"I've dealt with Scorpions meaner than you!"
Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam #18
DC Comics/Johnny DC (September 2010)
WRITER: Art Baltazar & Franco ARTIST: Mike Norton COLORIST: Zac Atkinson LETTERER: Travis Lanham EDITOR: Chris Conroy
Hoping to find a clue on where Black Adam has taken the Wizard, Captain and Mary Marvel stumble upon a mummy who used to be a foe of Black Adam when he was still one of the good guys. Now he wants revenge, and plans to cover Fawcett City in his monster horde. The Marvels are able to re-seal him in his prison after defeating him.
What they got right: I give the writers credit it for taking an obscure villain from the original and making him the foe in this comic. It’s what I wanted to see instead of more of the same villains showing up to expand the “rogues gallery” of the Marvel family. It’s also nice to see the “where is the Wizard” subplot in effect here.
What they got wrong: I like being able to say “nothing” in this area, review cred be slagged. The characters and plot are well done, the art is good (although we seem to have Cap with the broader shoulders some of Norton’s predecessors used this issue, it still isn’t as bad as said predecessors), and the whole thing was fun to read.
Recommendation: Get the rest of the series, kids. DC is canceling because they’re stupid. This is the most “pure” superhero series on the shelves, with secret identities, a supporting cast, heroes acting like heroes, and fun to read. That’s why it will go away soon.
I sense a theme in this week's DC Kids offerings.
Tomorrow’s Comic> Sonic Universe #18
BW Media Spotlight 
Yeah, the mummy must not be that sharp (You never pick a fight with a dude who has Barney Rubble’s eyes).
But seriously, I am saddened by the news that a fun comic is getting canceled to make way for more “Grim and Gritty” dross for the desensitized and tasteless masses.
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Captain Marvel may well return, since he’s a recurring character in the Young Justice TV show and (one would assume) will appear in the comic adaptation. However, I doubt we’ll see any more of Billy Batson or anything beyond heroes “on the job”. I was just talking with the guys at the comic store today about how secret identities and supporting casts seem to be disappearing. (Among other things bugging us with Marvel & DC.)
One of them even told me that this comic sell better than Wildstorm’s titles, so he was surprised they were canceling it.
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At least Art, Franco, and Norton are still going to have access to the character. (Saw this on the DC Message Board the registration software won’t let me access! They know me too well by now. 😀 )
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/art-franco-young-justice-100728.html
Not soon enough, although I hope they keep the two continuities and art styles separate. As much as I love the Billy Batson series, Young Justice should keep more to the source material and I don’t think the show will go in that direction.
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