The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman #2 Review

King McCool

Written by: Liam Sharp
Art by: Liam Sharp, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Alw's Troy Peteri
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 21, 2018
Review by: Matches Balone

It's Brave and the Bold time and while we can debate who in this book is the bravest and/or boldest, there is no debate on whether this book looks good.  Psst...it does!  However, after last issue's sometimes heavy-handed descriptions and histories, I was hoping that Liam Sharp would get down to telling us a story on par with his pencils.  Well does he?  Let's find out...


Here we go, issue two of The Brave and The Bold and I already have mixed feelings. The issue opens up with a bad ass Wonder Woman forcing herself into the situation of the Dead King. Captain Furf, the general of the army, wants to execute the boy he holds responsible for the King's death, but Wonder Woman intervenes and uses the lasso of truth to interrogate the boy.  No surprises there!

Enter the character with the coolest name ever, King McCool!  Seriously, I want to be called King McCool from this moment on! McCool states that Tir Na Nog doesn't care for the "Golden Truth." Because of this, Captain Furf (FOMORIAN) and King McCool (DE DANANN) get into an argument over waring with one another (these guys fight about fighting!) when Wonder Woman gets in-between them and wants to start an investigation and just so happens to know the perfect guy for the job.

Back in Gotham, Alfred finally gets through to Batman and guides him out of the Irish district where he was paralyzed by hallucinations. The Dark Knight makes it back to his Cave where he discusses what he saw or thought he saw with Alfred and quickly comes to the conclusion it was magic. The issue ends with Cernunnos opening a portal in the Batcave and Wonder Woman calling out to Batman.  I told you she had the perfect man for the job...or did she?

Here's my problem... the story feels way too predictable. Two divided communities blaming each other for a King's death and wanting to go to war with one another is extremely cliche and while it sets up the ongoing story, there had to be a better way to get Batman and Wonder Woman together in a book. Batman experiencing something strange and weird and just coming to the conclusion it's magic is forced and really feels uninspired. I just wanted something that feels different from this.

There is a third plot occurring in between all of this centering around some homeless guy. We did see the setup for this last issue, but I chalked it up to nonsense, but much to my surprise, this issue made me interested in who this character really is?  It's kind of crazy that a book featuring two of the best superheroes in comics would have me most interested in a homeless guy, but there you have it.  My guess is he's King Eltatha. 

Last but definitely not least, the art was once again amazing. Liam Sharp just continues to do incredible work in that department.  I especially love the Batman hallucination sequence.  Seriously, it just darn looks beautiful.

Bits and Pieces:

Overall, issue two is still a solid read and it progresses the story forward, but I just get this weird feeling of "I've read this all before." . . . Side note...why isn't Wonder Woman asking The Flash for help? He's a forensic officer for God's sake.  I guess Batman's name is in the title but best man my butt!

6/10