Overview:
Death of the Family is a Batman storyline published by DC Comics in late 2012 to early 2013. Written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo, the arc ran across multiple Batman-related titles.
The plot primarily focuses on the return of the Joker, who has been absent since his face was surgically removed in a prior arc. His reappearance signals a twisted game targeting Batman and his allies, including Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and others. Joker’s goal is to drive a wedge between Batman and his “family,” as he sees their relationships as weakening Bruce Wayne’s true potential.
Snyder’s writing delves deeply into themes of trust, fear, and the psychological toll of Batman’s vigilante life, while Capullo’s haunting visuals heighten the tension with dark, gruesome imagery. Fans and critics praised the storyline for its psychological intensity and its exploration of Batman’s relationships. However, some readers felt the arc didn’t fully live up to the grand build-up it created, especially with its ambiguous ending.
Overall, Death of the Family is remembered as a strong Joker story that challenges Batman emotionally and mentally, with solid writing and art that captured fans’ attention.
Background Reading:
- TBD
Related Guides
- Batman
- Joker
Best Way To Read:
Main Collection
- Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Batman #13-17
- Joker: Death of the Family
- Collects: Catwoman #13-14, Batgirl #13-16, Suicide Squad #14-15, Batman and Robin #15-16, Nightwing #15-16, Detective Comics #15-16, Red Hood and the Outlaws #15-16, Teen Titans #15-16
Alternative Collections
- Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Batgirl #14-19, Batman #17, and material from Young Romance #1
- Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Batman and Robin #15-17, Batman and Robin Annual #1, Batman #17
- Catwoman Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Catwoman #0, 13-18, and material from Young Romance #1
- Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Nightwing #13-18, Batman #17
- Teen Titans Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Teen Titans #14-20
- Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family
- Collects: Red Hood and the Outlaws #0, 14-17, Teen Titans #15-16
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:
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Batgirl Vol. 4 #13 | Prelude | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Catwoman Vol. 4 #13 | Prelude | Joker: Death of the Family Catwoman Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Catwoman Vol. 4 #14 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Catwoman Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman Vol. 2 #13 | Main Story | Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #13 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #14 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Suicide Squad Vol. 4 #14 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Suicide Squad Vol. 4 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Batman Vol. 2 #14 | Main Story | Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family |
| Detective Comics Vol. 2 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Batgirl Vol. 4 #14 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Nightwing Vol. 3 #13 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Nightwing Vol. 3 #14 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batgirl Vol. 4 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batgirl Vol. 4 #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman Vol. 2 #15 | Main Story | Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Detective Comics Vol. 2 #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family |
| Detective Comics Vol. 2 #17 | Tie-in | Not Collected |
| Nightwing Vol. 3 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Nightwing Vol. 3 #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Red Hood and The Outlaws #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Teen Titans Vol. 4 #15 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Teen Titans Vol. 3: Death of the Family Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Red Hood and The Outlaws #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Teen Titans Vol. 4 #16 | Tie-in | Joker: Death of the Family Teen Titans Vol. 3: Death of the Family Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman Vol. 2 #16 | Main Story | Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman Vol. 2 #17 | Main Story | Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Batman and Robin Vol. 2 #17 | Tie-in | Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
| Red Hood and The Outlaws #17 | Tie-in | Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family |
References:
Feature image from Batman and Robin # 14 cover art by John Kalisz, Patrick Gleason, and Mick Gray
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