Many DC fans have been waiting a long time for acclaimed comic book scribe/screenwriter J. Michael Straczynksi to leave his long-running stint of Marvel exclusivity and come play in the DCU. After tackling the Red Circle one-shots a month or so ago, JMS has begun his new gig as the writer of DC’s superhero team-up series, The Brave and the Bold.
DC is making it quite clear that JMS is tasking to bring a modern perspective to the classic DC heroes, and he makes good on that promise with issue #27 of Brave and the Bold. Drudging up the classic Dial H for Hero concept to team up with Batman (the Bruce Wayne version, I believe), JMS puts the good old H-dial in the hands of a down on his luck petty criminal, who gets the chance to redeem his last two decades of wrong doing by acting the hero.
Though in the end the issue comes off intensely preachy, JMS successfully navigates the less glamorous side of the DCU, focusing on the homeless, low level criminals of Gotham City. It’s not that the gritty side of Gotham is an unexplored area, but Straczynski writes from a more personal, regular Joe perspective, instead of glorifying Batman’s rogues. In fact, though The Joker is indeed the lead antagonist of the issue, he appears on no more than three pages. This shows, without a doubt, what JMS is really interested in as a writer, and it’s certainly not to tread the same ground as previous stories.
As exciting as JMS’ foray into DC Comics is, the real breadwinner of this issue is the work of Jesus Saiz. He may not be the most recognizable name that DC could have paired up with Straczynski, but you’ve enjoyed his work previously on Checkmate and OMAC Project, and he really delivers here. In particular, there is a great montage - the aforementioned “team-up” part of the book - that features various acts of heroism from Batman and The Star, the superhero personality of the hapless street thug. Saiz’s work has a kinetic aesthetic to it that keeps the reader engaged, page to page. With an assist from colorist Trish Mulvihill, the visuals of these few pages become the standout section of the issue. While the rest of the pages aren’t quite as pretty, the book nonetheless is a success in the art department.
The only problem with the issue as a whole is JMS’ efforts to push a moral/message down our throats as the story comes to a close. For whatever reason, hearing Batman say “Live your dreams, fight your fears, do what your heart calls you to do” just doesn’t ring true to me. I’m not suggesting Bats can’t be optimistic, but giving a two page monologue on “doing the right thing” just seems like a page out of Superman’s book.
Personally, I’m glad that a series I dropped from my pull list a long time ago is back with a new creative team that I’m excited for. There’s no doubt that JMS will do great things with DC, and The Brave and the Bold is the start of it.
