With DC Comics and Warner Bros’ newest film, Black Adam, set to debut on October 21st, I’m reviewing the story about the man who started it all, SHAZAM! (Originally Captain Marvel, but due to a trademark by Marvel Comics, DC couldn’t publish his stories under that name, so the publisher had to improvise.)
In this Hardcover Anthology, SHAZAM! A Celebration of 75 Years collects the biggest stories about everyone’s favorite Big Red Cheese. The year 2015 was a very big year for Billy Batson and Fawcett City. It marked Seventy-Five Years since Shazam’s heroic debut.
Over the years, there have been many incarnations and depictions of Fawcett City’s Mighty Hero, but luckily for us, this collection is divided into four sections, and each section showcases Captain Marvel in different Comic Book Eras, starting with the Golden Age and Silver Age, the second section going over the Bronze Age of Comics. And finally, the last two sections explore the Modern and Rebooted Era of Comics.
It was interesting to witness the evolution of Shazam throughout the years. From a sweet little boy who was given superpowers because he was worthy (WHIZ Comics #2) to more of a realistic boy who was granted power from the wizard to fight crime in the Modern and Rebooted Era.
When you get down to it, this Hardcover Collection has twenty-one stories and brings memorable characters such as the Marvel Family, Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, and so many more. His Rogue Gallery is nothing to sneeze at, each villain whether it be Doctor Sivana, the terrifying Mister Mind, or Black Adam, these villains cleverly thought out, no matter how weird or corny their evil plots were at that time.
What was truly enjoyable about this book was who else was involved in this collection. You have Bill Parker, C.C. Beck, Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Roy Thomas, and so many talented artists and writers who brought Billy Batson and the World of SHAZAM to life. Each era was a representation of the times, and to be honest, it is hard to pick a favorite story. If you’re a fan of SHAZAM or perhaps just want to catch up before watching the premiere of BLACK ADAM, then this is the perfect item to add to your library.
Final Grade:
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