Comments on: The rise and fall, and possible rise again, of Captain Marvel

By: mdtk

mdtk — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:39:56 +0000

NIce piece by Glen Weldon. Personally I love Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam. In addition, I’m delighted that the series is now monthly.

By: DigiHunt

DigiHunt — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:37:48 +0000

“He’s what other superheroes would look like, if they weren’t so heavily encumbered by the years of backstory and tortured exegesis that we middle-aged comic book fans eagerly pore over like Talmudic scholars.”

Maybe that’s the problem. He’s too simple. There’s nothing about the guy to make you care. He comes across as a kiddie character. He’d be great in a Titans or Brave and the Bold-stlye cartoon but as a superhero comic, not so muc.

By: Wally East

Wally East — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:50:32 +0000

Wraith: I believe it was Stupdendous Man.

By: Ian Thal

Ian Thal — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:59:11 +0000

I really loved the golden age Captain Marvel reprints that I read as a kid. They combined naîvité and outright surrealism. His adventures begin when Billy boards a strange subway train! One of his most dangerous enemies was a caterpillar! His next adventure could simply be the result of following a a length of string found in the park!

By: Wraith

Wraith — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:54:38 +0000

What was Calvin’s superhero identity anyway? I remember Spaceman Spiff, of course, but I think there was a superhero type at least once or twice in there.

By: Mysterious Stranger

Mysterious Stranger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:33:04 +0000

Captain Marvel is the superhero version of Calvin and Hobbes. Unbridled imagination? Check. A kid taking on grown-ups? Check. Talking tiger? Check.

Though I’m not sure if Black Adam should equal Suzie Derkins. The imagery alone is a bit disturbing.

By: Larry King

Larry King — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:50:28 +0000

The only reason I haven’t given Mike Hunkels take on The Big Red Cheese is because of the failed take of the character by Jeff Smith. Though over the years the closest to getting the character of CM came in Ordway’s POWER OF SHAZAM oneshot and series.

By: Mark Kardwell

Mark Kardwell — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:38:29 +0000

Or, what comics could be like if they knew how to market at the huge market for kids’ books, rather than just the – adults in comic shops – shrinking direct market.

By: Joe Kerr

Joe Kerr — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:35:11 +0000

Nice to see somebody appreciates the Big Red Cheese. If only the Powers That Be at DC Comics did….