Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil [Hardcover]

Jeff Smith (Author, Illustrator), Alex Ross (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Shazam | Publication Date: October 17, 2007

Jeff Smith, the award-winning creator of BONE, tells the story of young orphan Billy Batson who finds himself transformed into the World's Mightiest Mortal whenever he says the magic word "Shazam!" after being granted the magical powers of the gods by an ancient wizard.

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Captain Marvel returns in a new incarnation, aimed at a younger audience, by Smith, the award-winning creator of Bone. Billy Batson, a young orphan living in a condemned building, follows a mysterious figure into the subway one day and is taken to a wizard who tells him that just by speaking one word—Shazam!—he can transform into the superpowered Captain Marvel. His brand-new ability arrives none too soon, because talking alligators and giant robots are showing up all over the city. Unfortunately, Billy has just learned something else—he has a sister who is not content to wait on the sidelines while Billy gets to save the world. Smith brings to this project his considerable talent in creating comics that are as fun for children as they are for adults. The art is brightly colored and engaging, and the young characters at the center of the story are adorable. Unfortunately, the heavy-handed political allegory takes away from the charm somewhat. Longtime fans of the series may be dismayed by the radical changes to the continuity. Newcomers, however, will find plenty to be entertained by in Smith's lively reinvention.
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Review

"Slick, bright, emotional and witty, The Monster Society Of Evil is everything superhero comics should be... GRADE A" " - The Onion "...a comic book that can be savored and admired by everyone from kids to the most sophisticated graphic-novel devotee." - Entertainment Weekly" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (October 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401214665
• ISBN-13: 978-1401214661
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.7 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After four years of drawing comic strips for Ohio State University's student newspaper, Jeff Smith launched the comic book Bone in 1991. Between Bone and his other comic book projects, he now spends much of his time on the international guest circuit, promoting comics and the art of graphic novels.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Captain Marvel for all to enjoy. Epic tribute from Jeff Smith., November 16, 2007

By 

Michael F. Hopkins "A Deeper Groove" (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil (Hardcover)

(From an extended feature, copyright 2007 Michael F. Hopkins)

This is an excellent time for Captain Marvel. Buoyed by the
stalwart work of Jerry Ordway throughout the 1990s, one
of Comicdom's elder characters is currently enjoying some
prime treatment from an array of top notch talents, from the
current TRIALS OF SHAZAM from Judd Winick, to the superb
one-shot SHAZAM: POWER OF HOPE from Paul Dini and Alex
Ross. The one many have been waiting for, the Sequential
saga from the pioneering author of BONE, is finally here.
Jeff Smith's SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL is now
assembled in one highly impressive volume from DC Comics,
its oversized pages full of the wide-eyed wonder and
satiric wit which has distinguished the finest Captain Marvel
adventures across the decades.

In fact, the character's daring and whimsy has never been
handled better than here, in this cavalcade of thrills and
charm, magic galore and perils deeply rooted in the current
day. One look at Smith's rendition of Sivana, a holder of
high office mouthing self-serving platitudes borne dead
from the political cesspools of post-2001 Americana, and
you begin to feel the unique genius of this tale. Balance
this with his Billy Batson and Captain Marvel, as much a
wry nod to Alan Moore's MARVELMAN (No small miracle here)
as they are incisive hat tips to author Otto Binder and
artist C.C. Beck, and you perceive the achingly humorous
and meticulously wise work which Smith has wrought.

If that's not enough, try the outrageously effective
re-working of Mary Marvel as a precocious child grounded
in sheer nerve, linking the child in us all to teach this
generation what's at stake (check her final confrontation
with Sivana, if you doubt). As for Talky Tawny, the creator
of BONE's roguish tiger Rocque Ja brings an exceptional
take to one of the most revered characters of the entire
Captain Marvel mythos. As jocular as ever, Tawny bears a
whole new dignity and impact which further distinguishes
this tale as a standout epic.

Don't worry about fitting this tale into continuity (Which
one?). SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL is a whopping
great storybook, filled with good vs. evil, monsters big
and small, and a colorful, hearty compassion which reaches
out to all willing to read this tale on its own merits.

Turn the fawcett on, and drink deep.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really liked it, February 27, 2008

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good start for newcomers, January 4, 2008

By 

C. D. Clevenger "- Chibi/C.D. Clevenger" (Poquoson VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil (Hardcover)

I grew up a Marvel fan...not Captain Marvel here, the company. Spidey and the like. Anyways, for the longest time, I discounted the various DC classic characters as cheesy, old and just plain annoying. Very recently I started pick up various titles for DC...well, mostly Batman honestly. And as I looked into the characters I still felt a few were too old for me to get into. Captain Marvel was one of them. He just seemed far too old set for me to get into. Then I randomly picked up this book because I saw Jeff Smith's name and thought "huh, he did a version of Shazam!?". From the moment I opened the book, I fell in love with it. The characters are well rounded, the story is simple enough for a kid but with enough nods to the classic stories[thank you Wikipedia] to keep older readers entertained. And of course, the artwork is superb. This book has won me over to the "original" Captain Marvel and I hope to read more. And I encourage anyone remotely interested in this character or comics in general to pick this up. You will not regret it.