Customer Reviews

Shazam!: From the forties to the seventies

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There are few reprints available for the Golden Age Captain Marvel, and many of them, this volume included, are rare enough to be collectible themselves. This collection is hard to find, but worth it.

"Shazam: From the 40's to the 70's" is a nice collection of Fawcett "firsts." The first Tawky Tawny story is included, along with the first Mary Marvel story and the first Captain Marvel Jr. story. It does try to represent the various incarnations of Captain Marvel, and includes reprints from all decades. The more realistic Marvel Family from the 40's flows into the Sci-Fi silliness of the 50's and the hipster of the 70's. It is nice to know that the Big Red Cheese keeps up with the times.

The reprints are in black and white, with only two stories (the origin from Whiz #2, and a modern story from the 70's) are in color. The introduction by E. Nelson Bridgewell is nice, although certain famous Marvel Family artists like C.C. Beck have publicly disagreed with it. The DC Archives series is a better collection with better production values, but does not reprint the same stories.

If you find a copy, snatch it up!

I was fascinated when I discovered Captain Marvel and was so happy to see this book collection of the best of the World's Mightiest Mortal.Hats off to E.Nelson Bridwell,who loved reading Cap as a child and loved writing him as an adult;Kurt Schaffenburger,excellent artist who drew the Marvels with true class;Denny O'Neil,who guided Cap's return after 19 years;Bill Woolfolk,who wrote many of the Golden Age stories;Otto Binder,who wrote the best Golden Age stories and created Mary Marvel,Mr.Mind,Mr.Tawny,Uncle Marvel and more;C.C.Beck,who first gave Captain Marvel visual interpretation and maintained quality in art and story style;and Bill Parker,the first writer who started the whole ball rolling.

And now-the last word;

SHAZAM!

Published by harmony Books a division of Crown Plublishers this book is the third in a series highlighting comicbook adventures of DC superheroes. Published in 1977 it covers a 35yr span of Captain Marvel & The Marvel Family using the original stories to introduce each member including the only reprint of Captain Marvel jr's origin from whiz comics. Containing a introduction by the late E.Nelson Bridwell about the development of the Marvel Family and Fawcett comics this is a tour de force about the evolution of a comic hero that was second only to superman in the fabulous 40's. It is a must read by those who enjoy and relish comics as its influences are still affecting comics, as shown in the recent Kingdom Come and Miracle Man series.

I am lucky enough to have a copy of this book. It is a great collection of Marvel Family "firsts." Definately worth the effort of tracking down.

Captain Marvel was once one of the most popular heroes in comics, and the selections in this book go a long way in understanding why. CC Beck's art is crisp and unique, his cartoonish style lending a more relaxed and charming character to the stories than might be found in contemporary magazines. Despite claims to the contrary (particularly on the part of DC Comics), The Big Red Cheese is an original hero, and the concept behind him remains fresh and appealing even now. In an era when many heroes are driven by complex motivations and deep-seated conflicts, Captain Marvel is ultimately little more than a good kid who has been given the opportunity to make a difference in the most fantastic way.

Other icons of the "Shazam Family" are present, including Captain Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Uncle Marvel, the Sivanas, Mr. Tawky Tawny, and Black Adam, among others. Thankfully absent (depending on what you are looking for) are stories featuring several characters who were little more than racist stereotypes: this book is a potential heirloom that is suitable for all ages and sensibilities.