Written by Denny O’Neil; Elliot Maggin; & E. Nelson Bridwell
Art by C.C. Beck; Dave Cockrum; Bob Oksner; Vince Colletta; Kurt Schaffenberger; Tex Blaisdell; Bob Wiacek; Tenny Henson; & Bob Smith
Cover Art by C.C. Beck; Bob Oksner; Kurt Schaffenberger; & Ernie Chua
Compilation Cover Art by Bob Oksner & Alex Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Under its Showcase imprint, in 2006, DC Comics released this 528-page black-and-white compendium featuring original portions of Shazam! # 1-33 (1973-78). Excluding reprints of Fawcett Comics’ Golden Age tales, this edition consists of DC’s revival material. Captain Marvel’s co-creator, C.C. Beck, participates through Issue # 9.
Revived after a twenty-year hiatus due to the Sivana Family’s ‘suspendium’ bubble, an un-aged Marvel Family and their associates now exist in the early 1970’s. With appearances by reliable baddies Mister Mind, Ibac, Dr. Sivana, among others, it’s back to business as usual for The Marvels. While teenager Billy Batson has some trouble adjusting to a new age, his World’s mightiest alter-ego faces new challenges, including Lex Luthor. Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. both have some solo adventures while Tawky Tawny, ‘Uncle Marvel,’ Minuteman, and a super-brief cameo by the Man of Steel add to the fun.
Notes: This revival series was canceled upon Issue # 35 in 1978. However, in color, DC’s Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal, Volume 2 hardcover includes Issues # 34-35, along with the ultra-rare All-New Collector’s Edition # C-58.
REVIEW:
While the production quality is admirable, inevitably, nostalgia only extends so far. Despite later piggy-backing off Filmation’s live-action 1974-77 TV series, DC’s initial take on Shazam! underwhelms. Far too often silly, if not childish, these wacky stories (both the scripting and undemanding visuals) don’t age well, even for the elementary school crowd they were intended for. Aside from an amusing Lex Luthor guest spot, the only highlight is Mary Marvel’s wholesome back-up tales. For adults, these eyerolling stories lose even more luster in black-and-white, as The Marvel Family sorely need the magic of comic book inking to really come alive. If anything, this harmless reprint package is best for ages 10 and under — as if DC was sorely underestimating Captain Marvel’s fan base.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a very helpful table of contents (including credits). Virtually all of the covers are reprinted in a full-page format.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
Note: For DC pre-Crisis action with The Marvel Family, here are some satisfying options:
- Adventure Comics # 491-492 (1982); All-Star Squadron # 36-37 and # 51 (1984-85); as well as these trade paperbacks: Superman vs. Shazam! and Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 4.
