“Welcome to the Shazamily–V2. Where magic is so borked that we’re all powerless.”
After a two-month hiatus for Knight Terrors, the spotlight is back on Billy Batson in the waking world. But with the gods of Shazam closing in right under his nose, the Captain’s nightmares are only just beginning. As he copes with not using his powers due to fear of losing control again, Billy is forced into a shell game involving stakes and motives beyond his comprehension–and his brother Freddy is a piece on the board, unbeknownst to them both.
Plus, to make matters worse, there’s still a dinosaur lawyer on his couch waiting for his signature on a mountain of paperwork. Go figure.
This issue picks up two weeks after the events of the last, and Billy still hasn’t said the magic word because, in his mind, it’s better to stay powerless and harmless to protect everyone from his alter ego. However, it’s a deed that’s easier said than done, this being due to him bearing witness to other heroes doing the jobs and stopping the catastrophes that the Captain should be able to handle–including his sister Mary. Billy is made to understand the feeling of powerlessness that’s shared by the other siblings, Shazam, and suffice it to say that he’s not dealing well.
Credit: DC Comics
Now, the best way to put a hero to the test is to strip them of their role in order to see how they fare, and Billy is a very interesting choice for that story trope. This is due to the fact that the thesis of his very existence is that he is deemed pure of heart, and is thus worthy of his heroic prowess. Even though the gods question that value, Mark Waid still does everything to reaffirm it. The Captain may often bask in the coolness of his powers and enjoy the fun of his more zany adventures, but that doesn’t change his mentality that puts the powerless before himself–even if his own are out of whack. One feeling powerless doesn’t make them so, they just need the right push. If anything, Billy becoming disillusioned with his own godly power amidst an attack by the gods themselves is a very fitting and clever springboard for such a high-profile run.
Script-wise, Waid continues to flex his creative (and not to mention comedic) muscles with consistently witty dialogue that never overshadows the gravity of the narrative. A lot of time is spent delving into Billy’s head and how he views himself and others shows off the profound affinity Waid has for him as a layered character. Billy’s internal conflict here is also somewhat reminiscent of the character’s thematic role in the classic and ever-prestigious dystopian tale Kingdom Come, albeit with a drastically different tone and a more simplified point of view on the subject matter. Also present in the writing is an appreciation for Mary Marvel that feels very subtle and sincere following her being the star of the Knight Terrors: Shazam! miniseries.
Mora’s approach to the visual narrative structure continues to be absolutely incredible, mixing large-scale cinematic superheroics, dramatic gravitas, slice of life, and just a sprinkle of imaginative whimsy. The diverse palette of visuals almost feels designed to reflect how Billy sees the many facets of his life and transitions from each panel to the next seamlessly maximizes the level of pleasing engagement with every aspect of the art.
From an immensely talented creative team, Shazam! #3 is another excellent chapter in a story that grows more intriguing and tense with each issue without forgetting to be funny here and there. The many plots are weaved in a way that makes the story itself feel eager to get to the next issue rather than simply going through the motions for the sake of setting up the next story. Evidently, there’s a lot of fun being had by the creatives at work, and they continue to craft an infectiously fun superhero tale that is increasingly bordering on epic.
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