First appearing in Whiz Comics #2 (Feb. 1940) and later bought by DC, Captain Marvel was once even more popular than Superman and Batman. Young Billy Batson could speak the magic word; “SHAZAM!” and transform into the powerful hero with powers to rival Superman’s. He is sometimes referred to as “The Big Red Cheese”, a lighter take on the Man of Steel whose powers are derived from Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury, bestowed onto him by a powerful wizard. In an era when comics were predominately most popular with children, it served to young readers providing a kind of wish fulfillment, the same reason why Robin was introduced as Batman’s teen sidekick. Whiz Comics created the idea of young boy saying the magic word and becoming a superhero. Readers and fans latched onto the concept and even Elvis paid homage to the hero with his stage costume. Times have changed but Captain Marvel endured, remaining in the main stream where other magical based heroes were re-imagined during in the Silver Age of comics. Captain Marvel will always be a lasting reminder of a simpler time.
DC Comics have officially renamed Captain Marvel as Shazam as part of their 2011 relaunch; The New 52. For decades, science has ruled the world, but now magic is returning. Beginning from the back up stories of Justice League #7, we are introduced to a teenage Billy Batson, a foster child struggling to remain in a home. It’s a character trait that would garner sympathy for the teen but we quickly learn that he’s obnoxious, arrogant and a little bit troubled. In this revised origin he’s not very likable, which is easier to accept as a conventional type of kid that would be in an adventure story such as this opposed to the rather than the wise beyond his year’s radio personality of past iterations. Billy struggles adjusting to his new life, his new home, his foster parents, school and his foster siblings although he begins to become more likable and endearing. The story purposely takes its time developing Billy’s character. Most of his early interactions are with his new siblings, they've always played an important part in the character’s history. It places more emphasis on the new family dynamic between Billy and the others as well as effectively overhauling the mythology of the character.
Two of Captain Marvel’s best know villains are introduced. Dr. Sivana, a mad scientist type of character now depicted as a respected scientist desperate to save his family from an unknown plight. With science having failed him, he turns to magic and specifically the legend of Black Adam, the ancient but evil predecessor to Captain Marvel, the first to be endowed powers by the wizard but corrupted by them. Their connection takes inspiration from Shazam! #28 (1977) in which, Dr. Sivana is directly responsible for the resurrection of Black Adam. In true action adventure story telling style the big villain makes his debut before our hero prompting the wizard to bestow young Billy Batson with similar powers to help stop Black Adam.
After Billy is transformed into the wizard’s champion, he’s not quite sure what to do with his newly acquired abilities and doesn't fully understand or heed the Wizard’s warnings. Instead the self centered man child sets off doing what anyone in his situation would do in this modern day story. He concocts a money making scheme, pulls pranks and wishing to buy beer. It’s all short lived as he intervenes in crime after crime which was slightly unbelievable but, the moment I felt that way it was quickly resolved as the characters in the story even made the same point with a swift resolution. One of my favorite aspects of the character is that he’s a boy in a man’s body. He’s naive and when a young woman wants to repay for her rescue her real intentions go right over his head and asks for cash instead. It’s a fun and exciting story full of great moments. Despite the method that this story was originally presented it flows greatly and you don’t sense the start and end moments as you would in most graphic novels/trade paperbacks. It’s a lighthearted take, in a world full of superheroes getting darker, serious and more grounded in reality where their origins are that of circumstance and tragedy. Shazam! fully embraces its magical elements of the character and its world. Justice League #21 was a full issue given to the finale of this incredible story. Black Adam is a fascinating character with a complex but darker origin of his heroic counterpart and there final battle does provide enough action but the end satisfyingly leans more towards an emotionally-driven finale than an action oriented one, fully embracing the concept of family and the idea that it's "not what it should be, but what it can be." A theme that’s underlying throughout, that provides one of the best and most memorable moments of the entire story.
A new beginning for a classic character in this one shot stand alone origin tale before Shazam joined the ranks of the Justice League. Backup stories can be hit or miss and a lot of the time they are an unwanted addition, but it’s not the case here as the story is so good that it’s worthy to get collected in a single edition turned into seamless storytelling of a fantastic story, proving to be one of the best since the New 52 began. It’s a fun and exciting, a real change and variation from the adult superheroes we’re used to reading. It’s not afraid to be a little bit silly and slightly goofy. Embrace this lighthearted and fun story that’s rooted in fantasy and magic making it a vastly enjoyable story of the young boy imbued with great powers that’s both modern and contemporary that I’m keen to read again soon, it’s excellent. SHAZAM!
Sounds great, excellent review :)
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