Summer days are here again, and longtime comic book fans know what that means: it’s event time! DC Comics has had a long tradition of setting up universe-sweeping events that often have long term effects on the heroes and villains that are part of them.

Essential Reading for Event Leviathan

Action Comics #1007-#1011

DC’s Year of the Villain #1

Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1

The Top 25 Heroes of DC Comics 26 IMAGES

Who’s Who in Event Leviathan

Superman and Lois Lane

Leviathan

Amanda Waller

Jimmy Olsen

Leone

Red Cloud

ARGUS, D.E.O., Spyral, Kobra Cult, Checkmate, and Cadmus

Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers

Sam Lane

Robinson Goode

The Question

Kate Spencer

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The Story of Event Leviathan So Far

20 Times Detective Comics Reshaped Batman 21 IMAGES

Event Leviathan Begins This June

This summer marks the start of a huge event with Lex Luthor at the forefront called the Year of the Villain. Part of that far-reaching storyline is helmed by Brian Michael Bendis and the Superman story he’s been setting up in Action Comics all year, Event Leviathan. Someone is taking out all the clandestine organizations in Metropolis and beyond, and no one knows who or why. Rumors swirl that “Leviathan” is behind the attacks, and they’re just getting started.What—or who—is Leviathan? What is their ultimate goal? And can the combined efforts of DC’s greatest investigative minds like Lois Lane, Batman, The Question, and more find out before it’s too late? We’ve got the scoop on this intriguing event that not only gives readers a mystery worthy of superheroes, but also sees Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane once again headlining their own solo books.Unlike most universe-spanning events, the reading list for this summer’s Event Leviathan storyline is surprisingly condensed. These are the comics you should read in the lead-up to the actual event.The DC universe is filled with secret organizations, and someone is taking them out one by one. Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate, even going undercover as agents of Spyral, to find out who’s behind the attacks. (Brian Michael Bendis and Steve Epting)A special issue tying together threads of current DC Comics series into one kick-off story for Year of the Villain, one of the three stories focuses on Leviathan and the growing threat it poses. Some useful summaries are included in the back of the book if you’re just now hopping in to the event. (Chapter Two, “Leviathan,” by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev)This giant-sized issue not only raises the stakes for Clark and Lois, it also draws other characters into the event like the Justice League and Supergirl. Superman gets more than he bargains for when he tries to get a story as Clark Kent, and it’s up to Lois to act on her instincts and save him. (Various writers and artists)Event Leviathan brings together clandestine organizations and new characters created by Brian Michael Bendis on his current Action Comics run.Slight spoilers ahead!Happily married, Lois and Clark are both investigative reporters at The Daily Planet. Superman has had his hands full with a deadly new villain known as the Red Cloud, but things are about to get a lot more complicated.Originally a crime organization created by Talia al Ghul, no one knows who is now behind the red mask of its current leader.Head of Task Force X and the Suicide Squad, and one of the DC universe’s most connected and brilliant strategists.Still working for The Daily Planet, still finding his way into the weirdest situations possible.Owner of The Daily Planet and a crime lord running The Invisible Mafia; not much is known about her. Her organization has long remained a secret even from Superman’s far-seeing eyes.A new supervillain that transforms into a gaseous form that can suffocate even the Man of Steel. She’s also a part of The Invisible Mafia.Secret societies and spy organizations targeted by Leviathan.Supergirl’s adoptive parents and former agents of the D.E.O.Lois Lane’s father who holds a high position in the military and keeps many secrets of his own. His relationship with Lois is currently strained and distant.A new journalist at The Daily Planet who has some very large shoes to fill.A faceless hero who specializes in asking questions and finding the answers, he’s drawn into the Leviathan mystery to find out who is behind the attacks and what their true motives are. (Although unconfirmed, this seems to be the return of Vic Sage to continuity.)A lawyer who takes the law into her own trained hands under the moniker of Manhunter.Major spoilers for recent events in the DC universe follow!Even though Event Leviathan doesn’t technically start until the limited series begins, there have already been plenty of jaw-dropping moments for both Superman and Lois Lane in Action Comics. Lois decides to finally tell her estranged father that she’s married to the Man of Steel, and as you can imagine, it doesn’t go well. Amanda Waller, on the run from Leviathan, ends up on Lois and Clark’s doorstep because she’s known Superman’s secret identity all along. (Of course she does. She’s Amanda Waller.)As Kobra Cult, the D.E.O., and Task Force X fall, Clark and Lois go undercover as agents of Spyral to infiltrate the organization. Superman sees the weapon Leviathan is using firsthand, an unnamed creature capable of massive destruction—but still doesn’t get any closer to learning who’s behind the attacks. During their investigation they turn to both The Question and Huntress for help.Meanwhile, Green Arrow and Batgirl track Merlyn in Seattle. He’s also on the run from Leviathan, who is brazen enough to take on the League of Assassins, but it’s too late. Barbara comes face to face with Leviathan, a man in an armored mask who knows her real name and offers her a chance to join him in changing the world. At the same time, Damian Wayne suggests to Batman that the person behind the mask is someone they know well: Jason Todd. But is it actually him?Leviathan also tracks down crime lord Leone for a chat. They discuss how to get rid of Superman, fully aware that the last thing they want to do is involve Lois Lane. One solution? Targeting Clark Kent. You can imagine Superman’s surprise when he discovers that he is the target of a kidnapping plot, but he decides to play along as Clark to get the scoop.Going along with the kidnapping, Clark is confronted by Talia al Ghul, who uses him to bait a trap for Superman—by strapping Kryptonite to his chest. Unable to break free, Clark is in trouble for real. Lois’s gut tells her something is wrong and she calls in the big guns to find and free her husband.But it’s Leviathan who saves Clark Kent, realizing that Talia went behind his back to antagonize the Man of Steel. Lois arrives shortly after and Clark recovers enough to give chase, but Leviathan is gone.As secret organization after secret organization falls, Clark and Lois are no closer to finding out who’s behind the attacks—or what their ultimate goal is. In the six-issue limited series Event Leviathan, which begins June 12, the mysteries deepen and it’s up to Batman, Green Arrow, The Question, and more of your favorite DC Comics detectives and heroes to stop Leviathan from taking over the world now that all of the other organizations are out of the way.Alongside the main series, a new 12-issue Lois Lane series by writer Greg Rucka and artist Mike Perkins kicks off in June. Jimmy Olsen is also starring in his own solo series once again, written by Matt Fraction with art by Steve Lieber. Look for Lois Lane and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen on comic book store shelves this July.

Kelly Knox is a freelance writer who also contributes to StarWars.com, Marvel.com, Nerdist, and more. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox