Comic Review: Shazam #7

Shazam #7

DC Comics

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artists: Dale Eaglesham & Scott Kolins

It’s been a while since we’ve been treated with another installment in Geoff John’s Shazam series.  But even though it’s been a while since our last issue of Shazam, Johns doesn’t miss a beat.  DC’s line seems to be full of grim-dark stories right now.  It is the year of the villain after all.  I mean, over in Batman/Superman, our very own Billy Batson is infected with Joker toxin.  And while the rest of DC explores these serious events, Shazam remains a breath of fresh air.

I don’t know how you can read this book and not have a blast.  Johns opened up a toy box full of fun with the seven new Magiclands.  It feels like there’s always something new to explore in this series.  It past issues, we’ve seen the Marvel Family explore the Funlands, the Gamelands, and even the Wildlands.  But in this issue, we are introduced to the Darklands, the most sinister of all the magic lands.

And Johns does a great job of exploring these new settings.  He keeps the pace of this story brisk, jumping from land to land.  That way we get just enough time to get interested in these new locations without Johns bogging down the story with exposition and explanations.  I can’t wait to return to these new lands once this story is over.  I felt like we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg in many of these new lands.

But back at home, I’m loving what Johns is doing with Billy and his foster parents.  It feels so in character for Mary to tell her parents that Billy has superpowers.  And in the same vein, I love that his parents are accepting of it.  There is no drawn-out melodrama, it’s just good characterization.  I’m excited to see this new dynamic play out.

And while all of this is going on, Mr. Mind and Dr. Sivana are busy enacting their latest evil scheme.  This plot going on in the background is full of references for long-time Shazam fans.  The duo between these two was originally set up in Johns’ Justice League back in the New 52.  And while many Johns plot threads get abandoned with his ever-increasing schedule (I’m looking at you Rise of the Seven Seas), I’m glad to this idea followed up on.  And of course, Mr. Mind is hinting at the return of the Monster Society of Evil, a callback to a classic Shazam story.

Overall, Shazam #7 is another solid installment of Johns’ Shazam series.  This story continues to be nonstop fun.  If you are tired of all the death and drama going on in other books, you need to check out Shazam.

Click For More Comic Book Reviews