The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman #2 – Liam Sharp, Writer/Artist; Romulo Fajardo Jr., Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 8/10
Corrina: Irish Mythology Beautifully Rendered
WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW
Ray: It’s generally not a good sign when it’s a third into the miniseries and the two title characters have barely met, but the combination of Liam Sharp’s fantastic art and a compelling mystery that combines the worlds of Batman and Wonder Woman sells me on The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman #2. When we last left off, a king in the mystic land of Tir Na Nog had been killed, a young human had been blamed, and Diana was all that stood between the suspect and a hasty execution. After brokering a temporary peace, she tries to discover the truth with her golden lasso, but there’s just one problem – what’s a stunning act of magic in the human world is here nothing more than a cheap parlor trick, and one that carries no weight with the court. Thus, she has to figure out how to keep the warring clans from attacking and organize a trial and investigation.
Back in Gotham, meanwhile, a mysterious old man is searching through Gotham’s garbage desperately looking for fragments of druid artifacts, while Batman is dealing with his least-favorite part of being a superhero – magic. It’s rare that we see Batman out of his element, but when reality itself fails him, he’s thrown massively off balance. The segments where he comes under attack by an army of phantoms that may or may not be there are gorgeously creepy, and it’s intriguing to see Batman essentially up against his own mind – these phantoms don’t exist, in any physical sense that can hurt him, but his senses are lying to him. Thus, his only defense is to shut his eyes and push forward until he gets out of the Irish quarter. We’re still figuring out exactly what the conflict is here, but the first two issue has dropped a lot of interesting hints, and I’m in for the ride.
Corrina: It’s been a long time since I felt so immersed in a mythological world, and, particularly, Irish mythology. A working knowledge of Irish myths might help a reader of issue #2, though all things are clear in context. But if Irish mythology is your jam, this is a must buy, especially given how beautifully everything is drawn.
If it’s not, and if Batman and Wonder Woman are why you’re reading this book, it’s satisfying as well. For once, even among other gods, Diana is in a bit over her head, though she’s determined to preserve peace to the best of her abilities. But Batman is the real star this issue, almost having a hissy fit about the magic that he can’t control, a moment that works on several levels. One, the ultimate control freak can’t find control. And, two, being Batman, he will sort it out to the best of his ability anyway.
The third issue should bring them together and that’s plenty soon enough for me. I’m glad the world Sharp has created has had room to breathe first.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
