Today’s Comic> Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam! #14

First, last week’s Best Scene of the Week

Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #61

Again, Chat MUST be in the ongoing! And now the next week’s reviews begins.

"Catch me!"

Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam! #14

DC Comics (May 2010)

WRITERS: Art Baltazar & Franco

ARTIST: Mike Norton

LETTERER: Travis Lanham

COLORIST: Zac Atkinson

EDITOR: Chris Conroy

Black Adam is back, and Mary’s attempt to convince Freddy that’s a bad thing fall on deaf ears, since Freddy still holds a grudge against Captain Marvel. Adam uses that against the Marvels when, after finding a part of his past, Adam convinces Freddy to accept a portion of his power, becoming Black Adam Junior!

What they got right: The writers are working to really create a universe here. Using the history of Adam in the original comics is good homage/continuity. Were it not for the Marvel Family’s treatment in the main DC Universe these days, this version of Freddy would be an interesting twist, depending on a happy ending. I’m also thinking that “Ms. Dalshaw” is going to factor into the next arc, which would be nice to get beyond Black Adam, Dr. Silvana, and Mr. Mind as the primary threats.

What they got wrong: Unfortunately, there is the aforementioned treatment, especially of Mary in Countdown. That kind of takes some of the “Wow” factor and makes it a “woe” factor. I’m hoping Freddy and Billy make peace. Also, while the rest of Mike Norton’s art definitely belongs in the “got right” section, the credits page has some odd foreshortening for Black Adam (who is missing his eyes) and Captain Marvel. Otherwise, the art is good.

Recommendation: This is quite possibly the best superhero comic DC produces, or at the very least, the one most faithful to the classic superhero idea modernized. You should be reading it.

Actually, black works for him.

Tomorrow’s Comic: Doctor Who Classics Series 3 #1, as we begin the Colin Baker years of the magazine comics.