(thanks to John Dudas at cnjcomics.com for putting this info together)

Here is your definitive guide to DC Comics Convergence, two months worth of comic stories in April and May where “Every Story Matters.” Prepare to see the return of all the characters you love in the settings that you love them in. While DC is not completely abandoning the New 52 Universe, we’re finally getting back what we’ve wanted, mixed up continuity that you can’t always explain, but has always provided us with the most enjoyable stories. I’ve attached quite a few links to people who are explaining it better than me, and while it seems overwhelming, once you understand the structure of this event it’s quite easy. (and exciting)

Starting on Wednesday, April 1st, the nine part weekly Convergence mini series begins with issue #0.

Brainiac has captured portions of multiple timelines from all across the Multiverse and placed them under domes on the same planet. (much the way he saved Kandor and Supergirl back in the 1960′s) Now in the aftermath of Future’s End and World’s End (both of which will end on April 1st, and no, you don’t have to read them) all these domes are lifted up, allowing us access to timelines we haven’t seen in years, along with the interaction of characters from these timelines.

Then, starting April 8th, DC will debut 40 two-issue mini series at a rate of ten a week, first issues in April, second issues in May. All series will tie into Convergence, and each week will have a different theme and cover a different forgotten time period.

Here is the best article I’ve found explaining the whole thing: Your guide to understanding DC “Convergence” Timelines. Each #1 issue is $3.99(US) and will also contain a two page opening, refreshing your knowledge about the characters contained within.

As the weeks progress it is almost like you’re travelling backwards through DC’s History. Week One will cover stories from before Flashpoint (2011) till after Zero Hour (1994). This era is being dubbed “The Return of the Fan Favorites” and is basically DC bringing back every character that people are upset were absent from the new 52. This includes Wally West Flash, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain Batgirl, and the Gotham City Sirens. You’ll even get to see Gail Simone go back to the Nightwing / Oracle relationship with Barbara Gordon back in her wheelchair.

Here’s what week one looks like:

The Atom #1 (Tom Peyer and Steve Yeowell)
Batgirl #1 (Alisa Kwitney and Rick Leonardi)
Batman and Robin #1 (Ron Marz, Denys Cowan and Klaus Janson)
Harley Quinn #1 (Steve Pugh and Phil Winslade) pictured above
Justice League #1 (Frank Tieri and Vicente Cifuentes)
Nightwing/Oracle #1 (Gail Simone and Jan Duursema)
The Question #1 (Greg Rucka and Cully Hammer)
Speed Force #1 (Tony Bernard and Tom Grummett)
Superman #1 (Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks)
Titans #1 (Fabian Nicieza and Ron Wagner)
This is the week where everyone gets their old DC back. Here’s a great article where creators get to talk about their work on week one.

Week Two will cover stories from before Zero Hour (1994) till after Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985). This era is dubbed “An Event For Everyone”. This is the time period when the shop first opened and comics were huge. The Death of Superman, Batman’s broken back, Green Lantern Parallax, and the high comedy era of the Justice League. We’ll even go back to those piranhas eating Aquaman’s hand again. All this and more will be revisited this week.

Here’s what week two looks like:

Aquaman #1 (Tony Bernard and Larry Hama)
Batman Shadow of the Bat #1 (Larry Hama and Philip Tan) pictures above
Catwoman #1 (Justin Gray and Ron Randall)
Green Arrow #1 (Christy Marx and Rags Morales)
Green Lantern / Parallax #1 (Tony Bernard and Ron Wagner)
Justice League International (Ron Marz and Mike Manley)
Suicide Squad #1 (Frank Tieri and Tom Mandrake)
Superboy #1 (Fabian Nicieza and Karl Moline)
Supergirl Matrix #1 (Keith Guffen and Timothy Green II)
Superman Man Of Steel #1 (Louise Simonson and June Brigman)
You may have noticed that some of these creators are the same people who worked on these books back in the 90′s. It seems like everyone was reading comics back then so this is the week people will relate to the most. Here’s what they have to say.

Week Three will cover the time frame before Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), specifically stories on Earth One from 1970 to 1985. Dubbed “An Age of Bronze Multiverse”, expect to see a return to the stories that defined this era. Wolfman’s Teen Titans, Lein Wein and Bernie Wrightson’s Swamp Thing, Batman and the Outsiders, Justice League Detroit and Supergirl’s headband.

Here’s what week three looks like:

Adventures of Superman #1 (Marv Wolfman and Roberto Viacava)
Batman and the Outsiders #1 (Marc Andreyko and Carlos D’Anda)
The Flash #1 (Dan Abnett and Federica Dallocchio)
Green Lantern Corps #1 (David Gallaher and Steve Ellis)
Hawkman #1 (Jeff Parker and Tim Truman)
Justice League America #1 (Fabian Nicieza and Chriscross)
New Teen Titans #1 (Marv Wolfman and Nicola Scott)
Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes #1 (Stuart Moore and Gus Storms)
Swamp Things #1 (Len Wein and Kelly Jones) pictures above
Wonder Woman #1 (Larry Hama and Joshua Middleton)
This week is basically about me going back to when I first started reading comic books. (sigh) Here’s what the creators have to say on week three.

In Week Four, we visit the time frame before Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) again, but this time we visit all the other Earth’s aside from Earth One. Dubbed “DC’s Timelines Collide” we’ll see teams like Infinity Inc, the Justice Society, Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters, Shazam and the Fawcett Universe, along with Blue Beetle and the characters from Charlton. (If this doesn’t make our seasoned old Silver Age customers happy again, then they’re beyond saving.)

Here’s what week four looks like:

Action Comics #1 (Justice Gray and Claude St-Aubin)
Blue Beetle #1 (Scott Lobdell and Yishan Li)
Booster Gold #1 (Dan Jurgans and Alvaro Martinez)
Crime Syndicate #1 (Brian Buccellato and Phil Winslade)
Detective Comics #1 (Len Wein, Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz)
Infinity Inc #1 (Jerry Ordway and Ben Caldwell)
Justice Society of America (Dan Abnett and Tom Derenick)
Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters #1 (Simon Oliver and John McCrea)
Shazam! #1 (Jeff Parker and Even “Doc” Shaner) pictures above
World’s Finest Comics #1 (Paul Levitz and Joe Rubinstein)
This week contains some really fun real estate to explore, and here’s what the creators have to say about that.

Each issue will also have a cover priced variant cover by graphic designer extraordinaire Chip Kidd, combining classic artwork with modern art design.

Here’s another great article on the comics that are getting buzz already.

To keep you coming back for the second issue of each of these two issue mini’s in May, DC has announced that each issue #2 will features a brand new 8 page story that will tie into the company’s relaunch of titles in June. You’ll also be able to get a sneak preview of this relaunch on Free Comic Book Day this year, with the FCBD DC Comics Divergence Special. (we’ll make sure we’ve got lots on hand)

So what can I do beforehand to prepare? First, check out the included PDF checklist files. The included pdf’s (convergence side 1 and convergence side 2) contains a list of each 2-issue series shipping in April and May. Second, DC has released a list of graphic novels that they feel are important to the over all narrative of Convergence. While not necessary, they may add to your overall enjoyment of the story.

They include:

Batman Death Blow After The Fire
By Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. The Dark Knight faces the daunting task of finishing a job that someone else started but – for reasons that remain a mystery – refused to finish. That someone was Michael Cray. It’s a tale of secret agents, double agents and a charismatic madman with a fiery, lethal touch. (Bermejo’s pre “Noel” Batman work, and Azzarello is known from 100 Bullets) $14.99US

Batman Gotham By Gaslight
By Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell. Presenting for the first time the adventures of the Victorian Era Batman in one 112-page edition! This volume includes the breakthrough Elseworlds specials GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT and MASTER OF THE FUTURE that pit the Dark Knight against Jack the Ripper and a death-dealer from the skies over Gotham! (Early work from Hellboy’s Mignola and one of the first Elseworlds books from DC) $12.99US

Crisis Infinite EarthsCrisis On Infinite Earths
By Marv Wolfman and George Perez. This is the story that changed the DC Universe forever. A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of super-heroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC’s greatest heroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force. (This is the biggie, that every comic reader has to wrap their head around at least once) $29.99US

Crisis On Multiple Earths Volume One
By Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky. The much-demanded early “Crisis Crossover” stories are finally collected, featuring the Justice League of America (Earth-One) meeting their Golden Age predecessors, the Justice Society of America (Earth-Two)! This volume collects the first four 2-part “Crisis Crossover” adventures, reprinting JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21-22, 29-30, 37-38, and 46-47. Our heroes battle the Injustice Society, the Crime Syndicate of Earth-Three, the evil Johnny Thunder, and the Anti-Matter Man! (stuff to help get newbies through week four) $14.99US

Crisis On Multiple Earths Volume Two
By various. Four more summer meetings between the legendary Justice League of America and Justice Society of America are collected in this highly demanded volume! Collecting JLA #55-56, 64-65, 72-73, 83-84. (more stuff to get newbies through week four) $14.99US

Crisis On Multiple Earths Volume Three
By various. Even more stuff to get newbies through week four. (You know, I don’t think even I’ve read this stuff) $14.99US

Flashpoint
By Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? (The story that created the new 52, and a cool story in it’s own right. Recommended) $16.99US

JLA Earth 2
By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. The legendary Crime Syndicate of America stars in this new edition of this unforgettable tale, with a new cover by artist Frank Quitely! Nothing has ever seriously threatened the global corruption they proudly enforce, but now a twisted mirror image of the CSA has arrived from the flip side of reality. Can anything stop this so-called “Justice League,” or will the perfect evil of the Earth 2 fall victim to the tyranny of law, virtue and freedom. (Should be called Earth 3. A cool modern re-imagining of the 1960′s stories.) $14.99US

Kingdom Come
By Mark Waid and Alex Ross. This is the unforgettable, best-selling tale of a world spinning inexorably out of control. Waid and Ross weave a tale of youth versus experience, tradition versus change, and what defines a hero. KINGDOM COME is a riveting epic that pits the old guard – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their allies – against a new, uncompromising generation of heroes. (Alex Ross’s big work at DC. Will tie into week two. They’ve written books about this book. Highly Recommended.) $19.99US

Superman Last Son of Krypton
By Richard Donner, Geoff Johns and Adam Kubert. Superman and his “son” verse Zod and the Phantom Zone Villains. (Richard Donner returns to Superman years after writing the first two movies way back when. Recommended.) $19.99US

Superman Red Son
By Mark Millar and Dave Johnston. In this tale of Cold War paranoia, the spaceship carrying the infant Superman lands in the 1950s Soviet Union, where he grows up to become a symbol of Soviet power. (Highest possible recommendation and one of the greatest Superman stories ever. Ask anyone) $17.99US

Do not be overwhelmed by this event. You may sign up for any of these books by asking at the counter of sending us an email. You can also print and fill out the attached PDF’s and return them to the shop. (many of you have already.) We plan on supporting this effort to the fullest. DC says, in a nutshell, this whole thing is about “revisiting family”. We’re just glad to have that family back again.

(and who doesn’t want to see Kingdom Come Superman choke out arrogant 90′s Superboy?)