One of the best anthologies returns this week with Batman: The Brave and the Bold #12. With five stories, this issue is bound to have at least one tale you’ll like with some heavy hitters like Karl Kerschl’s final chapter involving Maps, a black-and-white tale by Charlie Adlard that’s not to be missed, and more!
Kicking things off is part 3 of “Batman: Mother’s Day” by Karl Kerschl. This is a great finale, upping the stakes as Batman has been infected with a man-bat virus. He’s basically a vampire at the start of the story and is ready to sink his teeth into a woman he was dating just one chapter ago. Thankfully, Maps is ready to swoop in as she continues to show that she’s ready for prime time as a Robin. The story builds toward a mega-monster battle, with Batman trusting Maps for once and the two working together well. This story will make you want a lot more from Kerschl as he delivers on Maps’ ongoing story.
Next up is “Left Unsaid” by Rob Levin and Mike Norton. This story has a few twists and turns, including the appearance of the Gentleman Ghost. Thanks to some two-face shenanigans, the question of giving people what they need to hear and what they deserve to hear is brought up. Considering the deep-cut use of characters, it’s a fun aside, albeit a little slower.
Part 3 of “Artemis: The Poison Within” brings our hero closer to a direct threat. Unfortunately, I continue to dislike the slow crawl of the story through Artemis’ captions. Still in the desert but no longer poisoned, she at least comes face to face with a threat. This confrontation is drawn out, though, leading to a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting. This story has felt slow from the start, but alas, it continues.
Bruce, are you okay?
Credit: DC Comics
Zipporah Smith’s “A Parting Gift” is a great tale for Swamp Thing fans. It takes time and care with a loss of life while allowing Swamp Thing to do some detective work. Equally weird and bizarre, it’s the perfect kind of Swamp Thing tale for longtime fans. The art plays into the beauty and weirdness of organic matter with some shocking page turns.
Finally, Herik Hanan writes “Henchman” with art by Adlard. The story opens with Batman offering to get some coffee in a guy’s apartment. The story has some nice surprise twists and hammers home the fact that Batman is always a step ahead. It’s an interesting angle eon the henchmen side of criminals and how Batman keeps tabs on even the smallest two-bit crime folks to maintain an edge. Adlard’s art suits the black-and-white format with hard edges used in shadows. There’s a lot to love visually, with some powerful silhouettes and interesting plays of light.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #12 has more misses than usual, but it’s still good. The main story wraps up a fantastic three-parter with some good one-shots and offbeat characters throwing in other tales.
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