The Outsiders Reading Guide

Pre-Crisis Earths Reading Order:

The Outsiders were first introduced in The Brave and the Bold #200 (1983), created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo. This period saw Batman leaving the Justice League to form his own team, including members like Black Lightning, Katana, Metamorpho, Geo-Force, Halo, and Looker. The team primarily dealt with more grounded threats, balancing urban crime with political intrigue, particularly in Markovia, the home of Geo-Force.

Post-Crisis Reading Order:

After Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Outsiders were disbanded temporarily but reformed later in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Under the continued guidance of creators like Barr, the team saw a shift away from Batman’s leadership, focusing more on international and mystical threats. Notable villains during this period include Baron Bedlam and the Masters of Disaster, with new members like the atomic-powered Nuklon joining the fold.

Post-Zero Hour Reading Order:

In the early 2000s, Judd Winick rebooted the Outsiders as a more proactive, covert strike force led by Nightwing and Arsenal. This version of the team focused on taking the fight directly to villains before they could pose a larger threat, dealing with morally complex issues. Core members during this era included Thunder, Grace Choi, and Jade, while villains like Brother Blood and the Fearsome Five posed significant challenges.

Post-Infinite Crisis Reading Order:

Post-Infinite Crisis, Batman resumed leadership of the Outsiders with a reformed team in Batman and the Outsiders, continuing the trend of covert missions with a darker tone. During this period, the team added members like the shape-shifting Martian Manhunter and the mystical Owlman. They faced off against threats like the sinister Checkmate organization and the rise of global espionage networks.

Post-Final Crisis Reading Order:

Following the Final Crisis, the Outsiders underwent another shift, with the team splintering and Black Lightning temporarily taking over as leader. This iteration dealt heavily with the fallouts of previous crises and threats linked to villains like Ra’s al Ghul as they transitioned into a more international team. Characters like Katana and Geo-Force rejoined as the team struggled to maintain its cohesion.

New 52 Reading Order:

In the New 52 reboot (2011), the Outsiders were largely inactive initially but later reintroduced as part of the Batman Incorporated storyline. In this new continuity, the team was more of a secretive, shadowy group. There was no ongoing Outsider series.

DC Rebirth Reading Order:

During DC Rebirth, the Outsiders were reintroduced in the Detective Comics series, and Batman once again assembled the team to handle threats too dangerous for the Justice League. The lineup included familiar faces like Katana and Black Lightning and newcomers like Duke Thomas (The Signal). Villains during this period included threats from the League of Shadows and covert organizations manipulating Gotham’s underworld.

Infinite Frontier Reading Order

In the Infinite Frontier era, the Outsiders continued to operate under Batman’s covert directives, with an expanded mission that involved multiversal threats. There was no ongoing Outsider series.

Dawn of DC Reading Order

The 2024 Outsiders series is a fresh take that spins out of the Batman Inc. storyline in Dawn of DC. This new version follows Batwoman and incorporates characters from Warren Ellis’s Planetary series. The team is focused on exploring and protecting DC’s hidden history and dangerous artifacts.

References:

• Wikipedia
• DCU Guide
• DC Database

Feature Image from Batman and the Outsiders #1 cover art by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto