don’t forget to visit our Marvel page for a similar list of Marvel Comics.
Our Most Popular Timelines
These are the most important timelines that deal with the comics, including the all-inclusive main continuity timeline, our recommended reading timeline, and more!
An imprint of DC Comics, Vertigo has been the home for more adult content in comic form. Though many characters have weaved themselves in and out of DC continuity.
Reading everything is pretty much impossible. But if you want the best of the best, and the most important events, use this DC reading order.
The ultimate DC reading order, this DC Comics Main Continuity timeline assembles all the main DC graphic novels together into one place.
DC Timelines by Category
Though most of DC Comics are…well, comics, there are many timelines that fit better under different media types, such as film, television, and video games. Here are some of those timelines. You’ll also find individual timelines for certain eras, alternate timelines, characters, and teams.
- DC Film
- DC Television
- DC Games
- Eras and Alternate Timelines
- DC Characters
DC Film Franchises
These are the main film-based timelines set in DC Universes. Whether you’re a fan of the DC Extended Universe or the old Nolan films, or even the animated movie universe, you’ll find those here.
What’s in the DC Extended Universe Timeline? The DC Extended Universe timeline is fairly new, but there are huge plans for the franchise that we’ll see unfold in the future….
Whether it’s Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the Man of Steel, or Tim Burton’s enchanting new take on Batman, chances are one of these films informed your childhood view of these…
DC may not have had 100% success with their live-action film universe, but they’ve seen resounding success with their DC animated movie universe. Take a look!
Though there aren’t many entries in this timeline, the Batman Nolanverse is perhaps one of the best versions of the character thus far.
DC Television Franchises
DC has been very successful on television. These timelines assemble various television franchises based on DC character. From the animated Batman: The Animated Series, to the more modern Arrowverse, you’ll find a wealth of content here.
What started as a small, gritty realization of one of DC’s minor characters, the Green Arrow, has turned into a huge television universe. This is the Arrowverse episode viewing order (as well as a few books and comics), putting it all together.
By today’s standards, these three television shows might make many of us shake our heads in bewilderment, but they are absolutely instrumental in establishing these characters as household names. And…
One of the most critically-acclaimed animated shows of all time, the series was strong enough to warrant a re-boot years later.
A Gotham before Batman, this show tried a curiously new angle in the Batman mythos. Whether or not it succeeded is up to you.
Running for a massive 10 seasons, Smallville paved the way for live-action Superhero television, the forerunner of hit successes like the Arrowverse.
Starting with the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) is what made many of us fall in love with DC’s characters.
DC Video Game Franchises
These are the main video-game-based timelines for the DC Universe. Right now, there are only two main video game franchises that fit into this category, but who knows, there will probably be more to come.
One of the few times that a superhero story has worked well in video games. The Batman Arkham games are among the most fun open-world games currently in existence.
An alternate reality where Superman lives to see himself become the villain. This DC Injustice timeline follows the hit video games and their comic tie-ins.
DC Eras and Time Periods
The main continuity timeline above can be a lot to take in. That’s why we’ve broken it down into some of these smaller timelines. These also include a few alternate universe timelines that you might be interested in, such as the Amalgam universe, or the Earth One universe.
Following the Convergence event and DC You, Rebirth started a new timeline that brought in the Watchmen. Read more about DC’s exciting new direction.
Young adult books surrounding DC’s most legendary icons, we hope you enjoy this reading order of the DC Icons series.
The Amalgam Universe is a mashup of Marvel and DC characters. This timeline includes those stories as well as the Marvel vs. DC stories that have popped up from time to time.
The Silver age brought us some of the more recognizable versions of our favorite characters, such as the Flash or Green Lantern.
Ever wanted to read through the very beginnings of your favorite DC characters like Batman and Superman? This is where you start.
The Elseworlds are a series of stories that don’t fit in regular continuity, but some of them are very interesting…
The Bronze Age is where authors and artists really began to dig deeper into these characters, giving us some of the most classic stories we have.
After Flashpoint, the DC Universe was rebooted into the New 52. Here is the reading order for that era.
The Earth One universe is a new interpretation of DC’s characters, set in a more realistic world. Start over with your favorite characters!
The Dark Knight Universe contains one of the most classic Dark Knight comics around. Delve into this darker universe by Frank Miller.
Continuing the DC main continuity from the Infinit Crisis event to the game-changing Flashpoint reboot.
What’s in the Underworld Unleashed to Infinite Crisis Timeline? Here is the timeline for the DC trade paperbacks from Underworld Unleashed (just after Zero Hour) to Infinite Crisis. The Infinite…
What is in the Crisis – Zero Hour Timeline? This Crisis through Zero Hour timeline records the trades between Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour. Crisis was DC’s first…
DC Characters
Perhaps you’re drawn to one character in particular. That is why we have a variety of character timelines available here, arranged in alphabetical order. We hope you enjoy!
Batwoman is a relatively recent addition to the Bat family, but she has quickly become iconic in her role, resulting eventually in a show in the Arrowverse and so much more!!
What better team-up can you have then Batman and Superman. One of the first superhero team-ups, these World’s Finest have been around since the Golden Age of DC Comics.
An alternate, darker timeline, the original Watchmen comic became a hit sensation. They were later expanded in prequel books, and included in DC’s Rebirth.
One of the DC Universe’s darkest characters, he quickly became one of its most interesting. He is the protector of the Green.
Possibly DC’s second most well-known team, the Teen Titans bring most of the teenage sidekicks together, along with some other, unique teenage superheroes.
Supergirl is perhaps the most important member of the Superfamily, next to Superman himself. In fact, she’s even more powerful than Superman in several ways…
Superboy is an interesting character, mostly due to him being just as powerful as Superman, but a bit less mentally stable…
Suicide Squad recently came into popularity because of the film, but they’ve been around for a long time, forced to fight for the “good” guys.
One of DC’s earliest heroes, Shazam brings a youthful innocence that is still very popular with all ages.
Made famous by Neil Gaiman, the Sandman is one of the more strange characters in DC’s lineup. Read his essential stories.
Besides Dick Grayson, Tim Drake is perhaps the most well known Robin. Read through his stories in this timeline.
Jason Todd, the second Robin, met a tragic fate at the hands of the Joker. But it wasn’t the end for him. He later returned as the Red Hood.
Dick Grayson, the first Robin, later became a powerful superhero in his own right. In many ways, he’s all but a step up on Batman himself.
Originally created by Jack Kirby, the New Gods and their storyline have become a staple of DC Comics literature.
Believe it or not, Martian Manhunter is far more powerful than Superman, and he’s an integral member of the Justice League. Learn more about the last son of Mars.
The Legion of Superheroes gives us a glimpse of the future of the DC Universe, where heroes are plentiful and far better organized.
The universe’s baddest bounty hunter. This Lobo reading order is perfect for fans of the more R-rated side of the DC Universe.
Even older than the Justice League, the Justice Society was one of the first superhero team-up groups. Today those superheroes live on Earth 2.
DC’s most famous team. The Justice Leauge is where the best of the best team-up to fight all sorts of galactic-scaled threats. Read through the most interesting stories.
The clown prince of crime, and easily Batman’s most terrifying foe, the Joker is one of the few villains that definitely deserves his own timeline.
Hawkman and Hawkgirl have one of the most complicated histories in DC Comics. Hopefully, you enjoy this timeline to help make sense of it.
Looking into the darker side of DC Comics, Hellblazer, aka Constantine, will be one of the first characters you meet.
A fan favorite from the very beginning, Harley Quinn is a relative newcomer to the DC Universe, but one of today’s most interesting characters.
In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Read all the Green Lantern Corp stories in chronological order.
DC’s big three include Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. See them all in action as DC’s Trinity in this reading order.
In the DC/Vertigo universe, Lucifer, aka the devil, is one of the most powerful superheroes. If you can even call him that.
Batman always was a bit of a loner on the Justice League. So it makes sense that he would form his own team of outsiders.
The fastest man alive, the Flash has been one of the more popular DC characters, making his way into multiple corners of pop culture.
Also known as the Emerald Archer, Green Arrow is today’s modern Robin Hood. Delve into his stories.
Easily one of the coolest villains in the DC Universe, Deathstroke is a lot like Batman himself, except he uses his skills and gadgets for evil.
Ever had trouble keeping all the Robin’s straight? Well, Damian Wayne should be easy to remember because he’s the only one actually related to Batman.
His life as a superhero began with a tragic accident. This Cyborg reading order is your one-stop source for his story.
Perhaps the most famous and popular female superhero, Wonder Woman is an inspiration to us all. Read through all the major stories throughout her history.
The superhero who started it all, read through all of the major Superman trade paperbacks in chronological order!
More than a nemesis to Batman, Catwoman has evolved to be an extremely enticing character in her own right.
One of DC’s most underrated characters, the Blue Beetle is one of our personal favorites here at All Timelines.
Some find him annoying, others endearing. But Booster Gold is certainly a splash character from DC Comics.
With a scream like a banshee, Black Canary is nothing to sneer at. She’s one of the toughest superheroes out there, and has appeared in various DC adaptations, most noteably the show, Arrow.
In the near future, Bruce Wayne is an old man, and he is succeeded as Batman by another. Delve into this exciting and dangerous future.
Perhaps the most popular DC character, this reading order takes all of the major stories of the Dark Knight and places them in order.
He’s come a long way from being the butt of every superhero joke. Aquaman is perhaps the fiercest superhero in the Justice League.
Batgirl has been through a lot throughout DC’s pages. But whether she’s in a wheelchair or out fighting crime, she’s still one of the best crime-fighters in Gotham.
Additional Resources
- A Beginner’s Guide to the DC Multiverse
- A Beginner’s Guide to Batgirl
- A Beginner’s Guide to the Robin’s of Batman
- Best Superman Graphic Novels
- Best Batman Graphic Novels
As always, if you have questions or comments about these timelines, we recommend you visit our Contact page.
