books:

	Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil Jeff Smith DC Comics, 2007 - 240 pages average customer review:based on 13 reviews view larger image
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Now, Billy must use these extraordinary abilities to face an invasion of alien creatures as well as stop mad scientist Dr. Sivana and his Monster Society of Evil from taking over the world.


I really liked it

This graphic novel puts together the entire story-arc presented in SHAZAM!: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL 1-4, retelling the story of Billy Batson and the origin of Captain Marvel. Billy Batson is a homeless boy, on the mean streets of New York City. But, when he rides a fantastic train he meets a wizard named Shazam, and he unleashes the power of Captain Marvel. But, when Billy's curiosity gets to be too much for him, and he travels beyond the beginning of the universe, he unleashes a power from beyond time. Can Billy and Marvel overcome the mysterious Monster Society of Evil? Read and find out.

I must admit to being somewhat ignorant of the Golden Age Captain Marvel, and as such, I cannot discuss how this Marvel is different than that one. But, what I can discuss is what I think about this here book. Well, I must admit that I really liked it. Too many modern comics are too adult, focusing on politics or the political issue de jour, whereas this graphic novel tells a great adventure story that is sure to please any young fan of superhero stories. Heck, I loved it myself.

Now, there are some problems with the story - the relationship of Billy and Marvel is rather strange. But, in spite of that I did think that it was a fun and highly entertaining story. I loved this book, and highly recommend it.

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Graphic SF Reader

Cute, with Tigers.


Jeff Smith here appears to have taken Captain Marvel back to his roots, and maybe even further, although the art style may make Billy Batson look younger than he is actually supposed to be, given how short and stumpy Smith displays these characters.

These is absolutely designed to be for the very young comics readers, so the actual story isn't going to thrill the non-kids, but they should find some amusing bits in it nonetheless.


3.5 out of 5


Shazam! Entertaining and Colorful

This collection of the 4-issue mini-series is highly enjoyable. The story retells Billy Batson's transformation to Captain Marvel in a modern-day setting, and puts Sivana at the head of the Dept. Of Homeland Security. Initially I was put off by how young Billy and his sister, Mary, were drawn, but it ends up working out well for the story. The art is colorful, the plot simplistic, and the writing minimal.

Enjoyable, but you don't get a lot for your money.

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Not perfect, but a step in the right direction for DC

This is a vast improvement over some of the junk being kicked out by DC lately, and it's a good read (Jeff Smith has such a clean, easy to view brush style). It's not perfect, and it's still not quite a childrens book (Billy Batson being kicks to unconscienceness by a thug isn't kid-friendly) but it's vastly better than the latest Infinity Whatever kicked out by DC lately.
The story is rather hollow, and has virtually no substance other than zippy entertainment. Which can be good for a fun Shazam-like, and yet I would have liked a little more substance here. Something a little deeper.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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