A slight variation on the film, fun read. Basically a kid gets superpowers and has to realise that his found family is important to him. ( )

Shazam: Origins
Author: Geoff Johns - Gary Frank
Publisher: DC Comics
Publishing Date: 2019
Pgs: 190
Dewey: 741.5973 CAP
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
A ne’er-do-well Billy Batson is taken in by a new foster family. He gets sucked into a conflict with the rich bullies and their bastard father. And while running from responsibility, Billy stumbles into Shazam and the Rock of Eternity. And in his naivete, he instructs the Old Wizard that no one in the modern world is all good. And Shazam gifts him with the magic lightning which brings him into conflict with Doctor Sivana, Black Adam, and the Seven Deadly Sins. The poor choices of youth, becoming a hero, finding a family, and Black Adam.
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Genre:
Comics
Graphic Novels
Superheroes

Why this book:
I read Captain Marvel stuff...even though people usually don’t get Captain Marvel.
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The Feel:
It didn’t feel like a Captain Marvel/Shazam story. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But still…

Favorite Character:
I do like the new Marvel Family...Shazam Family.

Least Favorite Character:
The Bryers. The whole family. Punk asses.

Billy through most of this.

Character I Most Identified With:
The tired Old Wizard searching for something that doesn’t exist anymore.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Talky Tawny, who I bet fleshes out later on.

The Sigh:
I don’t like Billy Batson as a dick.

And it’s me being a curmudgeon, but I prefer classic Black Adam.

Missed Opportunity:
The “In every age, the Lightning calls for a Champion…” drawings in the end pages are a missed story opportunity.

Get Off My Lawn:
That whole doesn’t feel like a Captain Marvel story.
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Last Page Sound:
After a rough start, I’m glad I finished it, glad I read it, and enjoyed it.

Questions I’m Left With:
Why does every villain have to have a humanizing quality? In our modern world, we see prime examples of evil for evil’s sake...or profit.

So does the Family only power up when Billy gives them the power?

Author Assessment:
Geoff Johns, always.
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