{"id":27770,"date":"2023-04-03T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T09:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=27770"},"modified":"2023-04-03T07:50:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T07:50:54","slug":"the-brave-and-the-bold-volumes-1-2-the-lords-of-luck-and-the-book-of-destiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2023\/04\/03\/the-brave-and-the-bold-volumes-1-2-the-lords-of-luck-and-the-book-of-destiny\/","title":{"rendered":"The Brave and the Bold volumes 1 & 2: The Lords of Luck and The Book of Destiny"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" \"\"
\nThe Lords of Luck By Mark Waid<\/strong> & George P\u00e9rez<\/strong> & various (DC Comics)
\nISBN: 978-1-84576-649-8 (US HB) 978-1-84576-649-8 (TPB)<\/p>\n

There are so many great graphic novels and compilations available these days that it\u2019s always a shock when I realise how many more are still out of print. Here\u2019s a classic example just begging for revival and digital editions\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

The Brave and the Bold: The Lords of Luck<\/strong> collects the first 6 issues of another revival of a venerable DC title (technically volume 3 and spanning April -September 2007): returning it not only to the fitting team-up format we all enjoyed, but doing so with such style, enthusiasm and outright joy that I\u2019m reduced to a gawping, drooling nine-year-old again.<\/p>\n

Here Mark Waid, George P\u00e9rez and inkers Bob Wiacek & Scott Koblish crafted an intergalactic romp through time and nether dimensions, ripping across the DC Universe in a funny, thrilling and immensely satisfying murder-mystery-come-universal-conquest saga.<\/p>\n

When Batman<\/strong> and Green Lantern<\/strong> (in part one \u2018Roulette\u2019 <\/em>and concluding episode \u2018The Girl Who Knew Too Much\u2019<\/em>) discover absolutely identical corpses hundreds of miles apart it sets them on the trail of probability-warping aliens and the missing Book of Destiny – a mystical chronicle of everything that ever was, is, and will be!<\/p>\n

And yes, that makes this a notional tie-in to The Sandman<\/strong> series by Neil Gaiman and his coterie of classy creatives\u2026<\/p>\n

Each issue\/chapter highlights a different team-up and eventually the hunt by Adam Strange<\/strong>, Blue Beetle <\/strong>(\u2018The Lord of Time\u2019<\/em>), Destiny<\/strong> (of the Endless<\/em>, no less in chapter 4 \u2018The Garden of Destiny\u2019<\/em>), the Legion of Super Heroes<\/strong> (\u2018The Batman of Tomorrow\u2019<\/em>), Lobo<\/strong>, Supergirl<\/strong> (\u2018Ventura\u2019<\/em>) and a mystery favourite from long-ago (you\u2019ll thank me for not blowing the secret, honestly!) plus an incredible assortment of cameo stars coalesces into a fabulous free-for-all that affirms and reinforces all the reasons I love this medium.<\/p>\n

With the value-added bonus of an annotated exploration of Waid & P\u00e9rez\u2019s creative process to entrance the aspiring creator-of-tomorrow, this is a great story with great art, and is perfect for all ages to read and re-read over and over again. So let\u2019s hope that happens soon\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2006, 2007 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Book of Destiny<\/p>\n

By Mark Waid<\/strong>, George P\u00e9rez<\/strong>, Jerry Ordway<\/strong>, Bob Wiacek <\/strong>& Scott Koblish<\/strong> (DC Comics)<\/p>\n

ISBN: 978-1-4012-1838-6 (HB) 978-1-4012-1861-4 (TPB)<\/p>\n

The Book of Destiny<\/strong> is a mystical ledger which charts the history, progress and fate of all Reality and everything in it – except for the four mortals entrusted with its care at the end of The Brave and the Bold: The Lords of Luck<\/strong>. The death-defying Challengers of the Unknown<\/strong><\/em> – cool pilot Ace Morgan<\/em>, indomitable strongman Rocky Davis<\/em>, intellectual aquanaut Prof. Haley<\/em> and daredevil acrobat Red Ryan<\/em> – live on borrowed time and were bequeathed the terrifying tome by Destiny<\/em> of the Endless<\/em> since their lives are no longer included within its horrifying pages\u2026<\/p>\n

After the staggering spectacle of the previous Brave and the Bold<\/strong> story-arc, here Waid & P\u00e9rez, with inkers Bob Wiacek & Scott Koblish are joined by co-penciller Jerry Ordway for a stunning sequel featuring most of the DC universe\u2026<\/p>\n

This compilation collects issues #7-12 (volume 3 from December 2007-June 2008) of the high-energy, all-star revival of the venerable DC title: playing novel games with traditional team-up format as a mysterious mage begins manipulating heroes and villains in a diabolical alchemical scheme to transform the cosmos fundamentally and forever\u2026<\/p>\n

Beginning with \u2018Scalpels and Chainsaws\u2019 – <\/em>wherein Wonder Woman<\/strong><\/em> and the ever-abrasive Power Girl<\/strong><\/em> rub each other the wrong way (oh please, what are you, ten!?) whilst tackling an undead invasion, the case takes a stranger turn and Kara-Zor-L<\/em> accidentally discovers the Caped Kryptonian has been brainwashed into trying to murder her cousin Superman<\/strong><\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

Their ill-tempered investigations lead to the fabled Lost Library of Alexandria and a disastrous confrontation with the deranged Dr. Alchemy<\/em>, but he too is only a pre-programmed pawn – of a sinister presence called Megistus<\/em> – who needs Power Girl to use the mystical artefact known as the Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/em> to turn the Fortress of Solitude into pure Red Kryptonite\u2026<\/p>\n

Thanks to Wonder Woman\u2019s battle savvy, the plot is frustrated and the stone thrown into the sun\u2026 just as Megistus intended\u2026<\/p>\n

All this has been perused in the mystic chronicle by the Challengers and their fifth member Dr. June Robbins<\/em> – whose merely mortal existence and eventual doom are tragically recorded in the Book. They rush off to investigate a universe-rending menace even as \u2018Wally\u2019s Choice\u2019 <\/em>brings The Flash<\/strong><\/em> and his rapidly aging children Jai<\/em> and Iris West<\/em> into unwelcome contact with manipulative genius Niles Caulder<\/em> and his valiant Doom Patrol<\/strong><\/em>. \u201cThe Chief\u201d claims he can cure the twins\u2019 hyper-velocity malady, but Caulder never does anything for selfless reasons\u2026<\/p>\n

With no other hope, Wally and wife Linda<\/em> acquiescence to the mad genius\u2019 scheme – which relies on using elemental hero Rex Mason<\/em> to stabilise their kids\u2019 critical conditions. It might have worked, had not Metamorpho<\/strong><\/em> been mystically abducted mid-process – consequently transforming the children into bizarre amalgams of Negative Man<\/em> and Robot Man<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

Worst of all, Flash is almost forced to choose which child to save and which should die\u2026<\/p>\n

Thinking faster than ever, the Scarlet Speedster beats the odds and pulls off a miracle but, in a distant place, the pages of the Book are suddenly possessed and abruptly attack the Challengers\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2018Changing Times\u2019 <\/em>features a triptych of short team-up tales which play out as the Men that History Forgot battle a monster made of Destiny\u2019s pages, beginning as the robotic Metal Men<\/strong><\/em> joined forces with young Robby Reed<\/em> who could become a legion of champions whenever he needs to Dial H for Hero<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Sadly not even genius Will Magnus<\/em> could have predicted the unfortunate result when crushingly shy robot Tin<\/em> stuck his shiny digit in the arcane Dial\u2026<\/p>\n

Next, during WWII the combative Boy Commandos<\/strong><\/em> are joined by The Blackhawks<\/strong><\/em> in battling animated mummies intent on purloining the immensely powerful Orb of Ra <\/em>from a lost pyramid, after which perpetually reincarnating warrior Hawkman<\/strong><\/em> joined All-New Atom<\/strong><\/em> Ryan Choi <\/em>in defending Palaeolithic star-charts from the marauding Warlock of Ys<\/em>.<\/p>\n

None of them are aware that they are doing the work of malignly omnipresent Megistus\u2026<\/p>\n

The fourth chapter paralleled the Challengers\u2019 incredible victory over the parchment peril with a brace of tales seeing the Man of Steel travel to ancient Britain to join heroic squire Brian of Kent (secretly the oppression-crushing Silent Knight<\/strong><\/em>) in bombastic battle against a deadly dragon, whilst the Teen Titan<\/strong><\/em>\u2019s<\/em> untold second ever case finds Robin<\/strong><\/em>, Wonder Girl<\/strong><\/em> and Kid Flash<\/strong><\/em> in Atlantis for the marriage of Aquaman<\/strong><\/em> and Mera<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately Megistus\u2019 drone Oceanus<\/em> crashes the party, intent on turning Aqualad<\/strong><\/em> into an enslaved route map to the future\u2026<\/p>\n

And in California, the Challengers attempted to save Green Lantern\u2019s Power Battery from being stolen only to find it in the possession of an ensorcelled Metamorpho\u2026<\/p>\n

As the Element Man easily overwhelms Destiny\u2019s Deputies, Jerry Ordway assumed the penciller\u2019s role for issues #11-12.<\/p>\n

\u2018Superman and Ultraman\u2019 <\/em>saw the natural enemies initially clash and then collaborate at the behest of an alternate universe\u2019s Mr. Mixyezpitelik<\/em>, who reveals the appalling scope and nature of Megistus\u2019 supernal transformational ambitions, leading to a gathering of the heroic clans and a blistering Battle Royale in the roaring heart of the Sun\u2026<\/p>\n

With the fate of reality at stake and featuring a veritable army of guest stars \u2018The Brave and the Bold\u2019 <\/em>concludes the saga with a terrible, tragic sacrifice from the noblest hero of all, whilst subtly setting the scene for the then-upcoming Final Crisis<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n

With fascinating designs and pencil drawings from Ordway to tantalise the art lovers, this second captivating collection superbly embodies all the bravura flash\u2019n\u2019dazzle thrills superhero comics so perfectly excel at. This is a gripping fanciful epic with many engaging strands perfectly coalescing into a frantic and fabulous free-for-all overflowing with all the style, enthusiasm and exuberant joy you\u2019d expect from top costumed drama talents.<\/p>\n

The Brave and the Bold: The Book of Destiny<\/strong> is another great story with great art, ideal for kids of all ages to read and re-read over and over again.
\n\u00a9 2007, 2008 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Lords of Luck By Mark Waid & George P\u00e9rez & various (DC Comics) ISBN: 978-1-84576-649-8 (US HB) 978-1-84576-649-8 (TPB) There are so many great graphic novels and compilations available these days that it\u2019s always a shock when I realise how many more are still out of print. Here\u2019s a classic example just begging for … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “The Brave and the Bold volumes 1 & 2: The Lords of Luck and The Book of Destiny”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[271,133,211,10,295,110,294,76,164,91,82,69,154,313,314,315,121,9,11,263,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adam-strange","category-aquaman","category-atom","category-batman","category-blackhawks","category-blue-beetle","category-challengers-of-the-unknown","category-dc-superhero","category-doom-patrol","category-flash","category-green-lantern","category-hawkman-hawkgirl","category-legion-of-super-heroes","category-metal-men","category-metamorpho","category-power-girl","category-supergirl-graphic-novels","category-superman","category-teen-titans","category-the-brave-and-the-bold","category-wonder-woman"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4AFj-7dU","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27770"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27773,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27770\/revisions\/27773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}