Comic Review: Shazam (2018-) #4

Shazam! #4

DC Comics

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Dale Eaglesham

Geoff Johns understands what makes a character work.  Many authors try and separate themselves from past writers by adding a whole bunch of new stuff to their character’s mythology.  But Geoff Johns isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel.  Johns understands that embracing what makes the character great is all you need for a good story.  That’s not to say that Johns doesn’t bring in new ideas to these characters, he brings in plenty.  It’s just that the things he adds feel so natural that you barely notice he’s changing anything.  He did it with Green Lantern, he did it with Aquaman, and now he’s doing it again with Shazam.

Shazam! #4 is a classic Shazam story.  In the last few issues, we got appearances from Sivana, Mr. Mind, and the Marvel Family.  That’s already a lot of ground covered.  But in this issue, Johns brings in Talky Tawny and Black Adam.  Everyone is showing up and it somehow doesn’t feel crowded.

It also helps that the Magiclands are an excellent addition to the Shazam mythos.  Not only is the idea great, but each of the lands we’ve visited so far have been super interesting.  I particularly liked the Gamelands in this issue.  It’s like Tron meets Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase.  All the inhabitants have to earn a high score if they want to travel to another land.  And instead of police officers, the Gamelands has referees.  Each idea feels so natural.

I really wasn’t expecting how dark the Funlands was going to get.  Once the Marvel Family entered the Disneyland on steroids, I knew something was up.  But Johns really took a bit of a dark turn with the supposed “Funlands”.  Once the children of the Funlands grow up, they are sentenced to slave in the underground of the theme park.  The leader of the Funlands really doesn’t like adults.  I like that we aren’t just hoping from land to land each issue.  Johns is taking the time to build the worlds of these different magical lands.

In other news, Dale Eaglesham on art is excellent.  He really is perfect for a Shazam series.  I particularly liked his depiction of the Wildlands in this issue.  Each of the animal city-dwellers was so expressive and full of character.  In a book that is so much about fun and magic, you need an artist that can capture emotion and expression really well.  That’s why I’m glad Eaglesham is on art duties for this series.

Shazam! #4 continues what has already been an excellent series so far.  Like Billy Batson himself, Geoff Johns has the magic touch.  I don’t think there’s a single writer in the business who understands the characters as Geoff Johns does.  His love for these characters really shows, and hopefully means we’re in for a great run for the Big Red Cheese.