CGC Comics Registry Featured Set: JLA Brad Collects the Entire Brave and the Bold Series
Posted on 1/2/2024
One of the most overlooked and under-appreciated series of its time, DC Comics’ The Brave and the Bold offered many first appearances and key issues that any collector would love to have. This month’s featured registry set is Great White North Bold by registry member JLA Brad, who has collected all 200 issues of the first volume, which was published from 1955 until 1983.
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The Brave and the Bold was a long-running comic book series published by DC Comics that first debuted in 1955. The title was known for its unique format, which features team-up stories between different characters from the DC Universe. Over the years, the series has paired iconic characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash with lesser-known or guest heroes, creating unexpected and dynamic partnerships that captivate readers.
Arguably the most significant issue of the series was The Brave and the Bold #28 from 1960, written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Mike Sekowsky, which teamed up Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter for the very first appearance of the Justice League of America. JLA Brad has a CGC 9.0 copy of this amazing issue in his collection.
The series shifted to focus on various characters — heroes and villains alike — only teaming up with Batman, beginning with Batman and Green Lantern in issue #59 from 1965. The book became so closely associated with Batman that it was the title of a Batman animated series that ran from 2008 until 2011. “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” is also reportedly the title of an upcoming Batman film under the direction of James Gunn. JLA Brad’s example of this issue is graded CGC 9.8.
Other key issues in this month’s CGC Comics Registry featured set include:
- The Brave and the Bold #1 (CGC 7.5) – the debut issue in 1955
- The Brave and the Bold #25 (CGC 8.5) – the first appearance of the Suicide Squad
- The Brave and the Bold #30 (CGC 9.2) – the first appearance of Dr. Ivo and Amazo
- The Brave and the Bold #34 (CGC 9.4) – the first appearance of Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl
- The Brave and the Bold #54 (CGC 9.4) – the first appearance of the Teen Titans (unnamed)
- The Brave and the Bold #57 (CGC 9.8) – the first appearance of Metamorpho
- The Brave and the Bold #60 (CGC 9.4) – the first use of name ‘Teen Titans’
- The Brave and the Bold #200 (CGC 9.8) – the first appearance of the Outsiders
“After compiling and maintaining/upgrading a top-level full run of Justice League of America throughout the 2010s, I started to switch my focus to a different title, the Brave and the Bold,” wrote JLA Brad on the CGC Comics Registry set page. “I chose this title because in my efforts to complete a JLA run, I also had acquired the first three appearances of the Justice League of America in Brave and the Bold #28, 29 & 30. This seemed like a good starting point and when it became harder and harder … to fill the holes in my JLA collection or upgrade issues I already had, I started to look at Brave and the Bold ‘on the side.’ This led to me, at first, filling out a lot of the run on the later issues. But as time progressed, I started filling earlier issues and the run started to take shape.”
JLA Brad’s hard work has paid off with many terrific issues in this collection, helping to win the Best in Set Type Award from 2016 to 2023, and the Best Set Presentation in 2021.
About the CGC Comics Registry
The CGC Comics Registry is a place where comic book collectors come together to share their collections and knowledge with one another. It's a valuable resource for new collectors and experienced fans alike, with a wide range of collections on display. To participate, all you need is a free CGC Collectors account. The group is an online community developed to increase the choices, convenience and education available to collectors.
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