The Brave and the Bold #168

The Brave and the Bold #168, published in November 1980, reflects the transitional nature of DC Comics during the late Bronze Age. As the series was nearing its eventual cancellation in favor of the Batman and the Outsiders relaunch, this issue served as a showcase for the rotating team-up format that had become the title's hallmark. It features a collaboration between Batman and the Riddler, a departure from the traditional hero-and-hero pairing that often defined the series.

The creative team for this issue included writer Mike W. Barr and artist Jim Aparo, the latter of whom was instrumental in defining the visual language of Batman for a generation of readers. Aparo’s dynamic layouts and expressive character work were widely regarded as a high point for DC during this era, and his partnership with Barr remains a respected chapter in the series' history. The issue is noted by collectors for its exploration of the Batman-Riddler dynamic, balancing traditional crime-fighting with the intellectual puzzle-solving elements that characterized the villain's best appearances.