DCU Comic Book Reviews

The Brave And The Bold #18

Fathers...Part Two:  Controls

December 2008

Written by Marv Wolfman

Pencils by Phil Winslade

Inks by Phil Winslade

Cover by Phil Winslade

Synopsis

In Azarath, Supergirl is trying to resolve her father issues.  However, Raven interrupts to tell her they are needed on Earth.  At Sausalito State University, Supergirl and Raven encounter Jonathon Mitchell, who is connected to the Mento Project in search of his father, Triumph.  Raven telepathically links with Jonathon and learns that Triumph ahs been shifting in ad out of reality and each time he does, he takes a piece of his son.  Suddenly, Jonathon tries to steal Raven’s soul.  When Supergirl attacks him, he pulls them in a temporal matrix.  Jonathon then creates a vision of their fathers.  However, the duo break through the vision.  Turning the tables, Raven creates a vision of Triumph, who lashes out at his son for killing people.  Triumph then offers to take his son with him, providing his son give up his powers.  Jonathan agrees.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“He named himself after an insult comic dog?”

Hmm, there is something missing in this issue.  Up until about halfway through the issue, it builds nicely in terms of the relationship between Raven and Supergirl and their relationship with their fathers.  And the character of Johnny is established well enough, especially his relationship with his father.  I wonder what happened to his friends who helped him break into wherever he was breaking into, but ultimately I don’t think it is all that important.  Where the issue fails is the moment when Raven and Supergirl confront their fathers.  It may not be real inside the matrix, but it doesn’t lack any narrative oomph.  The vision is introduced and then beaten within the span of a couple of panels.  In contrast, Johnny is given three or four pages to reconcile with his father, which I can’t really disagree with in terms of the story structure, but it seems unbalanced when compared to the two characters who grace the cover.  The story is about them, not Johnny, and as such I think the resolution of the plot and story should’ve focused on the girls. 

Having said all that, I must admit that I like the last page with the brief bit of dialogue from the girls as they fly away.  IT was a good way to end the story. 

Comic Connection 

William McIntyre (aka Triumph) first appeared in Justice League of America, issue #92 (September 1994).  Triumph was a member of the Justice League Task Force and starred in his own Triumph comic in 1995.  Triumph eventually turned evil and was defeated by Spectre, who transformed Triumph into ice and was about to smash it apart but was stopped by Zauriel.

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