Ever wanted to read through the very beginnings of your favorite DC characters like Batman and Superman? This is where you start.
What’s on DC’s Golden Age reading order?
This timeline takes all of the major DC Golden Age trade paperbacks and assembles them in chronological order. While it’s hard to assemble a perfect timeline of this era, we’ve done our best, and we hope you like what you see. This era features the debut of classics like Batman and Superman, the two superheroes that essentially launched multi-billion-dollar franchises that have lasted over 75 years. Talk about longevity.
Where to start?
We recommend starting with the original Action Comics, where Superman made his debut. After that, we recommend checking out the original Detective Comics, which launched Batman. After that it’s really up to you. Some of these stories are hard to get through, but they can be fun for historical purposes.
As always, if you like this timeline, you might enjoy some of our others, including our massive collection of DC timeline in our DC Comics Hub. And if you see something that needs to be added or changed, be sure to let us know over on our contact page. We love to hear all your feedback! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this DC’s Golden Age reading order.
#
Amazon
Name:
Media
Author
Date:
Series
Notes
1
Tor Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Joe Kubert
2001-07-01
The Golden Age
2
Tor Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Joe Kubert
2002-10-01
The Golden Age
3
Tor Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Joe Kubert
2004-09-01
The Golden Age
4
Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
John Albano, Arnold Drake, Michael L. Fleisher, Robert Kanigher, Gil Kane, Denny O'Neil
2005-11-02
The Golden Age
5
Jonah Hex: Welcome To Paradise
Graphic Novel
Dennis O'Neil, Sergio Aragones
2010-05-11
The Golden Age
6
Showcase Presents: Bat Lash
Graphic Novel
Dennis O'Neil, Sergio Aragones
2009-07-14
The Golden Age
7
Jonah Hex: Origins
Graphic Novel
Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Jordi Bernet, Phil Noto, Val Semeiks
2007-11-07
The Golden Age
8
The Enemy Ace Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2002-12-01
The Golden Age
9
The Enemy Ace Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Joe Kubert
2006-09-06
The Golden Age
10
Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2008-02-13
The Golden Age
11
Doc Savage: The Man Of Bronze
Graphic Novel
Steve Englehart
2010-06-01
The Golden Age
12
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2006-01-04
The Golden Age
13
Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1998-05-04
The Golden Age
14
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2007-02-07
The Golden Age
15
Superman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2005-02-01
The Golden Age
16
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Ginger
2005-04-01
The Golden Age
17
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2007-08-01
The Golden Age
18
The Shield
Graphic Novel
Harry Shorten
2004-01-21
The Golden Age
19
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 0
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2006-03-15
The Golden Age
20
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Ginger
2005-01-03
The Golden Age
21
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Bill Ginger
2006-09-06
The Golden Age
22
The Spirit Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2000-06-01
The Golden Age
23
Superman: The Dailies 1939-1940
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1999-09-01
The Golden Age
24
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2008-02-06
The Golden Age
25
Superman Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
26
The Golden Age Sandman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2005-01-19
The Golden Age
27
The Shazam! Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
C.C. Beck
1999-02-10
The Golden Age
28
Batman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
29
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-05-02
The Golden Age
30
The Golden Age Flash Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1999-09-01
The Golden Age
31
Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1998-12-01
The Golden Age
32
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2008-08-26
The Golden Age
33
The Spirit Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2000-09-01
The Golden Age
34
The Golden Age Spectre Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2003-04-01
The Golden Age
35
The Shazam! Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
C.C. Beck
1999-07-01
The Golden Age
36
The Golden Age Green Lantern Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1999-05-01
The Golden Age
37
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
38
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2009-02-24
The Golden Age
39
The Golden Age Hawkman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2006-02-01
The Golden Age
40
Superman Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
41
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-10-03
The Golden Age
42
The Shazam! Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
C.C. Beck
2002-12-01
The Golden Age
43
The Golden Age Flash Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2006-02-15
The Golden Age
44
The Spirit Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2001-01-01
The Golden Age
45
Superman: The Dailies 1940-1941
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1999-09-01
The Golden Age
46
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2009-07-28
The Golden Age
47
The Shazam! Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
C.C. Beck
2004-08-04
The Golden Age
48
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
49
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2008-04-29
The Golden Age
50
The Superman Chronicles Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2010-04-20
The Golden Age
51
The JSA All Stars Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-10-24
The Golden Age
52
The Golden Age Green Lantern Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2002-02-01
The Golden Age
53
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
54
Superman Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
55
The Spirit Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2001-05-01
The Golden Age
56
The Golden Age Starman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2000-05-01
The Golden Age
57
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2008-10-21
The Golden Age
58
Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2001-08-01
The Golden Age
59
The Wonder Woman Chronicles Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2010-03-23
The Golden Age
60
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2000-06-01
The Golden Age
61
The Seven Soldiers of Victory Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Mort Weisinger
2005-03-01
The Golden Age
62
The Shazam! Family Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Otto Binder, C.C. Beck
2006-09-27
The Golden Age
63
Superman: The Dailies 1941-1942
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
1999-09-01
The Golden Age
64
Superman: The Dailies 1939-1942
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2006-05-04
The Golden Age
65
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Otto Binder, C.C. Beck
1998-05-04
The Golden Age
66
Batman Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
67
The Spirit Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2001-09-01
The Golden Age
68
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2009-03-24
The Golden Age
69
Enemy Ace: War In Heaven
Graphic Novel
Garth Ennis
2003-08-01
The Golden Age
70
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
71
Superman Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2000-03-01
The Golden Age
72
The Blackhawk Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner, Dick French, Eilliam Woolfolk
2001-10-01
The Golden Age
73
The Boy Commandos By Joe Simon and Jack Kirby Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Joe Simon
2010-11-30
The Golden Age
74
The Sgt. Rock Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher, Jerry Grandinetti, Bob Haney
2002-05-01
The Golden Age
75
The Sgt. Rock Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2003-12-01
The Golden Age
76
Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2007-11-14
The Golden Age
77
The Sgt. Rock Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2005-08-01
The Golden Age
78
Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2008-12-02
The Golden Age
79
Showcase Presents: Haunted Tank Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher, Jerry Grandinetti, Bob Haney
2006-05-01
The Golden Age
80
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2009-10-20
The Golden Age
81
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2000-02-01
The Golden Age
82
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2003-08-01
The Golden Age
83
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
1999-02-10
The Golden Age
84
The Spirit Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2002-01-01
The Golden Age
85
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 9
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2010-03-02
The Golden Age
86
The Comic Cavalcade Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2005-06-03
The Golden Age
87
The Seven Soldiers of Victory Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Mort Weisinger
2007-07-25
The Golden Age
88
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1998-12-01
The Golden Age
89
Superman Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2003-07-01
The Golden Age
90
Superman: Sunday Classics 1939-1943
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2006-05-04
The Golden Age
91
The Batman Chronicles Vol. 10
Graphic Novel
Joe Greene
2010-12-14
The Golden Age
92
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2002-06-01
The Golden Age
93
The Spirit Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2002-05-01
The Golden Age
94
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Don Cameron, Bill Finger, Joe Samachson, Joe Greene
2006-11-08
The Golden Age
95
Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel, Don Cameron
2005-06-01
The Golden Age
96
Batman Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1997-11-14
The Golden Age
97
The Newsboy Legion By Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Graphic Novel
Joe Simon
2010-03-30
The Golden Age
98
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2000-12-01
The Golden Age
99
The Golden Age Doctor Fate Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2007-06-06
The Golden Age
100
Superman Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2006-04-26
The Golden Age
101
The Spirit Archives Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2002-09-01
The Golden Age
102
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2004-03-01
The Golden Age
103
Batman: The Dailies 1943-1944
Graphic Novel
Bob Kane, Joe Desris
1990-10-01
The Golden Age
104
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Don Cameron
2009-12-22
The Golden Age
105
Superman: The World’s Finest Comics Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2004-09-01
The Golden Age
106
Batman: The World’s Finest Comics Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2002-10-01
The Golden Age
107
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
1999-12-01
The Golden Age
108
The DC Comics Rarities Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel, Gardner Fox, Ken Fitch, John B. Wentworth, Bill Finger, William Moulton Marston, Sheldon Mayer, Joseph Greene, Julius Schwartz, Lynn Evans, Jon L. Blummer, A.W. Nugent, Alfred Bester, Ronald Santi
2005-01-19
The Golden Age
109
The Spirit Archives Vol. 9
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2003-01-01
The Golden Age
110
The Monster Society of Evil
Graphic Novel
C.C. Beck
1989-01-01
The Golden Age
111
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2001-12-01
The Golden Age
112
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2007-09-26
The Golden Age
113
The Seven Soldiers of Victory Archives Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Joe Samachson
2008-07-29
The Golden Age
114
Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2007-03-28
The Golden Age
115
The Spirit Archives Vol. 10
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2003-05-01
The Golden Age
116
Batman Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1998-12-01
The Golden Age
117
Superman Archives Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2010-10-26
The Golden Age
118
Sgt. Rock’s Combat Tales
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2005-01-01
The Golden Age
119
Viking Prince by Joe Kubert
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2010-07-20
The Golden Age
120
Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock Vol. 3
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2010-08-03
The Golden Age
121
Showcase Presents: Haunted Tank Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2008-06-17
The Golden Age
122
America At War: The Best of DC War Comics
Graphic Novel
Michael Uslan
1979-06-21
The Golden Age
123
Showcase Presents: The Unknown Soldier
Graphic Novel
Joe Kubert, Bob Haney, Frank Robbins, Robert Kanigher, David Michelinie, Archie Goodwin
2006-11-15
The Golden Age
124
Jack Kirby’s The Losers Omnibus
Graphic Novel
Robert Kanigher
2009-03-17
The Golden Age
125
Batman: The Dailies 1944-1945
Graphic Novel
Peter Poplaski
1991-09-01
The Golden Age
126
Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Don Cameron, Jack Schiff, Joe Greene, Joe Samachson, Bill Finger, Alvin Schwartz
2010-12-28
The Golden Age
127
Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
William Moulton Marston
2010-07-06
The Golden Age
128
The Spirit Archives Vol. 11
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2003-09-01
The Golden Age
129
The Sandman By Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Graphic Novel
Joe Simon
2009-08-18
The Golden Age
130
The Golden Age Starman Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2009-07-07
The Golden Age
131
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 4
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2002-11-01
The Golden Age
132
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2000-10-01
The Golden Age
133
The Spirit Archives Vol. 12
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2003-12-01
The Golden Age
134
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2003-10-01
The Golden Age
135
Batman: The Dailies 1945-1946
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
1991-01-01
The Golden Age
136
Batman: The Dailies 1943-1946
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-04-12
The Golden Age
137
Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-04-12
The Golden Age
138
The Spirit Archives Vol. 13
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2004-08-04
The Golden Age
139
Batman Archives Vol. 5
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2001-04-01
The Golden Age
140
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox
2001-07-01
The Golden Age
141
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2004-11-01
The Golden Age
142
The Spirit Archives Vol. 14
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2004-11-01
The Golden Age
143
Adventures of Superboy
Graphic Novel
Don Cameron
2010-08-17
The Golden Age
144
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2006-01-01
The Golden Age
145
The Spirit Archives Vol. 15
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2005-02-01
The Golden Age
146
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Gardner Fox, John Broome, Rober Kanigher
2002-08-01
The Golden Age
147
Superman: The World’s Finest Comics Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2009-11-03
The Golden Age
148
Batman: The World’s Finest Comics Archives Vol. 2
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger, Don Cameron, Joe Samachson, Alvin Schwartz, William Woolfolk
2005-01-20
The Golden Age
149
The Plastic Man Archives Vol. 8
Graphic Novel
Jack Cole
2006-08-02
The Golden Age
150
Batman Archives Vol. 6
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2005-08-01
The Golden Age
151
The Spirit Archives Vol. 16
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2005-06-01
The Golden Age
152
The Robin Archives Vol. 1
Graphic Novel
Roy Thomas
2005-10-01
The Golden Age
153
Batman In The Forties
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger, Jack Schiff
2004-05-01
The Golden Age
154
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 9
Graphic Novel
John Broome
2004-08-06
The Golden Age
155
The Spirit Archives Vol. 17
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2006-02-01
The Golden Age
156
The Spirit Archives Vol. 18
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2006-04-12
The Golden Age
157
The Spirit: Femmes Fatale
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2008-10-28
The Golden Age
158
All Star Comics Archives Vol. 10
Graphic Novel
John Broome
2004-08-01
The Golden Age
159
Superman in The Forties
Graphic Novel
Jerry Siegel
2005-11-01
The Golden Age
160
Batman Archives Vol. 7
Graphic Novel
Bill Finger
2007-11-14
The Golden Age
161
The Spirit Archives Vol. 19
Graphic Novel
Will Eisner
2006-08-02
The Golden Age
162
The Greatest Golden Age Stories Ever Told
Graphic Novel
Jack Kirby, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, William Woolfolk, Robert Kanigher, Sheldon Mayer, Alfred Bester, Jerry Siegel, Joe Samachson, Otto Binder, Joye Murchison