SHAZAM: Monster Society of Evil #1 *SPOILERS*

[Sean Walsh]

I was actually giddy when I picked this up today. I'd forgotten all about it when putting my list together for this week. What I saw looked terrific - and I've never really cared for Shazam! ever before...

So to even it the kooky/gigglyness, I bought Garth Ennis' MIDNIGHTER series to date. There, back in balance. :p

Billy was unfortunately killed in Plastic Man, an in-continuity (explicitly) book. So all this new stuff other than Smith's book are just "imaginary stories" or views from alternate worlds. Tragic but heroic.

Touche, good sir. Touche.

BTW - if this had been an All-Star book, it'd be the most on-time book in the line and probably the most popular.

[Bat-Mite]

if this had been an All-Star book, it'd be the most on-time book

Crack all the jokes you want about Batman and Robin being late, but this book took YEARS to come out.

[Sean Walsh]

Crack all the jokes you want about Batman and Robin being late, but this book took YEARS to come out.

But it was never solicited before now; only until it was completed.

They did with SHAZAM! what should've been done with both ASB&R and Superman (and Civil War, and Ultimate Wolvie vs. Hulk, and Spidey/Black Cat, and DD: Father, and countless other Marvel & DC projects)...

[drwho]

I'll get the graphic novel probably, but can someone tell what is with talking crocodiles and the Marvel family?

[Lex]

I'll get the graphic novel probably, but can someone tell what is with talking crocodiles and the Marvel family?
They're awesome. What more do you need?

[sjackso3]

Just read it. Finally someone who gets Captain Marvel!!!! Jeff Smith really did himself and the Shazam franchise proud.

Awesome job. Can't wait for the next issue. Easily the best read of the month by a mile!!!!

[Infra-Man]

Just finished reading it. Man, what a great read. Lots of fun and Smith's illustrations are top of the pops -- cartoony and emotive. Can't wait for the rest of the series.

[Sir Tim Drake]

So can we talk about the comic now?

This was everything I hoped it would be. It was dark (in an all-ages-appropriate way), exciting, passionate, and beautifully written and drawn. I can't wait to see more of this. My only complaint is that the story seemed to move a little too fast.

[Michael P]

So can we talk about the comic now?

This was everything I hoped it would be. It was dark (in an all-ages-appropriate way), exciting, passionate, and beautifully written and drawn. I can't wait to see more of this. My only complaint is that the story seemed to move a little too fast.

Did you love the Shazam Express? Because I loved the Shazam Express.

[AllisterH]

Not to sure how I feel about the following

a) the age of Billy. Make no mistake, the Billy in this storyline is WAY too young compared to the original. The original was old enough to hold down a job as a broadcaster and other jobs and given even his young age (approx 11/12 in those Fawcett stories) I can see it given the era it was created.

The Billy in Smith's story? Not a chance and it kinda makes the wizard look REALLY bad in choosing such a child.

b) It looks like it is going with Billy and Cap are two separate people. Sure, the old Fawcett had this, but Beck hated this and I tend to agree with him. It kinda invalidates the idea that Billy says a magic word and becomes a hero. Nope, what we have is Billy says a word and a hero appears. How is this any different than say Jimmy calling for Supes on his watch?

c) Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I get the distinct impression that CM existed BEFORE billy and that CM was controlled by the wizard. Hmm...that's a big damn change imo.

[Sir Tim Drake]

Not to sure how I feel about the following

a) the age of Billy. Make no mistake, the Billy in this storyline is WAY too young compared to the original. The original was old enough to hold down a job as a broadcaster and other jobs and given even his young age (approx 11/12 in those Fawcett stories) I can see it given the era it was created.

The Billy in Smith's story? Not a chance and it kinda makes the wizard look REALLY bad in choosing such a child.

b) It looks like it is going with Billy and Cap are two separate people. Sure, the old Fawcett had this, but Beck hated this and I tend to agree with him. It kinda invalidates the idea that Billy says a magic word and becomes a hero. Nope, what we have is Billy says a word and a hero appears. How is this any different than say Jimmy calling for Supes on his watch?

c) Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I get the distinct impression that CM existed BEFORE billy and that CM was controlled by the wizard. Hmm...that's a big damn change imo.

None of these objections has anything to do with the quality of this particular story.

I am a little surprised at Captain Marvel being a separate person from Billy, but maybe it's not as simple as it appears.

[Kid Omega]

Not to sure how I feel about the following

a) the age of Billy. Make no mistake, the Billy in this storyline is WAY too young compared to the original. The original was old enough to hold down a job as a broadcaster and other jobs and given even his young age (approx 11/12 in those Fawcett stories) I can see it given the era it was created.

The Billy in Smith's story? Not a chance and it kinda makes the wizard look REALLY bad in choosing such a child.

b) It looks like it is going with Billy and Cap are two separate people. Sure, the old Fawcett had this, but Beck hated this and I tend to agree with him. It kinda invalidates the idea that Billy says a magic word and becomes a hero. Nope, what we have is Billy says a word and a hero appears. How is this any different than say Jimmy calling for Supes on his watch?


Subtle metaphysics.

I FAR prefer it when Billy and the Captain are pals. I hate hate hate adult Cap with twelve year old brain. It skeeves me.

[lonewolf23k]

I think Captain Marvel may be just a construct formed by the Magic Powers, and that his personality is based on Billy's. Which means that Billy will have to "grow into" Captain Marvel over time...

[Sean Whitmore]

I FAR prefer it when Billy and the Captain are pals. I hate hate hate adult Cap with twelve year old brain. It skeeves me.

I didn't mind the adult-Cap-with-child's-personality bit, as far as it went. Giffen got some great gags out of it in Justice League, not to mention the JLU cartoon. And it was a neat idea that he was considered even more wholesome than Superman because of it.

But "as far as it went" is the key phrase there.

And when you've got stories where the Flash thinks adult Captain Marvel is lusting after a teenaged girl...brother, it's gone too far.


SEAN

[Lex]

I FAR prefer it when Billy and the Captain are pals. I hate hate hate adult Cap with twelve year old brain. It skeeves me.
To me, making Cap and Billy seperate people moves the concept away from classic children's fantasy literature a little bit.

[AllisterH]

None of these objections has anything to do with the quality of this particular story.

I am a little surprised at Captain Marvel being a separate person from Billy, but maybe it's not as simple as it appears.

To me, it does affect the quality of the story.

At the classic age of between 10-12, it doesn't make the wizard as exploitive IMO as it does in selecting a champion who looks like he's only 6. Billy, in the Fawcett days, even when he wasn't acting as Captain Marvel, could make his own decisions and was responsible enough to hold down a broadcasting job at Whiz radio.

This Billy, why the hell isn't he in an orphanage? It just gives me a bad taste in my mouth.

Personally, I've ALWAYS hated the Billy and Cap are two separate beings. I mean, when Captain Mar-vell saved lives over at Marvel, did people say "Oh well, it was really Rick that did all those things"? To me, the charm of CM was that, at its basis, it was the perfect superhero for kids. Say a magic word and become a hero and then you get to be an adult and can change back to being a kid. This though, you have in effect, Captain Planet.

The idea that Captain Marvel has been around for a while and that it is the wizard needs a vessel for CM and Billy is a choice makes Billy less important.

Nice art and I'm interested in the story but those three thigns I listed IMO are valid complaints. Just because you see nothing wrong doesn't make it right.

[Screwtape]

I fall into the pro-seperate-Cap camp. The idea of a tiny boy in a fully mature adult body weirds me out, especially when it's done without a sense of humor. Plus, it gives Billy a role model/father figure type, which I just love.

This book was delightful. It's the only comic book on the market that competes with All Star Superman, in my opinion - it's cute, it's funny, it's intelligently written, and I can give it to my little sister to read.

I'm interested in how his homeless friend "Talky" is going to turn into "Tawky" in the next few episodes. My biggest complaint about the thing is that it's only four issues long. I wish it was bigger. Bone is one of my favorite things in the world.

[Michael P]

Billy's 10 in this story, as I understand.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

But "as far as it went" is the key phrase there.

And when you've got stories where the Flash thinks adult Captain Marvel is lusting after a teenaged girl...brother, it's gone too far.


SEAN

I dunno, I thought that was an interesting twist. By the time Johns was handling the character, Billy had aged to a point where he should be interested in girls his age. Asking what this means for Captain Marvel was pretty clever, I thought. I would have played it more for laughs though. Granted, maybe I just watched too many episodes of Three's Company growing up.

[Sean Whitmore]

Granted, maybe I just watched too many episodes of Three's Company growing up.

That was actually a second problem I had with it, beyond the overall sense of creepiness it gave off. It annoys me when a misunderstanding that could easily be cleared up with a ten-second explanation...isn't.


SEAN

[Bored at 3:00AM]

That was actually a second problem I had with it, beyond the overall sense of creepiness it gave off. It annoys me when a misunderstanding that could easily be cleared up with a ten-second explanation...isn't.


Yeah, I agree with you there. The whole "but the Wisdom of Solomon won't let me explain to Jay that I'm not a pedophile!" thing was a bit hard to swallow. Again, had it been played for laughs, it would have worked just fine though...

Another case of great idea, bad execution. Something superhero comics excell at!

[the film freak]

It didn't wow me like All Star Superman or New Frontier but it was definately enjoyable. I dig what Jeff Smith is going for here. I'm not sure about the overt seperation of Billy and Cap. Seemed more subtle in the earlier stories. But it's still preferable to retard Cap.

Hoping it sells well enough for DC to realize this is the take people want. And I hope some kids who are hooked on Bone give it a shot. It's fun, eerie and engaging and not bogged down by crazy continuity issues (hopefully Smith keeps the rest of the DCU out of here).

Also love how they built Mr. Mind up to be this mysterious omnipotent force (even though most comic nerds know he's just a worm).

[the film freak]

So can we talk about the comic now?

This was everything I hoped it would be. It was dark (in an all-ages-appropriate way), exciting, passionate, and beautifully written and drawn. I can't wait to see more of this. My only complaint is that the story seemed to move a little too fast.

It was kind of dark in the same way Harry Potter or Narnia is dark. It's kind of eerie in a way that it doesn't freak kids out too much.

The pacing is really fast though. But I'd prefer that over a lot standing around and talking. This is an adventure story.

[Pól Rua]

Crack all the jokes you want about Batman and Robin being late, but this book took YEARS to come out.

On the other hand, Monster Society has actually been worth the wait.

[stealthwise]

THIS comic is what I was hoping for. I'm glad that I can read a Captain Marvel story published in the last 20 years without wincing in agony. The art, the story, the pacing, all great stuff. Really looking forward to the next issue.

[Brian Cronin]

I really dug it.

Yeah, Grant's right - it's not as good as All Star Superman or New Frontier, but, well, those books are really, really, really good. :)

I liked this book a lot.

I did a review (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/08/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-1-review/) for the blog on it.

-Brian

[sjackso3]

Captain Marvel and Billy are seperate personalities. This is how the character was written. It was changed after Crisis and we can all agree that it was a mess.

You guys keep looking at Captain Marvel as an alter-ego power fantasy for a little kid . The Jekyll and Hide schtick belongs to the Hulk. "Tick me off and I'll go Hulk on your butt!!!"

That isn't how Captain Marvel works. He's not just Billy's "grown up personality," he's the genie in the bottle. He's Billy's ace in the hole when he sees injustice. Billy learns from Cap and in some ways, Cap learns from Billy.

He's older... more experienced. He has the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the Wisdom of Solomon. He is a totally different personality!!

Billy can call on him to kick butt if another kid steals Billy's ice cream but Cap wouldn't do it. Cap is smarter than that. That's what makes the character different.

That's why it didn't make any sense to you why he wouldn't tell Flash that he wasn't trying to make time with Stargirl because of the "wisdom of Solomon." It doesn't make any sense!!!

If he has the Wisdom of Solomon, how can he think like a 12 year old kid. Wisdom is gained by experience. The wisdom of Solomon would have kept him out of that situation in the first place.

[Kid Omega]

Captain Marvel and Billy are seperate personalities. This is how the character was written. It was changed after Crisis and we can all agree that it was a mess.

You guys keep looking at Captain Marvel as an alter-ego power fantasy for a little kid . The Jekyll and Hide schtick belongs to the Hulk. "Tick me off and I'll go Hulk on your butt!!!"

That isn't how Captain Marvel works. He's not another personality, he's the genie in the bottle. He's Billy's ace in the hole when he sees injustice. Billy learns from Cap and in some ways, Cap learns fromm Billy.


Yup yup yup...

They're pals for pete's sake!

(What's interesting is that Freddy Freeman/Cap Junior were always written as essentially the same person... now THAT was wish fulfillment!)

As for the age thing, Billy looks like a kid. That's all that matters.

[Kid Omega]

I really dug it.

Yeah, Grant's right - it's not as good as All Star Superman or New Frontier, but, well, those books are really, really, really good. :)

I liked this book a lot.

I did a review (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/08/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-1-review/) for the blog on it.

-Brian

I actually found myself thinking about it quite a bit after I read it.... just enjoying the mood and the flavor. It was a LOT of fun.

Between this, All Star Superman, and The Spirit, I'm actually really excited about some DC books again!

[Karl O'Neill]

This issue cost me 8 euros!!!!
how do comics get so damn expensive?

just because it's a pretige format maybe?

whoa, 8 euros, thats like 12 dollars

[Kid Omega]

This issue cost me 8 euros!!!!
how do comics get so damn expensive?

just because it's a pretige format maybe?

whoa, 8 euros, thats like 12 dollars

It's all paper quality, yeah.

Just be glad comics aren't priced based on awesomeness... then it would be like a thousand billion dollars.

[Karl O'Neill]

It's all paper quality, yeah.

Just be glad comics aren't priced based on awesomeness... then it would be like a thousand billion dollars.

Good point.

like taking out a bank loan for all star superman?

[Joe Rice]

This book was really wonderful. I'm hoping to expound soon with my first post-bar-raising media review.

[DDM]

This issue cost me 8 euros!!!!
how do comics get so damn expensive?

just because it's a pretige format maybe?

whoa, 8 euros, thats like 12 dollars

It's a prestige format book with no advertisements. Marvel & DC used to release prestige books more frequently than they do now.

[Bat-Mite]

Most of the books that seem fit for the Prestige format now just come out in the "The cover is kinda harder than usual" oversized format.

[Jack Zodiac]

Did you love the Shazam Express? Because I loved the Shazam Express.

That scene was awesome, as was Captain Marvel's trip back to the Rock of Eternity. I was expecting Smith to mostly stick to Beck's guns with his "Year One" portayal, but he really pulled some great, unique stuff here. It hit a lot of points through the story. You get concern for Billy livin' the hobo's life in a rathole abandoned apartment, a little drama when he finds out he has a baby sister, and sprinkles of great Smith comedy between the hot dog cart scene and the Monster Society's introduction.

This is, so far, the best book I've read this year (y'know, if you don't count the fourth volume of Seven Soldiers ).

[Jack Zodiac]

Subtle metaphysics.

I FAR prefer it when Billy and the Captain are pals. I hate hate hate adult Cap with twelve year old brain. It skeeves me.

Especially when adult Cap with teenage brain is oggling sixteen year old girls in his thirty-something male body.

I like the exchanges between Cap and Billy, and it's obvious they share some kind of symbiotic bond beside just replacing each other. Cap's like a big kid when Billy's around. The hot dog cart scene was perfect, and the "Holy Moley!" the Big Red Cheese shouts when Billy tries to see what's beyond Creation... that's too great to care if it isn't the perfect vision of the original Captain Marvel.

To me, making Cap and Billy seperate people moves the concept away from classic children's fantasy literature a little bit.

How about you wait and see how it plays out before you start judging how well it fits into concepts of child fantasy. Remember why Billy even bothered running down into the subway? He's a homeless kid who's never had anybody, now he's got a grandfather, a little sister, and something like a big brother/father figure. I'm betting those points will be embellished more over the next three issues.

I'm interested in how his homeless friend "Talky" is going to turn into "Tawky" in the next few episodes. My biggest complaint about the thing is that it's only four issues long. I wish it was bigger. Bone is one of my favorite things in the world.

Yeah, if I had any complaint with it so far, it'd be that it's a taste of a good thing we'll only be able to enjoy for four issues. Then we get back to Captain Marvel slowly being driven into the realm of "completely unreadable" by DC.

Between this, All Star Superman, and The Spirit, I'm actually really excited about some DC books again!

Yep. I'm glad DC's got guys like Smith and Cooke working for 'em, now. It's been a while since I've read some straight, fun, enjoyable books that didn't worry about continuity or being dragged into whatever crossover of the month the company had goin'.

[sgt pepper]

Yep. I'm glad DC's got guys like Smith and Cooke working for 'em, now. It's been a while since I've read some straight, fun, enjoyable books that didn't worry about continuity or being dragged into whatever crossover of the month the company had goin'.

Can you get an amen?

AMEN!

[David O Burcham]

I'm praying... down on my knees... that at some point someone yells, "Stupid, stupid Crocodile Men!"... and that one of them is named "Sylvester".

So, the BRC can use the power of Zeus to time travel.


That.

Is.

AWESOME!!!!

I can't wait to let my nephews read this and get their reactions/comparisons to Jerry Ordway's version Shazam (which they liked).

Being around my nephews (ages 9 and 11) four days a week, I say that Jeff Smith's Billy Batson looks to be in their age range.

My favorite lines...

"Are you God?"

"You're not from around here, are you?"

"I've had a pretty crazy week, sir."

"Death to you, human!"

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Well, that's more like it.

Good art, great storytelling, funny dialogue, compelling and sympathetic characters and a helluva cliffhanger.

Well done Jeff Smith, you didn't disappoint.

[David O Burcham]

Mlgsrmt hzbh "vero" yvggvi gszm wlggrmt gsv "r" drgs z fnzm hpfoo!

WVZGS GL BLF, SFNZMH !!!

[stealthwise]

Mlgsrmt hzbh "vero" yvggvi gszm wlggrmt gsv "r" drgs z fnzm hpfoo!

WVZGS GL BLF, SFNZMH !!!

I... uh, I didn't figure out the code. Can you explain it?

[David O Burcham]

Prove to me that you are evil enough to be worthy of the Monster Society of Evil code first, human!

[Pól Rua]

HUMAN SKULL! HUMAN SKULL!

CODES ARE FUN!

[David O Burcham]

Ain't they, tho....

Gsv mvcg rhhfv yofiy hgzgvh, "Nzib gzpvh gsv xzpv!"

Yzs!

Ru gsv hnzrr nznnzo wlvhm'g dzgxs svihvou, Nzib droo YV gsv xzpv!

NDZZ-sz-sz-sz!

[Shellhead]

I really wanted to get this. But when I saw the price tag, I had to put it back. Money is tight right now. Even if the trade just saves me a few bucks, it will be worth the wait.

[Desaad]

I... uh, I didn't figure out the code. Can you explain it?

Its pretty simple.

A = Z, B = Y, C = X, etc.

[stealthwise]

Thanks to all who responded about the code.

Anyways, question: Ok, so if the Wizard lives at the beginning of time, the big bang, then why was his body dead when CM took Billy back there to meet with Shazam again? Was Billy there the first time? Is that where the Shazam Express took him?

And was that really Billy's Dad, or an illusion? Magic or another minion of Shazam doing his bidding?

Just curious what your thoughts were.

[protonik]

Billy's 10 in this story, as I understand.

Yeah he is, it is just Smith's stylization that makes him look younger. Mary is supposed to be about 6 or 7.

[K'Nort]

This book was adorable.

I've never read Captain Marvel. I've seen umpteen appearances in DCU crossovers and such, and the JSA stuff, but not the title itself. So I wasn't bumping into continuity. And it all made perfect sense.

[Joe Rice]

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

[Jack Zodiac]

Thanks to all who responded about the code.

Anyways, question: Ok, so if the Wizard lives at the beginning of time, the big bang, then why was his body dead when CM took Billy back there to meet with Shazam again? Was Billy there the first time? Is that where the Shazam Express took him?

And was that really Billy's Dad, or an illusion? Magic or another minion of Shazam doing his bidding?

Just curious what your thoughts were.

The Rock exists at the beginning of time, and I think whenever anyone visits it, that's where they go, so when Billy took the train to see the wizard, he was traveling back to the beginning of time. Don't know what to make of Billy's dad yet, though. I thought we might get a bit of Ordway's take and have Billy recognize Captain Marvel as looking like his father, but nope.

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

I was waitin' for that, Hillbilly Marvel. ;) The Rice Family loves them some Captain Marvel.

[lonewolf23k]

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

Can someone show this at the guys at DC, please? Possibly with a side-serving of cluebat-to-the-head?

[lonewolf23k]

Anyways, question: Ok, so if the Wizard lives at the beginning of time, the big bang, then why was his body dead when CM took Billy back there to meet with Shazam again? Was Billy there the first time? Is that where the Shazam Express took him?

I think that Billy was brought to the Rock of Eternity at the beginning of time, then was brought back some time later (considering Shazam's body had decayed by then).

[Kid Omega]

Can someone show this at the guys at DC, please?

I'm on it.

[Jack Zodiac]

Hell, you and Joe could have the kids march into DC's friggin' building and sound off, Lieutenant Marvel style.

[David O Burcham]

I have had some pretty strong disagreements with Joe about some funny-book issues, but he is now my personal hero!!!

[Matt Algren]

New podcast interview with Jeff Smith at TwoMorrows (http://twomorrows.com/blog/tune-in/podcast-2-jeff-smith-with-john-lustigs-last-kiss/)

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Not kids! They're icky! They'll get gunk all over those precious collectible first issues!

Quick! Somebody confiscate those comics and seal them in mylar!

And get those kids some damn Pokemon or something appropriate, damn it!

[David O Burcham]

Its pretty simple.

A = Z, B = Y, C = X, etc.


http://www.marvelfamily.com/images/headshots/Mr.Mind.gif<------ Grrrrr...


You have exposed the Monster Society Code to the inferior-minded masses, human! A pox on you... you big Red Cheese supporter!!!

[protonik]

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

That is the COOLEST! I may link it to my myspace blog when I get around to redoing it.

[ultramandingo]

im a old school shazam fan ( 1975 to 1977) ......so when do Billy and his guardian "Mentor" start traveling around in their Winnebago and learning about life and helping people along the way ever saturday morning for half an hour till isis shows up ?

[K'Nort]

Well this was fast. And nifty.

http://www.graphittidesigns.com/shop/files/images_folder/t_33636_04.jpg

[Jack Zodiac]

I have this thing about comic t-shirts. I'll wear the symbols, but not the artwork, which is why I have a closet full o' Marvel Family shirts that'll never see their super awesome Smith cousin. Even if it does look damn good.

[protonik]

Well this was fast. And nifty.

http://www.graphittidesigns.com/shop/files/images_folder/t_33636_04.jpg

I am so on that like a fat kid on a cup cake! I also want a DC Direct action figure line!!!

[Joe Rice]

I don't think that shirt is new . . .Cox gave it to me almost a year ago.

[K'Nort]

I don't think that shirt is new . . .Cox gave it to me almost a year ago.

Neat!

Maybe they're expanding the marketing now that more people will recognize it.

There was one with him being squeezed by a giant metal (?) hand too.

[Matches_Malone_X]

just a quick question....

Whats so good about this book? I just read it, and while there are some aspects which are cool, it all seems a little rushed and not logically progressive. Do you need to be familair with Captain Marvel previous to really dig the book? is it not meant to be taken as a starting point for new readers?...i dunno, im rembling, i Just wasnt overly impressed with this book.

[Jack Zodiac]

It's a good book for new readers or old readers because, while it's technically in continuity, it's a "year one" type of story for Billy and Captain Marvel. The reason why a lot of people love it is because Jeff Smith is an awesome artist and can write fun, intelligent comic anyone of any age can enjoy. Have you ever read Bone?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

It's a good book for new readers or old readers because, while it's technically in continuity, it's a "year one" type of story for Billy and Captain Marvel. The reason why a lot of people love it is because Jeff Smith is an awesome artist and can write fun, intelligent comic anyone of any age can enjoy. Have you ever read Bone?

It's also good because it's more intune with the spirit of the old Capt. Marvel before he entered the DCU.

[Matches_Malone_X]

Hmmm, guess Captain Marvel is just not my cup of tea....pity, because I really like his appearances in Justice League books, particularly the Alex Ross stories (kingdome come and Justice). I just felt that the issue could have spent alot more time explaining the situation, not for clarity of the reader, but for believability of the characters, rather than to rush Billy to the top of the Rock of Eternity so they can get their villian for the story out there. Just my opinion. I might get the next one to see if the story gets fleshed out a bit more, but i dont think this will enter my regular library. pity

[Jack Zodiac]

Eh, ain't your cup o' tea, don't worry about it.

[Kid Omega]

Hmmm, guess Captain Marvel is just not my cup of tea....pity, because I really like his appearances in Justice League books, particularly the Alex Ross stories (kingdome come and Justice). I just felt that the issue could have spent alot more time explaining the situation, not for clarity of the reader, but for believability of the characters, rather than to rush Billy to the top of the Rock of Eternity so they can get their villian for the story out there. Just my opinion. I might get the next one to see if the story gets fleshed out a bit more, but i dont think this will enter my regular library. pity

"Believability"?

Yeah... this probably isn't the book for you.

[Infra-Man]

Kids love it! (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/09/shazam-the-monster-society-of-evil-yup-kids-heart-it/)

Too... adorable... making... me... warm and fuzzy inside... too cute... aurgh!

[Gingold]

I've spent the last two days just basking in the awesomeness of this book. I expected good things, but Smith nailed this on every level. Absolutely perfect.

[LtMarvel]

I don't think that shirt is new . . .Cox gave it to me almost a year ago.

This is listed as coming soon..

http://www.graphittidesigns.com/shop/files/images_backup/May2007/Shazam.Grasp.jpg

[CaptainAwesome]

I finally read this this morning, and I have to say I really liked it. I got the same feeling I get when I read Grant Morrison books or Darwyn Cooke, a warm, fuzzy feeling (yes, im serious) that only really great writers give me. My only problem with it was the whole continuity issue. If this is in continuity or not doesnt really make a difference, but the fact that in this story Cap and Billy are two different people and that in "Trials" and "Power" they are both the same really bothers me. I say that DC should pull a Plastic-Man or Spirit with it and let Cap have his own continuity, but thats just my two-cents. Now all I have to do is hunt down that huge Bone book.

[Reptisaurus!]

just a quick question....

Whats so good about this book? I just read it, and while there are some aspects which are cool, it all seems a little rushed and not logically progressive. Do you need to be familair with Captain Marvel previous to really dig the book? is it not meant to be taken as a starting point for new readers?...i dunno, im rembling, i Just wasnt overly impressed with this book.


I had somea the same problems.

I DID like it, though. I really did. But that's just 'cause I think Smith is a hell of a cartoonist. The way he portrays body language and the pacing of his jokes are as good as anyone working in comics today.

But it felt rushed t'me too. Like I said in Cronin's review: The very best parts of Smith's Bone were when he wasn't puzzling together the plot, but when he was showing us the valley, introducing characters, describing the setting, so to speak.

Didn't feel like we got enough of that, here. I'm usually against decompression, but I would've enjoyed seeing more of Billy's world.

[Andy S.]

This was every bit as awesome as I'd hoped. Totally worth the cover price and more.

As I was reading it, I couldn't help but notice how this reminded me of the same sense of adventure and imagination in the Carl Barks and Don Rosa Uncle Scrooge stories. IMO, the spirit of that stuff is alive and well in SHAZAM - and rightly so.

[Dreadstar]

I actually preferred Cap and Billy to be one in the same, but I don't have much problem with separate IDs as long as Smith continues to write it well.

I mean, the 'Wisdom of Solomon' bit was always enough to explain away Billy's jump from 12 to adult.

[guyjo]

I did enjoy this issue, but I guess I am stuck on the golden age Captain Marvel and it's more free-spirited adventures and artwork.
In regards to Jeff Smith's version, it is a good read and looks to be a fun mini.
I do agree with the way he managed to take Billy from the 40's into 2007. I certainly prefer this version to "Trials"...much prefer it.

[captain_unimpressive]

I did enjoy this issue, but I guess I am stuck on the golden age Captain Marvel and it's more free-spirited adventures and artwork.
In regards to Jeff Smith's version, it is a good read and looks to be a fun mini.
I do agree with the way he managed to take Billy from the 40's into 2007. I certainly prefer this version to "Trials"...much prefer it.

Congratulations, Corporal Obvious--you just got promoted to Captain!

I'm sorry to bring up such an old topic, but since euros are actually worth more than dollars (or at least they were for a while) it's probably more like 6 dollars, which is the US price.
It's Prestige Format--glossy-covered, square bound, and ever so slightly thicker!

[Samurai]

So can we talk about the comic now?

This was everything I hoped it would be. It was dark (in an all-ages-appropriate way), exciting, passionate, and beautifully written and drawn. I can't wait to see more of this. My only complaint is that the story seemed to move a little too fast.

How ironic... I didn't pick it up precisely because it seemed like it moved way too slow! The great majority of the book looked to be a simple retelling of Cap's origin, followed by a little skirmish with 2 talking crocs. Too little seemed to happen for a $6 book. The art was ok, a bit too cartoonish for my taste, but acceptable. And I've always loved the Monster Society, so I plan to take another look at the TPB when it comes out and see if the whole package is worth the apparently slow start.

[Fallman]

It annoys the heck out of me when Billy and Cap are different people. The wizard chose a child because he was purehearted, more idealistc and less corrupted, and less likely to be corrupted. If Captain Marvel is a seperate person, then that isn't a factor, and anyone could be chosen, as long as they say the word when needed. Heck, there's no reason to bond Captain Marvel to anyone, if he's his own man.

Captain Marvel is a different personality, sure. He has the wisdom of Solomon and the courage of Achilles turning him into Billy+, with far more maturity and wisdom. But under all that, he is Billy, and his decisions are Billy's, even if he is enhanced.

[Stony]

I liked it. It was totally for kids, and that I liked.

In fact, I don't even need to pick it up anymore, because it's for kids... That's how much I respect it being for kids.

[NormanB]

Count me among those who enjoyed it.

It didn't remind me of Bone at all, but had a definite all-ages vibe to it.

[JKCarrier]

If Captain Marvel is a seperate person, then that isn't a factor, and anyone could be chosen, as long as they say the word when needed. Heck, there's no reason to bond Captain Marvel to anyone, if he's his own man.

I think Smith is going for something more subtle here, though. Look at Cap right after Billy says the magic word for the first time -- he looks a bit puzzled, and starts examining himself, and says "I feel strange". I suspect that "Marvel" is actually some kind of immaterial spirit, and the form he takes is influenced by the nature of his host. In this case, he becomes a big, brawny, cartoonish superguy because that's Billy's concept of "hero".

There's also the wizard's line, "Together you will solve your problems". Which I take to mean that they're both essential in the equation, and they both need each other to fulfill their potential. I'm really interested to see how this gets developed over the course of the series.

[Fallman]

I caught that. I'm guessing that by the end, more of a connection is going to be shown between the two.

[Shazam]

Yep. I'm glad DC's got guys like Smith and Cooke working for 'em, now. It's been a while since I've read some straight, fun, enjoyable books that didn't worry about continuity or being dragged into whatever crossover of the month the company had goin'.

Agreed, 100% !

[Shazam]

Awesome first issue !
Smith nailed it and I hope he continues to do so.
Can't wait for the 2nd issue. :D

[Tequilamokinbrd]

I just wanted to comment on the whole Billy and Captain Marvel switch vs. Billy becomes Captain Marvel thing.


The way I always thought it should be, is that Captain Marvel is Billy as an adult, with adult awareness, an awareness that would fade when he returned to normal.



Lemme try and explain what I mean.



When you were 8, there were certain things that it was just hard for you to wrap your mind around, and even when an adult explained it to you, your head was a little fuzzy and you didn't quite get it. Then you turn 16 one day and you smack your head like, "ah ha! that's what that was all about".

That's how I see Billy and Captain Marvel, Billy experiences all of the things that Captain Marvel does, but when he reverts back to his normal form he sees those exploits through the eyes of a child.


I always thought that was what the wisdom of solomon was primarily for, it gave him more of an adult awareness.





This way, they would probably be vastly different and would have different worldviews, but would really be the same person.

[guyjo]

Congratulations, Corporal Obvious--you just got promoted to Captain!

I'm sorry to bring up such an old topic, but since euros are actually worth more than dollars (or at least they were for a while) it's probably more like 6 dollars, which is the US price.
It's Prestige Format--glossy-covered, square bound, and ever so slightly thicker!


:confused:

[Kid Omega]

Captain marvel is something of an elemental force. he is an agent of the wizard Shazam, and he needs a human to summon him. Why Billy was picked was never explained, but the unspoken implication is that billy is pure of heart, and smart, and independent, and needs the captain.

Thus it was always so, from 1940 on, until Roy Thomas wrote Power of Shazam and changed it to a twelve year old brain in an adult body, making the Captain a naive and awkward teenager for a generation of fans. That was very possibly the worst Marvel family mini .... oh.... ever, and did some damage that is finally being repaired.

Cap and Billy are seperate people. They always have been. Cap is a big brother figure, and Billy is an important and heroic character in his own right, who solves problems and only calls on Cap when he needs him.

Mary and Junior are different- because they are just using a fraction of Cap's power, they are actually just Mary and Freddy with super-powers.

[Joe Rice]

Monster Society made New York Magazine's approval matrix this week, and did VERY well for itself:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/393343807_ba0576d18c_o.jpg

[Jack Zodiac]

Take that, Oprah! We're comin' for you next, "Science of Sleep!"

[LtMarvel]

We interrupt this world agoin' gaga for this issue for these important, fanboyish questions:

What's up with the shoeprints in the last panel? They look exactly like Billy's shoes at the forbidden top of the Rock of Eternity... Does this mean Billy is responsible for the Monster Society's sudden invasion? ...If so, how?

Feel free to submit answer to these question as we return you to the world going gaga...

[David O Burcham]

I'm thinking the giant footprints meant that, for however long, there was a giant Billy Batson standing around in town. That led to every city vehicle with a siren rushing to the spot.

The sudden appearance and disappearance of a giant boy could relate to the Monster Society in a couple of ways. Either Giant Billy disrupted a nefarious plan Mr. Mind had in place... or Mr. Mind gets wind of Giant Billy standing around and realizes that his superior intellect can use said gargantuan child as a weapon for all sorts of ~EVIL~ deeds.

[ultramandingo]

i figuerd the sneaker prints was some kinda product placement........or billy screwed up and unleashed some kinda monster society.............OF EVIL!!!!!!!!!

[AllisterH]

Captain marvel is something of an elemental force. he is an agent of the wizard Shazam, and he needs a human to summon him. Why Billy was picked was never explained, but the unspoken implication is that billy is pure of heart, and smart, and independent, and needs the captain.

Thus it was always so, from 1940 on, until Roy Thomas wrote Power of Shazam and changed it to a twelve year old brain in an adult body, making the Captain a naive and awkward teenager for a generation of fans. That was very possibly the worst Marvel family mini .... oh.... ever, and did some damage that is finally being repaired.
.

Incorrect.

Beck, the artist who defined Captain Marvel hated the idea behind a separate CM (which I agree with). Furthermore, it never explained Black Adam in his one appearance.

I'm sorry but the idea of two separate people is equivalent to Superman and his signal watch. Plain and simple.

[Joe Rice]

Incorrect.

Beck, the artist who defined Captain Marvel hated the idea behind a separate CM (which I agree with). Furthermore, it never explained Black Adam in his one appearance.

I'm sorry but the idea of two separate people is equivalent to Superman and his signal watch. Plain and simple.


CC Beck was great, but he was cranky and DID NOT CREATE Captain Marvel.

[Matt Algren]

What's up with the shoeprints in the last panel? They look exactly like Billy's shoes at the forbidden top of the Rock of Eternity... Does this mean Billy is responsible for the Monster Society's sudden invasion? ...If so, how?I think Billy's responsible, but in a different way than Phoney. Billy messed with the Big Bang. Whatever the world was before he went to the top of the mountain, it's different now. I don't know why the change has taken this form, but now alligators in trench coats accost women in alleys, at least one hobo has become a tiger, and a worm is apparently brilliant beyond belief. My guess is that Billy and Cap are the only ones to perceive the change, since they were at the Rock of Eternity when it happened.

As for the shoe prints, I don't know. I suspect Jeff Smith will answer that question next month.

[Kid Omega]

Incorrect.

Beck, the artist who defined Captain Marvel hated the idea behind a separate CM (which I agree with). Furthermore, it never explained Black Adam in his one appearance.

I'm sorry but the idea of two separate people is equivalent to Superman and his signal watch. Plain and simple.

I don't think it's plain and simple at all. And being "defining" Captain marvel is arguable at best.

Otto Binder had far more say in those stories.

And just as another point, Jimmy Olsen was an enormously popular book and concept. The idea of summoning your best pal who is a superhero when you're in trouble is enormously appealing.

You may not like it, but that's the way it was.

[Kid Omega]

Tom Spurgeon has a great review here : http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/cr_reviews/7717/

"Bone cartoonist Jeff Smith has by now been interviewed any number of times about his work on the DC Limited Series and soon to be perennial trade Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, so much so that it's hard to add insight as to what he's doing with the project and why. Since none of the relentlessly dreary attempts to update the character and place Captain Marvel in the "modern DC universe" or whatever they call it has really captured the comics reading public's imagination, Smith gets a concept that's probably closer to its original, unfettered wish-fulfillment glory than any recognizable super-commodity going. Captain Marvel is about a little boy that changes into the most powerful man in the world, and how the little boy and the magic hero work together to negotiate our supposedly modern world.

Smith's maturity as a cartoonist results in a half-dozen lovely moments. He knows that silent action is more dramatic than expository dialog, and gives each character a moment to move and act and shine that way, particularly his Billy Batson, and most memorably in a moment where Billy takes his shoes off. Smith knows that fairy tale moments are at least half-scary, and a lot of what's fun about the first issue is the sheer inexplicable nature of half of what we encounter, the certainty of a set of rules that really makes no sense. Smith has a wider variety of influences when it comes to drawing action than most superhero artists, and it's a blast to see Captain Marvel do things like run up a mountain path legs bowed out like a Wally Wood character from MAD, or to see Billy Batson fly through the air, frozen in amber, like a freeze-framed cartoon.

Most of all, I think that what Jeff Smith fans will take away from the project is a keener understanding of how Smith grasps onto a concept and kind of teases out its more interesting, more entertaining aspects. What's left for the rest of the series is to see how Smith brings in his story's other fantasy elements, his character's combatants and the Talky Tawny character. By working in modern times, Smith loses the bigger world of sixty years ago that gave those Binder/Beck stories a spine through suggestion that what was unfamiliar to a child's grasp of the world was connected by whimsy and monsters and a family in brightly-colored costumes. If he succeeds at all in this follow through, perhaps he can suggest another course to modern superhero creators, a connection to primary metaphors that draws its richer aspects from somewhere other than the easily graspable real world."