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Batman: The Brave and The Bold (2023)
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2023-) #2
Tick, tick, tick goes the clock as Gotham City prepares for another shocking murder at the hands of The Joker! The brutal and terrifying tale of The Joker and Batman’s first meeting continues as Tom King and Mitch Gerads once again deliver a shocking, bloody blockbuster tale! Stormwatch race to find an ancient sword that has long been buried in the darkest depths of the ocean. A sword of unspeakable horrors, capable of wiping out entire civilizations. But they may already be too a group of exiled Xebels have found the blade and are hell-bent on bringing humanity to its knees. For one member of Stormwatch, this may be the end. All-star creator Joëlle Jones (Catwoman, Wonder Girl) gives readers a Batman Black & White tale exploring Batman’s scars, both literal and psychological, revisiting the Dark Knight's toughest fights and deepest wounds. In part two of “Order of the Black Lamp” from writer Christopher Cantwell (Briar, Iron Man) and artist Javier Rodriguez (Defenders, Daredevil), Superman uses a mysterious decoder ring to uncover a location with a shocking tie to his past!
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2023
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 29, 2023
I'm only reviewing the first story because the extras disappointed me so much last time that I'm not gonna waste my time again. Minus one star automatically.
Tell ya what, though, that first story is a banger. Violent and clever and creative and hilarious (I am always here for Dad Jokes - even if they're delivered by homicidal maniacs).
I would happily buy a trade of just the first story. Let's see what happens.
Artwork is fantastic, story is fantastic, very keen for another installment.
Tell ya what, though, that first story is a banger. Violent and clever and creative and hilarious (I am always here for Dad Jokes - even if they're delivered by homicidal maniacs).
I would happily buy a trade of just the first story. Let's see what happens.
Artwork is fantastic, story is fantastic, very keen for another installment.
April 12, 2025
4.1 stars
March 15, 2025
An interesting collection of stories, I think all four were fairly strong, but it takes a strong stomach for the first. The second didn't really feel like a "Batman" story to me, and neither did the third, but I wouldn't say they're necessarily bad, just not what I expected. I quite enjoyed the fourth, I'd say if you have a chance catch the first and last, but skip the middle.
June 29, 2023
2 great stories, one ok story and the Superman story was meh.
July 4, 2023
If they removed the Stormwatch story this issue would be a 5/5
July 13, 2023
I'd give this a higher rating, but I straight up forgot what was going on with Ravager because it didn't catch my interest, so I didn't read the story this time. I was like "I have 0 memory it was so uninteresting to me apparently I'm going to skip it and save time" -which maybe it's the best story in the book and I'm making a mistake.
The first story continues with the Joker. It's brutal. Ugly. Like any typical Joker story now. I still REALLY like that he communicates with silent movie cards, but I have a hard time believing that he can get shot several times, jump out of a 3rd story window, and be totally fine and able to kick Batman's ass.
Like, don't get me wrong, I think that depending on the day, maybe the Joker could kick the crap out of Bruce. I do. But not with a bunch of bullet holes and a likely broken ankle or two. When did he get superpowers?
Also, since when is Bruce stupid enough to just leap out of a window without having surveilled the grounds or using some kind of way to make sure he doesn't fall and just jack himself up?
So while the Joker does things I can't unsee or unthink about, and I wish I could scrub that, that's not my kind of thing but if you like that sorta violence this is so your thing. But I just have trouble believing it was that easy to kill (?) Batman. Kind of reminds me of the Knight Terrors.
The Superman story in some ways is the highlight of this for me, because it's Clark Kent being a detective and doing his best and it's interesting to see him actually be an investigative reporter for a change. Even if he's doing Superman things.
Also the outside of the stronghold reminds me of a movie we saw parts of because chunks of the original were lost, and it was old and black and white, so for me there's a nostalgia trip there. I also just really like how Clark's voice is written, I feel like that's some of how he'd think. There is analytical thought, and a lot of heart and emotion, too. He's not a blundering idiot.
The mini-story at the end about scars was really good. I did enjoy that. I liked the memories and the way the art was something you had to take in the detail of. I liked how Alfred means so much to Bruce and that it gets shown here, which I feel is just so rare. So I appreciate that and hope that more writers will show more of that side of Batman. More BTAS than whatever was going on in the DCU.
I feel like I'm forgetting a story that was in the book, so I guess that tells you how much of an impression it made on me.
The first story continues with the Joker. It's brutal. Ugly. Like any typical Joker story now. I still REALLY like that he communicates with silent movie cards, but I have a hard time believing that he can get shot several times, jump out of a 3rd story window, and be totally fine and able to kick Batman's ass.
Like, don't get me wrong, I think that depending on the day, maybe the Joker could kick the crap out of Bruce. I do. But not with a bunch of bullet holes and a likely broken ankle or two. When did he get superpowers?
Also, since when is Bruce stupid enough to just leap out of a window without having surveilled the grounds or using some kind of way to make sure he doesn't fall and just jack himself up?
So while the Joker does things I can't unsee or unthink about, and I wish I could scrub that, that's not my kind of thing but if you like that sorta violence this is so your thing. But I just have trouble believing it was that easy to kill (?) Batman. Kind of reminds me of the Knight Terrors.
The Superman story in some ways is the highlight of this for me, because it's Clark Kent being a detective and doing his best and it's interesting to see him actually be an investigative reporter for a change. Even if he's doing Superman things.
Also the outside of the stronghold reminds me of a movie we saw parts of because chunks of the original were lost, and it was old and black and white, so for me there's a nostalgia trip there. I also just really like how Clark's voice is written, I feel like that's some of how he'd think. There is analytical thought, and a lot of heart and emotion, too. He's not a blundering idiot.
The mini-story at the end about scars was really good. I did enjoy that. I liked the memories and the way the art was something you had to take in the detail of. I liked how Alfred means so much to Bruce and that it gets shown here, which I feel is just so rare. So I appreciate that and hope that more writers will show more of that side of Batman. More BTAS than whatever was going on in the DCU.
I feel like I'm forgetting a story that was in the book, so I guess that tells you how much of an impression it made on me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
My goodness, this was better than I expected. Closer to 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The Tom King Joker story is disturbingly outstanding. The Joker hasn't been this terrifying in my memory. There's some dark humor spread throughout, one of the jokes made me laugh out loud, and there are some pretty graphic moments that might disturb some people. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Stormwatch story, while entertaining, and a nice break from how violent and disturbing the first story is, is too much of a break in the action. It's such a 180 from the tone set in the first story that it throws the rhythm of the book off. By itself it would probably be a neat storyline, though honestly one I never would have read, but it just doesn't seem to fit in this book/run.
The Superman story is somewhat random but well drawn and neat to follow. It has that nostalgic 1950's looking at the future kind of feel to it, complete with a mysterious fortress and futuristic guards. It wasn't anything Earth-shattering (or Krypton-shattering?) for that matter, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The last story, in black and white, was excellent. It's a visual recounting of many of Batman's scars. Excellent, in execution and illustration. Honestly, it was one of the more impressive short stories I've seen in a comic. My only personal caveat was that I didn't notice the Riddler in the rogues gallery, but he never really left Batman with any physical scars.
Overall, a terrific issue in a series I'm enjoying a lot more than I thought I would going in.
The Tom King Joker story is disturbingly outstanding. The Joker hasn't been this terrifying in my memory. There's some dark humor spread throughout, one of the jokes made me laugh out loud, and there are some pretty graphic moments that might disturb some people. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Stormwatch story, while entertaining, and a nice break from how violent and disturbing the first story is, is too much of a break in the action. It's such a 180 from the tone set in the first story that it throws the rhythm of the book off. By itself it would probably be a neat storyline, though honestly one I never would have read, but it just doesn't seem to fit in this book/run.
The Superman story is somewhat random but well drawn and neat to follow. It has that nostalgic 1950's looking at the future kind of feel to it, complete with a mysterious fortress and futuristic guards. It wasn't anything Earth-shattering (or Krypton-shattering?) for that matter, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The last story, in black and white, was excellent. It's a visual recounting of many of Batman's scars. Excellent, in execution and illustration. Honestly, it was one of the more impressive short stories I've seen in a comic. My only personal caveat was that I didn't notice the Riddler in the rogues gallery, but he never really left Batman with any physical scars.
Overall, a terrific issue in a series I'm enjoying a lot more than I thought I would going in.
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April 13, 2024I'm just reading the main Batman/Joker storyline, because I'm not interested in the other, unrelated ones in the slightest, like what are they even doing here? It's like they threw a bunch of completely different series into every single issue, apparently. It's weird and I'm glad I'm not the only one here skipping those lol
August 12, 2023
The Batman story was a little better this time, but I still don’t really like the dialogue and Joker was a little too “resilient” here. He is crazy and when you have that adrenaline pumping and multiple gunshots wounds falling three stories doesn’t mean much. Too bad for Batman though…
The Stormwatch continuation by Ed Brisson was yet again the worst story. The team comp is interesting, but the writing just isn’t very good.
The Superman story was still pretty decent. Still a fun little mystery.
Joëlle Jones Batman Black & White story was basically all art with a little dialogue. Great for what it is. Just let the great art speak for itself.
The Stormwatch continuation by Ed Brisson was yet again the worst story. The team comp is interesting, but the writing just isn’t very good.
The Superman story was still pretty decent. Still a fun little mystery.
Joëlle Jones Batman Black & White story was basically all art with a little dialogue. Great for what it is. Just let the great art speak for itself.
July 28, 2023
I'm only going to review the first story not interested in the rest TBH.
Joker is a violent, sick, fuck who really gets to display his vicious vision here. Batman and Him going to head to head for the first time is great. I want to see more of that, and wondering how Bruce will corner the piece of shit.
Joker is a violent, sick, fuck who really gets to display his vicious vision here. Batman and Him going to head to head for the first time is great. I want to see more of that, and wondering how Bruce will corner the piece of shit.
October 2, 2023
The Joker story is good but seems to be spinning its wheels a bit.
Not enjoying the Stormwatch or Superman stories.
Joelle Jones brief story (if you can even it call it that)was a nice self-contained way to end the issue and kept me from rating this 2 stars.
Not enjoying the Stormwatch or Superman stories.
Joelle Jones brief story (if you can even it call it that)was a nice self-contained way to end the issue and kept me from rating this 2 stars.
July 25, 2023
the joker is so traumatizing in this version dude like holy christ. also a lot of superman and im a hater so minus one star.
August 21, 2023
Started: 12/08/2023
Finished: 13/08/2023
Finished: 13/08/2023
September 3, 2023
great!!!
DC is putting out bangers with these books. Another great work. I’ll be purchasing this entire story arc. It’s amazing.
DC is putting out bangers with these books. Another great work. I’ll be purchasing this entire story arc. It’s amazing.
September 14, 2023
-Batman: The Winning Card P. 2:3/5
-Stormwatch: Down With The Kings P. 2:3/5
-Superman: Order of the Black Lamp P. 2:3/5
-All Things Considered:1/5
-Stormwatch: Down With The Kings P. 2:3/5
-Superman: Order of the Black Lamp P. 2:3/5
-All Things Considered:1/5
January 18, 2024
Batman: The Winning Card - 5
Stormwatch: Down with the Kings - 4
Superman: Order of the Black Lamp - 3.5
All Things Considered - 4
4 stars
Stormwatch: Down with the Kings - 4
Superman: Order of the Black Lamp - 3.5
All Things Considered - 4
4 stars
January 31, 2024
Refer back to last issue's review for ongoing stories.
All the stories continued well. The last work by Jones was interesting, but not a super new concept. Nevertheless it was enjoyable.
All the stories continued well. The last work by Jones was interesting, but not a super new concept. Nevertheless it was enjoyable.
August 25, 2024
The Joker story is soooo hauntingly good, & so was the final story entitled 'Scars.' The other two were not good at all, though.
3/5
3/5
September 25, 2024
The Joker story has the best art.
March 7, 2025
3.5/5 overall
I’ll be rating the stories in each issue individually
Batman: The Winning Card Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect once again. The battle with Joker was the highlight of this part. Truly haunting. Loved it!
Stormwatch: Down With The Kings Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Much better this time around. Characters are more clearly defined, the action is good and the plot was pretty interesting. I liked this one.
Superman: Order of the Black Lamp Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Much better as well. Still not amazing though. This was okay. Narration from Superman was nice. Art was nice too. I care very little about the overall mystery, however.
All Things Considered/Scars: ⭐️⭐️✨
Hard for me to tell if this is a section of the book or if the story just has two titles. Anyways… kind of a nothing burger. The art is phenomenal but this is absolutely not a story. Sooo… I don’t know. It’s whatever
I’ll be rating the stories in each issue individually
Batman: The Winning Card Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect once again. The battle with Joker was the highlight of this part. Truly haunting. Loved it!
Stormwatch: Down With The Kings Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Much better this time around. Characters are more clearly defined, the action is good and the plot was pretty interesting. I liked this one.
Superman: Order of the Black Lamp Part 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Much better as well. Still not amazing though. This was okay. Narration from Superman was nice. Art was nice too. I care very little about the overall mystery, however.
All Things Considered/Scars: ⭐️⭐️✨
Hard for me to tell if this is a section of the book or if the story just has two titles. Anyways… kind of a nothing burger. The art is phenomenal but this is absolutely not a story. Sooo… I don’t know. It’s whatever
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews