Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
If you celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this week, keep that Irish spirit going into the weekend with a one-of-a-kind Batman and Wonder Woman tale! The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman is a decadent feast for the eyes from writer and artist Liam Sharp. Immerse yourself in Irish mythology alongside two of your favorite DC heroes as they investigate an otherworldly murder.
This 2018 limited series takes Wonder Woman and Batman to Tír Na Nóg, the wondrous land of youth in Irish fables. In this ethereal realm, our two heroes interact with beings of legend like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a mythical godlike race, and the Formorians, a monstrous supernatural race, as they search for the truth behind the death of the king.
Let’s take a weekend escape to this land of legend alongside the Dark Knight and Diana of Themyscira!
The Premise:
The Dé Danann and the Formorians, the faerie folk of Old Ireland, coexist in Tír Na Nóg in self-imposed imprisonment. As unrest between the old enemies builds over the centuries, Cernunnos Cernach, god of fertility and the hunt, eventually turns to Diana of Themyscira to broker a lasting peace. But tensions spill over when the Fomorian king dies under suspicious circumstances, and the faerie folk threaten to leave their exile for the mortal realm—which would have disastrous consequences.
At the same time, Batman notices a strange phenomenon occurring in the Irish Quarter of Gotham. Its residents have fallen into trances, paralyzed by visions of terrifying monsters. Batman investigates, but not even he is immune, and the Dark Knight barely escapes with his mind intact. When Wonder Woman seeks his help to search for the king’s killer, they discover that their missions are connected in unexpected ways…
Let’s Talk Talent:
Every panel on every page is a masterpiece from Liam Sharp. Sharp, who’s worked on everything from the biggest heroes of DC Comics to extraordinary Vertigo books like Testament, is a veteran penciller, colorist and cover artist. He adds limited series writer to his impressive list of talents with this unforgettable story of superheroes, gods and murder.
A Few Reasons to Read:
- Step into a land of legend. Chances are you’re not familiar with the figures of Irish mythology, like I wasn’t, and I can’t think of a better way to be introduced to them. The story itself describes who most of the characters from Irish myths are, either outright or through context, without explaining histories in intimidating blocks of text. Everything you need to know about these legendary gods and heroes can be found in the pages of this comic book, although you’ll likely end up wanting to know more about the real-world myths behind them.
- This is Wonder Woman at her core. Wonder Woman is a perfect fit for this story, and not just because she also has ties to ancient mythology. What Cernunnos wants for the people of Tír Na Nóg most is to live in harmony, and Wonder Woman is the embodiment of that dream. It’s sometimes easy to forget in all the big events and explosive action of the DC Universe that one of Diana’s core values is striving for peace, and this series is a wonderful opportunity for her to go back to her roots.
- Batman in a fur-collar cloak. Seriously, how has this not been added to his standard Batsuit yet? Forget his formidable exoframe armor or postapocalyptic duster with metal spikes. Batman wrapped in a heavy cape with a thick, fur-lined mantle is the best he’s ever looked. Dark Knight indeed.
- Get lost in the details. Just like the residents of Gotham, you might end up in a trance yourself as you study every line in Sharp’s stunning artwork. From every twisting branch of Tír Na Nóg’s gnarled trees to the intricate Celtic motifs in the headers and backgrounds, there is a staggering amount of detail in the pages of this book.
Why It’s Worth Your Time:
Don’t let yourself be daunted by the wealth of Irish mythology in this book! Sharp builds an incredible, magical world for Batman and Wonder Woman to traverse, and the familiar characters of Bruce and Diana give you a touchstone as you explore it alongside them. Add other classic characters Steve Trevor and Alfred Pennyworth, a twisting murder mystery and a formidable super-villain, and you’ve got a story of the brave and the bold for the ages.
Plus, as a bonus, you’ll probably end up going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole or two after you encounter some of the fantastical beings in this story. I personally recommend looking up the ancient Irish myth of Finn McCool. Yeah, he was McCool before it was cool.
The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman by Liam Sharp is available as a graphic novel collection in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com, and is the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on X at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @kelly-knox.com to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
