DC Comics’ best anthology is back this week as Batman: The Brave and the Bold reaches its eleventh issue. This issue may have the most eclectic mix of stories yet, featuring a story set in the Wild West, a war story, and two excellent Batman tales.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #11 opens where we left off with “Batman: Mother’s Day” by Karl Kerschl, Norm Rapmund, and Msassyk. Maps Mizoguchi is way over her head as she’s dragged out of a tall building by a Man-Bat lookalike. She manages to survive and, in her incredibly endearing way, commands two lovebirds to kiss inside. This story is well told, well drawn, and will please Gotham Academy fans to no end.
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This tale also develops a romantic angle with Bruce, which is a nice touch since it’s so rare to see. He’s pulled away from a woman after Maps needs help, but he’s drawn to her. Kerschl does a good job of revealing Bruce’s inner self via captions. The story is action-packed and it’s a nice reminder when Batman faces monsters that can easily overpower him it’s an exciting time.
The opening story is excellent!
Credit: DC
The visuals in this tale are sharp, with nice effects like blur to set it apart from the pack. There are supernatural elements that amp up the stakes as well. Meanwhile, you’re rooting for Maps to gain Bruce’s trust. The cliffhanger certainly puts her in a good position to rise up and save the day!
Next up is a tale by Christos Gage and Danny Kim called “The Sweet Science.” This is a good Western tale with poker, shooting, and fist fights galore. The dialogue is exceptional, and the art is just as good. It’s nice to see a non-superhero story in the batch, and it enriches the entire reading experience.
Part two of “Artemis: The Poison Within” by Delilah S. Dawson and Serg Acuna is up next, and Artemis is reeling from poison. It’s a fever dream story with Artemis following a talking horse who turns into a snake. She’s battling inner demons while also fighting the poison. The visuals do a good job of capturing the mystical nature of her visions, which entertains and enlightens the reader. Similar to the last chapter, this story feels far too slow in its pace, making you wait for the other shoe to drop.
“Private Stein” by Michael W. Conrad and PJ Holden tells a Sgt. Rock story. Similar to the Western, it’s nice to get a new mix of stories here. There’s war scenes, there’s zombies, and it’s as pulpy as it comes. It’s short but sweet.
Closing out the collection is “The Crown of Twelve Tails” by Zac Thompson and Ashley Wood. Right off the bat, Thompson and Wood put you into a macabre sort of atmosphere. Batman is investigating a grisly, showy murder with plenty of clues to dissect. There’s an Edgar Allan Poe feel to it, sending Batman to the sewers and eventually out of the city. The black-and-white story suits Wood’s art style, and it’s almost punk rock in its graffiti sensibilities. It’ll make you want to read a Thompson and Wood miniseries, for sure.
What do you know, Batman: The Brave and the Bold #11 is jam-packed with great stories. More importantly, it’s an eclectic mix of tales with superhero stories, but also war and Western thrown in too. It’s a pulpy good time.
‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ #11 review
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #11
What do you know, Batman: The Brave and the Bold #11 is jam-packed with great stories. More importantly, it’s an eclectic mix of tales with superhero stories, but also war and Western thrown in too. It’s a pulpy good time.
Great mix of different kinds of stories
Main story with Maps is excellent, 10/10
Final Batman story is a good mix of the macabre and detective work
The Artemis story continues to feel too slow for its own good
If Western or war tales aren’t your bag you might not be jive on what they’re cooking
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