Shazam #4

Between the comic and the movie we’re in a new golden age of Shazam right now. For fans of the film, the comic is going to seem right at home. It’s arguably the most direct comic to film of any current blockbuster, which should allow for it to have easy crossover appeal to get those new fans to comic book stores.

If that does happen, issue #4 is another great installment of one of my favorite comic titles. The Marvel Family is split up after their encounter with King Kid and now are spread out throughout the various lands.

Billy learns the shocking truth about the Funlands while Freddy and Darla enter the Wildlands, a world populated by animals and one very familiar tiger. Pedro and Eugene find themselves in the Gamelands, which is right up Eugene’s alley.

These realms was such a great concept and writer Geoff Johns has made it so much fun. I love how Shazam is a book that just puts a smile on your face with every page. It’s not too serious and the stakes aren’t deciding the fate of the DC Universe. It’s just a group of superpowered kids and their adventures.

Dale Eaglesham’s art is pitch perfect for this title. I always liked his work on the teenagers when he had the Justice Society gig as he has such a great sense of a younger person’s movements and awkwardness. Marco Santucci knocks out 15 pages this issue, but his artwork is so complimentary it’s not a big shift in the visuals. Shazam has a very strong art team and it’s one of the best looking books on the market.

Johns isn’t done with the surprises as evidenced by the final page. I really love this book and want to give a big Darla hug every time a new issue comes out.

Rating: 10 out of 10