Batman: Brave and the Bold - Emerald Knight by Sholly Fisch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, and 21 of the Batman Brave and the Bold comic based on the popular animated series.

The book gets off to a great start in Issue 13 when Batman breaks his leg and Gotham criminals take full advantage. But then Green Arrow decides to step in as Batman, as does Shazam, Aquaman, and Plastic Man. Aquaman's particularly funny as he keeps his Blonde Mustache. Generally, just a blast of a story: A.

Issue 14 starts off with Batman and Plastic Man battling the Scarecrow but then it becomes a Huntress story. Batman thinks she's interested in romance and that's why she's acting odd on the case. However, she's got something different in mind and when Batman finds out what it is, he feels like a jerk. Regular DC Universe Batman probably wouldn't care, but that's why B&B Batman is a better person. Grade: B+

Issue 16 has Wonder Woman teaming up with Batman against Egghead with some great dialogue and some fantastic splash pages. Downside is I don't like the face drawn for Wonder Woman at all. Grade: A-

Issue 18 is the weakest in the book and it's big fault is trying to do much. The first half of the story is dedicated to Batman and Martian Manhunter battling an evil White Martian. The second has the evil White Martian trying to take over Batman's mind with Dr. Fate involved. This story could have used a few extra pages to develop well. Grade: C+

Issue 19 has Green Lantern battling the evil Cyborg Superman and sending his ring to Earth to Batman and Batman becomes a Green Lantern and even recites the Green Lantern oath. Simply awesome. Grade: A+

Issue 21 begins with Batman battling dinosaurs from outer space with the help of the Lady Blackhawks and ends with Batman fighting alongside with Green Lantern for the fate of the world against a malevolent alien named Bob. While the story could have been a little longer but still, it's quite fun. Grade:: A-

Overall thoughts: The first two collections of Brave and the Bold comics didn't live up to the fun of the cartoon series. This on the other hand did, big time. There are few great character stories, but the plots are awesomely insane with all the crazy things that can happen in the Brave and the Bold universe. There are a lot of splash pages but they are almost always necessary and well done.

My only other complaint is that the book decided to put all pictures of covers at the back while I prefer to see them before the stories. Given the issues with most comics and with the earlier books in this collection that's really not a big deal.



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