As I continue to insert cartooning into my reading material. I thought it would be easy to do this, but it is tough. I have a history of Andy Jackson and indians book I’m reading and want to keep reading. It’s tough enough to add fiction. Cartoon fiction is even tougher. But I really need to take in more cartooning collections.

Shazam!: The Greatest Stories Ever Told VOL 01 by Bill Parker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A mostly great collection of the comic book stories of Captain Marvel. This collection begins with the earliest story by C.C. Beck in 1940 to 1998. This also chronicles the deterioration of the comic book industry. The stories start off as light good guy vs. bad guy and transform into a muddled soap opera. I cared about the earlier stories and couldn’t care less about the later, despite all of the bleeding heart mess.

So, I would not define these as “the Greatest Stories” or even the “Greatest” mediocre ones. The first half of the stories fit the title.

The incredible work of C.C. Beck is the best reason to pick up this volume. He had so much fun with his stories. From crazy creatures of the past to talking worms and tigers. Today there is some weird idea that all of this must be explained, as if explanations make any of it more real. It’s just fun and fun is hard to find these days.

Bottom line: i half recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.



View all my reviews