DC Comics saved their biggest announcement for last at WizardWorld, announcing at the late afternoon Green Arrow panel that the entire creative team on Green Arrow, will leave the series to relaunch a monthly The Brave and the Bold series for DC next year – the first time DC has had an ongoing Brave and the Bold series since 1983.
The move will come shortly after the conclusion of the twelve-issue “Quiver” story arc, according to series editor Bob Schreck. At the panel, Smith speculated the team would leave somewhere between issues #14 and #16.
The new incarnation of The Brave and the Bold will not be the monthly “Batman and…” series it had been for the bulk of the original series run. Rather, the series will be Smith’s opportunity to play with the entire DC Universe, teaming whichever characters he chooses in single issue or multi-part stories. Smith sees the new incarnation of the series as a return to the original concept of The Brave and the Bold, which instead of strictly limited to “Batman and…” was two or more heroes teaming up for a story.
Historically, the original The Brave and the Bold series brought together groups of heroes that later spun off into their own team books, including the Suicide Squad, the Justice League, and the Teen Titans. The “hero team-up” concept began with issue #50, which, coincidentally enough, starred Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter.
Schreck told Newsarama that the idea for relaunching the series came just prior to Smith’s signing appearance at the DC booth at the recent San Diego Comic Con. According to the editor, Smith asked Schreck if he could do such a project, Schreck walked over to DC Publisher Paul Levitz on the spot and asked, Levitz said yes, and the ball started rolling.
According to Smith, he got the idea when writing the issues of Green Arrow that had Batman as a guest star. Logically enough, Smith explained the first story arc will be Green Arrow and Batman, while much of the series will feature Green Arrow and Batman working together.
While it’s still too early for the team to be settling on many other specific characters, penciling Phil Hester told Newsarama that he’s extremely excited about the project and is anxious to explore the “darker corners” of the DCU. Hester also mentioned he has a particular affection for the DC’s Ragman character.
A new creative team for Green Arrow has not been named.
Smith said that Conner Hawke, Oliver Queen’s son will be appearing in the “Quiver” storyline where he plays a major role.
Smith couldn’t come up with any characters by name who would appear in The Brave and the Bold aside from Green Arrow and Batman, but did express his interest in using obscure characters. He did joke that the Haunted Tank would team with Batman.
When asked about new View Askew projects, such as the previously announced Bartleby and Loki and Mallrats projects, Smith said that he hasn’t written either project yet, but has plot outlines and ideas on paper. Smith said he’d eventually get around to writing them when his schedule allows.
This one sounds like another big winner, and is going to be highly anticipated next year. Count on it setting sales records and being a HUGE seller. We’ll keep you posted as we follow this project through development.
