STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: COMICS/GRAPHIC NOVELS - “SHAZAM! THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL”
Let’s conclude this accidental month of superheroes with a comic about one of my favorite superheroes: Captain Marvel a.k.a.: Shazam.
There are various stories and solo titles about Shazam.
For this week, we will be talking about a self-contained graphic novel that sums up Shazam’s origin story as well as telling an original story using pre-established characters: Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil.
Written and illustrated by Jeff Smith, the story is about a young orphan named Billy Batson, who on one night follows a stranger into the subway.
He gets on a bright red train which takes him to meet the wizard, Shazam. Shazam chooses Billy as a replacement.
Using the magic word “Shazam,” Billy is transformed into Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel is a separate persona that uses Billy as a host. Marvel is endowed 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. (Guess what the first letters of each name spells out.)
Captain Marvel appears just in time as a supernatural entity named Mr. Mind has appeared with his Monster Society of Evil. Their mission is to wipe out human civilization.
It’s up to Captain Marvel and his allies, who include a talking tiger, Talky Tawny, and a newly discovered sister of Billy, named Mary, to save the day.
I am a huge fan of Captain Marvel just based on the concept alone: a kid becomes a superhero (he debuted a year after Superman). He’s not cynical, and just wants to save innocent people, and stop the bad guys.
I was only interested in collecting limited series stories, and, to my knowledge, Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil is the only one Captain Marvel has. There is one written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank for the New 52, but that’s another origin story with the villain being Black Adam.
As for the story itself, it’s a good starting point if you want to find out the basics of the Captain Marvel character and his allies and rogues gallery.
The problem I have with it is that sometimes the artwork is not appealing, especially on Mary.
As of right now, during the current Rebirth title that is happening with DC Comics, Shazam is not around, but you can still check him out with Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil as well as other titles from his past that date back as early as the late 30s.
Be sure to care for all life, and check it out!
