Brave and the Bold - Issue 28

Featuring the twin menaces of Starro the Starfish Conqueror and Snapper Carr

The Justice League (aka the Justice League of America, aka the JLA, aka Justice League International, aka Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)) is a collection of the DC Universe's greatest heroes (and also Green Arrow).

I talked about why I love the JLA in this piece here. Now I’m breaking down each and every issue of the comic book, from their very first appearance, with Atom-sized summaries. Enjoy!

Brave and the Bold - Issue 28

Starro the Starfish Conqueror making his (her? its?) debut in Brave and the Bold 28

It’s the Justice League’s first appearance! They’re up against Starro, the original and best Justice League villain. Assuming you define ‘best’ as ‘most starfishy’. Starro’s a giant intelligent alien starfish who absorbs the brain power of humans by sticking starfish spores on their faces. So, y'know, evil and gross. The two entities face off to see who’ll triumph and get their own spin-off book that will spawn the Silver Age of comics. (Spoiler: it's the JLA, no thanks to Supes and Bats, who tap out of this adventure and instead leave the day-saving to an improbable finger-snappin’ teen named Snapper Carr!)

Fun With Comics!

MVP

It’s The Flash. Check out this panel where he treats Snapper’s gibberish talk with the utter contempt it deserves. Now, that man is a hero.

In just sixteen words, Snapper squeezes in at least three pieces of hip lingo, each of which on their own would be sufficiently cringeworthy to power a Ricky Gervais comedy special

Top Panel

This is what kids of the 1960s were looking for in their comic book panels! Heroes emptying bags of lime, while other heroes blow it onto giant starfish from outer space.

Calcium Oxide = lime. That’s education in your comics, kids!!

Villain Cryptic Crossword Clue

This alien conqueror has put starfish all over your face. Or rats on your back (6)