“Hey, Achilles, how’s that heel doin’?” — Billy Batson
We all knew it was coming: a confrontation with the gods that would change the trajectory of the Shazamily for years to come. With Billy and Freddy at odds with the very beings who originated the powers the boys once shared, it’s do or die for the right to control the power of Shazam. When Billy is given an ultimatum for his powers putting more than his family at stake, he must make a decision that will alter his very identity in the conclusion to Meet the Captain.
The battle this issue surrounds is divided into physicality, wits, and a talking dinosaur who’s happy to help. In this case, mostly that second thing. From the very get-go, we are treated to banter between Billy and Freddy that not only acts as a testament to the bond they share even in the face of adversity, but also helps to toy with the reader as we are forced to wonder just what the true payoff to this power struggle will be. The past and future of the book are peppered across almost every page, ranging from fun references, subtle foreshadowing, impactful character acts, and absurd yet thunderous hooks.
But Freddy and Billy aren’t the only ones who shine. With Freddy and Mary being the most present of the Shazamily earlier in the story, Darla, Pedro, and Eugene finally enter the fray with the help of Mr. Dinosaur and some supervillain souvenirs from the Rock of Eternity. While they’re not exactly Superman, Green Lantern, or even Metamorpho since losing their powers, they have certainly not lost their taste for action when it comes time to be the heroes their big brother still needs. This fun romp is a significant point in the subplot about dealing with the loss of their powers, and its presence gives much more gravity to the issue’s payoff. What could’ve been a characterization of melodramatic child jealousy is handled with a tact that helps to bring back a burdensome sense to the power that Billy yet wields.
Tonally and thematically, the issue is a strong culmination of everything we’ve already seen, but with a much more direct focus on the impact of the elders’ influence and its implications. And while this very much feels like an appropriate bookend to the arc, the repercussions of it will no doubt be felt as the run continues, which is exactly how the conclusion of a superstar comic run’s first arc should feel. In my review of the very first issue I stated that the premise had enough potential to significantly shift Billy Batson’s world, and this issue confirmed that notion with an continuously admirable casual confidence.
Now, expanding on the culmination of tone, Waid’s dialogue stands strong as it mixes the sensibilities of the Shazamily’s magical youthful rebellion with the grandiose stature and very real danger of the gods. While Waid’s humorous tendencies no doubt veer into the seriousness, at no point does it feel like the intent of the story is being taken anything but seriously. Zeus and Solomon in particular are standouts amongst the elders with the material given, to the point where it could be argued that the others were a tad underdeveloped in comparison. That is a nitpick however since each has served their purpose in the journey as effectively, if not a bit more, than the rest of the supporting cast.
You’d think that little could be said for Dan Mora’s and Alejandro Sánchez’s excellent work that hasn’t already been said, and yet there is still much. With the added benefit of a fittingly touching scene where two characters talk to put things in perspective, the art team blends the work they’ve done up to now with previous issues to deliver an action-packed finale fight. Though the backdrops aren’t as diverse this time around, they combine their aesthetically mythological approach to the gods with their zany approach to everything else, and the collision of these tones infuse the concluding issue with what I deem one of the best possible styles for a modern Shazam comic.
To sum up, Shazam! #6 is a reinventive and more than satisfying conclusion to this blockbuster debut arc. It serves the same zany and godly fun with a nice added dash of grounded emotional that makes any superhero story worthwhile. It nails down that the gears have been expertly shifted for this brand new era for the Captain and his family, and it is no doubt going to be a wild ride with many more surprises yet to come. This team surely has more tricks up their talented and mischievous sleeves for the Big Red Cheese.
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