Superheroes are more popular and more mainstream than ever. It seems like every week there’s a new superhero movie, TV show, or videogame hitting the screens. Nearly all of these superheroes and their stories originated in comic books. Of course, there are decades and decades worth of comics out there, and to a new fan it can be daunting trying to figure out which ones to read. In this column, I’m gonna try my best to give new fans fun, easy to understand jumping-off points into the world of comics. As far as accessibility goes, most of these comics are collected and readily available from comic shops, bookstores or online from subscription services such as Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe. Additionally, I always recommend your local library as a free source of comics to read, and with inter-library loan systems you can get your hands on pretty much anything.
For this edition of Where to Begin we’re gonna take a look at my all-time favorite superhero, the original Captain Marvel, Shazam! Shazam is a very unique and fun superhero, and with his recent movie the character is more popular than ever. I’ve been reading his comics since I was a little kid, and I thought I’d put this list together for any fans interested in giving the comics a try. For starters, there are two collections that have a good sample of stories throughout the years: Shazam! The Greatest Stories Ever Told and Shazam! A Celebration of 75 Years. Beyond those, if you want more adventures from Billy Batson and the World’s Mightiest Mortal, here’s where to begin.
The original: Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel Adventures by C.C. Beck
Fawcett Comics and C.C. Beck created Captain Marvel in 1939. At one point he was the most popular superhero in the world, outselling the likes of Superman, Batman, and Captain America. These original stories are the best of the Golden Age Comics. Their plots are more dynamic and fun than what National (DC) and Timely (Marvel) were putting out at the time. The artwork is the cleanest and most sophisticated of the period while still maintaining the distinct 1940s energy.
Captain Marvel and Fawcett were eventually put out of business by a lawsuit claiming he was too similar to Superman, but if you read these comics you can see there was no legitimacy to that claim. Most superheroes of the time were either hard-boiled crime inspired, like Batman, or science fiction inspired, like Superman. As the idea of a twelve year old being struck by lightning and turning into the world’s strongest adult might suggest, Captain Marvel was magical in nature, and his fantastical stories reflected that. In one issue, Captain Marvel even fights the whole planet Earth. Comics just don’t get more fun than these. DC revived the character in the 1970s with stories that look similar to the original ones, but lack the same heart.
The Power of Shazam! by Jerry Ordway
This graphic novel and ensuing series were the first DC comics version of the Captain that were able to match the spirit of the original. Jerry Ordway understands what makes Captain Marvel so special, and keeps the necessary sense of joy throughout while providing updated versions of Shazam and all his friends and enemies.
Because this is a more modern comic, these comics can sometimes have an air of seriousness to them. It works to ground the character and lend emotional weight to the stories, and Ordway’s art style is versatile enough to handle the lighthearted and the serious sides of Captain Marvel. These are also the first comics to heavily feature Black Adam, the Captain’s ancient evil nemesis. Black Adam only appeared in one comic before this series, so the reason he’s such a prominent comic villain today is because of The Power of Shazam!
Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith, of YA comic Bone fame, writes and draws this origin story where a newly-powered Billy Batson fights one of the Captain’s oldest enemies, the telepathic evil genius worm from Venus, Mr. Mind. This is a very whimsical, cartoony introduction to the character, with art reminiscent of Looney Tunes. It’s one of the best all-ages comics DC has put out in recent years.
SHAZAM! (2011) by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank
This is the comic that provides the basis for the Shazam! movie. No, really, aside from Black Adam being there the plots are almost identical. It’s a very different take on Shazam, with writer Geoff Johns emphasizing the magical nature of the character in an effort to further distance him from Superman. Artist Gary Frank always does a good job, and he’s at his best here. Plus, this is the comic that introduces Billy’s expanded adopted family, which I thought was the best part of the movie. This is not a purist take on the character by any means, but it has great art, some good fight scenes, and if you liked the movie I guarantee you’ll like this comic.
Thunderworld Adventures by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart
This single issue story, published as a part of Morrison’s Multiversity anthology miniseries, is Captain Marvel’s best modern adventure. Taking place in the original Captain Marvel’s universe, rather than the main DC universe of Shazam, this story sees the Captain, his sister Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel Jr. fighting Dr. Sivana as he seeks to strip the world of magic. This comic’s art is very colorful, with an exciting retro feel to it. The story is a fun, imaginative look at Captain Marvel that is very much like one of the original comics with a dash of Morrison’s trademark unorthodox creativity thrown in. It’s a wonderful, quick read that I can’t recommend highly enough. This version of the Shazam family also appears in Convergence: Shazam! by Jeff Parker and Evan “Doc” Shaner.
Bonus: Shazam! The Power of Hope and Justice by Alex Ross
The best Captain Marvel/Shazam stories come from creators that truly love the character. It’s true of his creator C.C. Beck, it’s true of Jerry Ordway and Grant Morrison, and it’s also true of legendary comics painter Alex Ross. Captain Marvel is his favorite superhero, and he does an excellent job of depicting him. In Shazam! The Power of Hope with Paul Dini, Ross creates a beautiful, touching story of the Captain taking the time to spend a few days with the patients at a children’s hospital. Justice, with Jim Krueger, is a full Justice League story that Captain Marvel plays a large part in. Ross’s art style is like no other, and anything he works on is worth a look. His work has done a lot to keep the love of Shazam alive, and any fan of the character will enjoy his version of the Captain.
