DCU Comic Book Reviews

The Brave And The Bold #13

American Samuroids

July 2008

Written by Mark Waid

Pencils by Jerry Ordway

Inks by Scott Koblish

Cover by Jerry Ordway and Scott Koblish

Synopsis

While investigating a murder, Batman is suddenly attacked by a “Samuroid.”  He is saved by the arrival of Jay Garrick (aka Flash), who once mentored the scientist that had been killed.  After dismantling the Samuroid, the duo learn that research had been stolen and the clues lead to Ad Postremo, a company that had been trying to buy supplies from Wayne Enterprises.  Elsewhere, T. O. Morrow improves upon his Samuroids with the stolen research, much to the delight of the Penguin.  However, Morrow still needs the supplies from Wayne Enterprises, but the Penguin has been unable to get them, even when attempts were made on Bruce Wayne’s life.  Meanwhile, Batman and Flash return to Wayne Manor, where Bruce acts as a decoy to lure out the Samuroids.  The plan works as Samuroids attack, but the Flash is waiting and is able to disable them.  They are then able to trace the Samuroids back to Morrow, who is able to escape, but Ad Postremo is ruined. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I think it is a testament to Mark Waid’s talents as a writer that not only did he pick the least-likely Flash for this team-up and make it work as well as he did, but he also managed to find a connection between the two heroes that gives the story more depth and resonance than a standard team-up.  To be honest, when I picked this comic up at the store, I saw “Flash” across the top and I thought it would be Wally.  When I realized it was Jay, I was impressed.  Usually Jay is saved from team-ups with the older heroes, such as Alan Scott or Wildcat or, more often than not, with one of the other Flashes.  More importantly than just picking Jay, Waid then works in the Flash legacy andcompares what Jay has done with his life Batman and what he has done with his sidekicks, Tim and Jay, giving the two characters a link in terms of the footprints they have left behind, or will leave behind.  It is great to see Flash talk about growing old and realizing that mentoring others is an investment to the legacy, especially knowing his role within the JSA and the legacy of Flashes in the DC universe.  That little bit of characterization adds to the story, which is so freaking awesome to begin with it is like putting the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae.  I mean, we’ve got Samuroids; how cool is that.  I love the manner in which Flash dismantles the Samuroids by essentially making them sick.  Moreover, I loved the moment when Batman calls him “sir,” a testament to Flash’s natural abilities as a leader and a teacher.  It is a great moment, topped by Batman’s perfect rejoinder to “not let go to your head.”  After the lackluster issues leading up to the finish of Waid’s 12-issue mega story, this one-and-done shows just how strongly this comic can be when the stories stand alone.  Great stuff. 

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