Showcase Presents: Shazam

Graphic novel title: Showcase Presents: Shazam
526 pages, chiefly illustrated
Originally published in Shazam 1-33 circulation 1973-1978
Reprint volume: 2006
Cost: 16.99 US
Genre: Fictional super hero graphic novel
ISBN: 1401210899 paperback
Review by: Allen Klingelhoets

Book back cover statement about Shazam ! Volume 1.

All the indomitable virtues of six elder gods and heroes have been combined and placed in the hands of adolescent newscaster Billy Batson. Whenever he speaks the name of the ancient Egyptian wizard SHAZAM, he becomes, in a brilliant burst of bewitched lightning, Captain Marvel, the world's mightiest mortal!

With the Wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the Stamina of Atlas, The power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. Captain Marvel is the hero of the helpless, eliminator of evil and preserver of peace. Joined by his closest allies, Mary marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Uncle Marvel. Cap faces off against such malevolent menaces Dr. Sivana, Black Adam, Mr. Mind and The Monster Society of Evil.

After a nearly 20 year absence, the Marvel family returned to comics in the early 1970's in DC Comics SHAZAM! series. Containing time honored reprints with new material. SHAZAM! treated a whole new generation of comics reader to the magic that is the Marvel Family. Presented here are the stories and covers for the series that ran in issues 1 through 33.

Allen notes:

I found this to be very enjoyable fun series. I also liked that some of first issues were drawn by C.C. Beck. He worked on art or covers for first 10 issues. He was artist for Captain Marvel when character was first created. The character was first created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker in 1939. He first appeared in WHIZ comics # 2 in February 1940 by Fawcett Comics.In 1970's SHAZAM! was published through DC Comics. Billy Batson's alter ego is named William Joseph "Billy" Batson.

There were multiple artists and writers that worked on all 33 issues. I felt Showcase Presents SHAZAM! made for interesting read before seeing SHAZAM! movie at theater. The graphic novel is done in back and white format. I would suggest finding through inter-library loan. One of my favorite co-stars of Marvel Family is Mr. Tawky Tawny, the talking tiger. I liked how C.C. Beck devised way to bring back older co-stars and villains.

There are multiple graphic novels in SHOWCASE series reprinting many classic stories from DC Universe in chronological order.

Allen Klingelhoets