The Shazam! Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) [Hardcover]

C.C. Beck (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shazam Archives | Publication Date: February 10, 1999

When young radio reporter Billy Batson speaks the name of an ancient wizard "SHAZAM!" he is magically transformed into the World's Mightiest Mortal -- Captain Marvel! Marked by a distinct art style, Captain Marvel made his debut in 1939 in Fawcett Publishing's WHIZ COMICS and, for a time, even outsold his publishing rival SUPERMAN. This delightful hardcover collection reprints the Captain Marvel stories from those early WHIZ COMICS, introducing Captain Marvel, Billy Batson, the evil Dr. Sivana, the wizard Shazam!, and more. It also includes the famous "ashcan" edition of the first issue of WHIZ!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (February 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563890534
• ISBN-13: 978-1563890536
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.6 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COMIC ART AS IT SHOULD BE, December 27, 2001

By 

K. Jump (Corbin, KY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shazam! Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

One of the most popular Golden Age superheroes, the original Captain Marvel has had a hard time carving out a proper niche for himself in the modern era. Though DC has tried to re-establish Cap several times, the results have often been disappointing--partly because of questionable handling by DC itself and also in part because public tastes aren't what they used to be. In an age of anti-heroes and exploitativeness that surpasses anything "Seduction of the Innocent" could have foreseen, a hero as noble as Captain Marvel seems somewhat out of place--much like Superman himself.

But thanks to DC's "Shazam Archives," modern readers at least have a chance to see just why Cap was such a Golden Age icon. This is an outstanding hardcover book, featuring beautifully reproduced art by C.C. Beck and Pete Costanza on high-quality paper. Though written in the 40s, Bill Parker's clever, innovative scripts still hold up well. The price is a bit steep, but there's nothing quite like the classics from the Golden Age.

The stories themselves do show their age--there's nothing remotely like them anymore. Even so, they're top-notch entertainment, featuring lots of action, daring feats of superheroism, last-minute escapes, and plenty of beautiful women to rescue. Though written before America entered World War II, these stories clearly reflect a nation fearful of the world around it, as Cap faces down both barbaric "Gnatzis" and insidious fifth-columnists. Cap's arch-nemesis, the evil Dr. Sivana, is introduced in Cap's very first adventure and makes several return appearances, along with his alluring daughter, Beautia, whom Sivana dreams of seeing crowned "Empress of the World." Cap's origin story is presented in its original form, (he was originally to be dubbed "Captain Thunder")and stands out as among the most unique and captivating opening chapters in comic book history. What boy could resist the promise of becoming the World's Mightiest Mortal just by saying the magic word?

None of the stories in this book are real clunkers, though one or two are only fair (such as "Hurray for Captain Marvel"). Every reader will find his or her own favorite, but to me "Make Way for Captain Marvel," "Captain Marvel Battles the Winged Death," and "Captain Marvel Boomerangs the Torpedo" are the best of the best.

Some modern readers may find these tales naive and overly cartoonish. Hopefully, however, mature readers will agree with me that this is comic fantasy as its gilded peak.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is why we read four color books, October 25, 2000

By 

Stephen Sonneveld (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shazam! Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

This book is a breezy and exciting read. To see Captain Marvel drawn by his creator is a pleasure. Every young person dreams of being heroic, and this book exemplifies why. Young Billy Batson transforms into his alter ego not only to foil the villians, but also to impress the ladies. Shazam is a hero that deserves a place beside the greats of our American mythology. Superman is our ideal, Batman is our pathos, Wonder Woman is our pride, but Captain Marvel is our innocence.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Origin of the Big Red Cheese, July 28, 2000

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Shazam! Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

Shazam Archives Vol.1 collects the Captain Marvel stories from Whiz #2-15. It also includes a rare first appearance as Captain Thunder in Thrilling Comics (never actually sold, but only printed as a prototype). The printing is great and all the stories are in full glory.

It is very interesting to see the progression of the good captain. His military/genie inspired costume gives way to a Supermanish one piece suit by issue #5. Although the first stories are a little more hard, the whimsey that he is so known for starts to poke it's friendly little head in. Dr. Sivania arrives with a menagerie of wild beasts from Venus, including his kids Beautia and Magnificus. There is a great half-lion/ half-gorilla.

Like all Captain Marvel, this volume is lots of fun and worth having.