Trials Of Shazam vol.1 - Worth Picking Up?

[UniqueFrequency]

was just going through Previews for this month, and the first TPB for Trials Of Shazam is out sometime in May. For those who've been following the series, is it worth picking up?

[kane]

was just going through Previews for this month, and the first TPB for Trials Of Shazam is out sometime in May. For those who've been following the series, is it worth picking up?

In my opinion it is a good book. It changed the status quo and made the Marvel Family interesting for me. And i think the art is good.

If you like more the silly version of Captain Marvel then the book is nothing for you, i think.

[SKJAM!]

I found it to be an interesting "modern fantasy" story so far, but not a very good story for the established Marvel Family characters. It's possible that the story will turn around in the back half to something I could recommend, but this first volume is still the setup.

[MWGallaher]

I don't see the appeal in buying a TPB of half a story. You'll have to wait another half a year to get the conclusion. It might make sense if TOS #6 took the story to a satisfying stopping point, but it doesn't. Or if lots of people were regretting not buying the miniseries and wanted to catch up, but they don't seem to be.

[jv2k]

It's difficult to say really.
This book has a lot of people who hate what its doing to the marvel family and a lot who don't care.

On one hand it is somewhat interesting to see Billy become the new wizard and watch Fred complete trials to become the next captain Marvel.

On the other hand it seems like it is taking the Marvel family in a completely different, darker direction. I get the bad feeling we are going to get the new "Bad ass marvels" because of this story.

Personally I like Shazam and the Monster Society of Evil better.

[Cayman]

I echo the opinion that it's an entertaining book, but a bad direction for the Marvel Family characters.

[CYOTI]

was just going through Previews for this month, and the first TPB for Trials Of Shazam is out sometime in May. For those who've been following the series, is it worth picking up? Hell yes, good art, great ideas and decent writing. One of Winnick's better titles.

[Jack Zodiac]

The art was interesting the first issue, but the more I saw it, the more I hated it, even if it was more stylized than Porter's typical artwork. As a huge fan of the original Marvel Family, I absolutely hate the book because of how poorly it's attempting to develope and evolve these characters past their classic ideals and into something stale and modern. As an "urban fantasy," I still can't find any admirable qualities in the story past the idea of a young, crippled man trying to attain superpowers, and even that isn't enough considering Winick's characterization of Freddy- even if he hadn't been Captain Marvel Jr. before, I doubt I'd find anything appealing about him here.

This book is "Harry Potter" in tights and a cape, and while that could be a good idea, with Winick at the pen, I'm just not diggin' it.

[vazel]

I don't like how the Marvel family is portrayed.

Thankfully we have Monster Society of Evil for good Marvel family storytelling.

[LtMarvel]

Not a good Marvel Family story.

But, it is a good story. I hope they 180 degree away from where they appear to be headed...

[Powerboy]

was just going through Previews for this month, and the first TPB for Trials Of Shazam is out sometime in May. For those who've been following the series, is it worth picking up?

Hard to say without knowing how it ends but I've liked it so far. I didn't know they were coming out with a trade already. Those who don't like the move away from the traditional Marvel family won't like it but they are trying to find something that sells longterm with the Marvels.

[UniqueFrequency]

thanks for the input from everyone!

i never knew much of the 'traditional' Marvel family, so maybe this will be a nice introduction to get a feel of their direction in the DCU as well.

that said, i'll probably flip it extra carefully at the store before deciding :D

[titanfan]

I echo the opinion that it's an entertaining book, but a bad direction for the Marvel Family characters.

This is exactly how I feel as well. I actually enjoyed the story, but I'm worried that it's setting a direction for the Marvel Family that may make them difficult to recover from if it doesn't work. I would be in the "Pick it up, especially if you're not too familiar with the characters" point of view.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

While I respect that Winnick is taking a risk and trying to do something new with the Marvel Family, his approach just doesn't work for me. At all. It feels like an aging Harry Potter fanboy's idea of what a kewl Shazam book would be. It fundamentally changes what the characters are about, which is a pretty bad idea given how strong the original idea was and still is.

[vazel]

Wait a sec, the way you people are talking about this... PLEASE don't tell me Trials of Shazam is in continuity.

[UniqueFrequency]

Wait a sec, the way you people are talking about this... PLEASE don't tell me Trials of Shazam is in continuity.

hmm considering that the Mary Marvel story in Countdown seems to step from Trials, I'd say it is in continuity. (Readers of Trials, please correct me if I'm wrong)

[Karl O'Neill]

The Art is fantastic, story is cool too.

Give it a try.

[matt_hatyber]

well its good book...good story, but i still stop getting it. Once they had a magic war in iraq, and a army of pigs with guns, it made me not like the book anymore

[Samurai]

Wait a sec, the way you people are talking about this... PLEASE don't tell me Trials of Shazam is in continuity.

Yes, Trials of Shazam is in DC continuity. Monster Society is not in continuity, at least not current continuity.

[matt_hatyber]

Huh? when the trails came out it said a 12 part series


edit: i just checked dccomics.com it says its a 12 part series

http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=7173

[Jack]

I'm amused by the references to Winick as a "Harry Potter fanboy", given that if anything it should be the opposite. Or are stories about a young boy escaping his miserable life by entering a world of magic for which he's the greatest hero somehow repulsive to Captain Marvel fans? If you're going to bitch at least make your insults reasonably accurate. It's just embarrasing otherwise.

[Sabaition]

I just don't understnad WHY. Captain Marvel was created by SHAZAM because he was too old to fight anymore. So now that he has all that power why would he need a Champion to represent him. The Captain Marvel I thought I knew wouldn't put his friends in danger when he knows he can handle thing on his own now. I mean, if Marvel was on par with Superman before then as Shazam he should be a NASTY force to reckon with.

He would let Freddie and Mary be for the most part. I mean I like Freddie but HE'S NOT BILLY. An there can only be one boy with a pure heart, one Champion for mortals and only one GOD AMONG MEN, ONE Captain Marvel. Freddie has all the makings of another Black Adaaaaaaam, OoOoOoOo. Not that the DC writers are that smart.

[UniqueFrequency]

Not that the DC writers are that smart.

no, but maybe DC is.

Countdown #51 shows Mary Marvel in her current state, which leads readers like me curiously pondering about buying Trials

Countdown #50 shows Karate Kid vs Batman, which leads curious readers to check out the current JLA/JSA titles.

hmmmmm.

[Samurai]

I just don't understnad WHY. Captain Marvel was created by SHAZAM because he was too old to fight anymore. So now that he has all that power why would he need a Champion to represent him. The Captain Marvel I thought I knew wouldn't put his friends in danger when he knows he can handle thing on his own now. I mean, if Marvel was on par with Superman before then as Shazam he should be a NASTY force to reckon with.

He would let Freddie and Mary be for the most part. I mean I like Freddie but HE'S NOT BILLY. An there can only be one boy with a pure heart, one Champion for mortals and only one GOD AMONG MEN, ONE Captain Marvel. Freddie has all the makings of another Black Adaaaaaaam, OoOoOoOo. Not that the DC writers are that smart.

For one thing, now that Shazam is gone and Billy has inherited his power, he's also inherited his responsibilities... guarding the Rock of Eternity. The Rock contains the 7 Deadly Sins and other creatures and magic objects that should not be let loose in the world. If Billy left it unguarded, all that stuff could escape. So he stays there and has Freddie take care of other things in the outside world. Makes sense to me.

[Joe Rice]

The ten-character limit prevents me from answering this with a simple and efficient "no."

[CaptChucky]

I'm enjoying the series, but it is not to be mistaken for being in the same universe as any other Shazam series. It is certainly a good story, though.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I'm amused by the references to Winick as a "Harry Potter fanboy", given that if anything it should be the opposite. Or are stories about a young boy escaping his miserable life by entering a world of magic for which he's the greatest hero somehow repulsive to Captain Marvel fans? If you're going to bitch at least make your insults reasonably accurate. It's just embarrasing otherwise.

If Winnick's stories had any of the charm, humanity or humor of the Harry Potter books, it'd be great, but, unfortunately, all he's included is the tiresome and pretentious minutae of explaining the various rules of magic, which is why the "Harry Potter fanboy" is apt. Like most fanboys, Winnick has chosen to focus on the inconsequential details, but forgotten about the heart.

[Shazam]

No.

...............................................

[Powerboy]

If Winnick's stories had any of the charm, humanity or humor of the Harry Potter books, it'd be great, but, unfortunately, all he's included is the tiresome and pretentious minutae of explaining the various rules of magic, which is why the "Harry Potter fanboy" is apt. Like most fanboys, Winnick has chosen to focus on the inconsequential details, but forgotten about the heart.

That's the opinion I've started to have as the series goes on too. Lots of great ideas, many of them, by Winnick's own admission, taken from Neil Gaiman's novel, "American Gods". But TOS doesn't have the heart and followthrough of Gaiman's story, just similar ideas. I personally see Winnick as a young and still very inexperienced writer who is in over his head. Given time, he can develop. He has potential but he's not there yet.