Written by Mike Manley.
Art by Jerry Ordway; Glenn Whitmore: & John Costanza.
Cover Art by Jerry Ordway.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Sin,” DC Comics released this issue for September 1996. Though aided by a scientist and a security guard, Mary Marvel finds herself outnumbered against her corrupt relatives: a Mr. Mind-controlled Ebenezer Batson and a monstrous Sinclair Batson.
Meanwhile, now residing on Earth, the wizard Shazam must return to the Rock of Eternity to discover Captain Marvel’s whereabouts: having been rendered unconscious amongst the rings of planet Saturn battling an army of Mr. Mind’s parasitic worms. Unless the Captain and Shazam can help Mary in time, the mind-controlling worm/parasite may prove unstoppable.
Later, young siblings, Mary Bromfield and Billy Batson, come to terms with their elder relatives’ theft of Billy’s family inheritance. Elsewhere, a bewildered Dr. Sivana makes a potentially devastating discovery to use against Shazam and The Marvel Family.
Note: The magician, Ibis, makes a guest appearance.
REVIEW:
Conveyed closer to traditionally silly Captain Marvel storytelling, The Power of Shazam! # 18 is a well-played adventure by this creative team, both in scripting and visually.
Supplying Mary Marvel with welcome screen time, Mike Manley’s plotting includes some fun twists, i.e., how the Marvels must counter-act Mr. Mind’s brainwashing tactics. Also, fans of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ought to immediately recognize the mind-control gimmick that Manley’s story utilizes.
Whether for Shazam aficionados or as a reliable pick supplementing a child’s comics collection, The Power of Shazam! # 18 (no matter its cheesiness) holds up well today.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The “Watch this Space # 52” column and a two-page “Words of Wisdom” letters-and-answers column are included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
