The Power of Shazam! - In the Beginning

The Power of Shazam! by Jerry Ordway, Book One by Jerry Ordway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Power of Shazam! - In the Beginning collects the Power of Shazam graphic novel, a story from Superman & Batman magazine #4, and issues #1-12 of the Power of Shazam monthly series.

I read the painted Power of Shazam graphic novel sometime in the past but never read any of the regular series. I found this on InstockTrades for 19.99, marked down from 49.99, so it seemed like a good time.

The Power of Shazam graphic novel is written, drawn, and painted by Jerry Ordway and is a retelling of Captain Marvel's origin. The regular series is written by Ordway with art by Peter Krause and Mike Manley, and features a menace lurking in the background of Fawcett City while Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel deal with Captain Nazi and other baddies.

Ordway repurposes a lot of Captain Marvel lore for this and reinvents Billy Batson's parents as archaeologists. CC Batson is much cooler than the never seen deceased Batson parents of the original run. The dad's name started with M but I can't remember at the moment.

Anyway, Ordway brings Black Adam, Captain Nazi, Doctor Sivana, IBAC, and other Marvel baddies into the 1990s. He captures a lot of the spirit of earlier tales while putting his own spin on things. I like the new origins for some of the characters, like Tawky Tawny. The Marvel Family having to share a finite power between whomever is active was kind of a drag. Still, it's the best modern Captain Marvel run that I've read.

The Power of Shazam! - In the Beginning is an easy four star read for fans of the Big Red Cheese. Everyone should buy it so we get a subsequent volume.

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