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The DC3: Shazam!

By , and | July 5th, 2013
Posted in Columns | % Comments

While all of us at Multiversity are fans of a wide spectrum of comics, there are a few of us that tend to self-identify as “DC guys.” We’ve cried for justice; we’ve been through the blackest nights and the brightest days. And now, we’ve been culled together for a new column to focus on some of the bigger goings on in the world of Detective Comics Comics. If you’re wondering who is going to stand up and discuss what is happening at DC – don’t worry:

Today, we discuss the end of the “Shazam!” backup in “Justice League,” and what our thoughts are about the way that DC handled bringing Billy Batson and co. into the New 52.

Brian: We find ourselves at the end of the “Shazam” backups in “Justice League,” and, more or less, the New 52’s former Captain Marvel has a fully formed backstory, supporting cast, and some villains ready to torment him for years to come. How did we feel this slow roll out of the Captain Marvel/Shazam mythos worked?

Vince: You know my theory about how darkening the DCU through the ‘New 52′ has dampened Geoff Johns’ best writing traits?

Well, he managed to mostly avoid that with the “Shazam” backups. When you look at the moodiness and the color scheme of any of the promotional material for “Shazam”, it all looks slanted toward making Billy Batson and his superhero alter ego into more “edgy” characters, right?

And yes, Billy Batson’s story begins with him being a little jerk off, but it was all in the service of what I think has been a pretty well-paced and interesting attempt to make a layered and sympathetic character out of him. It was a risky choice and something different for the character, but I think it really worked.

And aside from those darker trappings, at the core of the story was some real heart, humor, and a sense of wonder that any Captai…Shazam story should contain.

Brian: In short, this is my favorite thing Johns has done in the New 52. I have lots of other thoughts on this, but first I want to hear what Zach has to say on the topic.

Zach: I’m totally with you on this being the best thing Johns has done in the New 52. In fact, I’d probably go even farther by saying this is his best work since the “Blackest Night” era. This was Johns in his element, revamping and redefining an underused character/concept for a new audience.

Vince mentioned that the story was pretty well paced, which I think is exceptional considering the way it was distributed. I never recall getting particularly frustrated with the truncated monthly chapters, which is something I can’t say for many regular sized books or even some double shipping titles.

It’s great to see Shazam getting the spotlight, and I’m especially excited to see someone flesh out these seeds Johns has planted. Also, hats off to Gary Frank, that guy is just fantastic.

Brian: Agreed on all counts. I thought it was a really savvy move of DC to use “Justice League” as the book to place a “Shazam” backup in – it is a hugely popular book, picked up by the more casual and the more dedicated fan, and makes a lot of sense as a launching spot for a new/revived character.

This was a Billy Batson origin, but found room for just about every major part of the Marvel family, sans Uncle Dudley (poor Uncle Dudley got Wally West’d right out of the picture), while establishing a new status quo for the character and expanding an already sizable supporting cast. Plus, elements of the “Flashpoint” Marvel family were incorporated, and just about everything got modernized, but not to a degree that it lost its charm. Billy now has a podcast instead of working for WHIZ, he’s still an orphan but is now in a foster family that makes a little more sense, even Tawny got his moment in the spotlight.

Continued below

Can you guys tell how excited am I by all of this?

Vince: I’m excited too. I think you hit the nail on the head. Johns did just what he always does, by folding pretty much all aspects of the “Shazam” continuity in there somehow. Gary Frank’s take on the characters (especially Black Adam) were sights to see. That final issue was a masterclass in drawing a “super”-on-“super” brawl.

How much did you guys enjoy his work alongside Johns?

Brian: I was at first a little skeptical, but after the first few installments, I absolutely thought that Frank was the perfect guy for this job. His work retains a feeling of timelessness, and so even though the story takes place in modern times, it isn’t too much of a stretch to place this back in the Golden Age, either.

Zach, what was it about Frank’s work that appealed to you?

Zach I’ve been a big fan of Gary Frank since his work with Johns in “Action Comics” a few years back. Frank has a knack for conveying a lot of emotion and motive through facial expression, something I’ve always admired. However, he’s not all about talking heads, as Vince indicated, his action scenes are incredible, especially the ones he got to draw here. As I mention in my review for the issue, I love the Frank got to go wild in re-imagining Billy’s world, from the new looks of the Seven Sins, to Sivana, to the new Marvel (Shazam?) family. As we’ve touched on a few times, everything felt fresh and modernized while still retaining the heart of the classic.

Of course, I think the biggest question left now is who is going handle the inevitable “Shazam” ongoing? While I’m sure Johns will feature the character in “Justice League,” I can’t see him taking another ongoing series onto his plate, and Frank isn’t known for keeping a monthly schedule. Who would you guys like to see carry this torch?

Vince: Johns “gets” Shazam so well that I hope it ends up being him. He can drop “Aquaman”, for all I care (sorry Aquafans).

Other writers that would have gotten Shazam right? The big two that come to mind are James Robinson (oops) and Grant Morrison (who will get to do a bit with him in Multiversity). As far as anyone currently in DC’s stable? I don’t know. Johns seems far and away to be the best fit. I guess my dark horse pick would be Bryan Q. Miller, though I’m not sure if he’s into the character.

Gary Frank, of course, can’t do a monthly straight through. I would love to see him do a one arc on, one arc off type thing alternating with Chris Burnham, once Burnham gets off of Batman Inc. Otherwise, Burnham would just be a straight up solid choice to draw the series by himself.

Thoughts?

Brian: I could see a situation where Johns leaves one of the Justice League titles or “Aquaman” to pick up a Shazam-centric one. Miller is an interesting choice that I could completely get behind. I’m resisting the urge to go with someone like Jerry Ordway or Keith Giffen because, let’s face it, it is easy to insert old favorites in there, but if they want this character to be a major player – and all indications seem to point towards that – they need to shed some of his more classic associations and use fresh, new creators.

My pick for a creative team is very much a dream team: Jeff Parker writing with Mike Allred on art. Allred alluded to me, in an interview that we’ll run in August, that after his “FF” run he would be working on the one character he’s always wanted to, but never had the chance to draw. And, due to Madman’s symbol being quite similar to the Big Red Cheese’s, I’m making that guess. And I would buy the shit out of that book.

Vince: That would be a huge get for DC Comics.

Brian: That would be a huge get for comics in general.

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Vince: That would be a huge get for humankind.

Zach: I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing Johns drop a Justice League book (as long as the one he keeps has the amazing Baz/B’dg duo) or “Aquaman” in favor of Shazam, although Jeff Parker is definitely an inspired choice.

Mike Allred on Shazam would be the best thing to happen to the New 52 ever, even if it was just for a single issue. However, now that it’s mentioned, I can’t get over how perfect Burnham would be on a Shazam book. The guy needs a place to go after “Batman Inc.” wraps, and I can’t think of a book better suited to his style.

So, DC, if you’re listening, mark me down for “Shazam” #1 by Geoff Johns and Chris Burnham, covers by Gary Frank, and an occasional one-off from Allred. Is that too much to ask?

Brian: So, how did you guys feel about the incorporation of the “Flashpoint” family into the mythos?

Zach: The “Captain Thunder” family was one of many cool but underutilized concepts in “Flashpoint,” so I’m glad to see the characters get a second life in the New 52. Each character had a distinct personality and I can’t wait to see them play off of each other more. I wonder, however, if they’ll continue acting as members of “Power Rangers: Shazam.”

Vince: The only unique point that I have to add is that I thought the “Flashpoint” family was also a clever way to inject diversity into the line in a pretty satisfying way. Another thing that this story just flat-out executed well.

Brian: I sort of love the idea of Shazam being able to share his powers at will with others. That is a pretty unique power in comics, and should make for some really interesting stories later on (as well as make him the ideal team member). It also allows the goofier elements of the character – Tawny, Hoppy, Uncle Dudley – all make sense in story without coming off as cheesy.

We’ve barely mentioned the villains introduced here – Black Adam, Dr. Sivana and Mr. Mind are all introduced, and all look and feel very close to their original incarnations. You know, people have been saying for years how unrelatable these characters are in modern times, and Johns and Frank have proved that wrong at just about every turn.

What did you guys think of the villains?

Vince: Black Adam was fantastic, but he owes just as much to Gary Frank for drawing that perfect sneer as he does to Johns.

Zach: Black Adam was indeed great. I enjoyed his revised origin story, the typical Johnsian tragedy that it was. The new Seven Sins were interesting as well, bearing a lot of similarities to the emotional entities of Johns’ Green Lantern mythos.However, I was most intrigued by the new take on Sivana, and wish we had gotten to see a bit more of him. Thankfully, the teaser ending hints at more of that, as well as a fantastic appearance by another classic Marvel villain.

After writing all of that out, I’m once more impressed at just how much Johns and Frank managed to incorporate into the story, without it feeling oversaturated.

Brian: Anything else to add before we place our bets on when we’ll actually see a Shazam series?

Vince: I think I’m good. “Shazam” was one of DC’s best storylines out of the ‘New 52’ over the last year. It would only make sense to extend it out to a series, which I could easily see happening at the turn of the new year, once all this Villain’s Month/Trinity War stuff is over.

Brian: I think it’ll be come October, personally. I guess we’ll see Monday!

Zach – take us home. When do you see the series dropping?

Zach I think October as well, at least no later than the end of the year. It’s essentially a sure thing at this point, and DC would do well not to lose the steam they’ve built. They have to fill those empty slots somehow!


//TAGS | Chronicles of Shazam | The DC3

Brian Salvatore

Brian Salvatore is an editor, podcaster, reviewer, writer at large, and general task master at Multiversity. When not writing, he can be found playing music, hanging out with his kids, or playing music with his kids. He also has a dog named Lola, a rowboat, and once met Jimmy Carter. Feel free to email him about good beer, the New York Mets, or the best way to make Chicken Parmagiana (add a thin slice of prosciutto under the cheese).

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Vince Ostrowski

Dr. Steve Brule once called him "A typical hunk who thinks he knows everything about comics." Twitter: @VJ_Ostrowski

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Zach Wilkerson

Zach Wilkerson, part of the DC3 trinity, still writes about comics sometimes. He would probably rather be reading manga or thinking about Kingdom Hearts. For more on those things, follow him on Twitter @TheWilkofZ

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