Fun With Comic Books: Batman: The brave and The bold #1

The art is really good. This issue captures the art style of Darwyn Cooke that makes watching the Brave and the Bold series, Friday nights on Cartoon Network, so fun.
I also love the retro treatment of Lex Luthor being a mad scientist and not a Gordon Gecko archetype. But, I have a question for DC Comics. Power Girl is your first team-up in the new comic book adaption of the TV series? Really? She’s never even been on the show. Power Girl is also a virtual unknown to young readers. She's only been in cartoon form once, during an episode of Boomerang's Justice League Unlimited. also, Power Girl is known for her endowments and thus never really been considered a kid-friendly super-heroine.
I am at least glad her muddled origin did not get this book thrown into a big confusing mess. First, she's written as an alternate reality Supergirl. Then she becomes a literal hero without a country, until DC comics decided in the mid-eighties to make her a descendant of Atlantis. Now, it turns out her memories of Atlantis was all a dream and she in fact is really Superman's cousin. Believe, an origin as complicated as this is not easy for an adult to understand, much less kids. So, parents, be glad DC decided to omit it from this issue.
This is definitely a series for kids. While the TV show is also geared for kids, there is just enough kitsch to make it a fun ride down memory lane for folks like me. However, this comic is not anything like the series. Yes, Batman teams=up with other superheroes and yes, the art is practically the same. But, with a limit of 22 pages, all of the subtle nuances and inside jokes go out the window.
Parents, you’ll love this book. Little violence, some educational stuff about England is thrown in, and there is no sex or nudity. That's saying alot considering how the guest star is.
I just hope the story isn’t so lame that it prevents comic book loving kids from growing into geek collecting adults.

Recommended ages: 8-12.
Parent approved: YES!
Rating: G, some mild violence.
My rating: 5 out of 10 stars