Top 5 Team-Up Books: The Brave and The Bold

The best team-up book in my personal top 5 will come as no surprise and is The Brave and The Bold,

1 - The Brave and The Bold (DC Comics)

Brave and The Bold #50 (October/November 1963)
Art by George Roussos

Launched in August 1955 as an adventure comic by legendary writer/editor Bob Kanigher, the comic went through many changes of direction and famously launched the Justice League of America in #28 (February/March 1960) under the editorial direction of Julius Schwartz.  The team-up concept was suggested to an incoming editorial team of Murray Boltinoff and George Kashdan by Bob Haney and first appeared in #50 (October/November 1963).

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Marvel Two-in-One

In Silver medal position in my run down of my personal list of the top 5 team-up books, just edging out Marvel Team-Up, is Marvel Two-in-One starring the ever lovin', blue-eyed, idol o' millions, Benjamin Grimm.

2 - Marvel Two-in-One (Marvel Comics)

Marvel Two-in-One #1 (January 1974)
Pencil Art by Gil Kane, inks: John Romita

The concept of a Thing team-up series originated with Marvel Feature #12 - #13 (September 1973 - November 1973) and continued for 100 issues from January 1974 to June 1983.  I was lucky enough to pick up the first Marvel Feature issue that paired the Thing with the Hulk, how could I possibly pass up the opportunity to read a comic with a cover like this:

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Marvel Team-Up

Previously I have revealed the number 4 and 5 books in my personal list of top 5 team-up books: World's Finest Comics and Super-Villain Team-Up respectively. Now it is time for the book in the bronze medal position:

3 - Marvel Team-Up (Marvel Comics)

Spider-man with various co-stars
Art by John Byrne

Top 5 Team-Up Books: World's Finest Comics

The next title in my personal top 5 team-up books contained tales pairing the Dark Knight detective with the Man of Steel for most of its long history:

4 - World's Finest Comics (DC Comics)

World's Finest #207 (November 1971)
Pencil art by Curt Swan, inks: Murphy Anderson

Originating as World's Best Comics for one issue (Spring 1941) before assuming its long running title for 323 issues (Summer 1941 - January 1986) until Crisis on Infinite Earths killed it off.

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Super-Villain Team-Up

Whenever I could I would buy a team up book.  I loved reading about unfamiliar characters and how they interacted with more established heroes such as Spider-man or Batman.  If it was a Marvel Comic they would obviously fight first and then join forces to beat the villain.  If it was The Brave and the Bold, written by Bob Haney, all you knew was that absolutely anything could happen even if it contradicted everything previously written about a character. Here is the first of my top 5 team up books:

5 - Super-Villain Team-Up (Marvel Comics)

Pencil art by John Buscema, inks by Frank Giacoia