Shazam! Vol. 1 Author: Geoff Johns | Language: English | ISBN:
B00DCETLI8?pf_rd_p=1748073062&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=4366&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05P4MB2VGHD25XZ4VVXM" class="img-wrap" title="Shazam! Vol. 1">
Product DetailsTable of ContentsReviews- File Size: 115198 KB
- Print Length: 192 pages
- Publisher: DC Comics (October 1, 2013)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00DCETLI8
- Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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This collection contains all the backups, and the two full issue stories, from Justice League 7-21.
Billy Batson is a problematic teen stuck in the foster system. He finds himself in the home of the Vasquezes who already have five other children that were of that system. The rebellious and thoughtless Billy runs away only to find himself in the lair of one of the last powerful sorcerers left. The Sorcerer is and has been trying to find a mortal with the purest of heart for centuries to bestow as the champion of magic. With time running out as the former champion, the power hungry rage driven, Black Adam, has been let free of his imprisonment, the Sorcerer realizes that no mortal has a pure heart all the time but that young Billy has the potential to have great heart when the time arises.
The New 52 was a great opportunity for DC to really reinvent/retool some of their properties. They have had success so far with some, but not so much with others, and the verdict is still out on the rest. Shazam was one the the beneficiaries. The former Captain Marvel (I believe DC gave up on this name due to being sick of being stuck in court with the heirs of Fawcett Comics, where DC bought the character from, and Marvel because they have a Captain Marvel of their own) is now just Shazam, the phrase Billy must say with great meaning in order to change into the champion or back into his boy self. Shazam, from what I read, was very fun and a beloved character in the old DCU. He was a poor boy with a heart of gold that kept his naivety when changed into the champion even saying lost sayings as, "holly molly" and "gee whiz". That kinda one dimensional take on a character only makes for a good guest star who can throw a good punch and lightening bolt.
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank continue the excellent collaboration they began with Superman (Action Comics) and Batman: Earth One. Here, they undertake an updated origin story of Shazam (no longer Captain Marvel). The result is at least as good as their previous projects, and this one may even be better. Johns' story certainly reads like a 21st-century take on the character with [MINOR SPOILER WARNING] Billy Batson beginning as more of a juvenille dellinquent than he's been portrayed in the past, and becoming (at the first strike of the magic lightning) more of a teenager in an adult's body than the seasoned, noble hero that he's often been portrayed as in previous titles. I am often skeptical of updates that mess with long-cherished aspects of a character's history, but in this case the minor changes seemed to work: I liked Billy and his supporting cast, despite their character weaknesses and faults. This was a totally believable story, which not only re-introduces Shazam to DC continuity, but also Black Adam, Dr. Sivanna, the Marvel family, and even Mr. Tawny.
If you've seen any of Gary Frank's art before, you probably know what to expect here: It is in fine form just as much as I've ever seen it. Frank's illustrations don't always look like still-frame, poster-worthy frame-ups (although some of the splash pages do look awesome!), but his linework is incredibly crisp and clean, his panels are easy to understand, and they tell the story of the page without any confusion. This book is a joy not only to read for its story, but also to look at for its art. There were a few pages that meshed story and artwork so well, they sent a shiver of exhileration up my spine. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to turn back to the beginning and start over.
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