Today’s Comic> Billy Batson #16

The part of Black Adam will be played by Shao Tsung.

Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam #16

DC Comics (July 2010)

“Black Adam, Jr.” begins to finally get his payback against Captain Marvel, until he realizes that Black Adam isn’t a good guy (although Freddie’s still not convinced Marvel is). Adam learns that the Wizard has the amulet, and journeys to the Wizard’s place to retrieve it. Although, the Marvels and Freddie try to stop him, Adam gets the scarab, but he cannot open it. Theorizing that the Wizard can, he grabs Shazam and blows out the torch, causing both the Wizard and Black Adam to disappear.

What they got right: I actually kind of like that Freddie doesn’t just automatically become Captain Marvel Jr. and joins up with the heroes, despite the fact that the whole “Black Adam, Jr.” thing kind of rubs against me the wrong way. (Again, mostly due to the Marvel Family’s treatment in DC Proper.) The way the story was written such a quick jump wouldn’t have worked. I also like the cover. In this day and age, most comic covers are standard artwork. This is the kind of cover that makes you curious about what’s inside. More comics could learn from this cover.

What they got wrong: However, I’m not sure I really need a “what will the Marvels do without their mentor” storyline, which will be coming up. The next arc should really be a “search for the wizard” story, if you ask me, but I’m the guy who kind of wants to get away from Black Adam and bring in some of the other villains from multiverses of yore. So I’m a bit conflicted.

Recommendation: This is easily becoming the series for Shazam! fans to pick up, as well as fans of classic superhero stories (this is how you modernize those, not by darkening up the place) and for kids who like superheroes.

This is why he started carrying American Express.

Tomorrow’s Comic> Doctor Who #11