Rating: 
Summary: Uneven, but intriguing
Review: Having been a fan of Captain Marvel (published under the "Shazam!" heading) for years, I was rather surprised at how uneven this first collection of his adventures is. That's not to say it's BAD, mind you, but I think Captain Marvel needed a little time to find his stride.Billy Batson, an orphaned newsboy, is led down an abandoned subway tunnel where he encounters the wizard Shazam, who endows him with a gift. By speaking the wizard's name, Billy Batson is transformed in the world's mightiest mortal, Captain Marvel! The stories, by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, are typical of superhero comics of the 1940s -- with the superhero going to battle against the Axis forces that are always alluded to but never quite earmarked as the same foes America had not yet faced in the real world ("Nazis" becoming "Gnatzis", for instance). Remember, at the time these books were published, America was still several months away from Pearl Harbor and, with it, total war. The book reads best as a historical oddity -- it's interesting to note some of the odd, very un-PC stereotypes Parker and Beck get away with, from their depiction of Asian characters to an issue where Billy actually disguises himself in blackface! Towards the end of this volume the stories begin to hit their stride -- the second-to-last story, in which the evil Dr. Sivana works out a mathematical formula that allows him to become intangible, is my favorite in the book. I'm glad DC has continued this series -- up to the third volume now -- because I've read some of the later "Captain Marvel" stories and I know for a fact that once the series started to hit, it hit on all cylinders, becoming one of the finest superhero comics ever. Read this book for your introduction, then move on to the really good stuff Fawcett Comics did with the Marvels later.
Rating: 
Summary: COMIC ART AS IT SHOULD BE
Review: One of the most popular Golden Age superheroes, the original Captain Marvel has had a hard time carving out a proper niche for himself in the modern era. Though DC has tried to re-establish Cap several times, the results have often been disappointing--partly because of questionable handling by DC itself and also in part because public tastes aren't what they used to be. In an age of anti-heroes and exploitativeness that surpasses anything "Seduction of the Innocent" could have foreseen, a hero as noble as Captain Marvel seems somewhat out of place--much like Superman himself. But thanks to DC's "Shazam Archives," modern readers at least have a chance to see just why Cap was such a Golden Age icon. This is an outstanding hardcover book, featuring beautifully reproduced art by C.C. Beck and Pete Costanza on high-quality paper. Though written in the 40s, Bill Parker's clever, innovative scripts still hold up well. The price is a bit steep, but there's nothing quite like the classics from the Golden Age. The stories themselves do show their age--there's nothing remotely like them anymore. Even so, they're top-notch entertainment, featuring lots of action, daring feats of superheroism, last-minute escapes, and plenty of beautiful women to rescue. Though written before America entered World War II, these stories clearly reflect a nation fearful of the world around it, as Cap faces down both barbaric "Gnatzis" and insidious fifth-columnists. Cap's arch-nemesis, the evil Dr. Sivana, is introduced in Cap's very first adventure and makes several return appearances, along with his alluring daughter, Beautia, whom Sivana dreams of seeing crowned "Empress of the World." Cap's origin story is presented in its original form, (he was originally to be dubbed "Captain Thunder")and stands out as among the most unique and captivating opening chapters in comic book history. What boy could resist the promise of becoming the World's Mightiest Mortal just by saying the magic word? None of the stories in this book are real clunkers, though one or two are only fair (such as "Hurray for Captain Marvel"). Every reader will find his or her own favorite, but to me "Make Way for Captain Marvel," "Captain Marvel Battles the Winged Death," and "Captain Marvel Boomerangs the Torpedo" are the best of the best. Some modern readers may find these tales naive and overly cartoonish. Hopefully, however, mature readers will agree with me that this is comic fantasy as its gilded peak.
Rating:
Summary: COMIC ART AS IT SHOULD BE
Review: One of the most popular Golden Age superheroes, the original Captain Marvel has had a hard time carving out a proper niche for himself in the modern era. Though DC has tried to re-establish Cap several times, the results have often been disappointing--partly because of questionable handling by DC itself and also in part because public tastes aren't what they used to be. In an age of anti-heroes and exploitativeness that surpasses anything "Seduction of the Innocent" could have foreseen, a hero as noble as Captain Marvel seems somewhat out of place--much like Superman himself. But thanks to DC's "Shazam Archives," modern readers at least have a chance to see just why Cap was such a Golden Age icon. This is an outstanding hardcover book, featuring beautifully reproduced art by C.C. Beck and Pete Costanza on high-quality paper. Though written in the 40s, Bill Parker's clever, innovative scripts still hold up well. The price is a bit steep, but there's nothing quite like the classics from the Golden Age. The stories themselves do show their age--there's nothing remotely like them anymore. Even so, they're top-notch entertainment, featuring lots of action, daring feats of superheroism, last-minute escapes, and plenty of beautiful women to rescue. Though written before America entered World War II, these stories clearly reflect a nation fearful of the world around it, as Cap faces down both barbaric "Gnatzis" and insidious fifth-columnists. Cap's arch-nemesis, the evil Dr. Sivana, is introduced in Cap's very first adventure and makes several return appearances, along with his alluring daughter, Beautia, whom Sivana dreams of seeing crowned "Empress of the World." Cap's origin story is presented in its original form, (he was originally to be dubbed "Captain Thunder")and stands out as among the most unique and captivating opening chapters in comic book history. What boy could resist the promise of becoming the World's Mightiest Mortal just by saying the magic word? None of the stories in this book are real clunkers, though one or two are only fair (such as "Hurray for Captain Marvel"). Every reader will find his or her own favorite, but to me "Make Way for Captain Marvel," "Captain Marvel Battles the Winged Death," and "Captain Marvel Boomerangs the Torpedo" are the best of the best. Some modern readers may find these tales naive and overly cartoonish. Hopefully, however, mature readers will agree with me that this is comic fantasy as its gilded peak.
Rating:
Summary: Origin of the Big Red Cheese
Review: Shazam Archives Vol.1 collects the Captain Marvel stories from Whiz #2-15. It also includes a rare first appearance as Captain Thunder in Thrilling Comics (never actually sold, but only printed as a prototype). The printing is great and all the stories are in full glory. It is very interesting to see the progression of the good captain. His military/genie inspired costume gives way to a Supermanish one piece suit by issue #5. Although the first stories are a little more hard, the whimsey that he is so known for starts to poke it's friendly little head in. Dr. Sivania arrives with a menagerie of wild beasts from Venus, including his kids Beautia and Magnificus. There is a great half-lion/ half-gorilla. Like all Captain Marvel, this volume is lots of fun and worth having.
Rating:
Summary: Origin of the Big Red Cheese
Review: Shazam Archives Vol.1 collects the Captain Marvel stories from Whiz #2-15. It also includes a rare first appearance as Captain Thunder in Thrilling Comics (never actually sold, but only printed as a prototype). The printing is great and all the stories are in full glory. It is very interesting to see the progression of the good captain. His military/genie inspired costume gives way to a Supermanish one piece suit by issue #5. Although the first stories are a little more hard, the whimsey that he is so known for starts to poke it's friendly little head in. Dr. Sivania arrives with a menagerie of wild beasts from Venus, including his kids Beautia and Magnificus. There is a great half-lion/ half-gorilla. Like all Captain Marvel, this volume is lots of fun and worth having.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Collection!!!
Review: The Golden Age Captian Marvels are possibly some of the finest comics of their era. This is a great collection of his earliest adventures and a definite must have for any fans. I can't wait for Volime. II
Rating:
Summary: Captain Marvel, the World's Mightiest Mortal in true form!!!
Review: The Shazam! Archives volume 1 reprints Whiz Comics #2 thru #15 starring the original, true Captain Marvel (not the space hero from Marvel Comics) from the Golden Age of comics, as well as the early ashcan prototype Captain Thunder from Flash Comics and Thrill Comics. Overall, I liked this book's stories, seeing how great a superhero Captain Marvel would become. His early adventures are possibly what every kid would dream about, say a magic word and become a superhero. Who wouldn't wish that? At one time during the 1940s, Captain Marvel would eventually outsell Superman in sales.... In the early 1970s, it would be DC Comics themselves who would bring the character back into publication instead of permanent obscurity. Today, of course, DC now owns Captain Marvel and are the ones who published this Archive Edition. Originally published in 1992, Shazam! Archives volume 1 went out-of-print for a few years until DC Comics released a second printing in 1999, to coincide with the release of Shazam! Archives volume 2 that same year.
Rating: 
Summary: Earth's Mightiest Mortal
Review: This book collects the first of (the REAL) Captain Marvel's adventures. The stories overall aren't that good, and I will never quite like his origin, but Captain Marvel is an extremely important character. Batman was the first costumed hero to take on Superman's success. He was the ordinary man who could stand tall next to a godlike character. But Batman was also an attempt within the same company to replicate the success of Superman to make more money. Captain Marvel is different. Some may dismiss him as a Superman knockoff, but they do have thier differences. Superman's powers are alien. Captain Marvel's powers are magic. Captain Marvel's powers consist basically of invulnerability, flight, speed, and super strength (although he does have the wisdom of Solomon, etc.). Captain Marvel has a much neater uniform that Superman (and it is a uniform, not a "costume")Captain Marvel is the hero who is every comic book reading kid's fantasy. He is an ordinary boy (in a nightmarish situation) who just has to utter a magic word to be magically transformed into one of the most powerful beings in the world. Captain Marvel's early exploits remain the best selling independent comics of all time. It hurts me to see him in comic book limbo currently, occasionally popping in someone's comic for a guest appearance. His most majestic appearance that I have seen is in Mark Waid and Alex Ross' Kingdom Come, in which we learn that he is feared by both Batman and Superman and that he can actually beat Superman. Captain Marvel scared DC comics, who sued and later ended up with the rights to his character after which, ironically, he became a trusted ally of Superman. The art in this particular book can be hard to follow, and the stories are sometimes pretty bad, but personally, I love wading through Golden Age material and seeing the original vision of a character.
Rating:
Summary: Earth's Mightiest Mortal
Review: This book collects the first of (the REAL) Captain Marvel's adventures. The stories overall aren't that good, and I will never quite like his origin, but Captain Marvel is an extremely important character. Batman was the first costumed hero to take on Superman's success. He was the ordinary man who could stand tall next to a godlike character. But Batman was also an attempt within the same company to replicate the success of Superman to make more money. Captain Marvel is different. Some may dismiss him as a Superman knockoff, but they do have thier differences. Superman's powers are alien. Captain Marvel's powers are magic. Captain Marvel's powers consist basically of invulnerability, flight, speed, and super strength (although he does have the wisdom of Solomon, etc.). Captain Marvel has a much neater uniform that Superman (and it is a uniform, not a "costume")Captain Marvel is the hero who is every comic book reading kid's fantasy. He is an ordinary boy (in a nightmarish situation) who just has to utter a magic word to be magically transformed into one of the most powerful beings in the world. Captain Marvel's early exploits remain the best selling independent comics of all time. It hurts me to see him in comic book limbo currently, occasionally popping in someone's comic for a guest appearance. His most majestic appearance that I have seen is in Mark Waid and Alex Ross' Kingdom Come, in which we learn that he is feared by both Batman and Superman and that he can actually beat Superman. Captain Marvel scared DC comics, who sued and later ended up with the rights to his character after which, ironically, he became a trusted ally of Superman. The art in this particular book can be hard to follow, and the stories are sometimes pretty bad, but personally, I love wading through Golden Age material and seeing the original vision of a character.
Rating:
Summary: This is why we read four color books
Review: This book is a breezy and exciting read. To see Captain Marvel drawn by his creator is a pleasure. Every young person dreams of being heroic, and this book exemplifies why. Young Billy Batson transforms into his alter ego not only to foil the villians, but also to impress the ladies. Shazam is a hero that deserves a place beside the greats of our American mythology. Superman is our ideal, Batman is our pathos, Wonder Woman is our pride, but Captain Marvel is our innocence.
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