‘Shazam!’ #4 raises the stakes

Okay, this is getting bananas.

October 3, 2023

“The gorilla militia has come for your warp drive!”

In this world, sometimes all that’s needed to make sense of wild things is the simplified perspective of a kid. But with Billy Batson caught between super intelligent battle-driven gorillas, ancient gods with wounded pride, and a forgotten alien conqueror under the heel of yet another revamped Silver Age baddie, he’s quickly starting to realize that maybe some things need a little more than perspective – especially when it comes to getting out alive.

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Things haven’t quite been going Billy’s way since he rebranded as “The Captain” back in Shazam! #1 earlier this year. But in this month’s issue, things are truly going off the rails as the stakes sharply increase – just as the six immortal elders grow considerably more desperate.

The Captain now faces off against revamps of Garguax and Queen Bee, Silver Age villains who were prominent prior to the character’s full integration into the main DC Universe. Though Zazzala (this version of Queen Bee) has been rebooted a number of times since her first appearance and Garguax has had no significance in well over three decades, both of their portrayals are channeling a simpler time in DC history when villains were as equally cartoonish as they were dangerous.

And though regular circumstances would allow the Captain a better advantage, the setbacks caused by the meddling gods has turned an annoyance for a mighty mortal into a life or death situation for a kid with nothing but his wits. The threat of Garguax and Zazzala are clearly meant to appear minor in the grander narrative if for no other reason than to help sell the more looming threat posed by the gods. Despite this, the former party’s presence proves to be a refreshing take on the usual “throwaway C-lister villain of the month” notion in the sense that the threat they pose in this one issue is complemented by the presence of the looming threat. In addition, it is quite refreshing to see the big red cheese casually build up more of a rogues gallery, especially with ones that fit with the very classically heroic feel Mark Waid and Dan Mora have been rebuilding him with.

Also something worth noting is how Mora’s Queen Bee redesign appears highly reminiscent of his work on Power Rangers, and that in itself is just plain fun.

Each issue up to now has been Billy inside his own head dealing with the potential dangers of saying the transformative magic word, and finally those anxieties have finally caught up with him. With other plot threads beginning to cross and everyone in the issue appearing to be taking some sort of definitive action, we are no doubt leading to a climactic chapter in the story arc. And though there is a clear direction for the major conflict, there is a distinct feeling of wondering “how is he gonna get out of this one?” It’s a testament to the power of the serialized storytelling, especially for a character who was prominent in the age of superhero film serials.

Now, despite the general direction of the main conflict being relatively clear, how long until we get there is another thing. The narrative at hand is obviously going to be very formative for how the Captain will be handled in future stories, which itself puts a lot of pressure on the pacing and inevitable finale of the arc. What holds this issue back is just how climactic in nature it seems, a nitpick that in part is due to a number of plot lines being present that still need a bit of time to breathe. And though that is more so a speculative fault that would affect future issues, it is worth noting that the framing here incites worry that the arc itself may end just a little sooner than what could be ideal.

Regardless, the ambitions of Waid and Mora continue to shine through with several concepts at work that channel the best aspects of their creative sensibilities. Delightfully fast-paced and clever, there’s action at which to marvel, laughs to be had, hearts to be broken, and absurdity just for the fun of it. All in all, Shazam! #4 has just enough variety and more than enough talent to keep any superhero comic fan at the edge of their seat. No matter where this story goes, I’ll certainly be there for it.

‘Shazam!’ #4 raises the stakes

Shazam! #4

A delightfully engaging blast of an issue that channels the very best of its talents. Despite some narrative uncertainties, they eloquently ramp up the conflict before the finale comes to a head.

Reader Rating0 Votes

Waid's affinity for Silver Age DC sensibilities translates very well into his evolved writing style.

Mora's Queen Bee redesign is delightfully reminiscent of his work on Power Rangers.

The story has a healthy balance of development for all of its plot threads.

Some plot points could prove somewhat undercooked for a potentially near finale based on the climactic nature of this issue.

Good