The Brave and the Bold (1955-1983) #28

The Brave and the Bold (1955) #28

by Gardner Francis Fox, Mike Sekowsky (Illustrator)

Featuring the first appearance of the Justice League of America! When Starro the Conqueror arrives on Earth intent on enslaving humanity, it's up to the superheroes of the world to band together and defeat the evil alien! Also featuring the first appearance of Lucas "Snapper" Carr.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Superheroes

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 1960

About the author

Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"

Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase

Reviews

[Tom Wijenbergh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A giant starfish comes to Earth and makes three ordinary starfish his "deputies" to help him conquer the planet, but thanks to a pufferfish named Peter, the Justice League of America learns of his evil plan. Then Batman and Superman get sidelined for no reason, Flash has a Moses moment, Wonder Woman rides a building like a ski, and ultimately the key to victory is found in a young man who talks in incomprehensible youthspeak and snaps his fingers whenever he likes something... this is a seminal moment in comics and true to Silver Age form, it proves to be ridiculous in the best way possible.

There's only one thing to say:

*snap snap*

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a three issue tryout the Suicide squad made way for the Justice League of America. This was a revival of the old Justice Society of America. However in the new version Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were full members, not honorary members, the new group needed all the firepower it could get. Of course in this, their first appearance Superman and Batman only have cameos so that we know why they aren't here. It is obvious from this story that the League has been active already. This isn't an origin story, and they already are shown to have the signals for an emergency. Still and all this was a good story. We have an interesting adversary, and an alien to boot. I am not sure if the JSA tackled any aliens in their day, at least not during the Golden Age anyway, but the JLA would confront many an alien foe. Starro was the first of them. As the story which was to serve as an introduction to the Justice League of America this does the job admirably. The only drawback was the absence of Superman and Batman but this would not be the first time for that. If only for its historical significance this is a book worth reading. Happy reading.

[scribble · Rating 4 out of 5]

First appearance of the JLA with the Flash as their chairman! I would’ve given five stars if Wonder Woman too had a solo part like GL or the Flash himself.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars for the sheer ridiculousness that is Snapper Carr. Also wtf Batman you didn't even show up to the party

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Brave and the Bold #28, "Justice League of America: 'Starro the Conqueror'"

The first appearance of the Justice League, though the story itself depicts the team as already a fully formed operation with teammates familiar with one another, established based of operations, and even a signal calling them into duty. Their first foe - a giant alien starfish that controls legions under its mind-controlling abilities. The stacked roster of Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Manhunter, Superman and Wonder Woman struggle against the might Starro, but the help of a lime-covered individual named Snapper holds the key to the alien's defeat. It's as ridiculous as any comic from the era, though beyond its historical significance to the medium, there isn't too much else going for this issue.

[Rexhurne · Rating 3 out of 5]

That finger snapping dude was something. Was that how the cool kids talked back then? If so god help me. The villain is ridiculous but strangely he's a genuine threat. Never thought i would say that about a frigging starfish. Batman didn't fight but to be fair what could he do against the awesome starfish what the others couldn't already? Except maybe unravel it's deux ex machina weakness, instead of mr snap.

[luciddreamer99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, if slightly goofy. It definitely has that Silver Age charm. I feel like Snapper Carr will wear out his welcome quickly, but he wasn't overly tiresome this issue. Superman and Batman, mainstays of the team throughout its history, get only cameos in this issue. If anything, this issue made me want to read more Flash, and he seems a capable leader of the team. A good sign of things to come.

[William Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simple, considering it's almost 70 years old, but still enjoyable, even if only for the "how did it all started?" trivia aspect.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so entertaining 😂

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

É a primeira vez da Liga da Justiça junta mas o que mais me chamou atenção é o Starro. Não dá, o vilão é uma estrela-do-mar, isso é incrível.

[Marcos_e.e · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nota 6.
Não tão ruim pra época, tem ação e é rápida de se ler.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

É a primeira vez da Liga da Justiça junta mas o que mais me chamou atenção é o Starro. Não dá, o vilão é uma estrela-do-mar, isso é incrível.


Review from 06.12.2023

[Egghead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puffer fish story
Justice League versus starfish...
Suffering Sappho!

[Lizzy DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read this before. It was really good. Even if it is only a facsimile cover, glad it is in my collection.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my 'comic radar' for years; glad to have finally read it. The idea of bringing back a team book was a fantastic way to get readers interested in the new wave of more 'scientific' DC heroes of the 60's. This book also has a direct influence on Marvel Comics - Martin Goodman (publisher Timely/Marvel Comics) - "Stan, we gotta put out a bunch of heroes. You know, there's a market for it." Which resulted in Fantastic Four #1. The zeitgeist had shifted: the next war was going to be fought against aliens trying to take over our planet - and superheroes would use science to defeat them.

[Ricky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to have the first appearance of the JLA but sadly with a rather silly and weak villain and no actual origin for the group.