COMIC CONNECTIONS: Shazam! Fury of the Gods - All About the Big Red Cheese

Episode 36 - All About the Big Red Cheese

This week we are taking a major diversion from our normal path, and taking a look at Marvel’s Distinguished Competition.  That’s right, we mentioned a while ago that we would be starting to branch out a bit, and with the new Shazam! Movie appearing in theaters this weekend I wanted to get Duane up to speed on the original Captain Marvel, one of the oldest heroes in comics – a character that once was more popular than Superman himself!   

This Week In Comics

Brian Michael Bendis Announces Fortune & Glory Sequel 

Marvel Teases the Debut of a New Spider-Man Hero 

Recommendation: DC stories for new comic readers

• Morrison’s All-Star Superman
• George Perez’s Wonder Woman
• Alex Ross’s Justice

This Week's Stack

• Shazam Vol. 1 (1973)
• Shazam! Power of Hope (2000)
• Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil (2007)

Creator Focus: Jeff Smith

2 Minute Recap and Discussion Topics

Shazam Vol. 1

• This is VERY MUCH a kids book, but also VERY meta aware, with numerous references to “I remember him from when I was a kid…he doesn’t look a day older.”
  • Kid superhero, no surprise, was well liked by kids
• “Mr. Binder” is a reference to Otto Binder.  Wrote many classic Captain Marvel stories, and also co-created Supergirl.  
• Very much feels like the first Shazam film
• Quick history of Captain Marvel and why Shazam is used 

Shazam! Power of Hope

• Alex Ross is like no other comic artist.  He is our Norman Rockwell.
• Many of his characters are based on real people, who serve as models for his illustrations.  The model for Shazam has been the same person for decades.
• This is a simple, powerful story. 
  • Tells a wonderful story with some action and makes you think after finishing it. 

Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil 

• A very fun story, and a love letter to the whole history of CM/Shazam 
• Has a very “old fashioned” feel 
• Not something to think too deeply on 
• Adults aren’t cast in a friendly light throughout this.  
• Call back to older Villains – Dr. Sivana. Has a “friend” (Tawny) who can change forms?  
• The “Big Red Cheese”? What on Earth is that?

Final Thoughts

What's Next

• Shazam: Fury of the Gods comes to theaters this weekend!

Signoff 

Questions or comments

We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.

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Music Intro and Outro created by Lesfm.