DC Comics’ anthology series Batman: The Brave and the Bold continues this week, but not much of it is about Batman. Sure, he’s there, but across five stories we get a lot more flavor from Robin, Hellblazer, and more.
The longest story in this anthology is “Doubt,” which opens the book. Written by Christian Ward with art by Patrick Reynolds, the story focuses on a new villain named Doubt. He is a meta-level criminal who can sow doubt in your mind with his sentence. Ward connects young Bruce Wayne’s doubts to this story in the beginning, which later leads to Bruce’s interesting explorations as Doubt’s powers affect him. Alfred fans should not sleep on this story.
Reynolds’ art is great, with more Eurocomic detailed lines. Visually, this issue feels like it’s from another era, like a lost masterpiece you haven’t yet read. Batman looks great in his blue costume and Doubt has an edgy punk vibe to it. Sometimes it has a very realistic painterly quality.
The letters by Hassan Otsman-Elhaou are great, especially the pages where his questionable thoughts about Batman pile up. Batman goes to some dark places, and that lettering helps sell the almost spiritual places Doubt sends him.
I wanted to see more of this villain.
Credit: DC Comics
“Petrection” Part 2 concludes the story of Zipporah Smith and Mike Norton’s Hellblazer Dex Star. Norton is the perfect artist for this, especially since he gives Dex Starr so much personality. The comical nature of the very serious Hellblazer teaming up with cats is not lost on the reader by some fun animal action. This is a Scooby-Doo level prank.
Jeremy Adams and Laura Braga tell a complete story in Reflections. Miss Martian begins the problem by trying to save a ship that is about to be sucked into the sea. Aquaman (Kalduarm) steps in to help, but they soon find themselves on Mars. The villain follows and the truth behind the threat is explained. This looks like it’s going to be a deep DC adventure that fans won’t want to miss.
Next up is Marguerite Sauvage, who wrote and illustrated the story “Swipe Left on Deception.” Harley becomes the victim of a scam and soon realizes that they are trying to destroy an app company’s servers. Upon entering Ghosting Master, a hilarious battle scene ensues. It’s a cute story with all the chaotic energy a Harley story needs.
This issue concludes with the first part of a multi-part story titled “Robin Season.” Written by Brendan Hay and illustrated by Marco Santucci, the story begins with a mystery in which Tim Drake and Damian rescue three children dressed as Robin. This story has some great detective work that leads to a big plot twist by the end. The cliffhanger where Haye makes Tim and Damian more competitive as brothers is also exciting.
At by Santucci is a dark piece of work with great acting from all involved. The costumes look sharp and Luis Guerrero’s colors add dimension.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18 is another good chapter in one of Marvel or DC’s most consistently great anthologies. The opening story introduces a different kind of super-powered villain, Robin’s story is a fun start, and the rest of the stories offer many of the aspects that make DC great.
“Batman: The Brave and the Bold” #18 Review
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18 is another good chapter in one of Marvel or DC’s most consistently great anthologies. The opening story introduces a different kind of super-powered villain, Robin’s story is a fun start, and the rest of the stories offer many of the aspects that make DC great.
The opening story looks great with an interesting new villain
Robbins’ story is a great beginning to a new multi-part story
There’s all kinds of chaotic energy in Harley stories
Norton breaks up with Dex Starr
Miss Manhunter’s narrative art is a little basic
Dexter is a little too goofy in its own right
