Shazam! Vol. 1 (The New 52) Hardcover Author: Visit Amazon's Geoff Johns Page | Language: English | ISBN:
1401242448 | Format: PDF, EPUB
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Once a more whimsical, humor-centered version of Superman, Shazam gets a modern makeover from Johns, main architect of DC’s revamped New 52 universe. No longer a smiling, can-do post–Depression era orphan, Billy Batson is now an angry, resentful snot-nosed punk who cons his way into a kindly foster family’s care, where he proceeds to alienate his welcoming (and racially diverse) foster siblings. But when an ancient wizard passes on a legacy of power to him, just as an ancient evil from the wizard’s past reemerges, Billy needs to embrace not only the good in himself but also the power of family. Johns, always at his sharpest when reimagining and streamlining an origin tale, darkens and deepens some of the character’s hokiest elements and does so without tying them to an involved, new-reader-repelling backstory, creating a more palatable treat for longtime readers and superhero novices alike. Frank, among mainstream comics’ finest craftsmen, provides standout art that grounds the action in reality and gives it dramatic weight with solid, beautifully expressive character work and gritty, exciting battle choreography. --Jesse Karp
About the Author
Geoff Johns is an award-winning writer and one of the most popular contemporary comic book writers today. Johns is the author of The New York Times bestselling graphic novels Aquaman: The Trench, Blackest Night, Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War, Justice League: Origin, Superman: Brainiac and Batman: Earth One which hit #1 on the bestseller list. He is also known for transforming Green Lantern into one of the most critically and commercially successful franchises in comics.
Johns was born in Detroit and studied media arts, screenwriting, and film at Michigan State University. After moving to Los Angeles, he became an assistant to Richard Donner, director of Superman: The Movie. He and his mentor Donner later co-wrote Superman: Last Son featuring the return of General Zod.
Johns has written for various other media, including episodes of Smallville, Arrow and Adult Swim's Robot Chicken, for which he was nominated along with his co-writers for an Emmy. He is the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment and resides in Los Angeles, California.
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- Series: Shazam
- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: DC Comics (October 1, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1401242448
- ISBN-13: 978-1401242442
- Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
This collection contains all the backups, and the two full issue stories, from Justice League 7-21.
Billy Batson is a problematic teen stuck in the foster system. He finds himself in the home of the Vasquezes who already have five other children that were of that system. The rebellious and thoughtless Billy runs away only to find himself in the lair of one of the last powerful sorcerers left. The Sorcerer is and has been trying to find a mortal with the purest of heart for centuries to bestow as the champion of magic. With time running out as the former champion, the power hungry rage driven, Black Adam, has been let free of his imprisonment, the Sorcerer realizes that no mortal has a pure heart all the time but that young Billy has the potential to have great heart when the time arises.
The New 52 was a great opportunity for DC to really reinvent/retool some of their properties. They have had success so far with some, but not so much with others, and the verdict is still out on the rest. Shazam was one the the beneficiaries. The former Captain Marvel (I believe DC gave up on this name due to being sick of being stuck in court with the heirs of Fawcett Comics, where DC bought the character from, and Marvel because they have a Captain Marvel of their own) is now just Shazam, the phrase Billy must say with great meaning in order to change into the champion or back into his boy self. Shazam, from what I read, was very fun and a beloved character in the old DCU. He was a poor boy with a heart of gold that kept his naivety when changed into the champion even saying lost sayings as, "holly molly" and "gee whiz". That kinda one dimensional take on a character only makes for a good guest star who can throw a good punch and lightening bolt.
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank continue the excellent collaboration they began with Superman (Action Comics) and Batman: Earth One. Here, they undertake an updated origin story of Shazam (no longer Captain Marvel). The result is at least as good as their previous projects, and this one may even be better. Johns' story certainly reads like a 21st-century take on the character with [MINOR SPOILER WARNING] Billy Batson beginning as more of a juvenille dellinquent than he's been portrayed in the past, and becoming (at the first strike of the magic lightning) more of a teenager in an adult's body than the seasoned, noble hero that he's often been portrayed as in previous titles. I am often skeptical of updates that mess with long-cherished aspects of a character's history, but in this case the minor changes seemed to work: I liked Billy and his supporting cast, despite their character weaknesses and faults. This was a totally believable story, which not only re-introduces Shazam to DC continuity, but also Black Adam, Dr. Sivanna, the Marvel family, and even Mr. Tawny.
If you've seen any of Gary Frank's art before, you probably know what to expect here: It is in fine form just as much as I've ever seen it. Frank's illustrations don't always look like still-frame, poster-worthy frame-ups (although some of the splash pages do look awesome!), but his linework is incredibly crisp and clean, his panels are easy to understand, and they tell the story of the page without any confusion. This book is a joy not only to read for its story, but also to look at for its art. There were a few pages that meshed story and artwork so well, they sent a shiver of exhileration up my spine. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to turn back to the beginning and start over.
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