There’s quite a lot to enjoy in the first issue of DC’s latest relaunch of SHAZAM! First, writer Mark Waid has made the conscious effort to not call the hero by the name of the wizard who gave him his powers (and is the one word he can never speak aloud without revealing his secret identity). While most just refer to him as Captain, we know what is being referenced and the choice is a calm salve for older fans of the Big Red Cheese.
The opening issue catches up on Billy’s life, offers some heroic moments for the Captain (including rescuing a lost young alien dinosaur and having tea with his parents). We get Freddy, and the reminder that most of his foster siblings are still without their powers. And even Tawky Tawny makes an appearance (but still no Hoppy). All that and the comic ends with some apparently godly intervention to teach Billy a lesson, one that is likely to have recursions for Fawcett City‘s favorite son.
[DC, $3.99]