Contagion Reading Guide

Overview:

Contagion is a DC Comics crossover storyline published in 1996. It was written by several authors, including Chuck Dixon and Alan Grant as two of the most prominent contributors. The story spans multiple Batman titles, including Detective Comics, Catwoman, Robin, and Azrael. Key artists include Graham Nolan and Barry Kitson, whose work helps convey the grittiness of Gotham during the crisis.

The plot focuses on Gotham City as it is overrun by a deadly “Apocalypse Virus,” which threatens to wipe out the population. Batman, alongside allies like Robin, Nightwing, and Catwoman, must race against time to find a cure. The virus, originating from a lost ancient city, quickly spreads, adding an element of urgency and chaos to the narrative.

“Contagion” is regarded as a solid storyline by Batman fans but received mixed reviews from critics. It is a powerful story with suspense and high stakes for Gotham that gets amplified when reading after the 2020 pandemic. While it is less impactful than later storylines like No Man’s Land, it remains a memorable part of Batman’s ongoing struggle to protect Gotham from threats beyond the usual.

The main antagonists include the virus itself, as well as those who manipulate it for their gain. (Full Review)

Best Way To Read:

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

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

References:

• Wikipedia
• Comic Book Herald
• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature Image from Detective Comics #696 cover art by Scott Hanna, Gregory Wright, Graham Nolan