With one magic word… six Captain Marvels?
Well, no, the sextet of colour-coordinated kids channelling the old wizard’s powers in DC’s latest Shazam series aren’t going by the traditional name. As we join them in this sequel to Geoff Johns’ 2011 Justice League back-up they’ve been operating in Philadelphia for a year and haven’t come up with a team term.
Technically, the lightning-transformed Billy has inherited the name ‘Shazam’ from the old wizard who granted him powers. He’s been sharing the elder’ powers with his five foster sisters and brothers, and has even had the odd adventure with the Justice League.
This isn’t your father’s Shazam comic. Or your grandmother’s. It’s the New 52 version, about which I’ve moaned previously. By all means, let’s have a comic about a diverse gaggle of youngsters, but why connect them to the original Captain Marvel? If Geoff Johns likes Billy, Mary and Freddy enough to pitch a strip about them, why stray so far from the traditional set-up?
Those questions remain. This isn’t the Shazam comic I want – that would be something like Grant Morrison’s Thunderworld. But for what it is, I rather enjoyed it. Billy is less obnoxious than in the Justice League shorts. The interaction between the six kids is fun. There’s an intriguing discovery. And the cliffhanger is a comic book classic.
I’m not keen on Freddy being so far removed from his classic look and character; instead of a plucky, polite, black-haired teen he’s an annoying blond bro. I hugely dislike Billy and Mary throwing magic spells around. And it’s weird that a bunch of bright, engaged kids haven’t yet decided on superhero names. But these are niggles, if we can’t have a classic Captain Marvel series right now, I’ll read this and see where it goes… who knows, Johns could be planning to have all three of the new kids – Eugene, Darla and Pedro – die in a horrible accident, with Freddy cutting his hair and dying it as a sign of mourning? Johns has form. But I hope not, the new kids are here and I like them; also, I want to see one of them go bad, it has to happen!
Illustrator Dale Eaglesham puts a lot of personality into the kids. Look, for example, at team muscleman Pedro trying Charles Atlas poses as he tackles some bank robbers. Observe Darla’s glee at having more agency than your average teenager. Mike Atiyeh’s colours are a true treat throughout, and the rainbow of costumes looks brilliant (presumably Billy and Mary having the same colour scheme is a clue to their so-far-undiscovered relationship). Rob Leigh never disappoints with his lettering, he’s especially terrific at title designs. The storytelling is great all round, a few tweaks – lose the cosmic bubbles from the chest symbols, delete foster dad Victor’s tragic chin hair, make Mary look a tad less sexy – and I’ll be a very Hoppy bunny.
Speaking of Hoppy, a version of the old Marvel Family character shows up in a sweet back-up by Johns with full-colour visuals by Maya ‘Sen’ Naito telling us Mary’s story. It’s good character work, presented in an artistic style that’s miles from the main strip yet equally attractive.
But, it shouldn’t be in here… the back-up pushes the price of this first issue up to $4.99, which is bound to stop a fair few people trying the debut issue. And while subsequent editions look set to be a more usual $3.99, I understand more shorts are coming; if they take pages away from the main strip, I’ll be disappointed. It would make sense to have Sen draw one connected story for each kid, leading up to a big finish, and place them all in a big, great-looking annual.
The digital edition gives me two covers – a personality plus schoolroom shot by Eaglesham and colourist Alex Sinclair, and a glorious image of Capt… Shazam by his Justice League delineators, artist Gary Frank and colourist Brad Anderson.
I was surprised that I was able to get over my entirely reasonable prejudices and enjoy this issue as much as I did. Anyone else?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
Captain Marvel pre-Crisis never clicked with me beyond Don Newton’s art. First it was too simple minded then too generic. Ordway’s book was well executed but it was too backwards looking for me. I did like when Freddie graduated up when Billy became the wizard but I think I’m one of six or so that did. This? I could enjoy it. Eaglesham knows how to tell a story and his faces and figure work do as much heavy lifting as the words. I even like Shazam being a team sport. One quibble and one apprehension though. I’d have liked the other kids to not have stolen so much panel space and slowly been added in. It feels like Whittaker’s Doctor Who where three new companions and a new Doctor all debuted together robbing them all of time to be fleshed out. The apprehension comes from this being Johns and someone is always beheaded, has a limb torn off, eaten alive, etc, and this is definitely the wrong property for that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Next issue, Mr Tawny! Skinned on Sivana’s wall…
My favourite Marvel Family stories are the Golden Age ones I’ve read, with the Ordway being a close second.
LikeLike
I hated this! One of the aspects of Shazam that always intrigued me was that he inherited the wisdom of a legendary hero, the strength and speed of gods, etc. The notion of the wizard, an immortal and wise being, would give power to this gaggle of idiot kids is something that does not sit well with me.
These aren’t heroes, these are posers. The art is bad, the story is bad, and they all transform right there in front of everyone and the teacher is still wondering where Billy is?
Not only is this not the Shazam I remember and love, but this is also not the Geoff Johns I remember and loved.
This is just bad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If memory serves, after Shazam gave the power to Billy, he shared it with the kids. It seems the kid who controls machines is deemed to have the wisdom. I dunno. A traditional Marvel Family book is definitely my ideal.
I’m surprised you don’t see anything good is the art!
LikeLike
I can understand not enjoying the art. Eaglesham is a very good artist, but he’s not my cuppa. His characters are too “lumpy” and “bulgey” for my liking.
However, if Johns can capture some of the magic he had in “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.” I’ll be pleased. He can do fun and heartfelt. He just seems to prefer the dark and morose time after time. This definitely isn’t what I want from a Shazam series (Art & Franco did it brilliantly by building on what Mike Kunkel started a couple years ago), but if Johns can reign in his bloodthirsty urges and concentrate on telling a story with heart, I’ll be happy enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could be being a bit harsh with the art, but i found myself bothered by it. It seemed rushed, messy, and just not the kind of art I appreciate in my comics. This is far too often a problem at DC. Marvel seems to have a better handle on their art, although Fantastic Four has been a huge miss in the art department.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe Johns will go that route, it could be these lands to be explored are made of Whimsy!
LikeLike
Boy, I wanted to like this more than I did. I like the updating of Billy’s family a lot — it’s miles better than Tall Billy, Hill Billy, etc. — but this issue just seemed too slight to me. I’m not sure I’ll be picking up the next issue…which is a shame. But maybe this one will be better read in trades for me.
LikeLike
I suspect next issue will be meatier. Probably Black Adam will eat one of the new kids…
LikeLike
Thanks for getting back as regards the art, Comics Geezer and Murray. Fantastic Four hasn’t been to my taste, and Marvel Two-in-One hashed some hideous illustrations of late.
I rebought all Stars and STRIPE in trade form, I’m looking forward to reading it again, I seem to recall it got a tad stabby towards the end.
LikeLike