Captain Marvel: Huh?

[yourverysilly]

I've always had a problem with the whole marvel thing (sorry, any shazam fans!) Its just that these days, I thought all the less amture characters were gotten rid of: I mean, he's a boy that can change into a magic powered superman at will by saying shazam and a big lightning bolt...wll you know the rest. I just don't think he fits the modern continuity, anyone else agree?
(and keeping him on just because he can hold his own against superman is not enough to justify his immature origin)

[Schornforce]

Personally, I like Cap as a voice of purity and innocence in the DCU-- moreso than Superman. I greatly enjoy the more 'childish' aspects... if you wanna get down to the nitty gritty, ANYONE dressed up in tights and a cape would be more likely to make criminals laugh themselves into submission before surrendering in awe and/or fear.

I totally agree that Marvel can seem out of place or just a Superman copy. I think 52 and JSA helped establish the power of Shazam (albeit in Black Adam) as a force to be reckoned with-- different (ableit subtly) from Kryptonian, Daxamite, Martian, or Wonder Woman's powerset.

I firmly believe that there should be a light and silly to balance out the serious or grim and gritty stories. I don't like a DCU without the Marvel family, Plastic Man, G'Nort, etc. I think the silliness is needed and am saddened by the overwhelming loss of humor and innocence the current main DCU is trying to convey. I guess my point is one person's "immature" is another's "fun."

[Hawkman]

Agreed. One of the reasons I dislike Trials of Shazam and the Martian Manhunter mini. DC's taking what few pure-hearted characters they have and seemingly giving them the grit and grimifying treatment reminiscent of the late 80s, early 90s. If anything, we need more Captain Marvels and less Frank Miller Batmen.

[Rattlehead]

Personally, I would age Billy Batson to, oh I don't know, his early 20's. That way it doesn't seem so 1940's, and you could explore the dynamic of Billly's trials and tibulations of coming into adulthood along with the Action/Adventure stories of him being Captain Marvel. I would also dump the whole saying "Shazam" thing altogether. Other than that, the character is just fine, and is pretty iconic in his own right. Grim n gritty is just fine by me, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for some good old fashoned fun in comics anymore.

[Jack Zodiac]

Disagree. In an industry that's constantly trying to modernize itself, I'd like to see at least one thing thrive in its roots. The idea of Captain Marvel is a classic adolescent power fantasy, of being able to become a hero "like magic" and be virtuous in every way with all that power because, at your heart, you're still just a child- which is why I'm also very much against aging Billy or any of the Marvel Family, as opposed to characters like Batman and Superman, who I'd honestly like to see age.

No, I've got nothing but respect for that little boy and his magic word.

[captain_unimpressive]

I suppose that the big reason for non-Cap fans to keep Cap around is that Cap (how many times can I use that nickname?) fills a role that no other icon fills the role of the "magical" hero in the DCU. Sure, there's Zatanna, Doctor Fate, et cetera; but none of those are so iconic.
Each hero embodies a certain concept (or two) rather well: Superman has patriotism, Batman has fear (and human achievement), Wonder Woman has myth (and femininity), Green Lantern has imagination, and Captain Marvel is magic and youth.

[BoosterBronze]

I don't see anything immature about it at all. He's a kid, says a magic word, gets magic powers. Barry Allen got hit by lighting and got superspeed. Carter Hall was convientienly the resurrection of an Egyptian king (or something). What makes Billy's origin immature? Compated to what? Superman? He's an alien who for some reason gets superpowers because our sun is a different color.

How does Captain Marvel not fit it?

[StoneGold]

I don't see anything immature about it at all. He's a kid, says a magic word, gets magic powers. Barry Allen got hit by lighting and got superspeed. Carter Hall was convientienly the resurrection of an Egyptian king (or something). What makes Billy's origin immature? Compated to what? Superman? He's an alien who for some reason gets superpowers because our sun is a different color.

How does Captain Marvel not fit it?

Goofier cape?

[David Atkins]

Goofier cape?

Depends on the artist.

[Michael P]

Billy Batson's imaginary friend is real. That's the hook.

[TROUBLEZ]

I've always had a problem with the whole marvel thing (sorry, any shazam fans!) Its just that these days, I thought all the less amture characters were gotten rid of: I mean, he's a boy that can change into a magic powered superman at will by saying shazam and a big lightning bolt...wll you know the rest. I just don't think he fits the modern continuity, anyone else agree?
(and keeping him on just because he can hold his own against superman is not enough to justify his immature origin)

They should kill him off. In a Alan Moore-esque way. That would be sad, because he is such an innocent character, a hold over from the atomic age, and him to be killed, maybe by Sinestro, would be a good note to leave off on.

[Jack Zodiac]

I can't tell whether or not you were being sarcastic, but God, I really hope so.

[Sean Whitmore]

I can't tell whether or not you were being sarcastic, but God, I really hope so.

"If it's a joke, it's both funny and well-executed, but I think you and I both know that it's not."


SEAN

[Pól Rua]

One of my main problems with DC these days is the uniformity of tone within the DC Universe. It seems like everyone is 'edgy', 'mature', 'gritty', 'serious' and... what's that other thing...? Oh yeah, BORING.

Gone are the days when you could have a whimsical series like Metal Men, a high-flying, two-fisted space opera in Green Lantern, downbeat, street-level introspection in Green Arrow, eerie supernatural thrills in Phantom Stranger, and a bunch of other series, each with their own, individual voice and tone.

Nowadays, it seems like everything's written in this wannabe 'adult' tone which reeks of nothing so much as an adolescent trying to sound 'grown-up', but just managing to sound petulant and cynical.

Diversity is good.

[Pól Rua]

Personally, I would age Billy Batson to, oh I don't know, his early 20's. That way it doesn't seem so 1940's, and you could explore the dynamic of Billly's trials and tibulations of coming into adulthood along with the Action/Adventure stories of him being Captain Marvel. I would also dump the whole saying "Shazam" thing altogether. Other than that, the character is just fine, and is pretty iconic in his own right. Grim n gritty is just fine by me, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for some good old fashoned fun in comics anymore.

So, Superboy, then.

[Calybos]

Maturity and realism are both WAY the hell overrated. Especially in comic books, which I read for escapist entertainment, adventure, and fun.

[Rattlehead]

So, Superboy, then.

Don't you mean Young Superman.:p

[hotrodimus]

i know this is comics but i think they should lose kid thing already... everyone got noticeably older and billy has been around for how many years and yet he's still a kid. or was there anything that keeps him young ala JSA before?

[Jack Zodiac]

Captain Marvel's as old as Batman and Superman. Would you also like to see Clark and Bruce fighting crime in wheelchairs... or flying wheelchairs?

[Matt Algren]

I agree that Captain Marvel doesn't fit in the DCU. I'd love to see them yank the whole family over to Earth S or 5 or whatever and continue from Smith's series.

[Sabaition]

Your crazy. Captain Marvel is a GREAT character that has just been used wrong for years. The proble is everyone is so use to the darker twist most DC characters have taken. An Marvel has never been given ANY credible villian other then Black Adam. I mean his character gets powers from Gods, so why don't we see him battle something powerful. Like GODS, Ancient Demons or things of that sort. The guy brought in to stop Superman should be the same guy brought in during fights with the likes of Doomsday or Darksied. Yet instead he battles a half human half ALIGATOR. He is great for those of us that still have that kid inside wishs he could a word and become a hero.

You know they plan on RE_VAMPING HIM now. Since Billy lives on the Rock of Eternity. Freddie is gonna become the new Captain Marvel which will give some writer the chance to DARKEN or "MATURE" Marvel. If they can drag out Doomsdays lame character they most def will keep Captain Marvel. Besides the way the Marvel Family have been appearing in books lately with roles that are actually important makes me think SOMEONE in DC has finally decided to do something useful with them all.