Metamorpho Pt. 19: The Brave & the Bold #101

Title: The Brave & the Bold

Issue #: 101

Cover Date: April-May. 1972

On Sale Date: Feb. 3, 1972

Writer: Bob Haney

Artist: Jim Aparo

Editor: Murray Boltinoff

---

Investigating the death of Walter Bristoe, Batman discovers something from his secretary’s typewriter ribbon…

A killer in town? Nothing new for the Batman and Gotham City – but there’s a terrifying twist lurking in the shadows which resurrects for the Masked Manhunter an old ally and sends them both into the shock and the shame of…

Cold Blood, Hot Gun

.

Meanwhile, at the country estate of Simon Stagg…

Stagg has resurrected Metamorpho prematurely from his “cure” because his daughter, Sapphire, is in danger, her name appearing on the “death list” of a notorious hired killer.

.

Batman and Commissioner Gordon find nothing in common with the people on the list except that they all have money. However, there’s been no attempt at extortion. They’re up against a blank wall unless they can learn who hired the bounty hunter… and why.

.

After a failed attempt on Sapphire’s life which Metamorpho thwarts, the “honey-haired playgirl” finds herself with Bruce Wayne for the opening of bids for the purchase of the Fairbairn estate. Batman realizes…

Derwent Fairbairn hired Bounty Hunter to kill us all because he didn’t want the estate leaving the family! That third bidder who arrived… but I didn’t see…

In the action-packed climax, Bounty Hunter grabs Sapphire and runs, with Batman and Metamorpho in hot pursuit...

.

Notes

.

Any concerns about leaving Metamorpho high and dry at the unanticipated end of his comic's run evaporate with his resurrection in The Brave & the Bold #101. Although we've yet to see what happens after this appearance, the goofy 1960's Metamorpho seems to have graduated to the more serious 1970's Metamorpho.

.

Since it's been three years, we see a brief introduction to the character on page six:

These are the only plot points needed to move forward. Regardless of tone, they maintain the essence of the character and his situation.

.

The story doesn't read like it was written by Bob "Zany" Haney, but it's nice that he got to orchestrate Metamorpho's return. The art by Jim Aparo is simply breathtaking. He, of course, is one of the definitive Batman artists. You can tell from the few panels included here how amazing his work is.

.

Where does Metamorpho go from here? What tone will his stories maintain? Luckily, we'll soon find out, because...