• An early look at Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1 (2023) from DC Comics.
    Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1
    Writer:
    Tom King, Ed Brisson, Christopher Cantwell, Dan Mora
    Artist:
    Mitch Gerads, Jeff Spokes, Javier Rodríguez, Dan Mora
    Letterer:
    Clayton Cowles, Saida Temofonte, Simon Bowland, Tom Napolitano
    Cover Artist:
    Simone Di Meo
    Publisher:
    DC
    Price:
    $7.99
    Release Date:
    2023-05-16
    Colorist:
    Mitch Gerads, Jeff Spokes, Javier Rodríguez, Dan Mora

Batman: The Brave and the Bold returns as a brand-new ongoing anthology series. The debut issue features four tales centered on Batman's first encounter with the Joker, a ring that sends Superman on a quest linked to his past, insight into what StormWatch is up to in the larger DCU, and a black and white Batman short. The talent pool for this book is stacked, bringing together some of the best creators in the industry. Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1, written by Tom King, Ed Brisson, Christopher Cantwell, and Dan Mora, with art and colors by Mitch Gerads, Jeff Spokes, Javier Rodríguez, and Mora, letters by Clayton Cowles, Saida Temofonte, Simon Bowland, and Tom Napolitano, kicks off a new era for the title with a fantastic line-up of stories.

King and Gerads have the mighty task of presenting another retelling of the first encounter between Batman and Joker, and the duo delivers the first chapter in what's already an all-time terrifying Joker story. The edge this Batman and Joker have will keep readers in complete suspense. Brisson dives into the covert world of StormWatch, building on what came before in the Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special. Director Bones sends his new team on a high-stakes mission that brings shock and awe. The dynamic among the team is engaging, and seeing them operate in the field is thrilling.

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Batman looking over a criminal stuck on train tracks as a train approaches

Cantwell pens a Superman story that captures the core of the character in a magical way. There's a sense of wonder wrapped in endless kindness. It references current events in the DCU but plays in its own corner in exceptional ways. Mora makes his debut as a writer -- pulling double duty as writer and artist -- for a story set in a futuristic Gotham City overrun by cybernetic henchmen of the Joker. The tale plays on familiar elements while feeling new and creating a world that Mora brings to life in stunning detail.

Gerads works wonders on the page. His control over texture, pacing, and nuance is complete, and the result is bone-chilling. Spokes brings smooth art and deliberate action that explodes into chaos during the StormWatch operation. Each character gets a moment to shine, and the displays of their powers create a cacophony of creative visuals. Rodríguez delivers art that feels classic; it's got shades of Fleischer and Darwyn Cooke while still feeling like its own thing. The result is rich, precise, and inviting.

Police cars with lights flashing in front of a large manor on a rainy night

Mora's art is jaw-dropping. There's an unbelievable level of detail in each panel, and the black and white further emphasizes his stellar line work. Readers could easily get lost in the intricacies of the world Mora created. Each letterer brings their A-game to this title, putting the final touches on each story. Cowles presents some ominous sound effects and handles entire panels, conveying some of the most pivotal information in the story.

Temofonte goes all out with dynamic sound effects in the midst of battle. Bowland captures a feeling of remembrance and days before with handwritten notes and bold, simple text. Napolitano brings gradients to his bubbles and boxes, fitting perfectly with the style of the book. This issue lives up to its title, with bold stories from some of the most talented creators in the industry. With Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1, the entire creative team delivers a variety of outstanding stories in this oversized issue.