REVIEW: Shazam No.2 (2021)

Initially I have been trying to avoid nearly everything Teen Titans in recent years, but once this new “Shazam” mini was slid across my desk, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to see what the hype was all about. Sheridan is a comic genius here, “comic” defined as comedy in this case. And the comedy works in such a dreary backdrop as somebodies’ hell – complete with demons and people with dollar signs in their irises – basically any gambling town you could think of.

I got into Shazam during John’s New 52 run, and that run left a heavy impression on me as it was the blatant direct influence for the box office smash of the same name. Reading John’s work, there is always a certain call back to the supposed whimsy of childhood. Sheridan’s Shazam is the antithesis as he appears to want nothing more than for Billy to just grow up as Billy and his friend are written to run out this Hellscape, scarred but still clad in three piece suits; complete with a Windsor.

Clayton Henry’s art compliments the noir storyline aimed at a youthful demographic by giving the book some much needed exuberance and pep by allowing the art to pop and be as cartoony as possible for a concept as old as time featuring a hero character traveling through an underworld if only to emerge triumphant – except here that doesn’t really happen as Billy’s powers are on the fritz in this Hellscape. And admittedly, it’s a guilty pleasure to watch him struggle, resulting in bouts of hilarity for anyone with a funny bone.

Batson attracts a demon’s daughter, who has more flavor than any of the more “mature” characters in the book put together – a running theme with every young adult in this mini. And I am obliged to say that it is fun to see Billy not only out of his element, but to also see him associate with more kids his age, other than just the Marvel Family.

I may have got my introduction to Shazam through Johns, but I’ve read many more tales focused on the character after that and he has always been depicted as the awkward outsider. It feels good to see Billy finally get a friend(and maybe a love interest) for a change. And if that feels good, then seeing Shazam tackle more mature themes, with a little censored expletives thrown in the mix can only bring a wider smile to my face. Add in the possibility of appearance’s of characters created by Neil Gaiman & Peter Gross and Sheirdan might just age Shazam out of the Teen Titans in the span of just four issues. Note : this is only the halfway point.

Score : 3/5

Written by: Tim Sheridan
Art by: Clayton Henry