You call me "Jon" the Viking Prince! But who am I really? If Thorvald's dead, my true identity died with him! Yet, if he lives, I will make him speak! 
The Brave and the Bold #1 is an issue of the series The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1955.
Synopsis for Golden Gladiator: "The Thunder of the Chariots!"
In ancient Rome, a shepherd named Marcus stares into a fountain. From behind him, a centurion named Cinna ambushes Marcus and brings him before the Praetor Clodius Crassus. He accuses Marcus of trying to assassinate Crassus, even though it was actually Cinna and his men who tried to murder him. Marcus however, proves to be an apt patsy to cover up for Cinna's crimes. Praetor Clodius orders Marcus thrown into the slave galley. Aboard the galley, a Nubian lion escapes from his cage and begins attacking the crew. Marcus wrenches his slave chains from their moorings and uses them as a weapon against the lion. The ship's overseer is so impressed with Marcus' fighting prowess that he recommends him for gladiatorial combat. Marcus is brought back to Rome where he is forced to fight in the arena. His opponent Caius ensnares Marcus with a net then charges at him with his trident. Marcus is injured, but manages to catch the spear and turn it back upon his foe. The Praetor rules to spare Caius' life so that he can "burn with rage" against Marcus. Cinna makes Marcus fight a second time – this time against a charging bull. Cinna deliberately arms him with a faulty spear, hoping that the bull will kill him. The bull indeed breaks Marcus' spear, but the former shepherd still succeeds in conquering the beast. Marcus' next challenge is a chariot race. He races against a fellow gladiator named Cotta, and manages to unseat him with a hearty toss from his shield. Marcus manages to win the race, and is granted his freedom.
Appearing in Golden Gladiator: "The Thunder of the Chariots!"
Featured Characters:
- Golden Gladiator (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Clodius Crassus (Roman Praetor) (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Cinna (a Centurion) (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Caius (a gladiator) (Single appearance)
- Cotta (a chariot driver) (Single appearance)
- Crixus (a gladiator) (Single appearance)
- Lucia (Cinna's niece) (First appearance)
Locations:
Vehicles:
- Chariot
Synopsis for Viking Prince: "Battle for the Dragon Ship!"
In the year 964 AD, Norwegian fisherman Captain Olaf comes upon a young lad floating on a log at sea. He brings him aboard his vessel, but the youth has no memory of his true name or identity. Olaf and his men bring the youth to shore, where a man named Sardluk the spy watches them from afar. Sardluk recognizes the blond haired lad and reports back to his master Baron Thorvald. Thorvald is animated when he hears the news and orders his men to kill the boy. Sardluk's soldiers raid Captain Olaf's home, but the man fights back, ensnaring the soldiers with Olaf's fishing nets. He then picks up a stray sword and injures Sardluk. The boy has no idea why he is so proficient with a blade. Sardluk and his men run off, but promise to return to finish the job. Captain Olaf's daughter Gunnda is so impressed with the boy's bravery that she names him Jon the Viking Prince, after a famed Viking hero. A few days later, Baron Thorvald learns that Olaf's men have put to sea, and orders his dragon ship to give chase. As the dragon ship overtakes Olaf's fishing vessel, Jon has the Captain load him onto a spring-loaded harpoon and fire him across to the other ship. Once on board, Jon swings across the mast, then tears through one of the sails with his sword. He fights valiantly against the Viking warriors, forcing Baron Thorvald to flee by diving off his own ship. Jon is concerned that the Baron had information concerning his true identity and fears that he will never learn the truth about his own mysterious past.
Appearing in Viking Prince: "Battle for the Dragon Ship!"
Featured Characters:
- Viking Prince (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Captain Olaf (a fisherman) (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Thorvald (a Viking Baron) (First appearance)
- Sardluk (a spy) (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Gunnda (Olaf's daughter) (First appearance)
Locations:
Vehicles:
- Baron Thorvald's Dragon Ship
- Captain Olaf's fishing vessel
Synopsis for Silent Knight: "Duel in Forest Perilous"
In Medieval England, a jousting tournament is taking place between two rulers, Sir Oswald Bane and Sir Edwin Kent. When Kent's Lance strikes against Bane's armor, the lance shatters as if made of rotted wood. When he and Bane then duel with swords, Kents weapon becomes slack, and he is dealt a fatal blow.
Brian Kent, Edwin's son, rushes to his father's side. With his dying breath, Edwin tells him that he will soon come of age that he can rule alongside Sir Oswald, as a just and merciful ruler. Oswald offers his sympathy to young Brian, lamenting that such an accident had to happen. Brian is not sure it was an accident, however. He soon becomes apprenticed to the knights and is trained by his father's friend, Sir Grot. Though Brian seems to be excelling in his training, Grot, strangely, keeps informing Bane that he is talent-less and a waste of time. One day, while Grot starts Brian on Hawkery training, Sir Bane's favorite hawk, Slasher, escapes out of the exit, and Brian gives chase. Slasher leads Brian into the Perilous Forest, so named because of the dangers that await within. When he catches up to Slasher, Brian finds him perched on a branch where a marvelous shining suit of armor, sword, and shield hung as if waiting for him. Suited in the armor, Brian follows the path back where he sees a young woman and her father being harassed by Oswald's men. Staying silent, so as not to give his identity away, Brian comes to the travelers aide, fighting off the other knights attacks, with Slasher assisting with his talons. His refusal to speak earns him the title of Silent Knight by Bane's men. Soon, Brian has warded off all the others and they retreat into the woods. He escorts the girl and her father back to the castle where they will be safe, then Brian returns to the forest, hiding his armor where he found it, until he needs it again.
Back at the training camp, Sir Grot complains that while Brian was out cavorting with hawks, word that a mysterious Silent Knight has been seen around the kingdom. Brian just shrugs and returns to his duties.
Appearing in Silent Knight: "Duel in Forest Perilous"
Featured Characters:
- Silent Knight (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Sir Grot (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Sir Oswald Bane (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Slasher (a hawk) (First appearance)
- Lady Celia (First appearance; unnamed)
- Celia's Father (First appearance)
- Sir Edwin Kent (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
- England
- Greystone Castle
- Forest Perilous
Items:
- Silent Knight's Sword and Armor
Notes
- "The Thunder of the Chariots!" and "Battle for the Dragon Ship!" were reprinted in DC Special #12 and Best of the Brave and the Bold #1.
- "Duel in Forest Perilous" was reprinted in DC Special #12.
- The Viking Prince, Captain Olaf, Gunnda, Sardluck and Thorvald all appear next in The Brave and the Bold #2.
- While the adventures of the Silent Knight are sometimes placed in the context of the age of King Arthur, nothing in this issue's story refers to the Arthurian legends.
See Also