War Games Reading Guide

Written by Brett in DC,Story 
Batman: War Drums/War Games

Overview:

War Games is a major crossover event in Batman comics published by DC in 2004. The story is primarily written by Bill Willingham, Andersen Gabrych, and Dylan Horrocks, with art from various creators, including Pete Woods and Brad Walker. It spans multiple titles in the Bat-family, such as Detective Comics, Batman, and Nightwing.

The plot revolves around Gotham’s criminal underworld and a failed strategy that leads to a massive gang war. Batman, of course, plays a central role, along with several key allies like Oracle, Nightwing, and Robin. A big part of the tension comes from Batman’s strained relationships with his partners and how he handles the chaos erupting across Gotham.

The main antagonist shifts as the event progresses, but one of the key figures is the mysterious Black Mask, whose role in Gotham’s criminal landscape becomes increasingly important.

Upon release, the storyline received mixed reactions. Some fans appreciated the high stakes and the dark tone, while others criticized the characterization of certain characters and the pacing. Critics, meanwhile, were divided on how well the story tied together across so many books. Nonetheless, War Games is remembered as one of the least impact impactful Batman arcs of the modern era.

Background Reading:

  • TBD

Related Guides

  • Batman
  • Stephanie Brown

Best Way To Read:

Main Collection

  • Batman: War Games: Book One
    • Collects: Batgirl #53, #55, Batman #631, Batman: The 12-cent Adventure, Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #182, Batman Gotham Knights #56, Catwoman #34, Detective Comics #790-797, Nightwing #96, Robin #126-129 and Solo #10
  • Batman: War Crimes: Book Two
    • Collects: Batgirl #56-57, Batman #632-634,642-644, Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #183-184, Batman Gotham Knights #57-58, Batman Secret Files and Origins Allies 2005, Batman Secret Files And Origins Villains 2005, Catwoman #35-36, Detective Comics #798-800, #809-810, Nightwing #97-98, and Robin #130-131

Alternate Collections

  • Batman: War Drums
    • Collects: Detective Comics #790 to 796, Robin #126 to 128
  • Batman: War Games Act One
    • Collects: Detective Comics #797, Batman #631, Legends of the Dark Knight #182, Nightwing #96, Gotham Knights #56, Robin #129, Batgirl #55, Catwoman #34
  • Batman: War Games Act Two
    • Collects: Detective Comics #798, Batman #632, Legends of the Dark Knight #183, Nightwing #97, Gotham Knights #57, Robin #130, Batgirl #56, Catwoman #35
  • Batman: War Games Act Three
    • Collects: Batman #633, Batgirl #57, Catwoman #36, Robin #131, Batman: Gotham Knights #58

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:

War Drums

This arc is a prelude to the War Games storyline, setting up tension in Gotham and among the Bat-family. It focuses on the aftermath of Batman: Bruce Wayne—Murderer?/Fugitive and introduces new dynamics between Batman and his allies, particularly the reintroduction of Stephanie Brown as Spoiler. The arc highlights the growing unrest in Gotham’s criminal underworld, planting seeds for the upcoming gang war.

TitleImportanceCollected
Detective Comics #790Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Detective Comics #791Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Detective Comics #792Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Detective Comics #793Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Detective Comics #794Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Detective Comics #795Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Robin Vol. 4 #126Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Batgirl #53Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Detective Comics #796Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Robin Vol. 4 #127Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Robin Vol. 4 #128Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums
Batgirl #54Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Solo #10Main StoryBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Drums Reading Order
War Games

Full-scale chaos ensues when a gang war breaks out in Gotham due to a mishandled plan. As the city descends into violence, Batman and his allies struggle to regain control, but the mistrust within the Bat-family and the rise of villains like Black Mask complicate matters. The storyline had lasting repercussions, reshaping the landscape of Gotham and its crime world for years.

TitleImportanceCollected
Batman: The 12-Cent Adventure #1PreludeBatman: War Games: Book One
Detective Comics #797Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Legends of the Dark Knight #182Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Nightwing Vol. 2 #96Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Batman: Gotham Knights #56Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Robin Vol. 4 #129Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Batgirl #55Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Catwoman Vol. 3 #34Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Batman #631Act One – OutbreakBatman: War Games: Book One
Batman: War Games Act One
Detective Comics #798Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Legends of the Dark Knight #183Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Nightwing Vol. 2 #97Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Batman: Gotham Knights #57Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Robin Vol. 4 #130Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Batgirl #56Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Catwoman Vol. 3 #35Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Batman #632Act Two – TidesBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Two
Detective Comics #799Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Legends of the Dark Knight #184Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Nightwing Vol. 2 #98Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Robin Vol. 4 #131Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Batman: Gotham Knights #58Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Batgirl #57Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Catwoman Vol. 3 #36Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Batman #633Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Detective Comics #800Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Batman #634Act Three – EndgameBatman: War Games: Book Two
Batman: War Games Act Three
Batman: War Games Reading Order

References:

Feature Image from Batman: Legends of the Dark Night #184 cover art by Brian Haberlin

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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