Grant Morrison Batman Reading Order: The Complete Guide
Batman is one of the most iconic characters of all time, including all of the fictional media. “The Bat of DC” first appeared in the comics in 1939, and since then the writers provided us with great storylines that are talked about every day. As usual, the comic book community has multiple different writers and illustrators who create their own stories and enrich the lore of their characters.
One of them is Grant Morrison, one of the most notable Batman writers in character existence. Morrison’s stories changed Batman’s character forever, and his style emphasizes and focuses on the nonlinear narratives, countercultural leanings, and humanist philosophy that challenges readers and fans. He is truly unique, and as every writer has his better and worse stories, but that never held Morrison back. In this article, we present you the reading order of Grant Morrison’s Batman and a short explanation of each comic book volume and issue.
Moreover, we will try to keep it clean and understandable – Morrison is famous for his nonlinear narrative that makes some newer readers confused but we will explain everything clearly.
Grant Morrison Batman Reading Order (At Glance)
Before we start, fully explaining the reading order, let’s discuss Grant Morrison a bit more. He was the first writer who introduced us to the Bat Family officially, by creating Damien Wayne and the concept of Batman’s Robins being his biological or adopted sons. Morrison also brought back forgotten characters like the original Batgirl from the Golden Age of Comics, Kathy Kane, and wrote the Arkham comic book story that inspired one of the best third-person games of all time Batman: Arkham series.
However, what Grant Morrison established in the 1990s that laid the foundation for Batman as the character, is his humanity, feelings, and a true superhero. The 1990s were really dark for DC characters, especially for Batman, however, Morrison managed to “humanize” Batman. When it comes to his works, there are plenty. This is the list at first glance:
1. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.1
- Batman: The Black Casebook
- Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City
- Batman and Son
- The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul
- Final Crisis
- Batman R.I.P.
2. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.2
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl Companion
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
- Batman & Robin Vol. 2 Batman vs. Robin
- Batman: Time and the Batman
- Batman the Return of Bruce Wayne
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
- Batman and Robin: Dark Knight vs White Night
3. Batman & Robin New 52: Born to Kill
4. Batman & Robin New 52: Pearl
5. Joker: Death of the Family – The Crossovers Issues
6. Batman & Robin New 52: Death of the Family
7. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.3
- Batman Incorporated Deluxe Edition – Pre-Flashpoint
- Batman Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star
- Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted
8. Batman & Robin New 52: Requiem For Damian
9. Batman & Robin New 52: The Big Burn
10. Batman & Robin New 52: The Hunt For Robin
11. Batman & Robin New 52: Robin Rises
As you can see, Batman comic books that are numbered are independent storylines, and Batman graphic novels you can read all in one. The bulleted notes are comic issues or short stories that are part of the big events or comic book storylines. They are a bit scattered but we will explain everything properly. Also, we will put optional stories not necessarily written by Morrison but have strong connections to his stories.
Grant Morrison Batman Reading Order (Fully Explained)
1. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.1
Morrison released Omnibus collections for all of his Batman stories, and this is volume one that contains:
- Batman: The Black Casebook
The Black Casebook is a paperback released in 2009, which contains Batman stories from the fifties and sixties, which inspired Grant Morrison’s story, Batman R.I.P. This collection of comic book stories is a recommendation from the fans to start first, and it is a no brainer because it does contain old Batman stories. We will not list every single story inside this paperback, but we will provide you with the link that contains all the issues.
- Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City (optional)
This comic book is not written by Grant Morrison, however, he did adapt the story in his Batman and Robin series where he reworked many classic storylines from this comic book and fit them into modern times. This comic book storyline paints a much darker characterization of Riddler, where he is much more vicious and thirsty, and Batman’s origin story gained some supernatural elements. It is important for Batman’s story so definitely check it out.
- Batman and Son
After coming back from his trip across the world with Nightwing and Robin (Tim Drake), Bruce Wayne meets his son, Damian al Ghul, whom he got with Talia al Ghul, Ra al Ghul’s daughter. This comic book introduces us to Damian Wayne for the first time, and Bruce Wayne needs to deal with his hot-headed son and try being a pseudo-father to his apprentices. Check out the detailed list of issues here.
- The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul
This is essentially a crossover comic book, that appeared in Batman Annual #26 and ended in Detective Comics #840. As the name suggests, Ra’s al Ghul is resurrected, and Batman with the help of Damian and Talia Al Ghul. An interesting story where Batman bonds with his son.
- Batman R.I.P.
As the name suggests, Batman supposedly dies in this comic book story, however, that does not happen until the Final Crisis, and this story is used as a lead-up to that.
- Final Crisis
Darkseid attacks and invades the Earth, and Batman with the help of his allies needs to stop him. Morrison explored New Gods and Monitors really thoroughly and set up foundations for future storylines. This is a comic book storyline where Superman uses the Miracle Machine to banish Darkseid from Earth. One of the most exciting DC events in the last two decades.
2. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.2
Another Omnibus edition from Grant Morrison has a collection of the stories that include these next comic book stories:
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl Companion (both optional)
These comic books are not written by Grant Morrison but are it serves as a prelude to the Batman and Son storyline, where Joker has been shot by a man impersonating Batman. The real Bat comes back and realizes that in his absence, all super crime has been eliminated from Gotham City. However, he has been sent to the past and his apprentices Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne are trying to figure out who will take over the Batman mantle.
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
This story is part of the bigger storyline called Batman: Reborn, which confirms Batman’s family status quo and the aftermath of the Battle for the Cowl. Dick Grayson is the Batman in this story, and together with Damian Wayne who is now a Robin, are trying to keep the city of Gotham clean of crime.
- Batman & Robin Vol. 2 Batman vs. Robin
This volume marks the fourth arc of Morrison’s Batman and Robin series that features Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne as Batman and Robin. A cool modern-day counterpart to the old mini-series called The Return of the Bruce Wayne.
- Batman: Time and the Batman
This was released in the form of the paperback which contains the Batman R.I.P. Missing Chapter storyline and two other stories. This story focuses on Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne and how each character is dealing with the Batman persona. The story reveals stories and details about The Dark Knight’s adventures following the Batman R.I.P. story and the return of Bruce Wayne to Gotham City.
- Batman the Return of Bruce Wayne
After Darkseid threw Batman into the past in Final Crisis, he now needs to find a way to get back to his timeline and back to his family. Bruce deals with amnesia and history in order to come back to his timeline. The series has six issues – check out the issues here.
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
Batman finally comes back to his timeline, however, what he does not know is his children as the new Batman and Robin duo needs to deal with the return of The Joker. Alleged Thomas Wayne comes back and demands Wayne’s wealth. A really interesting story that deals with a lot of themes, and Batman trying to adapt to the situation he stumbled upon.
- Batman and Robin: Dark Knight vs White Night (optional)
This collection contains three storylines that include the Bat family dealing with new and old foes with the addition of the mysterious White Knight and Robin that became unhinged, Jason Todd.
3. Batman & Robin New 52: Born to Kill
Batman and Robin is Morrison’s series, however, he did let other writers create new stories and add something new. This particular story begins the reign of Batman and Robin, with Damian Wayne being the new sidekick, and this time, a dynamic duo needs to stop a new villain in Gotham City, an assassin called Nobody. The story represents Damian’s and Bruce’s relationship which is getting stronger and stronger through the issues. Check out the issues here.
4. Batman & Robin New 52: Pearl
Another paperback that collects the stories of rebooted comic book series Batman and Robin, as a part of the New 52 event. It follows the comic book story, Batman and Robin: Born to Kill, where Damian once again, is the main focus of the story – he is trying to prove to the previous Robin and his father that he is worthy of being a new Robin. This is the issue where Damian stands on the opposite side of the most notorious Batman villain of all time, The Joker.
5. The Joker: Death of the Family – The Crossovers Issues (optional)
This particular collection of the stories contains all of the stories that tie in to controversial and one of the most shocking comic book stories in Batman’s history Batman: Death of the Family, and collects stories from various comic series.
6. Batman and Robin: Death of the Family
One of the most intriguing comic stories on this list, Batman and Robin brought us the continuation of the older story that shocked the world in the 1980s, Batman: Death of the Family. The paperback contains a few stories from rebooted comic book series Batman and Robin, where our heroes are dealing with The Joker once again. The story follows immediately after Batman and Robin: Pearl, which closely connects Morrison’s Batman and Robin comic book series. Unfortunately, the Bat family suffers another tragedy. Here are the issues.
7. Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol.3
Finally, we got to the third volume which contains multiple Grant Morrison stories, that include these next volumes:
- Batman Incorporated Deluxe Edition – Pre-Flashpoint
- Batman Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star
After the Batman and Robin series, we git Batman Incorporated storyline, which follows the story of Bruce Wayne, who after coming back to his reality, realizes that he needs to increase the force against the criminals and decides to create a team of superheroes all over the world with his goals. This comic book story is essentially Bruce traveling all over the world and recruiting suitable candidates. This is a Pre-Flashpoint storyline that is really important for Grant Morrison’s continuation.
- Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted
A lot of things happen in this volume – Leviathan attacks Gotham, Damian Wayne is killed by his clone and Talia avenges her son. Commissioner Gordon starts to suspect a connection between Bruce Wayne and Batman, and Kathy Kane is brought back from the dead.
8. Batman & Robin New 52: Requiem For Damian
This paperback collects the stories from the rebooted Batman and Robin New 52 series and follows the Batman and Robin: Death of the Family storyline. The tragic death of Damian Wayne is heavily focused on in this volume and Batman’s grief for his deceased son. Check out the issues here.
9. Batman & Robin New 52: The Big Burn
Another paperback that collects stories of Batman and Robin, specifically Volume 2. – a fifth addition this time. Check out the issues here.
10. Batman & Robin New 52: The Hunt For Robin
The sixth paperback of Grant Morrison’s stories, this time collects stories from Batman and Robin Volume 2. The stories follow Batman’s family dealing with the aftermath of Damian’s death, and they seemingly slowly started getting over it. Well, Ra’s al Ghul hasn’t and tries to resurrect Robin in Lazarus Pit by stealing his body. It is safe to say that Batman will stop at nothing to bring his son’s body back.
11. Batman & Robin New 52: Robin Rises
This storyline follows the previous one and you guessed it, Damian Wayne is resurrected and Batman and his family deal with resurrected Damian who now has enhanced abilities, and his personality is the complete opposite of what he was before he died.
We will also mention a few other comic book storylines that are connected to Morrison’s Batman and Robin, and some other optional stories that are referenced in other Morrison’s work:
- Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
- We Are Robin Vol.1
- Robin War
- We are Robin Vol.2
- Robin, Son of Batman
It mostly deals with the aftermath of the Batman and Robin storyline that deals with Damian Wayne/Robin dying, and a few storylines that deal with the characters, in this case, Damian Wayne, and his life living with his mother, Talia al Ghul.
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth deals with Joker and Arkham Asylum, taking over the facility and Batman needs to find a way to take it back. This is one of the best Morrison’s stories of all time, and it inspired an amazing game franchise Batman: Arkham series.
This story is separated completely from the main of Morrison’s Batman and Robin work, and even the creator himself announced years ago that he is writing the sequel for this notable comic book story. However, the Arkham storyline is, unfortunately, on hold.
These are really interesting stories and any comic book fans should check them out.
Do You Need To Read Grant Morrison Batman in Order?
Comic books can be confusing with their timelines, and with Grant Morrison, you can expect various unique narratives that can jump from past and present and offer readers many points of view.
This means that you should definitely read the comics in order – various different writers also confuse readers, and this is probably the most correct order of the comic books you can find on the internet. Jokes aside, follow this order, and you will enjoy Grant Morrison’s Batman thoroughly. Enjoy!
