Brave or the Bold: Comparing the 'Team-Up' Comics...

 

Redartz:  One feature of comics in our beloved Bronze Age was the popularity of "team-up" books. And yes, I know that the concept existed back in the Silver Age in the form of DC's "Brave and the Bold". Nonetheless, it wasn't until the 70's that you found multiple such titles on the spinner racks. And therefore the 'Team up' comic became as much a Bronze age touchstone as Giant Size comics, Treasury Editions and Hostess Ads.

Between Marvel and DC, there were four 'biggies' that exemplified the genre. Of course the aforementioned "Brave and the Bold" was one, and DC added later "DC Comics Presents". Marvel offered "Marvel Team-Up", and "Marvel Two-in-One". Perhaps a bit less imaginative than DC's titles, but the names certainly told you what you could expect to find between the covers. 

And speaking of covers, below you'll find four groups of covers, representing some of each title's notables. Accompanying these will be a few comments from your humble host about these series.   So buddy up and let's have a look...

 Brave and the Bold

 "B & B" debuted back in 1955, and for years presented various adventure features and rotating headliners. One noteworthy issue was number 28, in which the Justice League of America first appeared! But a few years later, in 1963's issue 50, B & B gave us the first team-up story, with Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter. Various heroes were paired, but by 1966 Batman became the 'host' of the book (no doubt due to the influence of the then-current Batman tv series). And Batman spent the remainder of the series' run teaming with almost everyone imaginable, including the House of Mystery!

Bob Haney wrote most of them, but other writers jumped in later in the book's run. Artists included Ramona Fradon, Carmine Infantino, Neal Adams and Jim Aparo, among others.

Marvel Team-Up

Marvel entered the team up niche in 1972, giving Spider-Man a second book. For the most part Spidey hogged the limelight, but a few issues teamed other characters, primarily the Human Torch and the Hulk. Efforts were made, with varying levels of success, to mesh "Team-Up" storylines with the current ones in "Amazing Spider-Man". I personally enjoyed MTU, but seldom found it as readable as Amazing. One exception to that was the phenomenal Chris Claremont run, with frequent great art by John Byrne. 

Other writers included Gerry Conway, Len Wein, J.M. DeMatties and Bill Mantlo. Among the illustrators were Jim Mooney, Sal Buscema (who did a BUNCH),  and Kerry Gammill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel Two-in-One

Starting in 1973, everyone's favorite rocky orange Thing appeared in this title, giving bashful Benjy a spotlight outside of the Fantastic Four. Unlike Spider-Man, Ben Grimm never departed from the book (until it's cancellation and replacement with the Thing's solo title). He got to join forces with most everyone in the Marvel universe, including some appearances by his FF teammates. And the occasional crossover with Spider-Man was a big treat, especially the truly classic MTIO Annual 2.

Writers included Steve Gerber, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Bill Mantlo and Mark Gruenwald. Artists appearing were Ron Wilson, Sal Buscema, John Byrne and George Perez, among others.

 

 

 

 

 

DC Comics Presents

It seems odd that it took so long, but DC finally gave the Man of Steel a Team-Up venue in 1978, in the form of DC Comics Presents. Superman got to join up with a vast array of guest stars, right up until the book's cancellation (kind of like the Thing in MTIO; except in the case of Superman his team-ups just shifted over into the John Byrne reboot of Action Comics). One short run of this book had Jim Starlin scripts and artwork, and was a definite high point. Among the writers were Martin Pasko, Len Wein and Denny O'Neil and Gerry Conway. You found art by the likes of Jose Luiz-Garcia Lopez, Joe Staton, and Rich Buckler. Interestingly there were numerous issues in which the guest star's reknowned creators were featured on this book, such as Alan Moore writing a Swamp Thing shot, and Keith Giffen doing Ambush Bug...

 

 

 

 

 

Sooooo, now it's time for your input. What series did you follow? Which do you consider more successful, which had the best stories and art? Which particular stories did you enjoy, which guest stars did you most anticipate? Any that didn't make the cut but should have? We're teaming up; I got things started and you get to take it from here!

 

The Brave or the Bold: "...Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!"

Redartz:  Good day, and welcome! One of the great strengths of the medium of comics is the versatility it displays. No less than film, books or television, comics can entertain, educate, shock, inspire, tug at the heart and tickle the funny bone. It's the last two that we are dealing with this time.

More specifically, the subject is to consider the ability of our favorite characters to star in both stories  of drama and stories of humor (hence our title above, with a nod to Steven Sondheim). I'm sure that all of us could , given a character, come up with a stirring dramatic story featuring said character. The challenge is to also recall an entertainingly humorous tale as well! As an example, I'll start off. And the subject of my picks are my old favorite, Spider-man.

Spider-man is ideally suited for this subject. At various times, and by different creators, the character has ranged from comic to tragic, usually blending both in the same story. Some of you may bring up other examples from Spidey's backstory, but I'm going with "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" as my dramatic entry. A short story, half of ASM 248; but with volumes of impact. Without spoiling anything (in case any of you haven't read it), the story tells of Spider-man's meeting with a young fan. The tale, by Roger Stern , Ron Frenz and Terry Austin, perfectly captures the essence of Peter Parker's heroism and humanity. And I defy you to read it without getting a lump in the throat before you're through.









 
On the other hand, my humorous pick is a comical gem. "Untold Tales of Spider-Man" Annual from 1996, by Kurt Busiek, Mike Allred and Joe Sinnott, is a perfect example of Spidey's capacity for fun. The story of Peter's date with Sue Storm caps a hilarious battle of egos between Pete and his friendly nemesis, the Human Torch. Some of you might recall that I did a full review of this book some time ago; the book is worth another mention. Brilliantly written, and perfectly illustrated, "A  Night on the Town" is guaranteed to give the reader a giant size dose of laughs.
And that's just one (two, actually) example of a character who carries tears and laughter equally well. What others can you think of?

The Brave Or The Bold: Comic Book Archers!

Martinex1: Today let's discuss comic book archers!  Who is your favorite; what are the greatest story lines; who has the most engaging characteristics; who is the best?

Hawkeye started out as a villain but became an Avenger, a West Coast Avenger, and even a Great Lakes Avenger and a Thunderbolt!  Clint Barton has been a carnival trick artist, an enemy of Iron Man, and a friend, follower and thorn-in-the-side of Captain America.  He and Mockingbird were married. He is sarcastic, bold, cunning and charismatic.

Green Arrow has been a mainstay of the DC Universe for decades.  He has been a member of the Justice League of America and partnered in a memorable series with Green Lantern.  Oliver Queen was a rich industrialist and a voice of the people.  He has had a long running relationship with Black Canary. He is outgoing, charming, brash, and sarcastic.

And there are others that can be considered as well.  There is Kate Bishop, the new Hawkeye!  And Connor Hawke, the replacement Green Arrow!  There is  Roy Harper, Speedy, or as he is known now - Arsenal!  There is Wyatt McDonald, the Squadron Supreme archer, who started as the other world's Hawkeye and eventually changed names to the Golden Archer (ugh!) and the Black Archer.  And also Archer from Valiant's Archer & Armstrong series!  I am sure there are others as well.

Who is the best archer! Let's compare and contrast, and share your thoughts today about the bow-and-arrow comic book crowd!