Story Arcs

Due to the interconnected nature of DC Comic's storytelling, character's various adventures and storylines are explored in Story Arcs that span several books across different eras of DC's publication history. The following it a guide designed to provide a general outline of the major story arcs featuring the Duke Thomas.

*Note: This guide may not encompass every single appearance he's ever had but it will give an overall timeline of the major events and the stories that affect Duke.

New 52
Duke Thomas was introduced in DC’s New 52 era. He does not have any appearances before this point.

Duke’s first appearances are in the Batman: Zero Year story arc, which introduced Duke as a kid; several years before the present day. Later on, Duke would later make his first major appearances in present day in the Batman series before becoming a main character We are... Robin comic. Batman issues are from the Batman Vol. 2 series.

DC Rebirth
The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era does not include any significant continuity changes for Duke Thomas. Duke's story picks up where it left off at the conclusion of the Batman series and heavily references what happened to his family during the Batman: Endgame (Reading Order) event.

In this era, Duke takes on a minor role in the Batman series, where he can be seen helping Batman and spending time with the Bat-family. However, the All-Star Batman series is the first time Duke takes on a starring role in a series, as he is the main character in this comic's backup story. In this series, his training process is shown, he partners with Batman on a few missions, and the conclusion introduces a major development that impacts his character going forward. After this, Duke's appearances in the prelude to the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event further elaborate on aspects from the All-Star Batman conclusion. Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4

Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series

DC Universe
The Universe era is essentially an extension of the Rebirth era and, as such, does not introduce any significant continuity changes for Duke Thomas. Duke's story picks up where it left off at the in the prelude to the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event.

In this era, Duke has a prominent role in several comics and finally takes on a superhero name, the Signal. His first major appearance is in Batman and the Signal, a comic that focuses on Duke's first major attempt at solo crimefighting and the mysteries he began to uncover in the previous era. From here, he becomes involved with the Outsiders team-up. The team's first appearance is in the "On the Outside" story arc from the Detective Comics series but, after that, they star in their own series, Batman and the Outsiders. Finally, Duke plays a small part in the Dark Nights: Death Metal (Reading Order) event. Alongside these major appearances, Duke also makes brief appearances alongside either Batman or the Bat-family. DN:DM = Dark Nights: Death Metal

The Unexpected issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Batman and the Outsiders issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Infinite Frontier
The Infinite Frontier is the latest and current era of the DC universe. Infinite Frontier continues the continuity of the DC Universe era but re-establishing characters and elements from pre-Flashpoint continuity into the modern DC landscape. As such, the new era does not introduce any significant continuity changes for Duke Thomas, and Duke's story picks up where it left off leading into the Dark Nights: Death Metal event.