Captain Marvel

[Doomsday81]

Could anyone tell me any good Captain marvel books or storylines?

[Lex]

Hmm... most of what I consider really good Captain Marvel stories were from the 1940's and 50's.

More recent stories are not always as good. The first three issues of Superman/Shazam! were really good (but I'd avoid the 4th issue if I were you).

There's going to be a Cap mini-series coming out called "Shazam!: The Monster Socity of Evil." That should be a very, very good Captain Marvel story.

[Ontir]

See if you can find Shazam! from the 40's to the 70's at a used bookstore, or online. It's a great book, mostly black and white, but with several colour stories, and colour cover galleries. It gives you the origin, the arrivals of Mary & Freddy and the rest of the Marvel Family, as well as DC's re-introduction of the Marvels in the correctly titled: With one magic word... SHAZAM! on the cover, and then on the splash: ... the ORIGINAL Captain Marvel! In the seveties, there's a full colour Dave Cockrum illustrated Captain Marvel, Jr. story!

[CaptainAwesome]

I liked the Jerry Ordway series Power of Shazam that ran through the 90's. It had the innocence but wasnt afraid to be an actual superhero story.

Also, ignore what Lex said. THe last issue of Superman/Shazam is just as good as the rest of the series it just takes a serious turn. I say dont limit the character to talking tigers and "gee-whiz" storytelling. Dont ignore those things, but see him as a fully rounded character and not just a 2D characature.

Oh, Sorry if it seemed like i was rambling there, but you have to read the last issue of Superman/Shazam to understand it.;)

[Kan-Man]

See if you can find Shazam! from the 40's to the 70's at a used bookstore, or online. It's a great book, mostly black and white, but with several colour stories, and colour cover galleries. It gives you the origin, the arrivals of Mary & Freddy and the rest of the Marvel Family, as well as DC's re-introduction of the Marvels in the correctly titled: With one magic word... SHAZAM! on the cover, and then on the splash: ... the ORIGINAL Captain Marvel! In the seveties, there's a full colour Dave Cockrum illustrated Captain Marvel, Jr. story!

I had totally forgotten about this book. Great recommendation, I read mine until the cover practically fell off when I was growing up.

Three more suggestions...

1) When DC brought Captain Marvel back in the 70s in SHAZAM, the 100 page issues were packed with Captain Marvel reprints from the Golden Age.

2) Anybody remember those treasury editions DC and Marvel released in the 70s? I'm pretty sure there was one or two devoted to the Big Red Cheese.

3) The first story arc of Giffen & DeMatteis' first Justice League series had a comedic take on Captain Marvel.

[Lex]

Also, ignore what Lex said. THe last issue of Superman/Shazam is just as good as the rest of the series it just takes a serious turn.

My view was that it was an needless dramatic turn in a story that wasn't centerd around that type of drama. The first three issues were fun and lighthearted... and then the last issue gets all weird and drama-y. It was like Winick didn't know how to end the story so he came up with something he would've normally put in another book. It was disappointing.

I say dont limit the character to talking tigers and "gee-whiz" storytelling. Dont ignore those things, but see him as a fully rounded character and not just a 2D characature.

I never said anything about "limiting Cap to a 2D caricature."

[Citizen V]

I actually have a few questions about Captian Marvel..

Is it true that he was not originally a DC character?Was he ment to be a variation of Superman?

Who created Captian Marvel?What was his first story in the DC Universe?

What are his powers exactly?

"Shazzam"

[CaptainAwesome]

I never said anything about "limiting Cap to a 2D caricature."

Well I didnt mean to specifically attack you with that statment, but the argument of this issue always seems to come down to whether or not he should be completely innocent or if he should be a regular character in the DCU like Superman and Batman. Some people feel one way and some people feel another, so I just meant to let people know where I stand on the subject.

[CaptainAwesome]

I actually have a few questions about Captian Marvel..

Is it true that he was not originally a DC character?Was he ment to be a variation of Superman?

Who created Captian Marvel?What was his first story in the DC Universe?

What are his powers exactly?

"Shazzam"

I'll answer what I can.

1. He was originally created for Fawcett Comics, and yes like most superheroes of the time he was kind of a rip off of Superman. Fun Fact: he actually outsold Superman for a while until DC sued and Fawcett lost the rights to the character.

2. Im not sure of his first story, but i think it was right after COIE and it was a mini that really screwed up his origin, but dont quote me on that.

3. His powers are wisdom of Solomon, strength of Herules, stamina of Atlas, power of Zues, courage of Achillies, and speed of Mercury. He is as strong as Superman, but not as fast. Also he knows a lot of things he doesnt know he knows with the wisdom of Solomon. Its wierd.

[Lex]

1. He was originally created for Fawcett Comics, and yes like most superheroes of the time he was kind of a rip off of Superman. Fun Fact: he actually outsold Superman for a while until DC sued and Fawcett lost the rights to the character.

Actually, Fawcett won that suit. But it was so mentally and economically draining on them that they gave up publishing.

[moon knight]

i think C.C. Beck and Bill Parker are credited with creating captian marvel

[Stanlos]

Ah, Captain Marvel.

I miss him so!

Pick up

SUPERMAN VS SHAZAM (eBay for this--I've seen all of the SUPERMAN VS books there except the Mohammed one)
POWER OF SHAZAM graphic novel
World's Finest back ups featuring Cap
With one magic word!
Power of Shazam ongoing
Power of Hope one shot
JUSTICE collected edition (the best thing about this is the treatment of Cap)
JUSTICE LEAGUE A New Beginning (if only to see Captain Marvel wail on Martian Manhunter)
War of the Gods Complete (should be able to find these in a set on eBay--you definitely want the L.E.G.I.O.N crossover versus LOBO)
The old stuff of course is the best stuff, but DC has had one or two bright spots before the Great Darkness that has befallen the Marvels recently.

How could I forget!!!

PLEASE pick up:

SUPERGIRL Vol 4 (not the current series)
Issues 68-74

Do NOT miss these