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series Reading Order

Baltimore (Christopher Golden) Books in Order

9 Books
2007 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

The best entry point to this gothic horror universe is the original 2007 illustrated novel, Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire. Written by Christopher Golden with gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations by Mike Mignola, this prose book sets the grim tone, establishes the lore, and starts Lord Henry Baltimore's quest for vengeance against the vampire Haigus.

Once you finish the novel, transition directly into the Dark Horse comic series. These are most easily read via the two comprehensive hardback omnibuses, which collect all the miniseries, short stories, and one-shots in their ideal reading order.

Publication Order of Baltimore Books

If you prefer to collect the individual trade paperbacks or read them in release order, follow this sequence:

  • Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire (2007) – The foundational prose novel.
  • Baltimore: The Plague Ships (2011) – The first comic miniseries, taking place after the novel.
  • Baltimore: The Curse Bells (2012) – Henry continues his hunt for Haigus in Europe.
  • Baltimore: A Passing Stranger and Other Stories (2013) – A collection of crucial side stories and flashbacks.
  • Baltimore: Chapel of Bones (2014) – A major turning point and confrontation in London.
  • Baltimore: The Apostle and the Witch of Harju (2015) – Collects two dark tales: The Witch of Harju and The Wolf and the Apostle.
  • Baltimore: The Cult of the Red King (2016) – Henry's battle escalates against a greater supernatural threat.
  • Baltimore: Empty Graves (2016) – The hunt reaches its final stages as allies gather.
  • Baltimore: The Red Kingdom (2017) – The epic conclusion of Lord Baltimore's saga.

Reading via the Baltimore Omnibuses

For a seamless reading experience, Dark Horse released two omnibus editions that gather all the stories in chronological order:

  • Baltimore Omnibus Volume 1 (2019): Collects The Plague Ships, The Curse Bells, Chapel of Bones, and the stories from A Passing Stranger (including The Widow and the Tank, The Play, Dr. Leskovar’s Remedy, The Inquisitor, and The Infernal Train).
  • Baltimore Omnibus Volume 2 (2020): Collects The Witch of Harju, The Wolf and the Apostle, The Cult of the Red King, Empty Graves, and The Red Kingdom.

Expanding into the Outerverse

The Baltimore saga is the cornerstone of Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s Outerverse, a shared horror universe completely independent of the Hellboy universe. If you want to explore further, follow these spin-offs and sequels:

  • Joe Golem: Occult Detective – Set in the same universe but decades later (in a sunken 1970s New York). Start with the 2012 prose novel Joe Golem and the Drowning City before diving into the comics.
  • Lady Baltimore: The Witch Queens (2021) – The direct sequel to the Baltimore comics. It stars Sofia Valk, Baltimore's close ally and wife, as she takes up the mantle to fight witches and Nazis on the eve of World War II.
  • Tales from the Outerverse (2021) – A series of spin-off stories expanding the lore, featuring Cojacaru the Skinner, Imogen of the Wyrding Way, and The Golem Walks Among Us!.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading Baltimore?

You should start with the 2007 prose novel, Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire, which introduces the world and Lord Baltimore’s quest. Afterward, you can read the comics collected in the two Baltimore Omnibus volumes.

QIs Baltimore connected to the Hellboy universe?

No. Despite co-creator Mike Mignola’s involvement, the Baltimore series is set in an entirely separate shared universe known as the Outerverse. Their histories and lore are completely incompatible.

QWhat is the Outerverse?

The Outerverse is a shared dark fantasy and horror universe created by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. It includes the Baltimore saga, Joe Golem: Occult Detective, Lady Baltimore, and various spin-offs.

QHow does Lady Baltimore connect to the main Baltimore series?

Lady Baltimore: The Witch Queens is a direct sequel series starring Sofia Valk, Henry Baltimore's close ally and wife, who carries on the fight against supernatural threats and Nazis years after the original series ends.

QCan I read Joe Golem before Baltimore?

Yes. While Joe Golem is set in the same Outerverse, it takes place decades later in a flooded 1970s New York and features a different set of characters. It can be read independently from Baltimore.

QHow many Baltimore Omnibus volumes are there?

There are exactly two hardback Baltimore Omnibus volumes published by Dark Horse Comics, which collect the entire comic book saga including all miniseries, short stories, and one-shots.