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Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder #1-4
Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder
Witness the first meeting of The Last Son of Krypton and Earth's Mightiest Mortal in this thrilling collection of the stylish 4-issue miniseries! While Superman must stop members of a cult from stealing an ancient artifact from the Metropolis Natural History Museum, Captain Marvel must defeat giant robots rampaging through Fawcett City!
Collecting Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder #1-4.
Collecting Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder #1-4.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
115 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Judd Winick
787 books392 followersJudd Winick is an American cartoonist, comic book writer, screenwriter, and former reality television personality known for his diverse contributions to storytelling across multiple media. He first entered the public eye in 1994 as a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, where he formed a close friendship with AIDS educator Pedro Zamora, an experience that deeply influenced his later work. Winick memorialized their bond in Pedro and Me, a critically acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel that earned several literary awards and became a staple in school curricula.
Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.
Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.
Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.
Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.
Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.
Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
February 21, 2017
First Thunder is about Superman and Captain Marvel/Shazam’s first encounter. Their nemeses Lex and Sivana team up to fight them. The usual bullshit ensues. Still awake? Not for long if you read this book!
Judd Winick and Joshua Middleton’s book is an unimpressively generic superhero comic. Winick is on autopilot hacking out a dreary by-the-numbers script while Middleton’s art makes it look like a cheap Saturday morning cartoon.
The one exception is towards the end when Billy suffers a major loss and, being a kid, has trouble dealing with it, revealing to Superman that Captain Marvel is secretly a child. That one aspect of the story was interesting but the rest of it was the usual dull “superheroes punching stuff” ad infinitum.
Superman/Shazam: First Thunder is a bland, unmemorable team-up between these two Golden Age characters – I wouldn’t bother.
Judd Winick and Joshua Middleton’s book is an unimpressively generic superhero comic. Winick is on autopilot hacking out a dreary by-the-numbers script while Middleton’s art makes it look like a cheap Saturday morning cartoon.
The one exception is towards the end when Billy suffers a major loss and, being a kid, has trouble dealing with it, revealing to Superman that Captain Marvel is secretly a child. That one aspect of the story was interesting but the rest of it was the usual dull “superheroes punching stuff” ad infinitum.
Superman/Shazam: First Thunder is a bland, unmemorable team-up between these two Golden Age characters – I wouldn’t bother.
January 20, 2022
This recounts the tale of the time Superman first met Shazam and this was so good!
It starts with Billy and Clark going about their superhero lives separately until they team up to fight a bunch of thugs who summon magical monsters and well meeting and teaming up leads to talking and they tell them of their powers and what not and their challenges and in the side we have Sivanna plot up some things to hurt Billy but then the two heroes team up again to take Sabbac and Eclipso which makes for a pretty fun fight but when Sivanna targets someone close to Billy, what will he do then and the extreme actions he will take and can Clark save him?
Its such a good volume and just fleshes out this characters so well and showing a dark day in Billy's life and how Superman saved him. Plus its always fun seeing the art of Josh and he is really good here and the colors are <3. The two new enemies were fun and they make quick work of them but its Dr Sivanna who proves to be the most dangerous and here's where Shazam learns the biggest thing heroes need to do. Its really well written and may not be everyone's cup of tea but I loved it fro the writing to the art and whatnot. One of my fav DC stories.
It starts with Billy and Clark going about their superhero lives separately until they team up to fight a bunch of thugs who summon magical monsters and well meeting and teaming up leads to talking and they tell them of their powers and what not and their challenges and in the side we have Sivanna plot up some things to hurt Billy but then the two heroes team up again to take Sabbac and Eclipso which makes for a pretty fun fight but when Sivanna targets someone close to Billy, what will he do then and the extreme actions he will take and can Clark save him?
Its such a good volume and just fleshes out this characters so well and showing a dark day in Billy's life and how Superman saved him. Plus its always fun seeing the art of Josh and he is really good here and the colors are <3. The two new enemies were fun and they make quick work of them but its Dr Sivanna who proves to be the most dangerous and here's where Shazam learns the biggest thing heroes need to do. Its really well written and may not be everyone's cup of tea but I loved it fro the writing to the art and whatnot. One of my fav DC stories.
February 15, 2019
A nice stand alone story of how Superman and Shazam can be so alike, yet so different.
This is a basic team up idea. Both Superman and Shazam are after the same people. When things get a bit too much for each other they decide to team up and kick some booty. Easy enough premise. Then, a terrible event happens to one of them and this takes a darker route than I expected. The last few pages really sum up who these characters are and why they are so alike and different all at once.
Good: The art is cartoony as hell but it works so well. I love the brightness and happiness of it all. I also thought Superman and Shazam dialogue back and forth is both endearing and fun. The last issue hits home and those final few pages really made me smile to show who these characters are and why. It sums it up perfectly.
Bad: The pacing is a bit weird. It's slow at parts and SUPER fast at others. Think being 4 issues it gets rushed though a bit. I also felt like the basic storyline, least first 3 issues, are fun but just same old we've always seen.
Overall, a 3.5 out of 5. A nice surprise. With a extra issue I can see this being a 4 out of 5.
This is a basic team up idea. Both Superman and Shazam are after the same people. When things get a bit too much for each other they decide to team up and kick some booty. Easy enough premise. Then, a terrible event happens to one of them and this takes a darker route than I expected. The last few pages really sum up who these characters are and why they are so alike and different all at once.
Good: The art is cartoony as hell but it works so well. I love the brightness and happiness of it all. I also thought Superman and Shazam dialogue back and forth is both endearing and fun. The last issue hits home and those final few pages really made me smile to show who these characters are and why. It sums it up perfectly.
Bad: The pacing is a bit weird. It's slow at parts and SUPER fast at others. Think being 4 issues it gets rushed though a bit. I also felt like the basic storyline, least first 3 issues, are fun but just same old we've always seen.
Overall, a 3.5 out of 5. A nice surprise. With a extra issue I can see this being a 4 out of 5.
April 29, 2019
SUPER FAST REVIEW:
So the story is entertaining and surprisingly suspenseful. Unfortunately the dialogue is pretty bad and many moments are anti-climactic. The art is hit or miss, sometimes it looks amazing and fits the book super well, other times it looks hideous.
Very meh overall, wouldn’t recommend to anyone but I didn’t dislike it. Had potential to be much better.
3/5
So the story is entertaining and surprisingly suspenseful. Unfortunately the dialogue is pretty bad and many moments are anti-climactic. The art is hit or miss, sometimes it looks amazing and fits the book super well, other times it looks hideous.
Very meh overall, wouldn’t recommend to anyone but I didn’t dislike it. Had potential to be much better.
3/5
October 14, 2013
This book seems aimed at younger readers, but that's not a bad thing. Judd Winick is talented, and here he tells the tale of when Superman and Captain Marvel first meet. The best part of this is the emotional bond that forges between 2 of the most powerful men on the planet. What takes it to a whole new level, is when one of them finds out the other isn't a man at all...I may have been feeling overly sentimental, but I smiled at this one. Simple plot, bad guys aren't the important part at all.
A quick, easy read, simple book, and a decent book for kids looking to get into comics.
A quick, easy read, simple book, and a decent book for kids looking to get into comics.
February 26, 2019
Say the word, and the word is FUN!
Also, love how Supes gives old wizardy Shazam the business.
Also, love how Supes gives old wizardy Shazam the business.
May 7, 2016
A decent story that could've been better. I liked the realistic consequences suffered by Captain Marvel in the shoot-out at the subway station. But my favorite part was the relationship between Marvel and Superman, especially that last page.
May 16, 2020
A near perfect crossover with the original Captain Marvel and the Man of Steel that’s more lighthearted than serious, with a shocking final part that strains the fast friendship and a quick cliffhanger. A- (91%/Excellent)
January 7, 2024
3.5 stars
"Who did this to you ?" and the ending such great moments.
"Who did this to you ?" and the ending such great moments.
November 21, 2021
A simple superhero tale with a strong finish. Over the years I have become a bigger fan of Superman and the importance of the character as an idea of the hero. Most would say that having heroes like Shazam & Superman in the same book is a bit redundant but Judd Winick does a great job of showcasing their differences. I felt that Winick does get the characters and the often absurdity of the worlds in which they exist. Superman is all about science fiction as a contrast to Shazam aka Captain Marvel being about magic. Even though the plot of this book is simple the execution of the story was really well done and surprisingly missed in superhero comics today. DC and Marvel have gotten away from just telling stories of good versus evil. It was great to read something where evil is well defined and the heroes meet the challenge of stopping that evil. It is sad we only got four issues of this series because it is a really fun book. The artwork by Joshua Middleton is really good and the colors are vibrant giving the book a fantastic feel. Now, this isn't the best Shazam tale I have ever read but it is worth the read especially for its ending. The dialogue between Billy Batson and Clark Kent is really well done. The tragedy that hits young Billy is shocking but it sets up a real Father & son dynamic between the Man of Steel & Captain Marvel. It is Billy's innocence that makes him a great candidate for the mantle of Shazam but Superman reminds us that burden should not be shouldered on Billy alone. The boy will need guidance and this story really gets the reader excited for more team-ups with two of the most powerful superheroes in existence. I would highly recommend this book for fans of Shazam. It is also a great Superman tale as well. Of course, here are a few recommendations for other Shazam tales: Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, Shazam!, Shazam!, Vol. 1: The Seven Magic Lands Part 1 and The Multiversity.
July 16, 2020
Super fun, enjoyable, and light-hearted adventure with Superman and Captain Marvel meeting. Really wish they had done a sequel.
I love the art style, and it fits the tone perfectly, though sometimes faces were a little weird to me.
I love the art style, and it fits the tone perfectly, though sometimes faces were a little weird to me.
March 27, 2018
I'm bias AF when it comes to reviewing this super short comic because I love Shazam a lot and I especially love Billy and Clark's relationship. Clark being a mentor to Billy is just so good and sweet and pure that I want it in every comic, TV show, and movie. It has to one of my favorite relationships in the DC universe of what I've seen so far in the comics/shows/movies.
As I said for Throne of Atlantis, I'm primarily playing catch-up on DC comics in prep for the future DCEU films. While this is a somewhat old comic - 13 years - I would love if if the Shazam solo film took some elements from this film. The villain will definitely be the same, surprisingly enough, but I want Clark in the film too. Perhaps not as big a presence as he had in this comic, but just appearing enough to cement himself as an ally/teammate for Shazam as well as a mentor for Billy. Granted, Billy will be in a good foster home in the film, but he can't exactly tell his foster parents about his powers, can he? And his foster siblings wouldn't understand the dual-life struggle, so Clark is the best fit to be a friend/mentor for Billy. Though, a brief team-up mid-battle would be quite fun to see on-screen...
As I said for Throne of Atlantis, I'm primarily playing catch-up on DC comics in prep for the future DCEU films. While this is a somewhat old comic - 13 years - I would love if if the Shazam solo film took some elements from this film. The villain will definitely be the same, surprisingly enough, but I want Clark in the film too. Perhaps not as big a presence as he had in this comic, but just appearing enough to cement himself as an ally/teammate for Shazam as well as a mentor for Billy. Granted, Billy will be in a good foster home in the film, but he can't exactly tell his foster parents about his powers, can he? And his foster siblings wouldn't understand the dual-life struggle, so Clark is the best fit to be a friend/mentor for Billy. Though, a brief team-up mid-battle would be quite fun to see on-screen...
October 11, 2017
This seems to be a one shot book, it wraps up nicely at the end but left it open ended enough if more of the series happen to pop up. This came out in 2006 so I doubt there will be anymore but this ends pretty clean. I thought this was really cute with Superman and Shazam! bonding and talking, I like the characterization in this too even though it is short. Both Clark and Billy are sweethearts and seeing the end really breaks my heart. I love Superman so much as a role model and the ending is just a show of that Superman's character that I love to see. I will never get tired of how kind and trusting Superman is. ~Ashley
May 27, 2019
"Witness their first meeting.." What. Ever. This is like their fifteenth first meeting. One more DC "year one," hence the title First Thunder.
A pretty good job of keeping the art and the story naive, but not sappy.
A pretty good job of keeping the art and the story naive, but not sappy.
July 15, 2024
I can't help but give it 5 stars.
I did not expect to end up loving this the way I did. It starts off generic, great fun but generic then it takes a turn and does what many mordern comics have a hard time doing, ending on a high note. The finesse in Judd Winick's writing deserves an applause imo. It's difficult to tell a simple story with real competence and complexity, it requires pure skill. More often than not, less is more. Especially in a medium where they inforce 'more'. The art complements the writing and it hits hard when it has to. Loved that there was a deeper story underneath a simple one. It's almost like the "main" story is a disguise to the real one. Absolutely brilliant.
I did not expect to end up loving this the way I did. It starts off generic, great fun but generic then it takes a turn and does what many mordern comics have a hard time doing, ending on a high note. The finesse in Judd Winick's writing deserves an applause imo. It's difficult to tell a simple story with real competence and complexity, it requires pure skill. More often than not, less is more. Especially in a medium where they inforce 'more'. The art complements the writing and it hits hard when it has to. Loved that there was a deeper story underneath a simple one. It's almost like the "main" story is a disguise to the real one. Absolutely brilliant.
January 5, 2025
This was cute, but just that. The art was definitely not my style, but I had seen the panel where Superman confronts the wizard and was interested in reading the story behind it, so I picked this up. The story itself was a quick read, and honestly I wish it had been far less about fighting magical monsters than it had been about Scott’s death and how Clark and Billy handled the fallout of that. It was given a handful of pages where we could have used a handful of issues exploring the trauma and how it affected both superheroes. It could have been the beginning of a really cool mentor arc.
So three stars for what material it did have and the potential it held!
So three stars for what material it did have and the potential it held!
May 23, 2021
A telling of the first meeting between Superman and Captain Marvel, this series is best known for handing Captain Marvel & the wizard Shazam a huge idiot ball (like, literally, Solomon is in both their names) and that isn’t any better in the collected story. Overall, it’s ok until then. Winick fumbled the landing so much tho.
I’m still not sure why Eclipso was there either.
I’m still not sure why Eclipso was there either.
December 15, 2020
Słodko-gorzki crossover dwóch podobnych, jednak różnych bohaterów. Serwuje dużo akcji i nie pozwala się nudzić.
June 2, 2021
El primer encuentro enntre un muy primerizo Capitan Marvel y Superman, que se uniran para pelear contra Sivana, Lex Luthor, Calypso y otro malo cuyo nombre que no recuerdo.
LO BUENO: Esperaba muchisimo menos, pero es muy entretenido, los malos son malos, los buenos son muy buenos y el trabajo con Superman y Capitan Marvel son maravillosos, todo es hermoso, las dudas, los consejos, la camaraderia, además de un arte hermosisimo de Joshua Middleton, que es hermoso y dinamico, con un arte que te acaricia y quedas embelesado viendolo.
LO MALO: Es algo forzado la inclusión de Calypso, como que aparece a la fuerza y desaparece igual, y su amenaza es entre nula y tonta.
LO BUENO: Esperaba muchisimo menos, pero es muy entretenido, los malos son malos, los buenos son muy buenos y el trabajo con Superman y Capitan Marvel son maravillosos, todo es hermoso, las dudas, los consejos, la camaraderia, además de un arte hermosisimo de Joshua Middleton, que es hermoso y dinamico, con un arte que te acaricia y quedas embelesado viendolo.
LO MALO: Es algo forzado la inclusión de Calypso, como que aparece a la fuerza y desaparece igual, y su amenaza es entre nula y tonta.
June 23, 2021
Aunque al principio no me gustó mucho el estilo del dibujado, el contenido e incluso la caracterización de los rostros fue super divertido. Me entretuve bastante
April 5, 2023
A fun read. The heroes complement each other's powers. Captain Marvel makes up for Superman's susceptibility to magic. Superman makes up for Captain Marvel's inexperience.
July 2, 2021
I love stories that focus on the relationship between Superman and The Big Red Cheese, so this was a necessary read for me. In First Thunder, Judd Winick covers Superman and Captain Marvel's first encounter (and subsequent team up). While their respective arch nemeses (Lex and Dr. Sivanna) hate each other, they end up forming an alliance to face the powerful duo.
I must admit that the story is not too deep (save for some of Superman's reactions to a few 'reveals' and a moment towards the end where we see Billy trying to cope with loss), but it still works great. The art is beautiful to look at. I can see where the film Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam took inspiration from. 7/10 for both art and story.
I must admit that the story is not too deep (save for some of Superman's reactions to a few 'reveals' and a moment towards the end where we see Billy trying to cope with loss), but it still works great. The art is beautiful to look at. I can see where the film Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam took inspiration from. 7/10 for both art and story.
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June 22, 2015I chose this because the cover made it look exciting. I really like this book,because there superheroes and they can fly,run fast and strong,they team to save the world.They did lots of good things and I that I need to do the right thing.There this part they team up and save the world
I learned to do the right thing because they did lots of good thingsand save the world.
I learned to do the right thing because they did lots of good thingsand save the world.
July 25, 2019
This comic book has some of the best moments in Superman and Captain Marvel's history. The plot is nothing out of the extraordinary, but there are some heart touching moments. The art is decent, Joshua has his own unique style.
April 5, 2019
Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder is a mini-series, published by DC Comics in 2006, which recounts the first meeting between two DC superheroes, Superman and Shazam (Captain Marvel). Contrary to the usual popular stereotype, the encounter proves most pleasant as they quickly become staunch allies whose complement each other well. This trade paperback collects all four issues of the mini-series.
As I am going to watch the film tomorrow, I thought reading this would be apropos. Furthermore, this is one of three trade paperbacks that DC Comics suggest anyone to read, before watching the film.
Superman is traveling to Fawcett City in pursuit of a group of criminals who have just robbed a museum from Metropolis and used magic against him. Upon arriving in Fawcett, he finds Captain Marvel fighting the same group of thieves. Together, Superman and Marvel dispatch a pair of monsters in a battle where Superman is impressed at how this new hero is able to ward off magic attacks that he himself is defenseless against. While Captain Marvel, is a bit envious of Superman's additional vision and breath based powers.
Afterward, they take a break from crime fighting to chat at Mt. Everest, where they discuss their powers and professional lives as superheroes. Superman breaks off the more personal aspects of the conversation, remarking that he prefers to keep his two lives entirely separate. Captain Marvel says he understands, but that he thinks "it kind of stinks".
Later on, they continue to work together to thwart the villains Lord Sabbac (who the museum-robbing gang had been attempting to summon all along) and Eclipso. At the end, Superman notes he is glad to have an ally in the Captain who is better suited to battling the supernatural than he would ever be.
Judd Winick has penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it is a quaint and wonderful story about two powerful superheroes meeting. I liked that Shazam has kept some of his childlike mannerism, as he is just a boy pretending to be an adult with superpowers. They get together rather well with surprise, surprise, very little trouble free.
Joshua Middleton was the penciler for the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style – it accentuates the narrative rather well.
All in all, Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder is a wonderful recount on how two of the most super powered superheroes in the DC Universe met.
As I am going to watch the film tomorrow, I thought reading this would be apropos. Furthermore, this is one of three trade paperbacks that DC Comics suggest anyone to read, before watching the film.
Superman is traveling to Fawcett City in pursuit of a group of criminals who have just robbed a museum from Metropolis and used magic against him. Upon arriving in Fawcett, he finds Captain Marvel fighting the same group of thieves. Together, Superman and Marvel dispatch a pair of monsters in a battle where Superman is impressed at how this new hero is able to ward off magic attacks that he himself is defenseless against. While Captain Marvel, is a bit envious of Superman's additional vision and breath based powers.
Afterward, they take a break from crime fighting to chat at Mt. Everest, where they discuss their powers and professional lives as superheroes. Superman breaks off the more personal aspects of the conversation, remarking that he prefers to keep his two lives entirely separate. Captain Marvel says he understands, but that he thinks "it kind of stinks".
Later on, they continue to work together to thwart the villains Lord Sabbac (who the museum-robbing gang had been attempting to summon all along) and Eclipso. At the end, Superman notes he is glad to have an ally in the Captain who is better suited to battling the supernatural than he would ever be.
Judd Winick has penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it is a quaint and wonderful story about two powerful superheroes meeting. I liked that Shazam has kept some of his childlike mannerism, as he is just a boy pretending to be an adult with superpowers. They get together rather well with surprise, surprise, very little trouble free.
Joshua Middleton was the penciler for the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style – it accentuates the narrative rather well.
All in all, Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder is a wonderful recount on how two of the most super powered superheroes in the DC Universe met.
September 6, 2022
This was a brisk read and a very fun one. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a modern telling of the meeting of titans, one from space and science, one from earth and wizardry. Despite the way it’s situated, it’s more of a Captain Marvel (Shazam’s old name, don’t ask, long story) story than a Superman one.
This is a book about the two most sincere heroes in the DC universe, so of course it feels like an Amblin movie in a sense. The dynamic between Supes and Cap are very much like brothers, with Supes being the big one. It works spectacularly, with them helping each other over the course of the series, resulting in an absolutely fantastic payoff in the final issue. It also has more bite than would be expected later on, but I’d like to avoid specifics. Let’s just say our heroes are tested.
This book despite only being four issues, uses a multitude of villains, and yet never feels overstuffed. I think that’s cause it knows how to use them well as tools of storytelling. Some only show up for a page or two to set things in motion, while others are the heavies, giving our heroes stuff to punch, or a spy, or the masterminds of it all. It just plain works like a well oiled machine.
This might be the best thing Judd Winick has written for DC. The Red Hood work he did for Batman was great but sloppy (the cartoon adaptation cleaned it up and streamlined it so well people remember it better for a reason) and his Green Arrow stuff…controversial. But this? This is just plain lighting in a bottle here.
Joshua Middleton’s art is great, and I’m happy to see him do interiors. These days he’s usually doing covers for DC, and his style has so wildly evolved I almost didn’t realize it was the same artist.
Seriously grab this book if you like either character. Just plain an utter gas.
This is a book about the two most sincere heroes in the DC universe, so of course it feels like an Amblin movie in a sense. The dynamic between Supes and Cap are very much like brothers, with Supes being the big one. It works spectacularly, with them helping each other over the course of the series, resulting in an absolutely fantastic payoff in the final issue. It also has more bite than would be expected later on, but I’d like to avoid specifics. Let’s just say our heroes are tested.
This book despite only being four issues, uses a multitude of villains, and yet never feels overstuffed. I think that’s cause it knows how to use them well as tools of storytelling. Some only show up for a page or two to set things in motion, while others are the heavies, giving our heroes stuff to punch, or a spy, or the masterminds of it all. It just plain works like a well oiled machine.
This might be the best thing Judd Winick has written for DC. The Red Hood work he did for Batman was great but sloppy (the cartoon adaptation cleaned it up and streamlined it so well people remember it better for a reason) and his Green Arrow stuff…controversial. But this? This is just plain lighting in a bottle here.
Joshua Middleton’s art is great, and I’m happy to see him do interiors. These days he’s usually doing covers for DC, and his style has so wildly evolved I almost didn’t realize it was the same artist.
Seriously grab this book if you like either character. Just plain an utter gas.
January 27, 2023
This 2006 miniseries might have been in continuity back then, but I don't really remember. I wasn't really following comics back then anyway. This was a prequel to show Billy Batson (called Captain Marvel, not Shazam, since this was when Marvel wasn't really using the name) meeting Superman for the first time. They tangle with the same crew in museums first in Metropolis and then Fawcett City (not Philadelphia like the later Geoff Johns version used for the movie). They team up and take on some magic enemies like Sabac and Eclipso.
It's pretty lighthearted and fun with cartoony art that's probably meant to invoke the Golden Age. Then in the fourth issue it takes a pretty dark turn. It ends with sort of a whimper; those who might be hoping for a big fight between the two heroes would be really disappointed.
Personally I found the lack of angst and fighting between the heroes to be kind of refreshing. It's pretty old-school to have two heroes work together without throwing punches and trading insults first. In this case Captain Marvel really looks up to Superman and at the end Clark decides to become a mentor to Billy.
Would that the real history of these characters had been so free of acrimony and lawsuits.
It's pretty lighthearted and fun with cartoony art that's probably meant to invoke the Golden Age. Then in the fourth issue it takes a pretty dark turn. It ends with sort of a whimper; those who might be hoping for a big fight between the two heroes would be really disappointed.
Personally I found the lack of angst and fighting between the heroes to be kind of refreshing. It's pretty old-school to have two heroes work together without throwing punches and trading insults first. In this case Captain Marvel really looks up to Superman and at the end Clark decides to become a mentor to Billy.
Would that the real history of these characters had been so free of acrimony and lawsuits.
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August 15, 2025The premise of this four issue mini-series is simple: it depicts Superman’s first meeting with Shazam (still named Captain Marvel here).
Despite the slightly ‘action figure smash up’ feeling these type of the stories often have, this particular match up did have a lot of potential. Contrasts could have been made between their respective upbringings (Clark’s loving home vs Billy’s homeless/foster situation), their genre backgrounds (science fiction vs magic) or even the sources of their power (inherent biology vs ‘worthiness’). It’s the exploration of those contrasts that make team-up stories compelling. Look no further than DC’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow match-ups or Superman’s longstanding friendship with Batman for great examples of this.
First Thunder ignores all this in favour of a thin plot that doesn’t really explore either hero. Shazam is heroic yet childish and Superman is just… perfect I guess? The threats they face are forgettable and disjointed and any emotional stakes rise and fall in the space of a single issue.
All in all, this series represents a curiously futile footnote in DCs history and book I’m sure to forget I read in just a few weeks time.
Despite the slightly ‘action figure smash up’ feeling these type of the stories often have, this particular match up did have a lot of potential. Contrasts could have been made between their respective upbringings (Clark’s loving home vs Billy’s homeless/foster situation), their genre backgrounds (science fiction vs magic) or even the sources of their power (inherent biology vs ‘worthiness’). It’s the exploration of those contrasts that make team-up stories compelling. Look no further than DC’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow match-ups or Superman’s longstanding friendship with Batman for great examples of this.
First Thunder ignores all this in favour of a thin plot that doesn’t really explore either hero. Shazam is heroic yet childish and Superman is just… perfect I guess? The threats they face are forgettable and disjointed and any emotional stakes rise and fall in the space of a single issue.
All in all, this series represents a curiously futile footnote in DCs history and book I’m sure to forget I read in just a few weeks time.
July 31, 2025
This is absolutely fantastic.
Its a nice breezy adventure story, the kind of threat that necessitates a team-up like this. Art is great, dialogue is great, the personality of both characters shine.
Which of course, leads me to the best part of this book.
This story is Shazam and Superman at their best in a contemporary context. I love how more recent writings on Shazam have delved into some of the implied complexities of being a kid who can turn into a superhero and this story in particular has a lot of dramatic meat.
But Superman also comes out swinging, as he encounters what he thinks is a new peer in the world of superheroics only to discover a wayward boy who's in over his head. The last part of the book in particular (after the attempt to assassinate Billy) is just stellar writing from beat to beat.
Its a nice breezy adventure story, the kind of threat that necessitates a team-up like this. Art is great, dialogue is great, the personality of both characters shine.
Which of course, leads me to the best part of this book.
This story is Shazam and Superman at their best in a contemporary context. I love how more recent writings on Shazam have delved into some of the implied complexities of being a kid who can turn into a superhero and this story in particular has a lot of dramatic meat.
But Superman also comes out swinging, as he encounters what he thinks is a new peer in the world of superheroics only to discover a wayward boy who's in over his head. The last part of the book in particular (after the attempt to assassinate Billy) is just stellar writing from beat to beat.
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