{"id":35676,"date":"2026-06-08T17:54:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=35676"},"modified":"2026-06-08T17:54:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:54:51","slug":"the-shazam-archives-volume-1-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2026\/06\/08\/the-shazam-archives-volume-1-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Shazam! Archives volume 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nBy Bill Parker<\/strong>, C. C. Beck<\/strong> & Pete Costanza<\/strong> with various (DC Comics)
\nISBN: 978-1-56389-053-6 (HB)<\/p>\n

This book includes Discriminatory Content<\/strong> produced in less enlightened times. <\/em><\/p>\n

At their most impressive, superhero comics combine the gravitas of mythology with all the sheer fun and exuberance of a child\u2019s first rollercoaster ride. The perfect example of this is the original happy-go-lucky hero we can\u2019t call Captain Marvel<\/strong> anymore.<\/p>\n

First seen in late December 1939, Whiz Comics<\/strong> (#2 – there was no #1) cashed in on the comic book sales phenomenon of Superman<\/strong>; the big red riot eventually won his name after narrowly missing being Captain Flash<\/em> or Captain Thunder<\/em>. He was the brainchild of Bill Parker & Charles Clarence Beck, initially dispensing the same kind of summary rough justice as his contemporaries. However, the character soon distanced himself from the pack – Man of Steel included – by employing and enjoying an increasingly light, surreal and comedic touch, which made him the bestselling comics character in America. Ultimately, he proved that he could beat everybody but copyright lawyers; during his years of enforced inactivity the trademarked name passed to a number of other publishers before settling at Marvel Comics and they are never, never, never letting go. You can check out and compare their cinematic blockbuster version with the DC Extended Universe\u2019s Shazam!<\/strong> flick too…<\/p>\n

Publishing house Fawcett had first gained prominence through an immensely well-received magazine for WWI veterans entitled Captain Billy\u2019s Whiz-Bang<\/strong>, before branching out into books and general interest magazines. Their most successful publication – at least until the Good Captain hit his stride – was the ubiquitous boy\u2019s building bible Mechanix Illustrated<\/strong> and, as the comic book decade unfolded, the scientific and engineering discipline and \u201ccan-do\u201d demeanour underpinning MI<\/strong> suffused and informed both art and plots of the Marvel Family titles.<\/p>\n

As previously stated, the big guy was created by writer\/editor Bill Parker and brilliant young artist Charles Clarence Beck who, with his assistant Pete Costanza, handled most of the art on the series throughout its stellar run. Other writers included William Woolfolk, Rod Reed, Ed \u201cFrance\u201d Herron, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Joe Millard, Manley Wade Wellman and fabulously prolific Otto Binder.<\/p>\n

Before eventually evolving his own amiable personality, the Captain was a serious, bluff and rather characterless powerhouse, whilst his juvenile alter ego was the true star: a Horatio Alger archetype of impoverished, boldly self-reliant, resourceful youth overcoming impossible odds through gumption, grit and sheer determination…<\/p>\n

Homeless orphan and good kid Billy Batson<\/em> is selected by an ancient wizard to be given the powers of six gods and heroes to battle injustice. He transforms from scrawny precocious kid to brawny (adult) hero Captain Marvel<\/em> by speaking aloud the wizard\u2019s name – an acronym for six legendary divine patrons: S<\/em><\/strong>olomon<\/em>, H<\/em><\/strong>ercules<\/em>, A<\/em><\/strong>tlas<\/em>, Z<\/em><\/strong>eus<\/em>, A<\/em><\/strong>chilles<\/em> and M<\/em><\/strong>ercury<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This magnificent full-colour, deluxe hardback compendium re-presents Captain Marvel\u2019s first 15 exploits from Whiz Comics<\/strong> #2 to 15 (February 1940 to March 1941). There was no #1, two issue #5\u2019s and two editions in March (but I\u2019ll try to explain all that as we go along), with joy, verve and invention paramount in this particular knock-off crusader; one of a countless number imitators and descendants to cash in on the sales phenomenon of Superman…<\/p>\n

Author, journalist and fan Richard A. Lupoff covers in great detail the torturous beginnings of the feature in his Foreword <\/em>before the magic proper starts with a priceless glimpse at the hero\u2019s seemingly-accursed design stage. To establish copyright, publishers used to legally register truncated black-&-white facsimile editions – dubbed \u201cAsh-can Editions\u201d – in advance of their launch issues. For magazine publisher Fawcett, production of their first comic book proved an aggravating process as this registration twice uncovered costly snags which forced the editors to redesign both character and publication.<\/p>\n

Contained herein are cover reproductions of Flash Comics<\/strong> #1 starring Captain Thunder<\/em> (obliviously scheduled for release mere days after DC\u2019s own Flash Comics<\/strong> title hit the stands), and Thrill Comics<\/strong> #1 which repeated the accident just as Standard\u2019s Thrilling Comics<\/strong> launched. Also on view is monochrome art for the first half of the story of \u201cCaptain Thunder\u201d which would eventually be re-lettered and released as the lead in anthology title Whiz Comics<\/strong> #2, finally safely released cover-dated February 1940. Like many Golden Age series, the stories collected here never had individual titles, and DC\u2019s compilers have cleverly elected to use the original comics\u2019 strap-lines or cover blurbs to differentiate the tales…
\n\"\"
\n\u2018Gangway for Captain Marvel!\u2019<\/em> – drawn in a style reminiscent of early Herg\u00e9 – finds homeless orphan newsboy Billy Batson lured into an abandoned subway tunnel to a meeting with infinitely ancient wizard Shazam<\/em>. At the end of a long life confronting evil, the white-bearded figure grants the lad the powers and signature gifts of six gods and heroes; bidding him to continue the good fight.<\/p>\n

In 13 delightfully clean and simple pages Billy gets his powers, has his secret origin revealed (he\u2019s actually heir to a fortune embezzled by his crooked uncle Ebenezer Batson<\/em>), wins a job as a roaming radio reporter for Amalgamated Broadcasting and defeats the demonic schemes of criminal science maniac Doctor Thaddeus Bodog Sivana<\/em>, who is holding the airwaves of America hostage. The mighty, taciturn and not yet invulnerable Marvel is only sparingly used to do the heavy lifting. It is sheer comic book poetry…
\n\"\"
\nThe March issue had no cover number but was listed as #3 in the indicia and featured \u2018The Return of Sivana\u2019<\/em> as the insane inventor unleashes a mercenary army equipped with his super-weapons upon the nation, attempting to become Emperor of America. His plan is duly thwarted by Billy acting as a war correspondent, and the mighty muscles of Marvel…<\/p>\n

The third (April-dated) Whiz Comics<\/strong> had \u201cNumber 3\u201d on the cover but was designated #4 inside and proudly proclaimed \u2018Make Way for Captain Marvel!\u2019<\/em> before boldly leaping into full science fiction mode as Billy is shanghaied to Venus in Sivana\u2019s mighty rocketship. The boy is forced to reveal his amazing secret to the demented inventor whilst battling incredible monsters and giant frog-men dubbed \u201cGlompers\u201d, with the magnificently guileless and gallant Marvel seemingly helpless against the savant\u2019s seductive new ally – Queen Beautia<\/em> – as that deadly duo prepare to invade Earth.<\/p>\n

Only seemingly though…<\/p>\n

\u2018Captain Marvel Crashes Through\u2019<\/em> (#4 on the cover, but #5 inside) details how bewitching Beautia, aided by Sivana\u2019s technology, runs for President. However, the sinister siren has a soft heart, and when Billy is captured (and encounters the first of a multitude of diabolically clever gadgets designed to stop him saying his magic word), she frees him, thus falling foul of the gangsters who were backing her. Happily, Captain Marvel is there to save the day…<\/p>\n

An inexplicable crime-wave shakes the country in \u2018Captain Marvel Scores Again!\u2019<\/em> (the wild numbers game finally ends here as there\u2019s a #5 on the cover and the same inside) as a different sinister scientist uses a ray to turn children into thieves. Even Billy is not immune…<\/p>\n

\u2018Captain Marvel and the Circus of Death\u2019<\/em> (July 1940) sees Sivana return with fantastic Venusian dino-monsters which our Good Captain is hard-pressed to handle. Incidentally, this was the first issue where the Big Red Cheese is seen definitely flying as opposed to leaping – something Superman is not acknowledged as doing until late 1941. It means nothing, I\u2019m just saying emulation goes both ways…<\/p>\n

For \u2018Captain Marvel and the Squadron of Doom\u2019<\/em>, young Billy travels to the North Pole for a radio story and discovers a secret organisation thawing out frozen cavemen to act as their army of conquest, after which he and his mature magical avatar foil a murderous spiritualist causing mass-drownings to bolster his reputation and fortune in \u2018Saved by Captain Marvel!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Whiz <\/strong>#9\u2019s \u2018Captain Marvel on the Job!\u2019<\/em> finds man & boy foiling a revolution, recovering foreign crown jewels and flummoxing a madman with a shrinking ray, after which Sivana and Beautia return in \u2018Captain Marvel Battles the Winged Death\u2019<\/em>: a blistering yarn involving espionage and America\u2019s latest secret weapon. In this tale, the Empress of Venus finally reforms, becoming a solid American citizen…<\/p>\n

\u2018Hurrah for Captain Marvel!\u2019<\/em> finds Batson investigating college hazing and corrupt sporting events whilst in #12 (January 1941), the World War looms large as \u201cGnatzi\u201d maritime outrages bring Billy to London where he uncovers the spy responsible for sinking refugee ships in \u2018Captain Marvel Rides the Engine of Doom!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Captain Marvel – World\u2019s Most Powerful Man!\u2019<\/em> then features Sivana\u2019s latest atrocity as the madman disrupts hockey matches, blitzes banks and incapacitates the US army with a formula that turns men into babies. Even Billy isn\u2019t immune, but at least Beautia is there to help him…<\/p>\n

War was looking increasingly unavoidable and many superheroes jumped the gun to start fighting before the US officially entered the fray. \u2018Captain Marvel Boomerangs the Torpedo!\u2019<\/em> is a superb patriotic cover for Whiz<\/strong> #14 (March 1941) even though the actual story involves Sivana\u2019s capture and subsequent discovery of a thought process which allows him to walk through walls – and cell bars. Luckily, the World\u2019s Mightiest Mortal also possesses the Wisdom of Solomon and deduces a solution to the unstoppable menace…
\n\"\" \"\"
\nThis superb collection concludes after another stirring cover \u2018With the British Plane Streaking to a Fiery Doom, Captain Marvel Dives to the Rescue!\u2019<\/em> (#15 and also cover-dated March), fronting an unrelated adventure which reveals the astounding and tragic origin of Dr. Sivana, his unbelievable connection to Beautia, and also introduces her brother Magnificus<\/em> – almost as mighty a fighter as Marvel – after Billy is kidnapped and trapped once more on Venus…<\/p>\n

DC\/National Periodical Publications had filed suit against Fawcett for copyright infringement as soon as Whiz Comics <\/strong>#2 was released. The companies slugged it out in court until 1953, when, with the sales of superhero comics decimated by changing tastes, Captain Marvel\u2019s publishers decided to capitulate. The name lay unclaimed until 1967 when M.F. Enterprises released six issues of an unrelated android hero before folding. Marvel Comics finally secured rights to the name in 1968.<\/p>\n

DC eventually acquired Fawcett\u2019s comic book properties and characters and in 1973 revived the Good Captain for a new generation, gambling that his unique charm would work another sales miracle during one of comics\u2019 periodic downturns. Retitled Shazam!<\/strong> due to the incontestable power of lawyers and copyright legislation, the revived heroic ideal enjoyed mixed success before being subsumed into the company\u2019s vast stable of characters…<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the first Captain Marvel<\/strong> is a true icon of American comic history and a brilliantly conceived superhero for all ages. This titanic tome only scratches the surface of the canon of delights produced over the near 90 years of his tumultuous existence, and is an ideal exemplar introduction to the world of adventure comics: one that will appeal to readers of any age and temperament.
\n\u00a9 1940, 1941, 1992 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

Today in 1867, French artist, cartoonist, creator and designer of Bibendum<\/strong> (the Michelin man) O\u2019Galop<\/em><\/strong> AKA Marius Rossillon<\/strong> was born. He shares birthday with Charles Clarence<\/strong> \u201cC.C.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d Beck<\/strong> (Captain Marvel<\/strong>\/Billy Batson<\/strong>, Spy Smasher<\/strong>, Fatman, the Human Flying Saucer<\/strong>) in 1910; mega-letterer Ray Holloway<\/strong> in 1920; strip cartoonist\/animator Paul Gringle<\/strong> (Rural Delivery<\/strong>, Out Our Way<\/strong>) in 1922, Charlton comics art mainstay Rocke Mastroserio<\/strong> in 1927 and Dutch creator Jan Kruis<\/strong> (Jan, Jans en de Kinderen<\/em>) in 1933.<\/p>\n

Events include Ken Reid<\/strong>\u2019s final Jonah<\/em> strip in The Beano<\/strong> this day in 1963 – although the strip was revived in The Dandy<\/strong> 30 years later – and last of Gus Edson <\/strong>& Irwin Hasen<\/strong>\u2019s newspaper feature Dondi<\/strong> in 1986, with Tom Batiuk<\/strong>\/Chuck Ayers<\/strong>\u2019 strip Crankshaft <\/strong>debuting one year later.<\/p>\n

Today in 1846 Swiss satirist and the world\u2019s first true comics creator – Rodolphe T\u00f6pffer<\/strong> (Histoire de Mr. Vieux Bois<\/em>\/The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck<\/strong>) – died, as did Shoe<\/strong> and Pluggers<\/strong> cartoonist Jeff MacNelly<\/strong> in 2000, and the mighty, massively influential cartoonist, historian and publisher Jack Edward Jackson<\/strong> AKA Jaxon<\/em><\/strong> (Rip Off Press co-founder; crafter of God Nose<\/strong>, Los Tejanos<\/strong>, Comanche Moon<\/strong>, The Secret of San Saba<\/strong>, The Alamo: An Epic Told from Both Sides <\/strong>and dozens more) in 2006.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Bill Parker, C. C. Beck & Pete Costanza with various (DC Comics) ISBN: 978-1-56389-053-6 (HB) This book includes Discriminatory Content produced in less enlightened times. At their most impressive, superhero comics combine the gravitas of mythology with all the sheer fun and exuberance of a child\u2019s first rollercoaster ride. The perfect example of this … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “The Shazam! Archives volume 1”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[191,90,113,76,290,125,107,131,169,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-cartooning-classics","category-comedy","category-dc-superhero","category-dinosaurs","category-humour","category-science-fiction","category-shazam","category-spy-stories","category-war-stories"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4AFj-9hq","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35676"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35682,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35676\/revisions\/35682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}