Batman: The Brave and the Bold # 1 2023 VF+

Batman: The Brave and the Bold # 1 2023 is a 64-page anthology comic book that marks the revival of the classic title in a new format. This oversized issue features four distinct stories from high-profile creative teams, focusing on Batman and other characters within the DC Universe. 

• "The Winning Card" (Part 1): Written by Tom King with art by Mitch Gerads, this story is a brutal retelling of the first meeting between Batman and The Joker in Gotham's "Year One". It features a chilling, speechless Joker and focuses on Detective Jim Gordon's investigation into a string of murders while Batman is still in his early, less experienced days.
• "Down with the Kings" (Part 1): Written by Ed Brisson with art by Jeff Spokes, this story reestablishes StormWatch in the DC Universe. Led by Director Bones, the covert black-ops team—which includes characters like Ravager and Peacekeeper-01—is tasked with tracking down super-powered weapons of mass destruction.
• "The Order of the Black Lamp" (Part 1): Written by Christopher Cantwell with art by Javier Rodríguez, this adventure features Superman. Clark Kent finds a mysterious decoder ring with a secret message ("Save me") that leads him on a quest linked to his past.
• "Heroes of Tomorrow": Written and illustrated by Dan Mora, this self-contained, black-and-white story is set in a cyberpunk alternate Gotham. It features an armored Batman fighting cybernetic Royal Flush Guardsmen to save two children, Richard and Jason. 

• Release Date: May 16, 2023.
• Format: Ongoing anthology title.
• Key Creators: Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Ed Brisson, Jeff Spokes, Christopher Cantwell, Javier Rodríguez, and Dan Mora.
• Cover Artists: Features various covers, including art by Simone Di Meo and Frank Cho. 

Critics generally praised the issue as a "gold standard" for anthologies, highlighting the diverse storytelling and high-quality art. While some readers found the inclusion of non-Batman stories like StormWatch and Superman unexpected for a Batman-titled book, others appreciated the "refreshing look" at characters within his sphere. Dan Mora's black-and-white story and the gritty King/Gerads Joker tale were frequently cited as highlights.