Which Shazam Archives Is The Best?

[Perpetual Failure]

Okay, I don't want anyone to get mad at me...but I mustered up the audacity to start a thread. The thing is, for Christmas I may finally get one of those premium DC Archive books, and I think I will ask for one of the Shazam (Captain Marvel) volumes. The question I have is: which one is best? I like really 'imaginative' stories, so that would be my preference. Thanks!

[Mr. Palmer]

Okay, I don't want anyone to get mad at me...but I mustered up the audacity to start a thread.

I don't have an answer for your archive question, but don't be nervous about starting a new thread. This is a cool joint to hang loose. :cool:

[Aaron Kashtan]

I don't have an answer for your archive question, but don't be nervous about starting a new thread. This is a cool joint to hang loose. :cool:

I want to second this point-- there's no need to feel reluctant to start a new thread.

[Indigo Al]

I'd be interested as well. I know there's a Showcase Presents coming out, but i may skip that in favor of a color DC archives volume with the best stuff.

[Reptisaurus!]

The Monster Society of Evil hardcover is FREAKING AWESOME, but it's selling for multiple hundreds of dollars now-a-days.

[Kan-Man]

The Monster Society of Evil hardcover is FREAKING AWESOME, but it's selling for multiple hundreds of dollars now-a-days.

Is it really? I've got it sitting in my bookshelf in a slipcase. I got it as a gift years ago and had no idea what it was worth.

[Reptisaurus!]

Is it really?

Maybe not Multiple. I saw one priced at 300 bones at a con, and I've seen 'em on line for two hundred bucks. The only listing I could find on E-bay has it going for only a hundred and fifty, though.

Still a good chunk of change. :)

[shaxper]

I've only read the first Archive edition and a bunch of scattered issues circa Captain Marvel #40-#50. I definitely recommend those later issues over the first Archive edition. They really achieve a masterful balance between silly camp and compelling storytelling.

[MWGallaher]

I'd recommend Shazam Archives volume 4.
Volume 1 is way too skimpy...with the "ashcan" replica, which is just a black & white duplicate of part of the content of Whiz #1, there's less than 200 pages of material in the inaugural volume.
Volume 3 has Simon & Kirby's shot at the character, but it's far from the classic S&K style; if you weren't aware of their participation, you might not even notice.
By Volume 4, we're getting closer to the classic Captain Marvel style, whereas the first 3 had cruder earlier efforts. Volume 4 offers a greater variety, with the crossover between Cap, Spy Smasher, and the debut of Captain Marvel, Jr.
Shazam! Family Archives volume 1 is pretty, but it's rather tedious. Cap Jr. fights the same two villains--Captain Nazi and Mr. Macabre--almost every issue, sometimes alternating, sometimes with both in the same issue. The tone is far grimmer and less imaginative than the classic Captain Marvel stories: lots of Jr. fighting Nazis in Europe. Artist Mac Raboy is highly admired, but even over the course of these earliest issues, you can see him recycling artwork via photostats from earlier installments.
I've read only library copies of all except for Shazam v. 1; I like to remind anybody who is in the vicinity of a decent public library that you can probably sample any of the Archives via inter-library loans for, most likely, a fraction of what it would cost to own a volume. I'm lucky--the Huntsville Library stocks a lot of these in its "graphics" section--but don't be hesitant to ask your librarian to borrow one via I.L.L.! Take advantage of the service and you can read *all* of them, if you want to!

[Perpetual Failure]

Huh, thanks for the advice.

I read the Showcase Captain Marvel is going to be reprinting an 80's revival of CM, I might get that but I was more interested in the golden age stuff.

My local library has comics, but I never thought to look on the computer for Archives another library might be willing to loan. It makes sense though since they do have the first two Spirit Archives. I'll get Vol. 4 if I do end up purchasing one of them.

Thanks alot again to everyone who replied!

[MWGallaher]

My local library has comics, but I never thought to look on the computer for Archives another library might be willing to loan. It makes sense though since they do have the first two Spirit Archives. I'll get Vol. 4 if I do end up purchasing one of them.

It's way easier than that, Perp'! Just pick an Archive you want--it'll help to find the ISBN, which is pretty easy...I just looked up Black Canary Archives on amazon.com and they provide the ISBN (which happens to be 1563897342). With the title & ISBN, your librarian can fill out a form to submit to a large number of libraries participating in interlibrary loan programs, and find a copy for you. So you don't have to do the legwork to find what library has a copy to lend.
ILL fees are usually amazingly low--I think it's $3 here in Huntsville AL for a 2 weeks rental--although you will have to wait for it to arrive, which may take a few weeks. If you're a college student, your college or university library will likely provide ILL services for *free* (well, on top of your tuition!).
I used to buy Archives, but I've long since found that I rarely reread them, and the library route has allowed me to read every one I've been interested in.

[Agentum]

I don't own the archives but have read a lot of Fawcett comics, and i think the newest Shazam Archive is the best yet, but there is even better ones to come.

But i'm not saying that the older ones sucks.

the 70s version sucks.

[Chris CCL]

The Showcase that is coming out is the 70's run, not the 80's. The issues are:
Shazam! #1-24 and #26-35 (1973 series); #25 will not be collected due to copyright issues with the character Isis.

As for the Archives, I think they are all good. Volume 1 is a great intro to the character. The Shazam Familly Vol. 1 spotlights Cap Jr. and Mary Marvel.

The Monster Society of Evil is rumored to be in line for an Absolute treatment.

[Lone Ranger]

I tend to prefer the late 40s and early 50s Fawcett stories to the earlier ones.

I think Otto Binder & Co. really hit their stride in the post-war years, introducing more of a science-fiction element to the stories. Binder's imagination is pretty much boundless and there are some very entertaining stories from that period.

If the Archives will be moving forward in chronological order - it will be a long time before some of those great early 50s stories see the light of day.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Just wanted to make the point that in many public library systems, the Inter-Library Loan program is free. It is here in Phoenix. So definitely check out that option.