Let me first explain that I jumped on the normal Batman title at issue 5, and have since become very interested in the whole OWL thing. Since my LCS doesnt have the first few issues, I've been waiting to get my hands on Batman Vol 1: Court of Owls... and I cant wait!! The hardcover comes out just in time for me to read before I pick up the whole Night of Owls crossover.

Before the crossover even starts, I just have a few questions...

I understand Batman 1-7 has owl stuff leading up to the crossover, so would Nightwing issues 1-7 also have important stuff regarding Owls??

And since the majority of the announced titles that have to do with the crossover are issue 9's, would it also be worth it for me to pick up all of the issue 8's? Would the issue 8's contain prequel-like info leading up to the Owls?

I am just really interested in getting the whole Night of Owls shebang, and want to collect any prequel like issues to the actual crossover... I dont wanna skip a beat.

The announced 12 main titles are Batman 8, Nightwing 8, Batman 9, Nightwing 9, Batgirl 9, Birds of Prey 9, Batwing 9, Redhood and the Outlaws 9, All-star Western 9, Batman and Robin 9, Batman Dark Knight 9.... and I think Im missing one of them lol... Does anyone have a compiled list of everything with the crossover??

thanks!

EDIT: Okay the title missing was Catwoman, and then theres the Batman Annual #1. So... anyone know about all the issue 8's?

Batman and Nightwing 8 are the only issues that will probably have them prior.

I do know that based on the preview, Catwoman 8 will have Selina and Spark ripping off the Penguin, who is also the character they defend in issue 9 from one of the Talons, so there MIGHT be a transition there if I had to guess, but as of right now, in the other books, arcs have just been ending with a "Night of the Owls next issue" text line.

In addition, your hunch is right that there are owl bits floating up in some of the others... refraining from heavy spoilers, Nightwing #1 to #7 have secretly been building another aspect of the Owls development... although glancing at #1 and #7 will give you all of the bullet point need to know pieces of info, I'd actually recommend reading 1 to 7 because they end up making a great to story. All-Star Western has also had hints of Owl related content. Batman and Nightwing are the only #8s that are directly linked to the event, a few of the others have been setting the scene for what was going to come in #9, but so far have mostly just allowed for some kind of context building. I'd encourage checking out the prior issue on one or two, purely for the enjoyability of the titles.

Also, the mythology of the Court has been built in secret for some time in many prior titles, including Gates of Gotham and Snyder's Detective run. They're both awesome, and I'd recommend them, but with the caveat that they aren't going to be essential to understanding the Night of the Owls.

Again, many mythology building pieces... but if you pick up the #8s for Nightwing and Batman, as well as the #9s for the rest (plus the annual) you should be more than set.

Batman will run from #8 to #11, in case you're wondering. Nightwing will be only #8 and #9, launching directly into a new storyline... as far as I know, everything else is just single issue (aside from All-Star Western, which appears to be comfortably maintaining the story somewhat longer...)

i have read batman #1-4 and i like it so far the court of owls is awesome. i cant wait to read the crossovers and all western. Talons are kickass.

@ethanrjc said:

Let me first explain that I jumped on the normal Batman title at issue 5, and have since become very interested in the whole OWL thing. Since my LCS doesnt have the first few issues, I've been waiting to get my hands on Batman Vol 1: Court of Owls... and I cant wait!! The hardcover comes out just in time for me to read before I pick up the whole Night of Owls crossover.

Before the crossover even starts, I just have a few questions...

I understand Batman 1-7 has owl stuff leading up to the crossover, so would Nightwing issues 1-7 also have important stuff regarding Owls??

The main Villain in Nightwing is also Talon. Pick up all issues of Nightwing.

And since the majority of the announced titles that have to do with the crossover are issue 9's, would it also be worth it for me to pick up all of the issue 8's? Would the issue 8's contain prequel-like info leading up to the Owls?

I am just really interested in getting the whole Night of Owls shebang, and want to collect any prequel like issues to the actual crossover... I dont wanna skip a beat.

First 8 issues of other titles have nothing to do with crossover. Talons will only appear in issue #9 of Batgirl, BOP, Batwing and other bat related titles.

The announced 12 main titles are Batman 8, Nightwing 8, Batman 9, Nightwing 9, Batgirl 9, Birds of Prey 9, Batwing 9, Redhood and the Outlaws 9, All-star Western 9, Batman and Robin 9, Batman Dark Knight 9.... and I think Im missing one of them lol... Does anyone have a compiled list of everything with the crossover??

Catwoman #9

Although I do not have it yet, and it does not have the logo at the top, I hear Red Hood #8 has Tim Drake warning Jason about the attack.

i'd buy the eights anyway just incase

and i'm sure i saw a talon on the cover for all star western 11

They also make a quick appearance in justice league 8.

DC released a check list:

http://www.comixology.com/Batman-Night-of-the-Owls-Booklet-1/digital-comic/DIG001382