JMS NAMED AS NEW THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD WRITER

[MattBrady]

As was announced at WonderCon in February, writer J. Michael Straczynski is now making his comic book home at DC Comics, writing two projects for the publisher. The first, Newsarama has learned, is The Brave and the Bold with artist Jesus Saiz, beginning in November.

While the acclaimed creator of Babylon 5 and writer for both screen and television was most recently exclusive to Marvel - staying six years on Amazing Spider-Man and working on other titles, including Thor and The Twelve, which he will continue writing – this will be his first major work in the DC Universe (not counting his Teen Titans Spotlight issue in 1987 or Babylon 5 comic projects at the publisher). Straczynski’s run on DC’s team-up series will begin following an arc written by Marv Wolfman.

“We wanted to give him free reign to really touch on as many characters as possible,” says DCU Executive Editor Dan DiDio when asked what went into the decision. “The way we’ve been playing The Brave and the Bold is the same way we’ve been playing Superman/Batman – that is, it fits into DCU continuity somewhere, but it doesn’t run with the current continuity. That way, we can tell the best stories possible with the characters.”

Case in point, Straczynski’s first issue, according to DiDio, features Batman teaming with the Jim Corrigan Spectre. But that’s not to say that Batman will be in every issue.

“We have a lot of plans that I can’t get ahead of, but as I said, Joe’s first story will be Batman, and then he’ll be examining different pairings of the characters in the near future,” DiDio says. “Batman will be prominent, but that’s not to say that he’ll be the sole star of the series.”

And what other characters will be seen?

“Joe gave us a full checklist that ran the gamut from the most recognizable to the most obscure characters that we have in the DCU,” DiDio says. “But what we’re really trying to do is to create an overall plan and theme and arc for the series, and while the first issue or two might be standalone and fun in their own right, there is a bigger story that will be rolling out in the series.”

Look for an interview with Straczynski soon on Newsarama about The Brave and the Bold

Related:

Straczynski's The Changeling Tapped For Cannes.

[xdemon]

Sounds like a good fit for him.

[odomirr]

WOOHOO!!!

Sounds good, hopefully he has more free reign here, the only main problems with his books is when editorial gets too involved.

[FluxCapacity]

Hmm so I guess Mark Waid is done with DC then? I gotta find it funny that Waid moves to write Spider-man and JMS will be writing Waid's old title. In any case I'm interested to see where JMS takes this.

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Straczynski’s run on DC’s team-up series will begin following an arc written by Marvel Wolfman.

Marvel Wolfman!

Now on a serious note. I am really excited about this. How long is Wolfman's arc? I didn't think he was the writer following Waid. Was I wrong?

I'm trying to decide if I should buy the issues between Waid and JMS. I was only buying Brave and the Bold for Waid and (more importantly) Perez. I'll buy JMS written issues. If the gap between the two is mostly/completely by Wolfman I'll just stick all the way through this.

[GratefulFred]

JMS on The Brave and the Bold seems like a perfect fit to me.
Looking forward to this.

[papafatass]

MARVEL WOLFMAN!!! LOL! Is that a hint at where he's going?

[durkadurka]

Originally Posted by Dan Didio

The way we’ve been playing The Brave and the Bold is the same way we’ve been playing Superman/Batman – that is, it fits into DCU continuity somewhere, but it doesn’t run with the current continuity. That way, we can tell the best stories possible with the characters.

And confuse the hell out of the readers.
I kid, i kid. But seriously, Batman did mention meeting the Legion in that recent preview for Action comics, so there is some overlap there.
I have not been enjoying The Brave and the Bold that much. Not sure why, because normally i love team-ups and Batman. Even Batman teaming up with Blue Beetle didn't do it for me. Maybe JMS will hook me.

[scottmdavis]

guess I keep getting it.

is ORdway gonna still be the artist?

[samnoir]

This should be interesting! I'm sure that JMS will be wanting to include Superman in the title at some point!

I think they should give him Superman/Batman as well.

___________________________________

RARE NEIL GAIMAN and DAVE MCKEAN BOOKS for sale on EBAY! SWEENEY TODD! ANGELS AND VISITATIONS! TRIDENT #1. WIINDOWS! VIOLENT CASES! WATCH ANNUAL! ASYLUM! SWAMP THING ANNUAL 6!

A HISTORY OF COMIC CHARACTERS: 1840s-1940s for sale on EBAY!
___________________________________

[Krypto]

Could be interesting, but I wish DC wouldn't be so keen to force JMS into the arc/trades structure; surely that's one of the factors that sent sales down in the superb Waid/Perez run - the promise of a year-long arc. Just give us great characters in one or two part stories.

And really, not Batman in most issues (now Bat-MITE and the Spectre, that I'd go for).

I wonder if, in fact, the Jim Corrigan is coming back after the Reign in Hell mini, but DC can't say that yet.

[Dreighton]

You just saved me $3! JMS is an ok writer when he doesn't have to deal with continuity. One of the big draws of Brave and the Bold has been how the story has played knee deep in the DCU. While not continuity driven it has been history driven.

Sad....it got off to a great bang. Like far too many titles put out today, the initial idea is great, then it peters out, and should have been a maxi.

[Dave Phelps]

Originally Posted by POWRSURG

Marvel Wolfman!

Now on a serious note. I am really excited about this. How long is Wolfman's arc? I didn't think he was the writer following Waid. Was I wrong?

This is the first I recall hearing about Wolfman's story.

Anyway, Waid's last issue will be #16, in August. If JMS is starting in November, then Wolfman's story will be two issues long unless they increase the publication frequency for the duration of the story.

[Grievous]

sounds decent, i'll give him one issue to win me

[reflecto]

Oh, goodie...
More exposure for Batman...
You never see that guy anywhere.

[chap22]

so now we're doing stuff SO far out of continuity that we're using the Corrigan Spectre? the one that hasn't existed in well over a decade? DC better PRAY that JMS's personal fan base is as big as they think it is, or this book is doomed. b/c unless Batman IS in every issue (and that MAY not help), ongoing out-of-continuity books just don't sell. take a look at any of the Confidential/Classified books for proof of that.


gah. another of my favorite books becoming unrecognizable to me...

[cpahl2000]

Since OMD I´ve lost total interest in JMS´ work but I think Brave and the Bold will be good for him and I hope be good for us, the readers.

[EyesBL7]

2 words....... BAT TOTEM!

[tridon]

I hope JMS writing two projects for DC won't effect his Thor series. I really love him on there. Yes, I know he's said that he's on that title for the long-run but really, if someone waves enough money in your face, things can change pretty quickly.

[Dr. Crane]

Oh hell why not. Good writer... written some pretty damn good titles.
So is he off Thor now I wonder?
Funny, I dropped this title as soon as I heard Perez was leaving (knowing that Waid wasn't far behind) but I've still been picking it up anyways off the shelf -- and it's actually better now than it used to be.
Looks like now I'll be adding it back on my pull-list!

[NatePetrelli]

Originally Posted by Didio

“We wanted to give him free reign to really touch on as many characters as possible,” says DCU Executive Editor Dan DiDio when asked what went into the decision. “The way we’ve been playing The Brave and the Bold is the same way we’ve been playing Superman/Batman – that is, it fits into DCU continuity somewhere, but it doesn’t run with the current continuity. That way, we can tell the best stories possible with the characters.”

.

best stories possible aren't possible with current continuity then?

[I-Ching]

I have to say I'm a bit disappointed that he's not taking on a Superman solo title or something of that nature.

Brave & The Bold imho is merely a "team up" title which can be fun but I've never been compelled to pick it up. I'm still not.

Of course see the creative derailment JMS had on Spidey he might be better off not jumping on another icon title for a long period of time.

Still, I'd love to read him on The Legion of Superheroes.

[ejulp]

I'm there...this should be fun...the 12 and Thor have been great.

[Rollo_Tomasi]

Originally Posted by FluxCapacity

Hmm so I guess Mark Waid is done with DC then? I gotta find it funny that Waid moves to write Spider-man and JMS will be writing Waid's old title. In any case I'm interested to see where JMS takes this.

this even more interesting considering the shot Waid took at JMS at NYCC about Spider-man.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Brave & Bold? Didn't see that one coming..... But it's a great fit.

I was really hoping Da Ordster would still be the artist though!