# The Brave and the Bold
**The Brave and the Bold** is a [DC Comics](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-comics) anthology and team-up title that ran for 200 issues from August-September 1955 to July 1983, best known for pairing Batman with a rotating guest hero each issue[1](https://www.comics.org/series/1098/). Over seven decades the name has also attached to a 1991 revival, a 2007 team-up series, a 2023 Batman anthology, an animated television series, and a planned [DC Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-studios) film[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original run | August-September 1955 to July 1983, 200 issues, published by DC[1](https://www.comics.org/series/1098/) |
| First format | Historical adventure anthology starring the Golden Gladiator, the Viking Prince, and the Silent Knight[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) |
| Notable debuts | Suicide Squad (#25, 1959), Justice League of America (#28, 1960), Metamorpho (#57, 1964-1965)[3](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Brave_and_the_Bold_Vol_1) • [4](https://dcuguide.com/Brave_and_the_Bold_Title_Index) |
| Team-up era | From #50 (1963) under writer Bob Haney; Batman-exclusive from #67 (1966)[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) |
| End of the run | Final issue #200 teamed the two Batmen of Earth-One and Earth-Two; the title was replaced by *Batman and the Outsiders*[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) |
| Sister series | *DC Comics Presents* (1978-1986, 97 issues) applied the same format to Superman[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) |
| Later revivals | Six issues in 1991-1992; a 2007 series by Mark Waid and George Pérez; the 2023 anthology *Batman: The Brave and the Bold*[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) • [5](https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-04-24/the-brave-and-the-bold-explores-the-outer-limits-of-a-team-up-title) |
## 1955-1959: historical adventure anthology
The series was first envisioned as a historical adventure magazine, in the same way *Detective Comics* was built for detective stories and *Strange Adventures* for science fiction. Its medieval banner-like logo matched content about knights, gladiators, and heroes of the past rather than fantasy. The Silent Knight, the Viking Prince, and [Robin Hood](https://www.edgepedia.org/robin-hood) were frequent stars, and after four years of bimonthly issues the book expanded beyond that mission[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). Early issues ran 36 pages at 0.10 USD and carried the [Comics Code Authority](https://www.edgepedia.org/comics-code-authority) seal[6](https://www.comics.org/series/1098/details/).
## 1959-1963: the testing ground
As DC entered the 1960s, the title became a testing ground for new ideas, a role parallel to *Showcase*. An early proposal was a new incarnation of the [Suicide Squad](https://www.edgepedia.org/suicide-squad), a government-sponsored team in the mold of the Challengers of the Unknown, introduced in #25 in 1959[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) • [3](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Brave_and_the_Bold_Vol_1). The next proposal succeeded immediately: **the debut of the Justice League of America** in #28 (1960), which brought DC's greatest heroes together against a common threat in their own shared feature for the first time[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). The group, featuring Batman, Superman, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and others, was an immediate hit and was soon spun off into its own title[7](https://atomicavenue.com/atomic/TitleDetail.aspx?HO=0&IS=1&M=1&PN=2&RE=0&TitleID=1666). This period also introduced Cave Carson, a Silver Age reinvention of Hawkman, and Strange Sports Stories[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
## 1963-1966: the Haney years
Issue #50 is where the series embraced its most familiar concept, under its most famous original writer, Bob Haney, whose work on the book lasted two decades[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) • [3](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Brave_and_the_Bold_Vol_1). Taking a page from the [Justice League](https://www.edgepedia.org/justice-league)'s success, Haney showcased rare and unlikely team-ups that introduced DC characters to each other: [Green Arrow](https://www.edgepedia.org/green-arrow) with the Manhunter from Mars, the Atom with the Metal Men, and the Flash with the [Doom Patrol](https://www.edgepedia.org/doom-patrol)[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). Two of his most successful stories from this period were the debut of his original hero Metamorpho in #57 (December 1964-January 1965) and a pair of issues that banded together the young sidekicks of DC's great heroes, soon forming the Teen Titans for a spin-off of their own[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). The issue index shows the pattern concretely: #50 paired Green Arrow and the Manhunter from Mars, #54 (June-July 1964) featured Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Robin, and #57 introduced Metamorpho[4](https://dcuguide.com/Brave_and_the_Bold_Title_Index).
## 1967-1983: Batman on board
Thanks to a national "Batmania" inspired by the debut of the [Adam West](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-west) television series in 1966, the team-ups became exclusively Batman-centric with issue #67. By most accounts this is the best-known period of the title's legacy, and it paired the name ideologically with Batman ever since[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). Issue #85 featured a dramatic redesign of Green Arrow by [Neal Adams](https://www.edgepedia.org/neal-adams), where the character's modern personality and aesthetic, beard included, began coming into place[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). Haney remained the main writer through issue #157, after which a rotating creative team took over[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
The Batman team-ups ran until 1983, when the series concluded with issue #200[7](https://atomicavenue.com/atomic/TitleDetail.aspx?HO=0&IS=1&M=1&PN=2&RE=0&TitleID=1666). The final issue teamed the two Batmen of Earth-One and [Earth-Two](https://www.edgepedia.org/earth-two), and its conclusion advertised the replacing book, *Batman and the Outsiders*, a new superhero team featuring Batman as its leader[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold) • [3](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Brave_and_the_Bold_Vol_1).
In 1978, around the release of the first Superman movie, DC launched *DC Comics Presents*, a sister series focused on Superman teaming up with other heroes; it ran 97 issues until 1986[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
## Revivals, 1991-2009
In 1990, Mike Baron and Shea Anton Pesa had introduced John Butcher, a Native American vigilante, in his own series. To promote the character, *The Brave and the Bold* was revived in 1991-1992 as a six-issue series co-written by [Mike Grell](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-grell), placing the new antihero in the [DC Universe](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-universe) by teaming him with Green Arrow and the Question[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
In 1999-2000, with the Flash and [Green Lantern](https://www.edgepedia.org/green-lantern) mantles held by [Wally West](https://www.edgepedia.org/wally-west) and Kyle Rayner, Mark Waid and Tom Peyer wrote *The Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold*, a throwback series exploring the partnership of Hal Jordan and Barry Allen; the 2002 Justice League episode "The Brave and the Bold" paid tribute to that team-up[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
A new ongoing *The Brave and the Bold* launched in 2007, written by Mark Waid with art by George Pérez and Bob Wiacek, opening with the storyline *The Lords of Luck*, later collected as a softcover graphic novel[5](https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-04-24/the-brave-and-the-bold-explores-the-outer-limits-of-a-team-up-title). When J. Michael Straczynski took over the team-up stories in 2009, he deliberately alternated obscure DC characters with popular ones and nearly dropped Batman altogether[8](https://theslingsandarrows.com/team-ups-of-the-brave-and-the-bold/).
## Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2023)
In 2023 DC launched *Batman: The Brave and the Bold*, an anthology reconnecting to the title's roots, with a lead story highlighting Batman and an eclectic collection of backups[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold). Its first issue carried "The Winning Card" by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, a four-part retelling of the first clash between Batman and the Joker, collected from issues #1-2, #5, and #9[9](https://neonichiban.com/series-run/1732/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold/issues) • [10](https://static.dc.com/2023-10/DCConnect_42.pdf). The series ran from July 2023 to February 2025 across 74 issues[11](https://www.comics.org/series/200392/), and later collections such as *Tomorrow's Heroes* gather stories pairing Batman with Nightwing, Deadman, Booster Gold, Wonder Woman, and Zatanna[12](https://prhcomics.com/book/?isbn=9781799506751).
## Screen adaptations
The name is also carried by the animated series *Batman: The Brave and the Bold*, which adapted the team-up premise for television and spawned a video game, two tie-in comics totaling 38 issues, and a Scooby-Doo team-up movie[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold).
In January 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced that the next Batman film in the new DC cinematic universe would be titled *The Brave and the Bold*, a Batman and Robin story inspired by Grant Morrison's comic run, centered on Bruce Wayne and his son Damian, the assassin-raised Robin[13](https://apnews.com/article/320e0295e6fd450d00c80dfacebf54b6). Gunn later said the film "isn't the furthest along" project in the DCU and that plans have changed since its announcement; no release date has been set[14](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-movies/james-gunn-says-the-brave-and-the-bold-isnt-the-furthest-along-project-in-the-dcu-and-remains-tight-lipped-on-batman-casting-theres-people-out-there-i-think-about-but-lets-see-where-the-script-comes-in/) • [15](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-movies/james-gunn-confirms-dcu-batman-plans-have-changed-since-the-brave-and-the-bold-was-announced/).
## References
1. [The Brave and the Bold (1955 series), Grand Comics Database](https://www.comics.org/series/1098/)
2. [Alex Jaffe, "What's In a Name?: The History of The Brave and the Bold," DC.com, May 19, 2023](https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/05/19/what-s-in-a-name-the-history-of-the-brave-and-the-bold)
3. [The Brave and the Bold Vol 1, DC Database](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Brave_and_the_Bold_Vol_1)
4. [Brave and the Bold Title Index, DCU Guide](https://dcuguide.com/Brave_and_the_Bold_Title_Index)
5. ["The Brave and the Bold" Explores the Outer Limits of a Team-Up Title, DC.com](https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-04-24/the-brave-and-the-bold-explores-the-outer-limits-of-a-team-up-title)
6. [The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) details, Grand Comics Database](https://www.comics.org/series/1098/details/)
7. [The Brave and the Bold comic books from DC, Atomic Avenue](https://atomicavenue.com/atomic/TitleDetail.aspx?HO=0&IS=1&M=1&PN=2&RE=0&TitleID=1666)
8. [Team-Ups of the Brave and the Bold review, Slings & Arrows](https://theslingsandarrows.com/team-ups-of-the-brave-and-the-bold/)
9. [Batman: The Brave and the Bold issue list, Neon Ichiban](https://neonichiban.com/series-run/1732/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold/issues)
10. [DC Connect Collected Editions #42, October 2023](https://static.dc.com/2023-10/DCConnect_42.pdf)
11. [Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2023 series), Grand Comics Database](https://www.comics.org/series/200392/)
12. [Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Tomorrow's Heroes, Penguin Random House Comics Retail](https://prhcomics.com/book/?isbn=9781799506751)
13. [Gunn's new DC slate features Superman, Supergirl and Batman, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/320e0295e6fd450d00c80dfacebf54b6)
14. [James Gunn says The Brave and the Bold "isn't the furthest along" project in the DCU, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-movies/james-gunn-says-the-brave-and-the-bold-isnt-the-furthest-along-project-in-the-dcu-and-remains-tight-lipped-on-batman-casting-theres-people-out-there-i-think-about-but-lets-see-where-the-script-comes-in/)
15. [James Gunn confirms DCU Batman plans have changed since The Brave and the Bold was announced, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-movies/james-gunn-confirms-dcu-batman-plans-have-changed-since-the-brave-and-the-bold-was-announced/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Visual arts and design › Illustration and illustrators › Comic books and characters › Comic book series and storylines*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license