Comic of the Week - Shazam! #4

The Shazam! comic of the week is Shazam! #4 which published on April 17, 1973 and had a cover date of July 1973.

This comic featured two new Captain Marvel stories and one golden-age adventure featuring the world's mightiest mortal!  The comic cover features Billy Batson in front of some fun-house mirrors - with Captain Marvel's image reflecting back!  A similar cover was used in Captain Marvel Adventures #45.  (I wrote a brief article about that which you can read here.)

The first storys is "IBAC the Cursed!"  The front page tells us, "Out of the past comes one of Captain Marvel's deadliest foes, a hate-filled villain as bad as the world's mightiest mortal is good!"  IBAC was one of Cap's golden age villains, making his debut in Captain Marvel Adventures #8 (1942) in the story "Captain Marvel and the Curse of IBAC!"  Here, in Shazam! #4, IBAC makes a come-back!

The second new Captain Marvel story is "The Mirrors that Predicted the Future."  Billy is bummed out that it appears his friends have forgotten his birthday.  I wrote a separate article about that which you can read here.

The final story is a reprint of Cap's golden age adventure, "The Ownerless Diamond" which was first published in Captain Marvel Adventures #97 (1949).

There is also a full page of "Shazamail" with letters from fans.  Interestingly, there are letters from two people that wrote Captain Marvel stories from Cap's golden age:  Otto Binder and Manly Wade Wellman.

Captain Marvel and A Switch In Time

In the pages of Shazam! #3 (March 15, 1973) we have one of my favorite stories, "A Switch In Time!"  Here's the lead in to this adventure from the front page, "Holy Moley, folks!  There's something wrong here!  We're seeing boy newscaster Billy Batson as a man -- and Captain Marvel as a boy!  This could lead to trouble!"

The adventure begins with Billy Batson at a dance.  He's trying to meet kids his own age but is feeling like an outsider - even though he's wearing some groovy '70s threads!  Billy's bummed because, thanks to Sivana's placing Captain Marvel in suspended animation, Billy's a boy out of time.  He doesn't understand the dances or the language of his modern-day companions.   Billy says to himself, "My problem is, I only look like a boy!  Actually I'm twenty years older - because I was in suspended animation for twenty years!"  Billy continues, "It's not fair!  I've missed growing up!  The joys...the sorrows...the heartbreak and laughter...I'll never be normal!  I'll always be behind my time..a freak!"  Then Billy has an idea - he'll go see the wizard Shazam who might be able to help him.

Saying the magic word, "Shazam!" Billy is transformed into Captain Marvel who then makes his way to the ancient throne room where he first met Shazam.  Captain Marvel explains Billy's plight to the kind old wizard and asks if Shazam can help Billy.  The wizened wizard warns, "I can accelerate his personal time stream...but I warn you...meddling with time streams can be risky!  It may affect you, too!"  Heeding the warning, Captain Marvel states that he accepts the risk and is willing to take the chance to help his buddy Billy.  (Note:  The exchange between Captain Marvel and Shazam show that Cap and Billy are two different people!)  Shazam has Captain Marvel grasp an enchanted hourglass and say the magic word, "Shazam!"  Magic lightning strikes and transforms Cap into Billy Batson - but this time Billy is a full-grown man!

Meanwhile, back at TV station WHIZ, a wizard school reject named Shagg Naste is rejected by the station.  He runs across Mr. Morris, owner of WHIZ and threatens to put a spell on him if he doesn't give the nasty Naste a television show!  Mr. Morris laughs in his face and doesn't take the threat seriously.  Shagg Naste proves his threat is real by saying a magic word, "Alakazamboola!" and turns unsuspecting newsboy Freddy Freeman (Captain Marvel, Jr) into stone!  Shagg Naste continues his threatening demands - he wants his own TV show, a big cast, lots of dancing girls, and a big salary!

Billy Batson comes upon the scene and transforms into Captain Marvel.  But he's a teen-age Captain Marvel!!  Shagg Naste tries to turn Cap to stone, but it the spell does not work.  However, it does have an effect on Cap's ability to fly!  Cap transforms back to Billy and Billy makes his way to fix things with Shagg Naste.

Shagg Naste is confronted by Billy Batson who tells him to bring the stone newsboy back to normal.  Billy picks Naste up over his head and Naste complies.  Billy tells Naste to scram and never come back - and Naste quickly complies.  Not recognizing Billy, Mr. Morris and Freddy Freeman thank Billy for helping them.  After all he's been through, Billy decides its best to head back to Shazam and see if the wizard can undo the time-mixup that Billy got himself into.  The teen-age Captain Marvel says to himself, "I hope he (Shazam) can undo the time mix-up!  After all -- Billy's better off as a teen-ager than I am!  He has more experience!"

What makes this a great story is how it deals with what someone would go through in Billy's situation.  Think about it - what if you had been in suspended animation for twenty years?  What was once your present situation is now history.  It reminds me of the Captain America movie and the struggles Steve Rogers had adjusting to modern times.  

The story also shows what a great and self-less friend Captain Marvel is.  He's warned that he might be impacted by Billy's desire to be an adult.  Cap is willing to pay the price to help out his friend.

I think it's funny to see Billy as an adult and Captain Marvel as a teenager, that's a great plot twist that I don't recall being used in the golden age comics!

Finally, the story also gives us insight into Shazam's powers.  We learn that he can manipulate the time stream and uses an enchanted hourglass as his tool to do that.

A switch in time taught is a great story that proved the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it!"

The Tools and Resources of the Wizard Shazam

On my other Captain Marvel blog that covers Cap's golden age adventures I wrote an article about the tools and resources of the wizard Shazam.  As I was reading Shazam! #3 I found a new tool that Shazam uses and thought I would create this new article to cover Shazam's tools and resources as I find them in the 70's comics. 

Enchanted Hourglass (Shazam! 3):  The wizard Shazam uses the enchanted hourglass to accelerate Billy Batson's personal time stream - making Billy older!

I'll be adding to this article with Shazam's other tools and resources as I come across them in the pages of Shazam! comics!

Captain Marvel and the Troubles of the Talking Tiger!

Tawky Tawny the talking tiger has been a friend of Captain Marvel since his golden age adventures.  Cap and Tawky had many great stories in the pages of Captain Marvel Adventures comics in the '40s and '50s, and they continued into the 1970s with Shazam! comic #7 (published August 16, 1973) and the story, "The Troubles of the Talking Tiger!"

Tawky Tawny makes his way to a nearby pier where he knows Captain Marvel will be on hand to capture some jewel smugglers there.  Cap captures the smugglers, but Tawny misses the action as he's discovered some tigers in a cage!  Mr. Tawny speaks to the caged tigers in their native language, Tigerian, and learns of something sinister and serious! 

Meanwhile, Captain Marvel visits the office of the Chief of US Customs to discuss the case of the jewel smugglers.  Cap found no evidence on the smugglers except for a check written by millionaire Dana Dana who also owns a private zoo.  Captain Marvel makes his way to the zoo to see if he can discover the connection between the jewel smugglers and the millionaire.  Cap says the magic word, "Shazam!" and transforms himself into Billy Batson, boy reporter, and goes to interview Dana Dana.

Captain Marvel doesn't know that Tawky Tawny is at the private zoo as well - going undercover as a wild tiger!  Tawky is captured by a zoo keeper who throws a rope around his neck and throws him into a cage.  But the rope hurt Tawky's throat so now he's no longer Tawky because he can't talk or make any sound!  Tawky pulls up a board in his cage to discover that what the other tigers told him wasn't a tale - they are smuggling jewels in the bottom of the animal cages!

Tawky Tawny sees Billy Batson walking around with Dana Dana, but Billy doesn't recognize him.  Billy asks the millionaire about his jewel collection, but that tips of Dana that Billy knows too much.  He invites Billy into view his jewel collection and then knocks Billy out.  Billy awakens to find Dana has tied him up and gagged him!  Dana pours catnip oil on Billy and then opens the cage of one of his tigers, knowing the cat can't resist the catnip and will eat Billy.  But what Dana doesn't know is the tiger he let loose is Tawky Tawny!

Billy recognizes Tawny and Tawny recognizes Billy but he can't resist the power of the catnip.  One of Tawny's teeth tears Billy's gag and Billy says the magic word, "Shazam!" just in time to transform himself into the world's mightiest mortal!  Cap finds himself with his head in Tawky's mouth, and once he gets it out he tells his tiger friend, "I hope you have a good explanation for this!"  Apparently, having Captain Marvel's head stuck in his mouth reactivated Tawny's ability to speak!

Gunshots ring out and Cap protects his friend from the bullets!  Dana Dana's bullets are no match for Captain Marvel and Cap dispatches the murderous millionaire jewel smuggler with a punch.  

Cap and Tawny visit the Chief of US Customs office where the chief applauds their efforts at defeating the jewel smuggling ring.  Of course, Cap gives the credit to his talking tiger pal!  Leaving the Chief's office, Mr. Tawny reminds Cap that he's naked - he has no clothes!  Cap remedies the situation by taking Tawny to the tailors and instructing him to give Tawky the very best suit - because he deserves it!

This was an entertaining adventure, I especially like the panel where Cap's head is in Tawny's mouth - that's a classic!  I always like Cap's adventures with Tawky Tawny, and this was a good one.  As usual, Tawky's good intentions end up getting him into a jam that Captain Marvel has to rescue him out of!  When they brought Cap back in the '70s I'm very glad they brought Tawky Tawny with him.  

Comic of the Week - Shazam! #3

The Shazam! comic of the week is Shazam! #3 which published on March 15, 1973 and had a cover date of June 1973.

This comic featured two new Captain Marvel stories and one golden-age adventure featuring the Marvel Family!  The comic cover also featured Cap, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr together on the cover for the first time.  

The first story is "A Switch in Time" in which Billy is granted his wish to be older, but it comes at a cost!

The second story is "The Wizard of Phonograph Hill" and featured Captain Marvel and Dr. Thomas Kilowatt (this was his first appearance in Cap's comics).

The final story is a golden-age adventure from Marvel Family #4 (August 14, 1946) entitled "The Witches' Tale."

I love the cover of this comic featuring the Marvel Family drawn by C. C. Beck.  While Captain Marvel was still the main focus of the comic series, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr appeared frequently in the comics as well!

Captain Marvel and The World's Toughest Guy!

In Shazam! #2 we were introduced to Sunny Sparkle, the nicest guy in the world.  Now in the pages of Shazam! #5 (published June 19, 1973) we get an introduction to Sunny's not so nice cousin, Rowdy Sparkle, who wants to be the toughest guy in the world!

Our adventure begins with Billy Batson going door to door on a rainy day.  His boss, Mr. Morris, has asked him to collect newspaper for recycling.  Billy's not getting any papers, but he is getting a lot of doors slammed in his face!  Billy gets an idea - why not ask Sunny Sparkle, the world's nicest guy - to help him.  Surely people will help Sunny on such a rainy day!  Sunny agrees to help and asks if his cousin Rowdy can tag along.  Right away we see that Rowdy's not a nice guy like Sunny.  Billy actually thinks he's a pain in the neck!  

Billy and his crew return to the house that Billy last visited, and sure enough, when they see Sunny they sparkle with delight at the thought of helping him.  They offer up old newspapers, books, and magazines.  They even offer to make some snacks and give some cookies to the boys but Sunny politely declines.  (Did you notice who this couple was?  It's Archie and Edith Bunker from the 'All In The Family' TV show which was popular in the 70s!)

Under the cover of an awning the trio discovers a magic book among their collection of recyclables.  It is called "The How-To-Do-Everything Handbook" but all the pages are blank except for the index.  They find a topic in the index on how to stop rain, and when they turn to the page in the book the words appear!  Billy and Sunny follow the instructions and the rain stops.  Rowdy asks them how they did it but the boys can't remember.

After filling their wagon with recyclables, they head back to Station WHIZ where Mr. Morris tells them the paper drive has been a big success and they can drop off their collection in the back.  But rotten Rowdy grabs the magic book and looks up 'how to become the toughest guy on earth' in the index.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morris is driving a forklift and suddenly loses control.  Billy sees it happening and says the magic word, "Shazam!" and transforms into Captain Marvel.  But before Cap can save Morris, Rowdy Sparkle steps in and stops the forklift from flipping over.  Rowdy has become the toughest guy on earth!  But Rowdy is still a pain in the neck bully and calls Mr. Morris a few choice names.  Captain Marvel tells Rowdy to apologize but Rowdy responds, "Says who muscle-brain?  Get lost!"

With the wisdom of Solomon, Cap figures out a way to handle Rowdy by challenging him to a show of strength.  He asks Rowdy if he can tear a phone book in half.  Rowdy sneers, "Haw, give it to me you big phony!" and tears it in half.  He challenges Cap to do the same and Captain Marvel tears the magic 'how to' book in half much to Rowdy's horror!

Rowdy takes a punch at Captain Marvel and discovers that his powers are gone now that the book has been destroyed.  Rowdy tries to kick and head butt Captain Marvel but ends up knocking himself silly.  Sunny puts Rowdy into the wagon and carts him home, his stint as the world's toughest guy is over.

This is one of my favorite stories from the Shazam! comic series.  It was great to play off Sunny's previous appearance in the comic as the nicest guy in the world by making his rotten cousin Rowdy the total opposite!  I also liked how they brought in the Bunkers from the popular TV show of the day, I'm sure readers thought that was pretty cool when the comic first hit the stores!  Besides these things, I also like the fact that Captain Marvel stands up for Mr. Morris and stands up to a bully.  He does it in such a way that Rowdy would surely learn a lesson but not in a mean-spirited way.  I hope you enjoyed this adventure of Captain Marvel when the world's mightiest mortal met the world's toughest man!

Captain Marvel and The Nicest Guy in the World!

In the pages of Shazam! #2 (published February 15, 1973) we are introduced to a new character in Captain Marvel's comics.  In the story, "The Nicest Guy in the World" Sunny Sparkle makes his first appearance and we learn that Sunny has a unique problem that turns out to help Cap solve a crime!

We first meet Sunny Sparkle as he attempts to sneak past a crowd.  Why is Sunny sneaking about?  Because people just can't resist doing nice things for Sunny!  People give him books, coats, food - they want to do something nice for him.  This unique problem turns into a bigger problem when two bank robbers pass by Sunny and they feel so compelled to do something nice for him - they give him all the money they just stole!  Prior to meeting up with Sunny, the two thieves socked Billy Batson and made a getaway from Captain Marvel with a smoke machine built into their car.

Captain Marvel was on the trail of the bank robbers when he encounters Sunny Sparkle, and Cap flys Sunny home so he doesn't have to walk carrying the load of gifts he's just been given.

Meanwhile, the two bank robbers report back to their boss who is infuriated that they gave away the loot.  The boss tucks a pistol into his coat pocket and tells his crew, "I'll get him!"  The boss shows up at Sunny's house, reaches into his coat pocket and lets Sunny have it - more money that is!  Back at the hide-out the boss laments that he can't handle Sunny.  But one of his thugs hatches a plan to get back their stolen money.

The boss runs across Billy Batson and asks Billy if he knows Sunny.  Billy says he does, and the boss tells him that Sunny was to give him some money for charity and asks Billy if he can get it for him.  Billy goes to Sunny's home, and with his mom's permission, retrieves the satchel full of loot.  The crooks take off but Billy recognizes them as the bank robbers because of the smoke coming from their car.  

Billy says the magic word, "Shazam!" and transforms into Captain Marvel who quickly captures the trio of crooks.  The next day, Sunny Sparkle is in the Mayor's office along with Captain Marvel and is presented a medal for his assistance in helping Cap catch the crooks.  But the Mayor and others can't resist giving Sunny even more things because he is the nicest guy in the world!

It was interesting to have a new character introduced into Cap's comics.  Sunny Sparkle would appear in a few more stories in the Shazam! comic series.