Batman: Brave and the Bold - Emerald Knight

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #3

by Sholly Fisch, Landry Q. Walker, Adam Schlagman

Batman takes on crime with the help of DC’s greatest heroes based on the acclaimed Cartoon Network animated series.The all-ages title based on the acclaimed animated series on Cartoon Network continues as Batman battles evil with the help of some of DC’s greatest heroes, including Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and more. This fun new collection includes a Valentine’s Day caper story and a race to solve a mystery pitting the Dark Knight against The Flash to see who’s the world’s fastest detective.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2011

About the author

His credits run the gamut from Superman to Star Wars to Scooby-Doo, and from Clive Barker’s Hellraiser to Looney Tunes. His comics for kids have won a Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Award, and been nominated for an Eisner Award and two Diamond gem awards, while several of his stories for older readers were included in the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels Action Comics.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, these are nice, simple reads that are obviously more intended for kids--or an adult who has had a stressful day but still wants to get their superhero fix. ;) I'm glad I read these comics and other similar ones, because they give me some good options for when I eventually have kids. Most comics are written for a teen or adult audience, so it's nice to know there are options out there for younger kids to enjoy that still LOOSELY connect to the stories they'll be able to enjoy when they're older. (By loosely, I mean most of the same characters and general plot lines still exist, so that, when they read the real canon, they can be like, "Oh, I remember him/her! That's cool how they took him/her and made him/her kid friendly.") Basically, these stories make for a good foundation for the future's superhero nerds. ;)

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is way more fun that the in-continuity Batbooks have been in this decade. This is a Batman who can actually enjoy fighting weird villains like the Dinosaur Head Gang, or grumble about how every week, he has to fight another damn ninja. I particularly liked the Huntress crossover which sort-of tackles what a jerk Batman has become in the 21st century.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based off the animated Batman: Brave and the Bold cartoon series, Emerald Knights highlights a host of DC characters debuting in this comic tie-in. The opening tale sees the Dark Knight injured during a heist, causing Green Arrow, Plastic Man, Aquaman, and Shazam to don the cape and cowl and protect the city from the schemes of the Joker. The second feature teams Batman with the Huntress, as a presumed date turns out to be a stalking attempt by campy villain Mr. Camera. Wonder Woman guest-stars in the next issue, as she and Batman race across the globe to prevent the nefarious Egghead from hatching an ancient evil. Martian Manhunter seeks help from the Dark Knight in corralling the rogue alien Ma'alefa'ak, followed up by Doctor Fate using his powers to excise the Martian criminal from Batman's psyche. The tome concludes with a double dose of Green Lantern Hal Jordan, as the heroes team up to down the plot of Cyborg Superman and an alien reality-warping asteroid dubbed Robert. The book succeeds best with its addition of unique characters to the zany world; Cyborg Superman, Ma'alefa'ak, and even the Teen Titans get chances to become part of the classic trek down memory lane. The stories are designed to be simple action for younger audiences, but they still push the right buttons of nostalgia. Emerald Knight may not hold a candle to Blackest Night, but it will find a home with Batman fans of all ages.

[The Fizza · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS - Just fantastically fun... something most comics no longer are as they strive to be dark and edgy but usually end up so much uninspired rubbish.

[Ryan Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s got a light, Saturday-morning cartoon feel and provides a nice change of pace to the dark, apocalyptic comics of the modern era. It’s not high art or anything, but it did put a smile on my face.

[Adam Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

The all-ages Brave and the Bold Batman series offers up some campy fun. An injured Batman gets help from nearly every major guest-star (all wearing Batman costumes) to protect Gotham City. Huntress teams up with Batman for a battle against the picturesque Mr. Camera, while doing her best to hint at a special day to the Dark Knight. Classic Bat-villain Egghead runs a caper that involves both Wonder Woman and Egg Fu, while a team-up with the Martian Manhunter and Dr. Fate is needed to combat the alien menace of Ma'alefa'ak. The volume concludes with the double dosage of Green Lantern spotlights: A ring-slinging Batman must rescue GL from the Cyborg Superman, while both heroes then contend with the all-powerful entity called Robert. While many hardcore Bat-fans - raised on The Dark Knight Returns, the Bruce Timm animated series, and the latest Batman trilogy - decried a return to the sillier times, I found this series to be a fun send-up of ages past. If you are looking for a chance to relive some of the beloved history of Batman, explore the Emerald Knight and other Brave and the Bold volumes.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume much more than the earlier volumes. The writing has improved exponentially now that Walker has taken over as author and even with the variety of artists the artwork is steady, though, of course, cartoonish. Gone are the unrelated little opening scenes of the first volumes and now the issues start off with an opening scene which leads into the main story. The stories are still all pretty much stand-alones but at least some mention of previous events is occasionally mentioned. This volume contains a smorgasbord of heroes and villains, some I'd never even heard of! I love books like that and had a great deal of fun looking them up and meeting some old-time favourites plus plenty of less-frequently used characters. My absolute favourite part in here, and a gem of a fun issue is reading Batman's brief turn as a Green Lantern! This is a good kids comic, and this volume collects some really fun issues. It makes me want to watch the cartoon it's based on.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

not into this one, not a big fan of Brave and the bold all together. Too juvenile.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as adorable as Tiny Titans, but still a fun all-ages read.