Batman: The Brave and The Bold #10 Review is published by DC. Stories in this latest issue are written by Karl Kerschl, Torunn Gronbekk, Delilah S. Dawson, Dan Watters, illustrations by Karl Kerschl, Fernando Pasarin and Ricardo Lopez Ortiz.
Issue #10 is available 27th February 2024 either online or from your local comic book store, digital copies will be available to download from the usual content providers.
Synopsis
Gotham Academy is back in session in the first part of Karl Kerschl’s thrilling three-part Batman adventure, guest-starring Maps Mizoguchi and Tristan Grey!
Kirk Langstrom, formerly Man-Bat, now clean of his serum for years, is teaching at Gotham Academy. But Man-Bat is menacing the city. Has Dr. Langstrom fallen off the wagon, or is there a deeper, far more sinister, plan afoot?
Plus, get ready for a conspiracy only Lois Lane could solve, a tale of rip-roaring adventure starring Artemis and a Batman Black & White tale from Dan Watters and Ricardo Lopez Ortiz!
Review
In this small collection of mini stories be prepared to discover the darkest reaches of the DC world. First off Batman has to contend with a new generation of Man Bat taking to the dark streets of Gotham causing untold damage and distress, Batman must get to the bottom of this dark conspiracy that is running through the night streets with a visit to the acclaimed Gotham Academy to ask the relevant questions to discover more of this mysterious Man Bat figure. A furious chase through the streets to find the answer with Batman using his knowledge to his advantage he enlists Robin to assist and capture this Man Bat before it’s too late. Robin has a plan to utilise her closeness to Tristan to have a bit more of a dig behind the dark character but has Robin bitten off a little more than she can chew.
The second of the short stories sees the reader taken deep into the desert lands outside of Quarac where we find Artemis but this story is told in a different perspective as the story is portrayed in a way that makes it look like Artemis herself is narrating the story. The story tells how Artemis is fighting with her inner demons and struggling to find her self worth, to be the champion that everyone else tells her that she is. Dark thoughts are holding her back but that isn’t the only thing that could be destroying her from the inside, could it be poison?
The third story tells the potential beginning of another villain but this one is particularly dark as he pulls together pieced parts of well known villains which in turn makes this mistake matched villain probably one of the most dangerous villains you could probably come across. Tired on walking in the shadows of Joker, tired of not being in the spotlight it’s time for this goon to take to the darkened stage. Ploughing through the streets trying to make a name for himself or is this villain destined to remain “Nameless”
In the fourth story Lois Lane takes centre stage as a gritty investigative journalist in an interesting tale that see’s Lois picking apart a particularly chilling murder, she must put her skills to the test as she tried to uncover the truth to this mysterious murder. As Lois diggs she begins to uncover a twisted path that runs through the city incriminating those at the very top, advice is telling her to stay away from this as it could mean finding skeletons in some very powerful closets. But Lois being the person she is won’t just walk away if there is an injustice.
The book closes with a dramatic black and white story opening with Batman going through his pre work out routine just before he hits the Gotham streets. You just know that when he does hit the streets it won’t be a particularly quiet stroll, Clayface is on the warpath after popping in for an innocent burger but in the blink of an eye it all turns to chaos as Clayface makes his appearance and all hell brakes loose. This will be a battle like no other as a hungry villain would be a particularly dangerous one, can Batman defeat Clayface and be home in time for a late night snack, at this point it looks like it will be a struggle.
An interesting collection of stories with different writing styles that will appeal to different readers. If I would have to pick a particular favourite then I would probably go for Nameless, you can’t help but feel empathy towards this dark villain but the story adds an emotional undertone that kind of catches you off guard.
My favourite illustrations from the books would be the black and white style of Ricardo Lopez Ortiz which brings a dramatic style that will blow your mind. The fight scenes between Batman and Clayface really pops off the page as the black and white tone really gives the visual effects of the book a different depth, it definitely gives it an impact.
Verdict
The issue is a good collection of different stories that all have a different impact. My favourite would have to be The Cheeseburger, those black and white illustrations definitely make an impact.
⭐⭐⭐½
