Set Description:
Once upon a time, The Brave and the Bold was NOT a Batman team-up title, nor another showcase type title (I mean, DC had Showcase after all). In the beginning, The Brave and the Bold was an anthology series...and it existed that way from August/September 1955 to July 1959.
In those years, the title featured NO superheroes, but rather stories of characters from yesteryear.
Brave and the Bold #1 started out with the trio of the Golden Gladiator, The Silent Knight and the Viking Prince. Issue #5 added adventures starring Robin Hood to what initially started out as three stories per book.
Overall, the Viking Prince appeared in 23 of the 24 issues, while the Silent Knight was in the first 22 issues. Robin Hood appeared in 11 of the issues and the Golden Gladiator was in 5 of the first 6 books and then disappeared from the title.
The Brave and the Bold was initially synonymous with Irv Novick, with his having penned the first 21 covers. Joe Kubert took over the cover duties for the final 3 issues of this set (Jack Adler was also involved as a co-contributor on a few books.
These early issues are extremely hard to find in certified grades at 9.0 or above. In fact, as of early June 2022, the total copies of ALL issues in this mini-run that are graded by the CGC at 9.0 or better is only 33.
Generally, most of these issues have only around 30-40 copies certified in total - adding to their rarity, not just in high grade.
Currently, my set includes 9 issues which are highest graded. Of these 9 highest graded issues, 5 of them are single highest graded. My lowest graded issue is B&B#2 at a CGC 7.0, while my highest graded issue is B&B#10 at a CGC 9.6 (the earliest issue to be graded at this level...and the only copy in this run graded 9.6 or above).
Interestingly, in the twelve month period of June 2021-22, a number of high grade copies were certified by the CGC (after a few years of little change). Just twelve months prior I had 11 highest graded copies (which included 8 single highest graded). I only managed to upgrade one issue in that time period, with my winning the B&B#10 9.6 in June 2022. Seems like a raw collection came out of the woodwork and was submitted to the CGC. How many more out there are like that I have to wonder?
Anyway, as of 2023, this is my collection. I'm pretty happy with where it's at...well, if I come across a nicer copy of B&B#18, I'd probably look to upgrade it...
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 1 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0330821001
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Owner Comments
Comiclink auction win from May 2018. While not the best certified copy out there...there are only two better at an 8.0 (one of which was newly certified in 2021/22). Trust me when I say that this is a hard book to come by in this grade (as it is the only 7.5 in existence).
Regarding the book itself, if you like first appearances, look no further! First appearance of the Golden Gladiator, the Viking Prince and the Silent Knight, all of whom appeared in separate stories within this first issue. An added bonus to the first appearances is that all three characters appear on the cover!
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 2 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1970884017
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Owner Comments
Heritage auction win - March 2020. This copy is now tied for third highest graded on the census, with copies surfacing in the past couple of years which have been graded at an 8.0 and a 7.5. This copy is 1 of 4 books graded by the CGC at a 7.0...of only 47 total copies graded!!! Talk about scarce! Is there an ungraded copy out there above an 8.0? I'd sure love to see it if there is one. This book continues with the same trilogy of characters as B&B#1 - the Golden Gladiator, Viking Prince and Silent Knight - all appearing in separate stories once again. As far as the cover goes, the Viking Prince takes the honors for the cover solo this time around.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 3 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 3 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3770894004
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Owner Comments
ComicConnect auction win - April 2021. Sometimes you make things happen, sometimes you sit back and wait. I won my CGC 7.5 Rivercity Pedigree back in 2016. At the time of its acquisition, I was on the fence about trying to complete the entire title run. That copy was the tipping point as it turns out as I decided to take on the task. Almost five years later, two 9.0's appeared on the census...well they didn't both appear out of nowhere five years later, but at differing points over that period. ComicConnect offered one up in their April 2021 auction and I managed to win it. This copy trails only one 9.2 on the census.
This issue continues with tbe original anthology line-up of the Golden Gladiator, Viking Prince and the Silent Knight.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 4 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 4 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0913038009
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Owner Comments
Bedrock City Comics purchase - July 2018. These early B&B are just so scarce - especially graded. This is just one of only 36 copies graded by the CGC. It is the fourth consecutive issue featuring the Golden Gladiator, Viking Prince & Silent Knight. As of this writing in 2022, this copy (which used to be the single highest graded) is tied with one newly (2021/22) certified copy as HIGHEST GRADED on the census. This issue is the fourth one in the series to be drawn by Irv Novick.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 5 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 5 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0913038008
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Owner Comments
Bedrock City Comics purchase - July 2018. Once again, a rare entry in the B&B run, this copy is 1 of only 35 copies graded by the CGC. In the past twelve months (June 2021 to June 2022), 3 new copies were certified and my 8.0 was toppled from the top of the census (a position it had held for years) by an 8.5!!! What???? (Oh well).
As with issue #4, this was one of a number of early B&B books I bought in a bulk purchase from Bedrock City Comics that went a very long way into filling out my early B&B collection. I still can't believe someone else didn't snap them up before I did!
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 6 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 6 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2045611005
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Owner Comments
Ebay auction?!?? win - May 2021. Quite frankly, an ebay auction was the last place I thought I would find one of the three (then) highest graded copies on the CGC census, and yet, here we are. This was the last book I needed to complete my Brave and the Bold #1-24 mini-run!!! Ultimately, once I made the decision to complete this mini-run, it took me almost SIX years to get to this point. You can do it faster than I did, but I was trying to hold out for copies at the upper end of the census rather than just filling the holes as quickly as possible.
However, this copy represents another one of my books to have been supplanted from the top of the census in the June 2021-22 period as there is now a 9.0!!! on the census. I guess this makes my book tied with two others for second highest graded on the census as of June 2022.
Back to B&B#6...the was the LAST appearance of the Golden Gladiator in the series, having previously appeared in issues #1-4. The character wouldn't be seen again until DC Special #12 in June 1971...and that was a reprint of his B&B#1 story. It wouldn't be until All Star Squadron #54 in February 1986 that the character would appear in a new story. Of course, that appearance was not much more than a cameo as it was a Crisis storyline which involved upwards of fifty DC characters.
Also included in this issue were stories on Robin Hood and the Silent Knight (whom appeared on this issue's cover). The late, great Irv Novick (1916-2004) penned the cover (as he always did on these early issues).
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 7 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2006982003
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Owner Comments
Heritage auction win- November 2019 - tied with two others for HIGHEST GRADED on the CGC census at 8.5. As with a number of the other early B&B issues, there are under 40 certified copies (in this case, only 32 as of this writing). This is the second issue to feature Robin Hood, replacing 1 of the 3 original title characters. Issue #6 had no Viking Prince story while this issue had no Golden Gladiator.
Currently, I am missing a copy of B&B#6 - while there are only 35 certified copies of that book, I am holding out to try and acquire one of the three 8.0's or one of the four 7.5's currently in the census. I have far too many instances of upgrading issues multiple times, so I will do my best to try and minimize that when it comes to issue #6.
I will say that there is definitely some competition for these early B&B's - especially when we are talking books that are either highest graded or next to highest graded.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 8 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2032544002
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Owner Comments
Once again, in the twelve month period of June 2021-22, another high grade copy has been certified that has either exceeded or tied my copy. In this case, what was the single highest graded copy in June 2021 is now tied with one other copy for HIGHEST GRADED on the CGC Census. There are only 36 certified on the CGC census. Irv Novick was responsible for the cover for the 8th time, with the Silent Knight taking center stage this time around. I managed to snag this copy in the November 2019 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 9 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3999502002
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Owner Comments
ComicConnect auction win - March 2023. Three copies were certified by CGC in the June 2021-22 period and two of them bettered my existing book (which had been tied for second highest graded at the time, trailing a sole 8.5). New to the census was a 9.2 and another 8.5, making this one the SINGLE HIGHEST GRADED copy on the CGC Census!
I had picked up my old CGC 8.0 of this issue in the November 2019 Heritage auction... that was another huge day for my early B&B run collection, as I picked up my copies of #7-#10, #13 & #16 that day (some having since been upgraded). There were so many B&B's available that I couldn't win them all!
So, eventually the new 9.2 hit the auction market and with limited chances to add to/upgrade my collection in the last twelve months, this one was obviously on my radar (to be fair, I was pretty successful in 98% of those chances - only passing on a CGC 7.5 B&B#31 - which would fill a hole in my collection - because I felt/feel that a better copy is out there with my name on it). The closing price was at my absolute limit for what I was willing to pay...but the other bidder could likely see that based on my bid amount and they held off on one more bid...maximizing the amount I was willing to pay! It's not the first time that has happened, it won't be the last. I do like the ComicConnect bid process, however, in that it does ensure no last second snipe bids.
Irv Novick penned the Silent Knight cover.
As an aside, the back cover shows how times have really changed. You don't see ads like that anymore! In those days, kids could go "have fun" with their daisy, then relax afterwards with a few candy cigarettes.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 10 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4029065001
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Owner Comments
Heritage auction win - June 2022 - SINGLE HIGHEST GRADED copy on the census...with the next best a 9.4 (which I also owned). The book first came to my attention through an email inquiry to a dealer. I attempted to do a deal privately on it at the time, but the owner wanted to take the book to auction instead. As it turns out, my offer would've net the seller more money, but what can you do???
This book is the highest graded of any in the #1-10 range - narrowly beating out my 9.4 B&B#10. In fact, you won't find a higher (or equally) graded B&B book until you hit issue#28, where there is a 9.6 copy of the first appearance of the Justice League of America. I would love that book (but wouldn't love the price I would have to pay for it!!!)
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 11 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 11 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3753245006
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Owner Comments
Comicbook Addiction purchase - May 2021. Finally...got a high grade copy of B&B#11. At the time of this purchase, that left me needing only #6 to complete the #1-24 run. There is a CGC 9.0 in the census, but this copy is tied with four others at 8.0 for second highest graded on the census.
This issue features Robin Hood, Silent Knight and the Viking Prince (as it has for the past few issues).
I have to thank Danny for pointing me in the right direction for this book...this one and the B&B#13.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 12 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0779786010
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Owner Comments
Bedrock City Comics purchase - July 2018. There is only one copy graded higher (at 9.2) of the 28 that have been certified to date. This issue is the sixth one in a row to feature stories of Robin Hood, Silent Knight and Viking Prince (the Golden Gladiator having last appeared in issue #6). As with all the other issues to date, the cover artist was Irv Novick.
This purchase left only 2 in the pre-superhero era of Brave and the Bold that I had yet to acquire (#6 and #11). Of course, as you can tell my this set listing, those books were indeed filled finally.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 13 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3753245008
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Owner Comments
Comicbook Addiction purchase - May 2021. I had won a 7.0 of this book on Heritage back in late 2019. After talking with a fellow B&B enthusiast on the boards, I found my way to Comicbook Addiction where they not only had one of the two early issues I didn't have (#11), but they had an upgrade on the #13...and not only an upgrade, the the SINGLE HIGHEST GRADED copy on the census! A significant price was paid in both cases, but...here we are.
As of June 2022, with all of the HG early B&B's the hit the census, I'm quite surprised, frankly, that this book still retains the top certification. Seems like its just a matter of time...
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 14 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 14 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0913038005
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Owner Comments
Bedrock City Comics purchase - July 2018. This copy is one of only three at this grade...and it follows only one 9.4 on the census. This is only the third Robin Hood cover in the series to date (following issues #5 & #12). Irv Novick continues his streak of covers for the title, having penned all of them so far.
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| Slot: |
Brave and the Bold 15 |
| Item: |
Brave and the Bold 15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1054082002
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Owner Comments
Purchased from wwcomics - April 2016 - a nice copy of a book from 1958! In fact, to date there has not been another copy certified at a higher grade than this one. Based on certification numbers, this is the rarest issue in the #1-24 series, with only 24 books on the census. My copy, at an 8.0, is tied with three others for HIGHEST GRADED on the census.
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