Countdown to Infinite Crisis (Reading Order)
I love DC Comics, and despite being an unpopular opinion, I love the build up and aftermath of Infinite Crisis, because that was the era when I started reading. Frankly, I can't believe we're reaching the 20th anniversary of the event, soon.
While single character / author runs are what are usually lauded in most comics circles, I believe the sprawling epic events (when done well) are a unique charm of Superhero comics that a reader should experience.
What I hope to accomplish is by giving you my recommended reading order, it'll add more texture to the event as a whole.
Part 01 - Count Down to Infinite Crisis
So it all starts with the special issue "Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1" where the Blue Beetle - Ted Kord is investigating who has been stealing money from Kord Industries. In the end, the Blue Beetle is assassinated and his death is a catalyst for nearly everything that follows.
Part 02 - The OMAC Project
(This is the weirdest reading order in my entire collection)
The OMAC Project #1-6 directly follows up the death of Blue Beetle as Batman investigates the death of Ted Kord, but also searches for who has gained control of the Spy Satellite he build Brother Eye. Turns out it was taken over by a government agency called Checkmate, and is controlled by a former JLA ally, Maxwell Lord. At the climax, Max uses mind control powers to set Superman against his two friends, and it ends with Wonder Woman killing Maxwell Lord.
In the middle of the OMAC Project, (between issues 3/4) you should stop and read the Superman : Sacrifice storyline. This gives us the point of view of Superman. We get to see that Max had been giving him visions of Lois dying. This story can be found in Superman #219, Action Comics #829, Adventures of Superman #642, and Wonder Woman #219) Sacrifice illustrates just how important Lois is to Superman, and I believe it can make you more sympathetic for Kal-L during Infinite Crisis.
Finally, after The OMAC Project #6, you should read the aftermath of both events in Wonder Woman: Missions End. Diana tries to deal with the repercussions of her actions. Now, suddenly, the whole world is turning against her over the death of Maxwell Lord. This story is found in Wonder Woman #220 - #221.
(You should also read Adventures of Superman #643 for a nicer cap to the story)
When you read it like this, it really inflates The OMAC Project as the event that really did tear the Trinity apart.
Part 03 The Day of Vengeance
The Day of Vengeance #1-6 are pretty straight forward. The Spectre goes on a rampage to destroy all Magic in the DCU, and so a new magical team The Shadow Pact band together to TRY stop him. These events carry over into Infinite Crisis itself.
Part 04 The Rann-Thanagar War
The Rann-Thanagar War is mostly about a Cult on Thanagar that is trying to destroy the universe, meanwhile there is tension between the forces of Rann and Thanagar that don't fully explode into open war until the end of the mini series. You can find the main story in The Rann-Thanagar War #1-6.
After the mini-series, my recommend reading is The Outsiders : Crisis Intervention. This plot is a bit of a tie-in for all other events. At first, the Outsiders are dealing with the aftermath of The Spectre, then part of the team goes into space to help Donna Troy, and finally the other half of the team clashes with the Secret Society of Supervillains. You can read it in The Outsiders #29-33.
I like it as a spotlight on Roy Harper, Arsenal. He's dealing with what kind of hero he wants to be. Grace his teammate says he's not a dark vigilante like Nightwing, like Batman. Roy is a swashbuckling Hero, like Green Arrow. This is great when you know Roy ends up joining the Justice League after Infinite Crisis.
(BTW, the Return of Donna Troy is also a tie-in, but it is terribly boring. Just read this Crisis Intervention to get the lowdown on Donna Troy's part in all this.)
Part 05 Green Lantern Corps - Recharge
This is also taking place in the aftermath of The Rann-Thanagar War, but it is removed enough that I count it as separate. Since the war in space is steadily expanding in the background, the Green Lantern Corps is looking for new members. It's a great look at the other Green Lanterns that had been pushed aside by the return of Hal Jordan. You can read this in the mini-series Green Lantern Corps : Recharge #1-6.
Part 06 Villains United
This is following up on the aftermath of Identity Crisis. The villains created a secret society to take revenge on the heroes for altering people's minds. However, there's a secret group of villains that are united against the Secret Society. You can read the main story in Villains United #1-6
And you can see some follow up in Birds of Prey : Perfect Pitch, where the Calculator has set his mind to capturing Oracle, and it ends with a rematch between Black Canary and Deathstroke. It's a great spotlight for the team (And Gail Simone's writing.) You can read the story in Birds of Prey #86-90
Part 07 JSA Classified : Power Trip
Also known as "Power Girl : Power Trip"
This is a storyline from the JSA Classified books that serves to highlight Power Girl's confusing origin as she is plagued by illusions of people claiming to know the truth. And it ends leading directly into Infinite Crisis #2. You can read this storyline in JSA Classified #1-4.
Part 08 JLA Crisis of Confidence
Finally, the dark secret of the JLA comes back to destroy the team. Long ago, the inner circle of the JLA used magic to alter villains memories. Those villains are back for revenge, and while the heroes do ultimately come out victorious, the JLA disbands in disgrace. But it also ends with the destruction of the JLA moon base, which leads directly into the first issue of Infinite Crisis. This story is found in JLA #115 - 119
When you take it all in, you understand how monumental the event was. The villains are united just as the JLA community could not be more broken. Then the main event of Infinite Crisis is pretty epic, too.
I love this era, and I wish more people would learn to embrace it.
