In the 31st century, a depressed Legion of Substitute Heroes watches a news broadcast about the most recent triumph of the Legion of Superheroes and the Doom Patrol, who saved the earth from a primordial black hole (as seen last issue). Upset over the fact that the LSH always manages to save the earth and snag the headlines, the Substitutes decide to steal a time bubble and go back in time to conquer the menace before the LSH and Doom Patrol had a chance to do so, thus ensuring that they (the Subs, that is) are finally able to get a little glory for themselves.
The whole plan is botched pretty much from the get-go and the Substitutes bungle their way through the entire rescue attempt, wreaking havoc on the timestream and managing to run into the oft-forgotten Inferior Five, another team of troublemaking would-be heroes. Comedy ensues and things get even more fouled up along the way. I’d describe it to you, but describing something funny doesn’t always work; sometimes you just have to be there. But rest assured, it’s funny.
To say that The Brave and the Bold has been consistently good since JMS and Jesus Saiz took over the title would be an understatement. Freed from the restraints of continuity, Straczynski is able to flex his writing muscles in a variety of directions, from comedy to drama to classically-styled superheroics. Jesus Saiz is given the same opportunity and uses it to his advantage, proving that he can handle whatever kind of story JMS throws at him. His dynamic figures have a classic superhero look to them but he can switch gears and make you laugh out loud with comedy either brilliantly subtle or fantastically over-the-top. The guy impresses me more and more with each issue.
Cover art to THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #35 by Jesus Saiz
JMS continues to prove that a light-hearted anthology series can work and that even the misfits and rejects of the DCU can really shine if handled correctly. He’s also proven that he can handle humor as well as drama. There were a few instances in the previous issue (part one of this story) in which some of his jokes fell a little flat, but he’s firing on all cylinders in this one. As a matter of fact, with all the time travel going on in this issue, Straczynski actually gets a chance to revisit the previous issue (several times, in fact) and a few of the same jokes. When viewed in the context of the entire story, those jokes that seemingly fell a little flat take on a new life and are actually pretty damn good. I guess I owe the man an apology.
The Brave and the Bold probably isn’t for everyone, but if your tastes tend to run outside of continuity and toward solid fun, it might be the book for you. It’s honestly one of my most anticipated titles every month. This issue was no exception.
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I am with you. This book is probably my favorite DC title and the first I read when I pick up my books.
Definitely has been a consistently good read!