Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Release date: October 17, 2007 | Series: Shazam

Written by Jeff Smith Art and cover by Smith Reoffered to coincide with SHAZAM: THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD, this volume collects the award-winning 4-issue miniseries by 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. In this hardcover collecting the acclaimed 4-issue miniseries, 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

"Smith recasts the Captain Marvel origin story in a kid-friendly sci-fi/fantasy vein, making boy hero Billy Batson into an urchin on the verge of becoming another Harry Potter. Slick, bright, emotional and witty, The Monster Society of Evil is everything super hero comics should be. Grade: A-." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; First Edition/First Printing edition (October 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401214665
• ISBN-13: 978-1401214661
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 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 (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,029 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 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 VINE™ VOICE

Format: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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jeff Smith did it again. March 3, 2013

By Cristiano Moreira Silva

Format:Paperback

Apart from his "Bone" masterpiece, I didn't read any other of Jeff Smith's works yet, but I was excited to buy and read his take on "The Monster Society of Evil". I don't know too much about the character's history, but this may be a retelling of one of his most classic story lines, and Jeff did a great job on that.

The story has that childlike take, that cartoonish style, but just as "Bone" it's fun without being too softy. Just like "Bone", this Captain Marvel story may be appreciated by both children and adults alike. Apparently it respects "the canon" of the character, as well as adding new interesting elements, especially in how Billy Batson and Captain Marvel relate to each other.

Jeff Smith did it again. Great comic book. Great addition to my collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, fun exploration of the mythos September 4, 2012

By Hitmanclark

Format:Paperback

I've never been a huge Captain Marvel fan, for whatever reason. I grew up on Superman and always saw the Marvel Family (incorrectly) as knockoffs.

However, Jeff Smith's limited series opened my eyes to the characters' possibilities. Smith invigorates every page with a sense of childlike wonder, making each chapter fun and lighthearted while retaining a sense of suspense.

This is a book any kid can pick up without his or her parents worrying. However, it's also got enough substance for the adults out there, and it's just plain fun.