Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam!

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1

by Mike Kunkel, Art Baltazar

The all-new, all-fun adventures of Captain Marvel, the world’s mightiest mortal, are collected from his hot new series!

Eleven-year-old Billy Batson has been given an amazing The magic word Shazam!, which transforms him into Captain Marvel and gives him incredible super-powers. But now there’s a new kid at Billy’s greatest foe, 14-year-old Theo Adam, who has his own alter ego as Black Adam — if only he could remember his own secret word. Theo is determined to get the secret of Billy’s magic word any way he can.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2010

Reviews

[Jokoloyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three star rating for stories by Mike Kunkel. Two star rating for stories by Art Baltazar.

Mike Kunkel's storytelling is fast and with good foreshadowing.

Art Baltazar stories are standard for comic books series.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the style of Mike Kunkel first four issues. The illustrations are unique and suit the story well. Things take a dive when Franco and Art Baltazar take over in issue 5. I'm not sure I'll follow this series, though my love of Shazam might win the day.

For more on the Big Red Cheese, tune in here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[Rizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great, not terrible. The art was a bit much for me. I don't remember much of it to be honest.

[Jota Houses · Rating 2 out of 5]

Muy buenos los dibujos y la historia (en tono infantil) en los primeros números. Entre lamentable y patético el resto.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a fun Saturday morning cartoon.
The two creative teams had very different styles, both worked for me.

Captain Marvel always seems to work better when it indulges in larger than life fantasy and fun.
Trying to make it serious or for grown ups is never 100% successful.

The Shazam series that I like best seem to be the ones trying to be more all ages or for kids.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really impressed with Mike Kunkel's work, but unfortunately his contribution doesn't last.
While I do also appreciate the folks who replaced him, I prefer their work on another book titled Tiny Titans. Still, regardless of whatever modern age creator that's working on Captain Marvel, no one seems to be able to capture the character in the way the Fawcett Publications did.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My high expectations may have gotten in the way. I did adore the Hero Bear merchandise that Billy had!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the Jeff Smith, but pretty good anyway.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I've said before, I've been in a Captain Marvel mood. And when you're a librarian in the mood for something, you end up with a lot of books. This one ended up being obviously for kids. But, at the end of a work week...this was a fun enough read.