Review- BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD- THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD- THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 (DC, First Printing, 2017; Hardcover)

Collects The Brave and the Bold #74-109 (core stories only; none of the back-up stories are included) (cover dates November, 1967- November, 1973)

Writers: Bob Haney, Mike Sekowsky, and Denny O'Neil

Artists: Pencilers- Ross Andru, Neal Adams, Mike Sekowsky, Bob Brown, Irv Novick, Nick Cardy, Carmine Infantio, and Jim Aparo; Inkers- Mike Esposito, Jack Abel, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Vince Colletta, Irv Novick, Joe Kubert, Nick Cardy, Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, and Frank McLaughlin

DC has really closed the quality gap when compared to Marvel's Omnibus editions. I prefer the paper stock that DC has been using over the decontented stock Marvel has been using in theirs for the past few years. The binding, while stiffer, feels sturdier than Marvel Omniboo. We'll see if it develops Omnibus sag like the older Marvel ones do. Both companies have cheapened the hardback boards and casewrap.

Awful gradient shading. 

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials used in physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

Issue 84 had a two page spread which was broken up on pages 265 and 266. While it is a subtle spread Bruce Wayne's head does continue across both pages in the original issue. This effect is ruined in this book.

Linework and Color restoration: Hit and miss when it comes to the coloring. Some of the restoration work has been repurposed from the Legends Of The Dark Knight: Jim Aparo hardcover and the Diana Prince, Wonder Woman trades. Those issues have awful, lazy gradient shade blends. While subtle to normal humans, they stab into my eyes like hot needles.

The issues which were freshly recolored for this book (INCLUDING the Neal Adams ones!!!) look terrific. Those of us who suffered through Adams' George Lucas Special Edition bastardization of these issues in those Batman By Neal Adams line can rejoice in the fact that history has been corrected.

Scan of the original comic.

Restoration found in this book.

The linework is very good throughout, although I did not go page by page and panel by panel. I might have missed something, but the handful of spot checks that I did looked good. 

Paper stock: I love the matte coated stock DC uses in their Omniboo. Top shelf stuff.

Binding: While the sewn binding is stiffer than Marvel's, the book as a whole feels sturdier.

Dustjacket and Hardback cover notes: The dustjacket has glossy lamination. The casewrap of the hardback is the sole drawback here, as it feels cheap.