Requiem Reading Guide

Overview:

The Batman: Requiem arc, published in 2013, takes place in the aftermath of a major death in the Batman family, which deeply impacts the entire DC Universe. Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Scott Snyder, with artwork from Patrick Gleason and others, this story shows the emotional fallout for Gotham’s heroes, primarily focusing on Batman (Bruce Wayne).

Rather than being a straightforward event, “Requiem” is a collective series of tie-in issues across multiple titles, including Batman and Robin, Detective Comics, and Nightwing. The main antagonist is grief itself, as each protagonist, especially Batman, grapples with loss in their own way.

Fans and critics responded positively to the arc, praising its introspective tone and emotional depth. However, some felt the pacing across titles could have been more cohesive since the plot touches many parts of the DC world without being a traditional “event” storyline. Gleason’s art, especially his ability to convey the somber mood of the story, was particularly well received.

Though not full of action-packed battles, “Requiem” stands out for its raw emotional weight and the psychological exploration of its key characters, making it a memorable part of DC’s Batman mythos.

Best Way To Read:

• Batman and Robin Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian
  • Collects: Batman and Robin vol. 2 #18-23

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:

• Comic Book Herald
• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature image from Batman and Robin #18 cover art by John Kalisz, Patrick Gleason, and Mick Gray