Legends Reading Guide

Written by Brett in DC,Story 
Legends

Overview:

Legends is a pivotal crossover event in the DC Universe, taking place in 1986 and 1987. It follows the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths and serves as a starting point for the reboot of several series, including Justice League International, Shazam!, Wonder Woman, and Suicide Squad. The storyline revolves around Darkseid’s scheme to manipulate humanity’s fears and incite chaos, leading to a battle between heroes and villains.

The event spans six issues but can also be read as an extended 22-chapter story, involving various tie-in issues across different series. Legends introduces new dynamics among the heroes and explores the evolving landscape of the post-Crisis DC Universe. It offers a compelling narrative that delves into the psychological and philosophical aspects of heroism while setting the stage for the reimagining of numerous iconic characters and teams. (Full Review)

Background Reading:

Related Guides

Best Way To Read:

Legends 30th Anniversary Edition

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:

TitleImportanceCollected
Chapter 1: Batman #401Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 2: Detective Comics #568Extended StoryUncollected
Legends #1Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 3: Green Lantern Corps vol. 1 #207Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)
Important		Uncollected
Legends #2Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 4: Cosmic Boy #1Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 5: Justice League of America #258Justice League
Important		Uncollected
Chapter 6: Secret Origins vol. 2 #10Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 7: The Fury of Firestorm #55Firestorm
Important		Uncollected
Legends #3Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 8: Cosmic Boy #2Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 9: Justice League of America #259Justice League
Important		Uncollected
Chapter 10: Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #56Firestorm
Important		Uncollected
Chapter 11: Blue Beetle vol. 6 #9Blue Beetle
Important		Uncollected
Legends #4Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 12: Warlord vol. 1 #114Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 13: Cosmic Boy #3Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 14: Justice League of America #260Justice League
Important		Uncollected
Chapter 15: Blue Beetle vol. 6 #10Blue Beetle
Important		Uncollected
Chapter 16: Warlord vol. 1 #114Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 17: Superman vol. 2 #3Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 18: Adventures of Superman #426Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 19: Action Comics #586Extended StoryUncollected
Legends #5Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 20: Cosmic Boy #4Extended StoryUncollected
Chapter 21: Justice League of America #261Justice League
Important		Uncollected
Legends #6Main StoryLegends 30th Anniversary Edition
Chapter 22: Secret Origins vol. 2 #14Suicide Squad
Important		Uncollected
Legends Reading Order

Publications Impact

  • Series Spun out of the Even
    • Suicide Squad vol. 1
    • Justice League vol.1
    • Justice League International vol.1
    • Justice League America
    • The Flash vol. 2

References:

Feature Image Legends 30th Anniversary Cover art by John Byrne.

Brett

In my mid-30s, I ventured into the mesmerizing world of comic books, and since then, they've captured my heart as one of my cherished pastimes. With a delightful dance between Marvel and DC, sprinkled with the occasional indie gem, I've immersed myself in this enchanting universe. As a true completionist at heart, my passion for collecting has birthed an abundance of reading lists that I'm thrilled to share with all of you, bringing us together on this thrilling comic journey.

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