ComicBinding.com » Detective Comics https://comicbinding.com A Community for Comic Binding Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:47:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.40 Detective Comics #1000 and #1027 https://comicbinding.com/mapping/detective-comics-1000-and-1027 https://comicbinding.com/mapping/detective-comics-1000-and-1027#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2021 15:56:18 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=6693 In 2019, DC celebrated Batman’s 80th anniversary with Detective Comics #1000.  A little over a year later, they celebrated 1000 issues since his first appearance in Detective Comics #1027.  Both issues were large oversized issues with a lot of stories.  Here is a reference guide as to how those stories could be bound.  Like with Action Comics #1000, individual stories from these issues might be indicated in maps as a decimal number (ex. Detective #1000.10 indicates the 10th story in the issue).  Any references to “current continuity” just means stories published around the time of these issues.

Detective Comics #1000

01 – Batman’s Longest Case by Snyder
02 – Manufacture for Use by Kevin Smith and Jim Lee
03 – Knute Brody by Dini
04 – Batman’s Design by Ellis

Of the first four stories, only the second doesn’t really fit into the current continuity, due to the yellow circle around the bat symbol on Batman’s chest.

05 – Return to Crime Alley by O’Neil

A sequel to O’Neil’s classic “There is No Hope in Crime Alley” from Detective Comics #457, this story doesn’t really fit into current continuity.

06 – Heretic by Priest

Another story that may or may not be in current continuity.

07 – I Know by Bendis
08 – Last Crime in Gotham by Johns and Jones
09 – The Precedent by Tynion

“I Know”  takes place in the future, possibly the same future as Tom King’s run.  “Last Crime in Gotham” is a dream sequence that takes place on Batman’s birthday, the most recent we saw was in Detective #994-999.   “The Precedent” is another take on the origin of the first Robin.  All three stories share pages with each other, but are the only stories in the issue to share pages.

10 – Batman’s Greatest Case by King

I have placed this story in the Tom King project, prior to Batman #55 (820) due to the appearance of Dick Grayson.

11 – Medieval by Tomasi

This story is the prelude to the arc in Detective Comics #1001-1005.  While several stories from this issue can be placed in sequence with the surrounding issues, this is the only story that has to.

Detective Comics #1027

This issue came out as the Joker War storyline was ending in Batman.  Due to the ongoing storylines, none of the stories in this issue can be placed in sequence with the surrounding issues and would have to go earlier.   Any stories featuring Alfred have to be placed before #1017, and any stories with Jim Gordon as commissioner go before #1018.  The nicest part of #1027 is that no stories share pages, although some do have pin-ups on the opposite sides.

01 – Blowback by Tomasi

This story is part of Tomasi’s regular run on the book.  I’ve placed it prior to Detective #1020.

02 – The Master Class by Bendis

Due to the appearance of Dick Grayson as Nightwing, this story would need to go a little further back on the timeline.

03 – Many Happy Returns by Fraction

A story that bounces around the timeline, it may or may not be in continuity.

04 – Rookie by Rucka

This story fits in better with Rucka’s original Detective Comics or Gotham Central runs from the early 2000s.

05 – Ghost Story by Tynion

An early years story with an earlier Robin.

06 – Fore by DeConnick
07 – Odyssey by Wolfman

Two more stories that can be placed in recent continuity.  The first one features Commissioner Gordon.

08 – Detective #26 by Morrison

A fun little out-of-continuity tale that shows a different angle on the original Batman story from Detective Comics #27.

09 – Legacy by King

This story is part of Tom King’s run and expands on scenes from Batman Annual #2 set in the future.  Placement in that run is dependent on the ending of Batman/Catwoman.

10 – As Always by Snyder

Another story that can be in recent continuity.  Any errors can be chalked up to Commissioner Gordon not being a reliable narrator.

11 – Generations by Jurgens

A prelude to the Generations storyline contained in two one-shots:  Generations Shattered and Generations Forged.

12 – A Gift by Tamaki

This story is a Joker War tie-in, actually taking place before the main action begins in Batman #95 (860).

Had I not already bound “Batman Through the Ages“, several of these stories likely would have made their way into that book.  Specifically #1000.02, 1000.05, 1000.07-09, #1027.03, 1027.08.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/detective-comics-1000-and-1027/feed 0 Batman after Rebirth https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-after-rebirth https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-after-rebirth#comments Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:39:53 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=6536 This project started as the Tomasi run on Detective Comics, but then expanded as it crossed over into Joker War.  Eventually, it became my version of post-Rebirth Batman, similar to the post-Crisis chronology/map.  I am not including Tom King’s Batman run in continuity, nor am I following Tynion’s Detective Comics run that started the Rebirth era.  I am also not trying to reconcile with Scott Snyder’s Justice League run and related Year of the Villain plotlines, other than what is needed for the ongoing storyline in these Batman comics.  These volumes are mapped to go around the main DC Rebirth books, but there is not much overlap.  Mapping past “Infinite Frontier” is still tentative.

Detective Comics #1000 and #1027 had multiple stories.  The specific story in the map will be indicated after the decimal point.

Tremendous gratitude to the work of the Real Batman Chronology Project, which I heavily referenced for issue placement.

“Dark Nights:  Metal” takes place prior to these volumes.

Day by Day
Batman Annual #1 (first two stories)
Batman Annual #4
Batman Annual #3 – Father’s Day
Detective #1000.03 – Knute Brody
Detective Annual #2
Detective #1000.04 – Batman’s Design
Detective #1027.02 – Master Class
Detective #1027.06 – Fore
Batman Secret Files #1
Detective #1000.06 – Heretic
Detective #1027.03 - Many Happy Returns
Detective #1027.10 – As Always

The stories are gathered in this way because most of them reference specific dates, but the book also became a bit of a catch-all.
-Batman Annual #1 contains several Christmas stories.  The first story spans the months of September through December, and the second shares a page and takes place on Christmas.  The rest of the stories are out of continuity.
-Batman Annual #4 takes place over a span in March and April.
-Batman Annual #3 takes place on Father’s Day weekend.
-I originally had Detective Comics Annual #2 placed close to publication order after Detective #1005, but moved it back here based on the recommendation of the Real Batman Chronology Project.  There is a line of dialogue on the first page that places the issue on Bastille Day, which is in mid-July.
-While some of these issues contain stories by Tom King, they do not impact his run nor do they contradict any other continuity, so they have been placed here.

Batman Universe (HC)
Batman Giant #3-14 or Batman Universe #1-6

This is the serialized story by Bendis that originally appeared in the Giant issues offered at Wal-Mart.

Three Jokers
Three Jokers #1-3

While the plot for this was set up in DC Universe Rebirth #1, the story itself did not actually tie into the Rebirth narrative.  It has been placed here based on context determined by the Real Batman Chronology Project.

Heroes in Crisis
Heroes in Crisis #1-2
Flash Annual #2
Heroes in Crisis #3-4
Batman #64 (829)
Flash #64 (725)
Batman #65 (830)
Flash #65 (726)
Heroes in Crisis #5-9

This volume is also part of the DC Rebirth event map.

Mythology
Detective #994-999
Detective #1000.01 – Batman’s Longest Case
Detective #1000.11 – Medieval prelude
Detective #1001-1016
Year of the Villain:  Riddler #1
Year of the Villain:  Joker #1

As mentioned above, Detective Comics Annual #2 was originally placed between #1005-1006 but moved due to it’s July setting.  The Mythology arc in #994-999 takes place around Batman’s birthday, which the BCP places in February.  The thought would be that not enough time has passed for it to be July at that point.  If this book is too big, there is a decent volume break possible between #1007 and #1008, with the second volume containing the “Year of the Villain” stories.

“Doomsday Clock” occurs here, as determined by the Real Batman Chronology Project.

While I don’t count Tom King’s run as part of continuity here, it’s obvious that some version of certain events of that run did occur.  A volume break has been put here to indicate that those events happened “off camera” around this time.

Dead of Winter
Detective #1017-1019
Detective Annual #3
Pennyworth RIP #1
Detective #1027.01 – Blowback
Detective #1027.07 – Odyssey
Detective #1020-1024

Their Dark Designs (HC)
Batman #85 epilogue (#850 – last three pages)
Batman #86-94 (#851-859)
Batman Secret Files #3

Batman Secret Files #3 is only listed here because it was included in the official hardcover release.  If I were binding single issues, I would just add Batman #86-94 to the beginning of the Joker War volume.

Joker War
Detective Comics #1027.12
Batman #95-98 (#860-863)
Detective #1025-1026
Batman #99-100 (#864-865)
Punchline #1

After the Laughter
Detective #1028
Batman #101 (#866)
Detective #1029-1033
Batman #102-105 (#867-870)
Batman Annual #5

“Flash Forward” and “Dark Nights:  Death Metal” both occur here.

After this, the entire DC line took a break for Future State and then launched into Infinite Frontier.

The Neighborhood
Infinite Frontier #0 (Batman scenes only)
Detective Comics #1034 (main story only)
Detective Comics #1035-1036 (backups)
Detective Comics #1035-1036 (main story)
Detective Comics #1037 (backup – “Exclusive”)
Detective Comics #1037 (main story)
Detective Comics #1038 (main story)
Detective Comics #1039 (main story and backup)
Detective Comics #1038 (backup)
Detective Comics #1040 (main story)
Batman Secret Files:  Huntress #1
Detective Comics #1041-1042 (main story only)
Detective Comics #1040 (backup)
Batman Secret Files:  Miracle Molly #1

The Robin backup feature from #1034 and the “3 Minutes” backup from #1037 are skipped for this project.  The backup features in #1041-1042 will be used in a later volume (below).

Fear State
Batman #106-111 (#871-876)
Batman:  Fear State Alpha
Batman #112 (#877)
Batman Secret Files:  Peacekeeper-01 #1
Detective Comics #1043-1045 (main story only)
Batman #113-117 (#878-882)
Batman Secret Files:  The Gardener #1

All backup features are skipped in this book.

The Abyss
Detective Comics #1041-1043 (backups – Task Force Z)
Detective Comics #1044-1046 (backups – Foundations)
Detective Comics 2021 Annual
Batman:  Fear State Omega
Detective Comics #1046
Batman #118-121 (#883-886)

Shadows of the Bat:  The Tower (HC)
Detective Comics #1047-1058 (main story)

Shadows of the Bat:  House of Gotham (HC)
Detective Comics #1047-1058 (backups)

Shadow War (HC)
Shadow War:  Alpha
Batman #122 (#887)
Deathstroke Inc. #8
Robin #13
Batman #123 (#888)
Shadow War Zone #1
Deathstroke Inc. #9
Robin #14
Shadow War:  Omega

The following volumes are still in flux as new issues are coming out.

Riddle Me This
Robin #15
Batman 2022 Annual
Batman #124 (#889)
Detective Comics #1059-1061 (main story)
Detective Comics #1059-1061 (backups)

I expect to add more backup stories from surrounding issues in this book.

“Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths” occurs here.

Gotham Nocturne
Detective Comics #1062-1066
Detective Comics Annual 2022
Detective Comics #1067-1077

This storyline is still continuing.

Failsafe
Batman #125-130 (#890-895)
Batman #125-134 (backups)
Batman #131-136 (#896-901)

Putting a volume break here to allow for Knight Terrors, if one so chooses.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-after-rebirth/feed 0 Batman: The post-Crisis Chronology https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-post-crisis https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-post-crisis#comments Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:50:40 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=2791 The post-Crisis era officially ended in 2011 as the New 52 launched, and the conclusion of Grant Morrison’s Batman Inc. run allowed fans to put a cap on Post-Crisis Batman, and come up with a “finished product”. I’m not going for complete here by any means, but I do try to hit all of the major events. Everyone has their own different Batman chronology, especially when it comes to the first few years of his career. A lot of people try to include Loeb and Sale’s The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. However, those two epics prevent a lot of other issues from fitting in. Instead, I used Batman Annual #14 for the first Two-Face and Robin Annual #4 as the first Robin, building a map around those issues.

Some volumes contain links to other maps that might provide more detail and explanation.

Year One (Deluxe HC)
Batman #404-407

Dark Moon Rising
Batman and the Monster Men #1-6
Batman and the Mad Monk #1-6
The Man Who Laughs #1

Legends of the Dark Knight
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #1-10 (“Shaman” and “Gothic”)

Batman/Catwoman (DCP 100-Page Spectacular)
Batman/Catwoman: Trail of the Gun #1-2

Venom (TPB)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #16-20

Urban Legends
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #58 (“Storm”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #105-106 (“Duty”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #41 (“Sunset”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #46-49 (“Heat”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #107-108 (“Stalking”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #172-176 (“Testament”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #24-26 (“Flyer”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #114 (“Playground”)

Year Two
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #0
Batman:  Gotham Knights #10 (black and white backup)
Batman Annual #14
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #21-23 (“Faith”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #32-34 (“Blades”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #42-43 (“Hot Hands”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #7 (Pulp Heroes)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #80-82 (“Idols”)
Batman Annual #19 (Scarecrow: Year One)
Detective Annual #8 (Riddler: Year One)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #159-161 (“Loyalties”)
Batman:  The Long Halloween #4 (Joker pages only)

There are some minor potential continuity issues with Batman Annual #19 and Detective Annual #8, but I have chalked those up to unreliable narrators. It wasn’t worth throwing out entire issues for one panel. Regarding The Long Halloween #4, I had a copy of the Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told that had the Joker scenes excerpted from that issue. Since I was cutting up the trade for other projects, I opted to include the story at the end of this book. Any scenes not involving the Joker are not included in this reprint.

Perceptions
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #102-104 (“Spook”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #98-99 (“Steps”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #65-68 (“Going Sane”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #146-148 (“Bad”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #39-40 (“Mask”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #74-75 (“Engines)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #31 (“Family”)

Monsters (HC)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #71-73 (“Werewolf”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #83-84 (“Infected”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #89-90 (“Clay”)

This book was released by Eaglemoss as volume 103 of “The Legend of Batman” – a partwork series of hardcovers released in the UK.  While “Clay” is said to occur during the third week of Batman’s mission (placing it during “Year One”), I don’t see any reason why the other two stories can’t go around here.  If I didn’t get this particular book, I would put the first two arcs in one of the surrounding volumes.

Gotham Freaks
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #156-158 (“Blink”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #169-171 (“Irresistible”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #91-93 (“Freakout”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #85 (“Citadel”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #115 (“The Darkness”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #95-97 (“Dirty Tricks”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #69-70 (“Criminals”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #86-88 (“Conspiracy”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #109-111 (“The Primal Riddle”)

There are multiple ways to organize the LOTDK arcs that have appeared in the map thus far, depending on what one counts as canon for this era.

Faces (TPB)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #28-30

The Dynamic Duo
Robin Annual #4
Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet
Turning Points #2
Robin: Year One #1-4
Legends of the DC Universe #6
Superman #700 (second story)

Times Like These
Batman Confidential #49
Gotham Knights #3, 29 (black and white backups)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #38 (“Legend of the Dark Mite”)
Legends of the DC Universe #10-11
Batman: Hidden Treasures #1
Swamp Thing #7 (as reprinted in Hidden Treasures #1)
Gotham Knights #25 (black and white backup)
Detective Comics #411 (as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #1)
Batman #232 (as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #1)
Batman #235 (as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #2)
Batman #240 (as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #2)
Batman #242-245 (as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #3-4)
Detective Comics #410 (“A Vow from the Grave” as reprinted in The Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #4)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #1 (“Duel”)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #132-136 (“Siege”)

I only included Detective #410 because it was in the Saga of Ra’s Al Ghul #4 and shared a page with the end of Batman #245.

Changing of the Guard
Nightwing #101-106
Batman #410-411
Girlfrenzy: Batgirl
Batman #416
Batgirl Special #1

The Killing Joke

Death in the Family
Batman #414
Batman #421-430
Turning Points #3

Blind Justice (TPB)
Detective Comics #598-600

A Lonely Place of Dying (TPB)
Batman #440
New Titans #60
Batman #441
New Titans #61
Batman #442

Heroes and Madmen
Batman #448
Detective Comics #615
Batman #449
Detective Comics #617
Batman #450-451
Detective Comics #622-624

Just for fun, as a bonus feature, I included the Joker story from Batman #66, as reprinted in the Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told.

Dark Knight, Dark City (DCP 100-Page Spectacular)
Batman #452-454
Detective Comics Comics #633

Rites of Passage
Detective Comics #618-621
Batman #455-457
Detective Comics #625
Batman #458-459
Detective Comics #626
Batman #460-461
Detective Comics #628
Batman #465-466

Detective Comics #627 was an anniversary celebration featuring four different versions of “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate” (two reprints and two original stories by the then-current creative teams).  It’s possible that one of the new versions could fit in here, but I opted to included it in “Batman Through the Ages”.

Art of Gotham
Batman #474
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #27
Detective Comics #641
Batman #475
Detective Comics #642
Batman #476
Detective Comics #643
Batman #477-478
Batman #480
Detective Comics #651-653
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2

Shadow of the Bat
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #1-15

Sword of Azrael (TPB)
Sword of Azrael #1-4

Sword of Azrael could be added to the beginning of the Prelude to Knightfall volume if you are so inclined, although I would start the Prelude volume with the Vengeance of Bane special to parallel the placement of the sequel at the end of the final volume in the saga.

Prelude to Knightfall
Vengeance of Bane
Sword of Azrael #1-4 (if not separated out)
Batman #484-487
Detective Comics #654-656
Detective Comics #657 (p. 1-2)
Batman #488
Detective Comics #657 (p. 3-22)
Detective Comics #658
Batman #489-490

This book is where the subplot of Batman starting to get run down begins.  LOTDK Annual #2 (marriage of Gordon and Essen) probably should have gone in this volume, because the wedding is mentioned as upcoming in the earlier issues, and in the past in later issues.  However, since that story doesn’t directly tie into Knightfall and slows the pacing of this book down, I fudged it a little and included it in the Art of Gotham book above.

Knightfall
Batman #491
Batman #492
Detective Comics #659
Batman #493
Detective Comics #660
Batman #494
Detective Comics #661
Batman #495
Detective Comics #662
Batman #496
Detective Comics #663
Batman #497
Detective Comics #664
Showcase ’93 #7-8 (lead stories only)
Batman #498
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18
Detective Comics #665
Batman #499
Detective Comics #666
Batman #500

Contrary to what DC has said in the past in previous TPB publications, this is the correct placement of SOTB #16-18. They try to place it based on the bat signal on the cover, but if you read the comics, you’ll see why it can’t work between Detective #665 and Batman #499.  Most recent reprints put the arc in the correct place.

KnightQuest 1
Batman:  Turning Points #4 (optional, published in 2000)
Justice League Task Force #5-6 (Search)
Detective Comics #667-668
Robin #1 (pgs 1-5)
Detective Comics #669
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #19-20
Batman #501-502
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #21-23 (Search)
Detective Comics #670
Catwoman #6
Batman #503-504
Catwoman #7
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #24
Detective Comics #671-673

KnightQuest 2
Batman #505
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #25
Batman #506-507
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #59-61 (Search)
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #26-27
Detective Comics #674
Batman #508
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #28
Detective Comics #675
Robin #7

KnightQuest may or may not fit into one book, depending on your binding preferences. It’s 36 issues but with the thicker newsprint of the early 1990s.   The main reason I kept the Search issues integrated with the Crusade is due to appearances by Az-Bats.  He is shown in his first costume (and with Robin) in JLTF #5, but has a later version of the costume in the LOTDK arc.

I chose this uneven breakpoint between volumes because Batman #505 starts the Abbatoir and new costume subplots, which make the stories thereafter much more consistent. Prior to that, the only main theme of KnightQuest was “the adventures of Azrael as Batman”.

Knightsend
Batman #509
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #29
Detective Comics #676
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #62
Robin #8
Catwoman #12
Batman #510
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #30
Detective Comics #677
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #63
Robin #9
Showcase ’94 #10 (first story)

The original printing of the Knightsend TPB works fine.  It does not include the Showcase story and it cuts out a few pages of Robin #9 that are not completely relevant to the Batman plots.  It is not necessary to include any other Catwoman issues (even #13 which was labelled as Aftermath).  Catwoman #12 manages to perfectly balance the plot of the ongoing series with the crossover plot and not short change readers of either one.

Zero Hour
Showcase ’94 #8-9 (lead stories)
Batman #511
Superman: Man of Steel #37
Zero Hour #4
Superboy #8
Superman #93
Zero Hour #3
Zero Hour #2
Adventures of Superman #516
Action Comics #703
Guy Gardner: Warrior #24
Zero Hour #1
Zero Hour #0
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31
Detective Comics #678
Robin #10
Showcase ’94 #10 (last story)

This DCU crossover volume stays with my Superman collection.  The map linked in the title has a full explanation for why these issues are ordered in this way.  Here I document the mapping specific to the Batman-related tie-ins.  (If focusing solely on Batman, MOS #37 is the only tie-in needed from outside the Batman titles.)

-Batman #511 and Man of Steel #37 share scenes with each other and the early part of Zero Hour #4.

-SOTB #31 chronicles a generic time anomaly, but makes a reference to the Batgirl they met “a few nights ago” in Batman #511, which obviously cannot fit in during the timeline established for the main event (which all happens within a 32 hour period).  I moved this issue to be after the main event, assuming that there are still a few residual aftereffects occurring even after the heroes fix the timeline.

-Detective #678 deals with Batman conducting a calm patrol of Gotham.  I have a hard time assuming that Batman would find the time to break away from the chaos of Zero Hour just to patrol Gotham and then study open cases at the Batcave.  While I have moved this to the end like SOTB #31, it would probably be just as easy to move it to occur before Batman #511.

-Robin #10 has a fade-to-white ending, and I originally placed in between Zero Hour #2 and #1, where there is enough of a narrative gap (roughly six hours based on the captions) for Robin, who appears in both issues alongside Batman, to get back to Gotham to have his  adventure, which includes a young Dick Grayson. Robin going back home for a brief spell can be explained away simply as Batman sending Robin back to keep an eye on Gotham, but then Gotham starts disappearing, thus forcing Robin to return to the main action in New York.  However, I ultimately opted to put Robin #10 at the end with the other Batman tie-ins, because it felt like less mental work to explain the narrative that way.

Prodigal
Batman #0
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #0
Detective Comics #0
Robin #0
Batman #512
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #32
Detective Comics #679
Robin #11
Batman #513
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #33
Detective Comics #680
Robin #12
Batman #514
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #34
Detective Comics #681
Robin #13
Batman #515
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #35
Detective Comics #682
Robin #14
Nightwing:  Alfred’s Return
Vengeance of Bane 2

I put Vengeance of Bane absolute last to mirror it’s placement as the first issue in the Prelude to Knightfall volume.

Shadows Over Gotham
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #36-43
Catwoman #26
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #44-47

As I mentioned in the Shadow of the Bat map, I wanted to include more of the Batman and Detective issues regarding the mayoral election that rounded out this volume.  However, I am not a fan of Kelley Jones’ art, hence not getting any of those issues.  When I got the Detective issues, they didn’t fit in well with the story arc in SOTB.  Both series were running two-parters that should have been taking place on the same night, but the chronology just did not fit.

Contagion
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #48
Detective Comics #695
Robin #27
Catwoman #31
Azrael #15
Batman #529
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #49
Detective Comics #696
Batman Chronicles #4
Catwoman #32
Azrael #16
Robin #28

The original TPB only includes the last two stories from Batman Chronicles #4, skipping the Hitman story.  It also cuts the last page of Robin #28, which has a bit of a cliffhanger that leads into the next two issues of Robin.  The “big cliffhanger” is that Tim’s girlfriend dyed her hair.  Eventually, I bound my own version which included the full Batman Chronicles #4 and also scans of the first two pages of Robin #29 to resolve the “big cliffhanger”.

Legacy
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #50-52
Detective Comics #697-699
Robin #31
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #53
Batman #533
Detective Comics #700
Catwoman #36
Robin #32
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #54
Batman #534
Detective Comics #701
Robin #33
Detective Comics #702

I have Final Night mapped in my Superman collection, but the only Batman issue included is Detective #703.

Knight Out (HC)
Detective Comics #703-718

This hardcover covers all of the Detective issues between Legacy and Cataclysm.  Since the individual series were so self-contained in this period, this book and the three following could probably go in any order.  I have placed it immediately after Legacy since the first issue is the Final Night tie-in.

Pulp Heroes
Nightwing Annual #1
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat Annual #5
Batman Annual #21
Azrael Annual #3
Detective Comics Annual #10
Robin Annual #6

These can go in just about any order. I grouped them by category.

Gordon of Gotham (TPB)
Batman: Gordon’s Law #1-4
Batman: GCPD #1-4
Batman: Gordon of Gotham #1-4

These three minis come from the mostly self contained era of 1996-1998, and I don’t see any reason they can’t fit together here.

Shadow of the Mind
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #55-72

Depending on how you map out Cataclysm and Aftershock, Arkham Asylum:  Tales of Madness #1 could be placed at the end of this volume.

Cataclysm (TPB)
Detective Comics #719 (last 4 pgs)
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #73
Nightwing #19
Batman #553
Detective Comics #720
Catwoman #56
Blackgate: Isle of Men #1
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #74
Batman Chronicles #12
Nightwing #20
Batman #554
Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1
Detective Comics #721
Robin #53
Arkham Asylum:  Tales of Madness #1

This is one case where the TPB — and I’m referring to the original version, not the 2015 expanded edition — offers a better reading experience than the original release of the crossover.  Several of the secondary series and one-shots slowed down the main narrative. The original TPB release omitted the non-quake subplot pages from Nightwing #19, but also put one of the stories from Batman Chronicles #12 in the wrong place.  I came up with this better map.  It also moves the Arkham Asylum chapter (labeled as part 16 of 17) to the end, as keeping it in publication order kills the pacing of the main storyline.  It is a side story, but does get referenced in the Shadow of the Bat chapters of Road to No Man’s Land.

Aftershock
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #75
Batman #555
Detective Comics #722
Robin #54
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #76
Batman #556
Batman Chronicles #16 (first story)
Batman Chronicles #14 (third story)
Green Arrow #134 (Brotherhood of the Fist part 1)
Detective Comics #723 (Brotherhood of the Fist part 2)
Robin #55 (Brotherhood of the Fist part 3)
Nightwing #23 (Brotherhood of the Fist part 4)
Green Arrow #135 (Brotherhood of the Fist part 5)
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #77
Batman #557
Detective Comics #724
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #78-79
Batman Chronicles #14 (first and second stories)
Batman #558
Detective Comics #725
Batman #559
Detective Comics #726

DC One Million
DC One Million #1
Action Comics #1000000
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #1000000
Nightwing #1000000
Green Lantern #1000000
DC One Million #2
Batman #1000000
Superman:  Man of Steel #1000000
Starman #1000000
Superman #1000000
Superboy #1000000
Detective Comics #1000000
JLA #1000000
DC One Million #3
Martian Manhunter #1000000
Adventures of Superman #1000000
Resurrection Man #1000000
Catwoman #1000000
Robin #1000000
Superman:  Man of Tomorrow #1000000
DC One Million #4
Chronos #1000000

Again, another DCU crossover that sits with my Superman collection.

Road to No Man’s Land
Azrael #47
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #80
Batman #560
Detective Comics #727
Azrael #48
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #81
Batman #561
Detective Comics #728
Azrael #49
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #82
Batman #562
Detective Comics #729
NML #0
Batman Chronicles #16 (stories 2-3 / first story is included in “Aftershock”)

NML #0 could be a tough one, since it does spoil some of the mysteries of the first half of NML.  But that goes to personal preference.  If you’ve read it all before, there’s no reason not to put it there.

No Man’s Land Volume 1
NML #1
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #83
Batman #563
Detective Comics #730
Azrael #50-51
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #116
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #84
Batman #564
Detective Comics #731
Azrael #52-53
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #117
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #85
Batman #565
Detective Comics #732
Batman Chronicles #17
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #118
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #86
Batman #566
Detective Comics #733
Young Justice in NML
Azrael #54-55
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #119
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #87
Batman #567
Detective Comics #734

No Man’s Land Volume 2
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #120
JLA #32
Azrael #56-57
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #88
Batman #568
Detective Comics #735
Nightwing #35-37
Batman Chronicles #18
Nightwing #38-39
JLA #33
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #121
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #89
Batman #569

No Man’s Land Volume 3
Detective Comics #736
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #122
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #90
Batman:  Harley Quinn
Batman #570
Detective Comics #737
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #123
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #91
Azrael #58
Batman #571
Detective Comics #738
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #124
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #92
Batman #572
Detective Comics #739
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #125

No Man’s Land Volume 4
Catwoman #72-75
Azrael #59
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #93
Azrael #60
Batman #573
Detective Comics #740
Catwoman #76-77
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #126
Batman #574
Detective Comics #741
Azrael #61
Batman:  Shadow of the Bat #94

Additional commentary can be found in the full NML map.

New Gotham 1
Detective Comics #742
Batman:  Gotham Knights #1-2
Detective Comics #743-746
Batman:  Gotham Knights #3-5
Detective Comics #747
Batman:  Gotham Knights #6-7
Detective Comics #748-750

The B&W backups from GK 4-7 can all go in place. #1 could probably go in published order. #2 is a John Byrne Generations story, and #3 takes place earlier in Batman’s career.

New Gotham 2
Batman:  Gotham Knights #8-11
Detective Comics #751-753
Batman #582-586
Batman:  Turning Points #5
Batman:  Gotham Knights #13 (B&W)
Batman:  Gotham Knights #17 (B&W)
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #168

None of the GK B&W backups from the issues in this volume actually go in place. I opted to skip Gotham Knights #12, since it was a fill-in.  The story originally scheduled for GK #12 was finally published in a Zsasz TPB in 2020.  Either one of those stories would go before or after Turning Points #5.  LOTDK #168 is from a few years later, placed here due to costume details and Commissioner Gordon.  I only included it because I obtained it from a TPB for a different issue.

Officer Down
Batman #587
Robin #86
Birds of Prey #27
Catwoman #90
Nightwing #53
Detective Comics #754
Batman:  Gotham Knights #13
Detective Comics #755

Unknowing
Batman:  Gotham Knights #14-15
Superman #168
Detective Comics #756-757
Batman:  Gotham Knights #16-17
Batman #591-592
Detective Comics #758 (backup – Oracle)
Detective Comics #758-760
Batman:  Gotham Knights #18-19
Batman #593-594
Detective Comics #759-762 (backups – Slam Bradley/Catwoman)

The backup in GK #16 can go before the main story. Other than that, none of the other backups fit in this book.

Family Business
Detective Comics #761-762
Batman:  Gotham Knights #20-21
Batman #595
Batman:  Gotham Knights #22
Detective Comics #763
Batman #596
Detective Comics #764
Batman:  Gotham Knights #23
Batman #597
Detective Comics #765
Batman:  Gotham Knights #24
Batman #598

None of the GK B&W backups from the issues in this volume actually go in place. 

Bruce Wayne:  Murderer?
Batman: The Ten Cent Adventure #1
Detective Comics #766
Batgirl #24
Nightwing #65 (pg 1-8, 12-14, 18-21)
Batman:  Gotham Knights #25
Birds of Prey #39 (pg 8-9, 11-16, 18-22)
Batman #599
Detective Comics #767
Nightwing #66 (pg 1-6, 10-18)
Batman:  Gotham Knights #26
Birds of Prey #40 (pg 1-4, 9-10, 19-22)
Batman #600

The cut pages and issues are mostly due to Chuck Dixon continuing his own subplots that did not intersect with the Batman storyline.  Even though they are labelled as official chapters, Robin #98 and #99 barely tie into the storyline and actually contradict some of the internal continuity of the story, which is why I left them out.  I only included the main feature of Batman #600, saving the backups for Batman Through the Ages.

Bruce Wayne:  Fugitive
Batman:  Gotham Knights #27
Birds of Prey #41 (pg 1-3, 6-7, 9-10, 12-17, 21-22)
Batman #601-602
Batgirl #27
Detective Comics #768-771
Nightwing #68 (pg 1-5, 7, 9, 11-12, 14-16, 20-22)
Batman:  Gotham Knights #28-29
Nightwing #69 (pg 1-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 19, 21-22)
Birds of Prey #43 (pg 1-3, 7, 17)
Batman #603
Batgirl #29
Batman:  Gotham Knights #30
Azrael #91
Azrael #92 (pg 1-9)
Batman #604
Detective Comics #772
Batman:  Gotham Knights #31
Batman #605
Detective Comics #773-774
Batman:  Gotham Knights #32
Batman #606-607
Detective Comics #775

Fugitive was a status quo/subplot that marketing turned into a crossover.  Part numbers should largely be ignored.

Dead Reckoning
Detective Comics #777-782
Detective Comics #782 (backup)
Detective Comics #784-786
Batman:  Gotham Knights #28 (B&W backup)
Batman:  Gotham Knights #32 (B&W backup)
Detective Comics #763-772, 784 (Josie Mac backups)

The Gotham Knights backups were left over from Fugitive, and were some of the few that could fit into regular Batman continuity. As for the Detective backups, #777-780 continued a story started in #776, so I left them out. #782 stayed in because it shared a page with the lead story. #781 also shared a page, but since it was the middle of the arc, I had to scan and print anyway. I used the reprint from “Man Who Laughs” for #784-786, so had to make copies of the Josie Mac story in #784.

Hush (20th Anniversary HC)
Batman #608-619

Also includes the two page origin sequence, a six page interlude from Wizard, and a new epilogue also by Loeb and Lee.

Death and the Maidens (HC)
Detective Comics #783 (backup)
Death and the Maidens #1-9

City of Crime
Detective Comics #800 (backup)
Detective Comics #801-808
Detective Comics #811-814

As the Crow Flies (TPB)
Batman #626-630

War Drums (TPB)
Detective Comics #790-795
Detective Comics #795-796 (back-ups)
Robin #126
Detective Comics #796
Robin #127-128

War Games
Batman:  The 12 Cent Adventure
Detective Comics #797
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #182
Nightwing #96
Batman:  Gotham Knights #56
Robin #129
Batgirl #55
Catwoman #34
Batman #631
Detective Comics #798
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #183
Nightwing #97
Batman:  Gotham Knights #57
Robin #130
Batgirl #56
Catwoman #35
Batman #632
Detective Comics #799
Batman:  Legends of the Dark Knight #184
Nightwing #98
Robin #131
Batman:  Gotham Knights #58
Batgirl #57
Catwoman #36
Batman #633

Identity Crisis occurs between these volumes.

War Crimes
Detective Comics #800
Gotham Central #25
Batman #634
Detective Comics #809
Batman #643
Detective Comics #810
Batman #644

Under the Hood
Batman #635-641
Batman #645-650
Batman Annual #25

Infinite Crisis occurs around this time.

Face the Face (TPB)
Detective Comics #817
Batman #651
Detective Comics #818
Batman #652
Detective Comics #819
Batman #653
Detective Comics #820
Batman #654

Batman: Detective
Detective Comics #821-826
Batman #659-662
Detective Comics #827-837

If I were to redo this book, I would probably just focus on the Dini issues, which would be Detective #821-824, 826-828, 831, 833-834, and 837.

Batman and Son
Batman #655-658
Batman #663-669

Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul
Batman Annual #26
Batman #670
Robin #168
Nightwing #138
Detective Comics #838
Batman #671
Robin #169
Nightwing #139
Detective Comics #839-840
Detective Comics #842

Detective Comics #840 is labeled as the epilogue. #842 was a fill-in by Peter Milligan about the Suit of Sorrows.

Heart of Hush
Detective Comics #841
Detective Comics #843-850

R.I.P.
Batman #672-675
DC Universe #0 (pg 8-10)
Batman #676-681

Final Crisis
DC Universe #0
Justice League of America #21*
Final Crisis #1
Final Crisis: Requiem*
Final Crisis #2-3
Final Crisis:  Superman Beyond #1-2
Final Crisis Secret Files*
Final Crisis: Resist*
Final Crisis: Submit
Final Crisis #4-5
Batman #682-683
Final Crisis #6-7

* denotes issue not written by Grant Morrison, although he did contribute a text piece to Final Crisis Secret Files, and only co-write DC Universe #0.

Last Rites
Detective Comics #851
Batman #684
Nightwing #152
Detective Comics #852
Batman #685
Nightwing #153
Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead?
Battle for the Cowl #1
Battle for the Cowl: Commissioner Gordon #1
Battle for the Cowl #2-3
Batman #687
Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive
Batman #686
Detective Comics #853

Batman and Robin: The Hole in Things
Batman and Robin #1-12
Batman #700-702
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6
Batman and Robin #13-16

The Black Mirror (HC)
Detective Comics #871-881

The Gates of Gotham (TPB)
Gates of Gotham #1-5

Batman, Incorporated
Batman: The Return #1
Batman Inc #1-8
Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes! #1
Batman Inc (volume 2) #0-10, 12-13

And with that, the post-Crisis Batman saga ends.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-post-crisis/feed 21 Batman: New Gotham https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-new-gotham https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-new-gotham#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:50:25 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=2789 It was 2000. The Batman books had just finished No Man’s Land, and so started a new era with new creative teams.

One downside to this era were the backup stories in Detective Comics and Gotham Knights. I have some of the backups listed below, as they have more direct ties to current era Batman.

This still requires a bit of copying pages since a lot of the backups share a page with the main story. I have also skipped the brief Larry Hama run of Batman, because those issues were just horrible.

New Gotham
Detective 742
GK 1-2
Detective 743-746
GK 3-5
Detective 747
GK 6-7
Detective 748-750

The B&W backups from GK 4-7 can all go in place. #1 could probably go in published order. #2 is a John Byrne Generations story, and #3 takes place earlier in Batman’s career.

New Gotham 2
GK 8-11
Detective 751-753
Batman 582-586
Turning Points 5
GK 13 (B&W)
GK 17 (B&W)
LOTDK #168

None of the GK B&W backups from the issues in this volume actually go in place. I opted to skip GK 12, since it was a fill-in. It would have gone before or after Turning Points 5.  The story originally scheduled for GK #12 was finally published in a Zsasz TPB in 2020.  The LOTDK issue is from a few years later, but has to go here based on costume details, and Gordon being Commissioner — although I suppose it could take place after Infinite Crisis. I included the issue only because I had gotten the Batman Begins trade for a different project, and had this issue left over. Since I hadn’t sent this volume to the binders, I opted to include the story here so it wouldn’t go to waste.

Officer Down
Batman 587
Robin 86
Birds of Prey 27
Catwoman 90
Nightwing 53
Detective 754
GK 13
Detective 755

Unknowing
GK 14-15
Superman 168
Detective 756-757
GK 16-17
Batman 591-592
Detective 758 (backup – Oracle)
Detective 758-760
GK 18-19
Batman 593-594
Detective 759-762 (backups – Slam Bradley/Catwoman)

The backup in GK #16 can go before the main story. Other than that, none of the other backups fit in this book.

Family Business
Detective 761-762
GK 20-21
Batman 595
GK 22
Detective 763
Batman 596
Detective 764
GK 23
Batman 597
Detective 765
GK 24
Batman 598

None of the GK B&W backups from the issues in this volume actually go in place. I had a lot of back and forth on the placement of Detective 761-762, since they both follow each other and also follow up on the previous Tec arc. I ultimately moved them to the beginning of this book to try to even out the volumes a little bit.

I had contemplated making separate volumes for each of the three core series on either side of Officer Down, but there were enough subplots crossing through them that it wasn’t feasible. At least with this map, I only have 5 volumes, instead of 7.

Tie-ins to Joker: Last Laugh and Our Worlds at War are included here, since none of the main Batman titles really tied in that directly with the crossovers. Also, because of the timing of those two events, it would have left us with very thin volumes.

The Josie Mac backups that start in Detective #763 will go in a Dead Reckoning volume, which will come after Fugitive. The Jacobian (Detective #746-757) has no direct ties to Batman, so can easily be skipped, or just placed at the end of one volume as a bonus feature.

Of course, all of this leads into Murderer/Fugitive.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-new-gotham/feed 1 Batman: No Man’s Land https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-no-mans-land https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-no-mans-land#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:07:08 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=1027 I’ve included all of the No Man’s Land issues except for the Robin tie-ins.  I felt that those issues did not add much to the overall story, and in some places caused more continuity headaches than they were worth.  So, we have Legends of the Dark Knight (LOTDK), Shadow of the Bat (SOTB), Batman, Detective Comics, Batman Chronicles, Azrael:  Agent of the Bat, Nightwing, and Catwoman.  Specials include No Man’s Land #0-1, Young Justice in NML, Batman:  Harley Quinn.  There are also two optional issues of JLA that can be included.  I’m not including any Batman comics that take place during NML, but are part of larger DC events and don’t reference NML itself (i.e. the Batman JLApe Annual and Day of Judgement tie-in).

I also used this site as a resource:  http://batman-superman.tripod.com/pob/nmlguide1.htm  It summarizes all of NML (with spoilers).  I don’t completely agree with it, but it’s a good starting reference.  It also explains some of my reasoning about putting certain issues in certain places.

We start with the prelude volume.

Road to No Man’s Land
Azrael #47
SOTB #80
Batman #560
Detective #727
Azrael #48
SOTB #81
Batman #561
Detective #728
Azrael #49
SOTB #82
Batman #562
Detective #729
NML #0
Batman Chronicles #16 (stories 2-3 / first story is included in “Aftershock”)

NML #0 could be a tough one, since it does spoil some of the mysteries of the first half of NML.  But that goes to personal preference.  If you’ve read it all before, there’s no reason not to put it there.

And now, the main event…

Volume 1
NML #1
SOTB #83
Batman #563
Detective #730
Azrael #50-51
LOTDK #116
SOTB #84
Batman #564
Detective #731
Azrael #52-53
LOTDK #117
SOTB #85
Batman #565
Detective #732
Batman Chronicles #17
LOTDK #118
SOTB #86
Batman #566
Detective #733
Young Justice in NML
Azrael #54-55
LOTDK #119
SOTB #87
Batman #567
Detective #734

Volume 2
LOTDK #120
JLA #32
Azrael #56-57
SOTB #88
Batman #568
Detective #735
Nightwing #35-37
Batman Chronicles #18
Nightwing #38-39
JLA #33
LOTDK #121
SOTB #89
Batman #569

Volume 3
Detective #736
LOTDK #122
SOTB #90
Batman:  Harley Quinn
Batman #570
Detective #737
LOTDK #123
SOTB #91
Azrael #58
Batman #571
Detective #738
LOTDK #124
SOTB #92
Batman #572
Detective #739
LOTDK #125

Volume 4
Catwoman #72-75
Azrael #59
SOTB #93
Azrael #60
Batman #573
Detective #740
Catwoman #76-77
LOTDK #126
Batman #574
Detective #741
Azrael #61
SOTB #94

Good break points, story wise, are LOTDK #120 and #125.  I also try to group a lot of the “filler” issues that came out in the summer months together in one book.  (I don’t like Larry Hama’s Batman work, and I think his issues in NML are the absolute worst.  Therefore, if I can keep his involvement down to just one volume, I will.  Although I think in my personal breakdown, he creeps into two…but one of those is just for a single issue.  And I can’t just skip Hama’s issues, because at least one of them has a pivotal plot point to the overall NML arc.)

The early Azrael issues were a little difficult to place, because the first four are supposed to take place in a short span of time right after the bridges are blown up.  However, Batman shows up in #53.  Batman does not show up in NML proper until three months into the ordeal, as stated in the opening arc.  So I fudged it a bit.  Also, Azrael #58 is also a Day of Judgement tie-in.

The Catwoman issues are also a bit difficult, because they try to tie the beginning of the arc in with issues that came out in June 1999, and the end of the arc with issues that came out in November, but try to say the story only took three days, or some nonsense like that  (That’s my problem when writers and editors try to give specific timeframes — they want to say a large batch of issues takes place over a large span of time, but most of the stories contained within only cover a few days).  Catwoman #75 shares scenes with Azrael #59 and SOTB #93, so preference goes to those.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-no-mans-land/feed 6 Batman: War Games https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-war-games https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-war-games#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:31:39 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=1029 I was able to turn this event into a three volume set.  First, I started with the War Drums TPB, which is a great prelude.  Then, I bound two volumes.  One has the entire War Games crossover (all 25 issues), and the second contains the aftermath.

War Drums (TPB)
Detective Comics #790-795
Detective Comics #795-796 (back-ups)
Robin #126
Detective Comics #796
Robin #127-128

War Games
Batman:  The 12 Cent Adventure
Detective #797
LOTDK #182
Nightwing #96
GK #56
Robin #129
Batgirl #55
Catwoman #34
Batman #631
Detective #798
LOTDK #183
Nightwing #97
GK #57
Robin #130
Batgirl #56
Catwoman #35
Batman #632
Detective #799
LOTDK #184
Nightwing #98
Robin #131
GK #58
Batgirl #57
Catwoman #36
Batman #633

War Crimes
Detective #800
Gotham Central #25
Batman #634
Detective #809
Batman #643
Detective #810
Batman #644

Normally, I don’t like having a large jump within a volume.  However, there is no reason for the actual “War Crimes” arc to take place so far after “War Games”.  In the meantime, Detective has the “City of Crime” arc, which actually takes place before “War Games”, and Batman is starting the Red Hood arc, which can go afterward.  I would have included the three immediate aftermath issues in “War Games” itself, except that would make “War Crimes” really thin, and “Identity Crisis” has to take place between “War Games” and Batman #634.

On a semi-related note, I bound City of Crime, using the backup from Detective #800, and then Detective #801-808, 811-814.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-war-games/feed 0 BATMAN (1986-1992) https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-1986-1992 https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-1986-1992#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:47:00 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=922 This comprehensive map covers the Batman titles (BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, SHADOW OF THE BAT + Annuals) from the beginning of Denny O’Neil’s tenure editing the books to just before KNIGHTFALL — a snapshot of the Bat-books from 1986 to 1992.

Book 1 (1986-1987)

BATMAN 400
‘TEC 567
BATMAN 401
‘TEC 568
BATMAN 402
‘TEC 569, 570
BATMAN 403
‘TEC 571-574
BATMAN 404-407 (Year One)
‘TEC 575-578 (Year Two)
BATMAN 408-412
BATMAN ANNUAL 11
‘TEC 579

Book 2 (1987-1988)

‘TEC 580, 581
BATMAN 413-415
‘TEC 582
BATMAN 416
‘TEC 583, 585
BATMAN 417-420 (Ten Nights of the Beast)
‘TEC 585-589 (plus Bonus Book)
BATMAN 421, 422
BATMAN ANNUAL 12
BATMAN 423
‘TEC ANNUAL 1
‘TEC 590
BATMAN 424
‘TEC 591
BATMAN 425
‘TEC 592-594

Book 3 (1988-1989)

BATMAN 426-429 (A Death in the Family)
‘TEC 595 (plus Bonus Book), 596, 597
BATMAN 430, 431
‘TEC 598-600
BATMAN 432, 433-435 (The Many Deaths of the Batman)
BATMAN ANNUAL 13
‘TEC ANNUAL 2
‘TEC 601-603
BATMAN MOVIE ADAPTATION (1989)

Book 4 (1989-1990)

BATMAN 436-439 (Year Three)
‘TEC 604-607
BATMAN 440
NEW TITANS 60
BATMAN 441
NEW TITANS 61
BATMAN 442
‘TEC 608, 609
BATMAN 443, 444
‘TEC 610, 611
BATMAN 445-447
‘TEC 612-614
BATMAN 448
‘TEC 615
BATMAN 449
‘TEC 616
BATMAN 450
‘TEC 617
BATMAN 451

Book 5 (1990-1991)

‘TEC 618-621
BATMAN ANNUAL 14
BATMAN 452-457
‘TEC ANNUAL 3
‘TEC 622-624
BATMAN 458
‘TEC 625
BATMAN 459
‘TEC 626
BATMAN 460, 461
‘TEC 627-629
BATMAN ANNUAL 15

Book 6 (1991-1992)

BATMAN 462-464
‘TEC 630-632
BATMAN 465, 466
‘TEC 633
BATMAN 467-469
‘TEC 634-637
‘TEC ANNUAL 4
BATMAN 470, 471
‘TEC 638
BATMAN 472
‘TEC 639
BATMAN 473
‘TEC 640
BATMAN 474
LOTDK 27
‘TEC 641
BATMAN 475
‘TEC 642
BATMAN 476

Book 7 (1992)

‘TEC 643
BATMAN 477, 478
‘TEC 644-646
‘TEC ANNUAL 5
BATMAN 479-483
‘TEC 647-649
BATMAN 484
‘TEC 650
BATMAN 485
SOTB 1-5
‘TEC 651-653
BATMAN RETURNS MOVIE ADAPTATION

Book 8 (1992-1993)

BATMAN: SWORD OF AZRAEL 1-4
BATMAN ANNUAL 16
BATMAN 486
SOTB 6
BATMAN 487
‘TEC 654
SOTB 7-9
BATMAN 488
‘TEC 655, 656
BATMAN: VENGEANCE OF BANE 1-shot
BATMAN 489, 490
SOTB 10
‘TEC 657, 658
SOTB 11-15

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-1986-1992/feed 3 Batman: The Morrison Era https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-morrison-era https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-morrison-era#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:21:02 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=928 Vol 1: And Son

DC has decided to hand the keys of the Batman Universe over to the mad man known as Grant Morrison. Not known for thinking small Morrison decided to turn the Batman Universe on it’s ear and his first act? Give Batman a son. Mothered by Talia Al Ghul, Damian Wayne is the little snot we all love to hate. Raised and trained within the League of Assassins he is a deadly fighter with a unique view of the world as well as the arrogance and immaturity of an 8 to 12 year old.

This set collects Morrison’s story arcs as well as the other key Batman storylines going on in the various series.

52 30 Bruce Wayne/Robin/Nightwing parts
52 47 Bruce Wayne/Robin/Nightwing parts
Batman 655-658, 663-669
Batman Annual 26 – Origin of Ra’s Al Ghul
Robin Annual 7 Damien story
Batman 670 – Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul Prologue
Robin 168
Nighwing 138
Detective Comics 838
Batman 671
Robin 169
Nightwing 139
Detective Comics 839
Detective Comics 840 Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul Epilogue
Detective Comics 842 – Suit of Sorrows
Batman 672-681

The story continues in Final Crisis!

 

Vol 2: Batman Family RIP

The villain named Hush makes a dramatic return to the life of Batman. What will this mean for Bruce Wayne? Secrets shared years ago between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliott begin to have dangerous repercussions in the present. Why is this mystery driving Hush to destroy Batman’s life? What part does Catwoman play in Hush’s plans?

As the rumors of Batman’s death reach Gotham City Nightwing and Robin begin to work overtime to compensate for the surge in crime. Unsure about the true fate of Batman they continue to their battle against crime. First, Robin must stop the gang warfare that threatens to overrun the city but what does the mysterious Red Robin have to do with the situation? Then the Dark Knight’s adversary Two-Face steps in to take a bite out of the Big Apple, it’s up to Nightwing to pluck the city from the crazed madman’s grasp.

 

Detective 826- Just for the fun of it since I’m not going to bind any past issues.
Detective 846-850- Heart of Hush
Robin 175-176- RIP
Batman/Outsiders 11-14
Nightwing 147-150- RIP
Robin 177-182- Search for a Hero, 182 FOE issue
Detective 852- FOE issue continues in
Batman 685- FOE issue
Nightwing 152- FOE issue
Detective 851- Last Days of Gotham pt 1
Batman 684- Last Days of Gotham pt 2
Nightwing 151- Last Rites damn good way to end the volume
Superman/Batman 51-52 just for the fun of it

 

Vol 3: Battle for the Cowl

“Batman: R.I.P.” and FINAL CRISIS saw the end of Batman. Now, months following the disappearance of her protector, Gotham City sits at a precipice and it may be too far gone for Nightwing, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and the rest of the city’s heroes to save the day. Amid the fires, rioting, looting and gang warfare, one question rings out from the souls of Gotham’s desperate citizens: Where is Batman? With guest-stars galore, the destruction of a sacred Gotham City institution and an ending that will have everyone talking. Who has earned the right to take on the Mantle of the Bat? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Two-Face? Catwoman? Batgirl? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?
Batman/Outsiders Special
Robin 183
Nightwing 153
Outsiders 15
BftC Gotham Gazette Batman Dead?
Battle for the Cowl 1
BftC Commissioner Gordon
Battle for the Cowl 2 (1/2) stop Black Mask shaking Adam Bomb’s hand
Azrael 1
BftC Arkham Asylum
BftC The Underground
Azrael 2
BftC The Network
Azrael 3
Battle for the Cowl 2 (2/2)
Battle for the Cowl 3
Batman 687
Superman/Batman 76
BftC Gotham Gazette Batman Alive?
Batman 688-692
Arkham Reborn 1-3
Batman 693-697
Detective 864-865
Batman 698-699
Batman 686- Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader pt 1
Detective 853- Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader pt 2

 

Batgirl/Red Robin 1: Collision Course

Following the aftermath of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, a new Batman watches over Gotham City. But not everyone is ready to give up on the old one. Someone believes that Bruce Wayne may still be alive…and that someone is Red Robin. But who is wearing the Red Robin costume, and why is he traveling the globe looking for a dead man? Whoever he is, he’s not alone in his search and has been targeted by the League of Assassins.

Plus Stephanie Brown, the vigilante formerly known as The Spoiler and Robin has taken on the identity of Batgirl as she begins her nocturnal crusade to take back the night from the underworld. Now she has become the target of both Gotham City’s heroes (who don’t take kindly to a new person wearing the cape and the cowl) and its villains (who want to see the entire Bat-family six feet deep!)
Red Robin 1-8
Batgirl 1-4
World’s Finest 3-4
Batgirl 5-7
Red Robin 9
Batgirl 8
Red Robin 10-12
Batgirl 9-13
Red Robin 13-14

 

Vol 4: Gotham 

My first attempt at a flip book.

Since Batman’s fall, things are so dangerous on the streets of Gotham that even the crooks feel unsafe. Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people’s rules regardless of which side of the law they’re on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that’s all their own, and they’ll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? And how will the police feel about thie new Batman — and can he control the crime in Gotham the way the old Batman did? Commissioner Gordon’s about to find out as he teams with the new Batman to combat the fiery threat that Firefly has spread across Gotham City. In a secret bar within the city where magic is used to keep the peace, heroes and villains gather to enjoy a pint and talk about their days. But what happens when the magical barriers that prevent fighting are dropped and a building full of heroes and villains confront each other all at once? Knight and Squire have to find a way to save both friend and foe!
Streets of Gotham 1-13
*-flipped-*
Gotham City Sirens 1-15

 

Vol 5: Batman and Robin

Grant Morrison unexpectedly calls on the caped-crusader’s campy Silver Age incarnation to give the wildly popular new series a unique tone. With the original Batman—Bruce Wayne—dead, the new Batman struggles to take over the role and find a balance with the impatient 10-year-old-semi-homicidal new Robin, who is actually Wayne’s own son. The two crime-fighters contend with loads of new villains including the Circus of Crime, the Flamingo, Professor Pig, and a resurrected but ersatz Batman while still dealing with old threats such as the Red Hood, Robin’s own mother Talia Al Ghul and the Black Glove’s ultimate plan. However, the dynamic duo won’t face these threats alone as Knight, Squire, and Batwoman lend a hand! Plus clues to the mysterious death of Bruce Wayne begins to surface! This collection is a must-have for both new readers and longtime fans of Grant Morrison’s Batman epic as the superstar writer unveils more of his genre-defying masterplan!

Batman and Robin 1-9
Batman 700-702
Batman and Robin 10
Return of Bruce Wayne 1
Batman and Robin 11
Return of Bruce Wayne 2
Batman and Robin 12
Return of Bruce Wayne 3
Batman and Robin 13
Return of Bruce Wayne 4
Batman and Robin 14
Return of Bruce Wayne 5
Batman and Robin 15 – 16
*Return of Bruce Wayne 6
Batman: The Return

*There has been much debate about the placement of this issue. Some say it should go before Batman and Robin 15 but I like it where it is. The issues were released in this order and the mystery at the end of Batman and Robin 15 is compounded without Return of Bruce Wayne 6.

 

Batgirl/Red Robin 2: Days of Death

Stephanie Brown’s second semester at Gotham U. starts like any other – new classes, new allies, a vigilante stalker – everything a gal could want! But what Gotham City’s Batgirl isn’t prepared for is the arrival of the mysterious “Order of the Scythe.” Who are they, and why have they set their sights on her? “The Lesson” begins here! The “Order of the Scythe” has drawn first blood, framing Batgirl for a crime she didn’t commit. Can she outrun Gotham City’s Finest long enough to prove her innocence? The birth of Batgirl’s gallery of rogues begins here as “The Lesson” continues!

When Red Robin and his friends are trapped in the unknown world of the Unternet by the Calculator’s fail-safe program, it’s Batman and Robin to the rescue – but which Batman and Robin is it? Unable to control the Unternet, Red Robin is determined to destroy the villains’ communications grid – but may hurt his allies in the process. Finally Batgirl has been given her first sanctioned Batman Incorporated assignment solving a series of high-profile kidnappings, and she’s thrilled! Well, she was – until Robin decided to ride shotgun. Can the Dysfunctional Duo stop fighting long enough to save the children of Gotham City’s elite?
Batgirl 14
Bruce Wayne: The Road Home – Batgirl
Batgirl 15-17
Red Robin 15-20
Teen Titans 92
Red Robin 21
Batgirl 18-21
Red Robin 23-26
Batgirl 22
Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes (first story only)
Batgirl 23
Batgirl 24
Knight and Squire 1-6

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/batman-morrison-era/feed 1 Batman: Murderer? and Fugitive https://comicbinding.com/mapping/bruce-wayne-murderer-and-fugitive https://comicbinding.com/mapping/bruce-wayne-murderer-and-fugitive#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:34:02 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=710 A two volume set that has the complete Murderer?/Fugitive storyline, along with key follow up issues. The main goal of this map and all variations is to have a complete chronical of Batman’s adventures during this time, and only add in the necessary tie-ins from the secondary series.

Bruce Wayne:  Murderer?
Batman: The Ten Cent Adventure #1
Detective #766
Batgirl #24
Nightwing #65 (pg 1-8, 12-14, 18-21)
Gotham Knights #25
Birds of Prey #39 (pg 8-9, 11-16, 18-22)
Batman #599
Detective #767
Nightwing #66 (pg 1-6, 10-18)
Gotham Knights #26
Birds of Prey #40 (pg 1-4, 9-10, 19-22)
Batman #600

Pages that need to be copied:
Nightwing #65 pg 14
Birds of Prey #39 pg 11

Chuck Dixon was the main culpret of extraneous subplots. He continued all of his running subplots, which did not dovetail with the main Batman plots. As a Batman-only reader, I did not find those pages interesting, and it also detracts from the Batman story attempting to unfold.

As for Fugitive itself, I ignored the part numbers that were labelled on the issues.  If you read the Detective Comics tie-ins, you understand why.  For about four or five months, the story in Detective Comics was continous from one issue to the next with no space for anything else to take place.  But, if you look at the covers, you have one issue not labelled, and then the rest are labelled as parts 4, 8, and 12, or some nonsense.   The writers did not intend for Fugitive to be a full blown crossover, but more of a running subplot/status quo.  (Pretty much like KnightQuest.)  DC marketing did not see it that way. All three of the core Batman series have individual arcs during this time where at least one issue ties into Fugitive, and continues either from or into an issue not labelled as such. There are also a couple of one-part stories that should have been part of the crossover because of some character moments, but weren’t because they didn’t exactly contain an actual clue to the murder (GK #27 and Batman #604).

I ended up making a few different versions of the Fugitive map because of several issues only needing to be excerpted.

Bruce Wayne:  Fugitive
Gotham Knights #27
Birds of Prey #41 (pg 1-3, 6-7, 9-10, 12-17, 21-22)
Batman #601-602
Batgirl #27
Detective #768-771
Nightwing #68 (pg 1-5, 7, 9, 11-12, 14-16, 20-22)
Gotham Knights #28-29
Nightwing #69 (pg 1-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 19, 21-22)
Birds of Prey #43 (pg 1-3, 7, 17)
Batman #603
Batgirl #29
Gotham Knights #30
Azrael #91
Azrael #92 (pg 1-9)
Batman #604
Detective #772
Gotham Knights #31
Batman #605
Detective #773-774
Gotham Knights #32
Batman #606-607
Detective #775

Copied pages:
Birds of Prey #41 pg 3, 6, 9, 21
Nightwing #68 pg 5, 7, 9, 20
Nightwing #69 pg 11, 14, 17
Birds of Prey #43 pg 1-3, 7, 17
Gotham Knights #31 pg 22

Surprisingly, in this era of backup stories in two of the three main Batman titles, GK #31 is the only issue during this 6 month stretch that shares a page with the backup.

In this map, I opted to just copy all of the needed pages out of BoP #43 since it was so few, and three of those five pages would have needed to be copied anyway.

But then I decided to find a way to minimize the amount of copy and print needed. Fortunately, when DC reprinted Fugitive in trades, they only reprinted the necessary pages. Asterisks below indicate pages used from the original trade (published in the mid-2000s).

Certain issues or pages were moved around due to the way they were printed in the trade. For instance, the excerpt from Batman #601, BoP #41, Batgirl #27, and Nightwing #68 were all printed back to back, so those issues couldn’t be separated without copying.

Gotham Knights #27*
Batman #601 (pg 5-7)*
Birds of Prey #41 (pg 1-3, 6-7, 9-10, 12-17, 21-22)*
Batgirl #27 (pg 1-20)*
Nightwing #68 (pg 1-5, 7, 9, 11-12, 14-16, 20-22)*
Batman #601 (pg 1-4, 8-22)
Batman #602
Detective #768-771
Gotham Knights #28-29
Nightwing #69 (pg 1-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 19, 21-22)*
Birds of Prey #43 (pg 1-3, 7)*
Batman #603*
Batgirl #29
Gotham Knights #30
Azrael #91
Azrael #92 (pg 1-9)
Batman #604
Detective #772
Gotham Knights #31
Batman #605
Detective #773-774
Gotham Knights #32
Batman #606-607
Detective #775

The TPB pages from Batman #601 were moved around because they were back to back with BoP #41. Those pages could be easily extracted from the main part of #601, and it doesn’t affect the main plot of the story.

In this version, I dropped page 17 of Birds of Prey #43. It was printed back to back with the beginning of Batgirl #29, and was a jarring transition since the trade didn’t reprint that cover to act as a chapter break. Since the cover of Batgirl #29 wasn’t reprinted, I just used the original issue. If you don’t care about those two concerns, then Batgirl #29 slides up above Batman #603.

For those interested, the Fugitive volume 1 trade contains the following:
Gotham Knights #27
Batman #601 (pg 5-7)
Birds of Prey #41 (pg 1-3, 6-7, 9-10, 12-17, 21-22)
Batgirl #27 (pg 1-20)
Nightwing #68 (pg 1-5, 7, 9, 11-12, 14-16, 20-22)
Gotham Knights #28 (four pages where Robin is discussing the security videos)
Nightwing #69 (pg 1-7, 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 19, 21-22)
Birds of Prey #43 (pg 1-3, 7, 17)
Batgirl #29
Batman #603
Cover gallery: Full page covers of GK #27, Batman #601, BoP #41, Batgirl #27, Nightwing #68, GK #28, Nightwing #69, BoP #43, Batman #603.

For BoP #41, those may not be the exact pages, since they did a little more creative editing to completely cut out the other subplots.

Volume 2 contains Detective #768-772, GK #31, and Batman #605. I don’t have that trade, but as far as I can tell, those issues are complete.

Notes for all versions of Fugitive:
-The first 9 pages of Azrael #92 are included to give the cliffhanger from #91 some closure from Batman’s point of view, so it doesn’t look awkward when Batman appears next in Batman #604.
-There’s no way around it…the final page of GK #31 is back to back with the B&W backup. That page will have to be copied if you don’t want a random unconnected story in the middle of the book.
-All of the issues listed after Batman #605 are included because they wrap up loose ends from Fugitive, and also conclude the runs of each respective writer.  I split up the Detective arc because of the internal chronology. Tec 773 starts within hours of Batman 605 ending, and goes through the next couple of days as it continues into 774. The end of 774 shifts to a few months later, as does all of 775. Meanwhile, Batman 606 is just two and a half weeks after 605, and GK 32 has to be shortly after Bruce Wayne is cleared.

]]> https://comicbinding.com/mapping/bruce-wayne-murderer-and-fugitive/feed 2 Batman – Breyfogle Era https://comicbinding.com/mapping/539 https://comicbinding.com/mapping/539#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:35:48 +0000 http://comicbinding.com/?p=539 This is predominantly a collection of all the Batman stories by the creative team of Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle. However, in putting them together, I couldn’t resist putting the handful of Detective issues drawn by Alan Davis at the beginning of the first volume. Breyfogle’s depiction of the Dark Knight still defines my mental image of what Batman should be like. He draws Batman with a fluidity that no one other than perhaps Neal Adams could match. Plus his Batman has a personality, a sense of humor, a sly little grin that lets you know he’s not losing his edge.

Featured Writers: Mike W. Barr, Alan Grant
Featured Artists: Alan Davis, Norm Breyfogle

Volume #1
Detective 569
Detective 570
Detective 571
Detective 572
Detective 573
Detective 574
Detective 575
Detective 576
Detective 577
Detective 578
Detective 579
Detective 580
Detective 581
Detective 582
Detective 583
Detective 584
Detective 585
Detective 586
Detective 587

Volume #2
Detective 588
Detective 589
Detective 590
Detective 591
Detective 592
Detective 593
Detective 594
Detective 601
Detective 602
Detective 603
Detective 604
Detective 605
Detective 606
Detective 607
Detective 608
Detective 609
Detective 610
Detective 611
Detective 612

Volume #3
Detective 613
Detective 614
Detective 616
Detective 617
Detective 618
Detective 619
Detective 620
Detective 621
Batman 455
Batman 456
Batman 457
Batman 458
Batman 459
Batman 460
Batman 461
Batman 462
Batman 463
Batman 464

Volume #4
Batman 465
Batman 466
Batman 470
Batman 471
Batman 474
LOTDK 27
Detective 641
Batman 475
Detective 642
Batman 476
Shadow of the Bat 1
Shadow of the Bat 2
Shadow of the Bat 3
Shadow of the Bat 4
Shadow of the Bat 5
Shadow of the Bat 13
Shadow of the Bat 65
Shadow of the Bat 66
Shadow of the Bat 67

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