The Trials Of Shazam! Volume 1


By Judd Winick & Howard Porter (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-4012-1331-2

Inexplicably this is the first of two very slim volumes that collect the pivotal miniseries which redefined magic in the DC Universe after the events of Infinite Crisis. The collection itself (gathering issues #1-6 of the 12 part miniseries, plus the relevant prologue section of the one shot Brave New World) isn’t a conundrum. The story rattles along at a fine clip, full of tension, action and spectacle, and there’s even a little humour.

It’s very well illustrated in an epic, lush manner by Howard Porter. All in all, the tale is a solid Costumes Drama. But what I can’t fathom is why the thing is chopped into two halves when it could so easily – and economically – fit into one volume.

In the aftermath of the aforementioned Infinite Crisis (ISBN: 978-1-4012-0959-9), wild, raw magic escaped into all aspects Earth when the millennial wizard Shazam died and the meta-dimensional Rock of Eternity was destroyed (for further details you should also check out Day of Vengeance, ISBN13: 978-1-84576-230 8). The aged mage was the guardian of magic in our universe and his position was hastily, albeit temporarily, filled by Captain Marvel.

When the senior super-hero unexpectedly ascended to the position Captain Marvel Junior and Mary Marvel – who shared the power – were instantly cut off whilst battling supernatural horrors rampaging across Earth.

Months later with the immediate danger forestalled Freddy Freeman (the human form of Captain Marvel Junior) is offered the opportunity to regain his god-like powers and be a hero once more. But in this new era he must earn them one at a time by completing tasks set by the modern incarnations of the patron gods who supplied Shazam with the power…

Unfortunately its not that simple as a coven of demons and magicians have unleashed their own candidate for the Gods’ abilities and she’s a relentless, ruthless psychopath ready to cheat, steal and especially kill to win the ultimate weapon in the new world older of the supernatural…

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