Billy Batson came to Titans Academy looking for answers. Why was the rest of his adopted family cut off from the power of Shazam? Why are his own powers becoming increasingly unreliable? The answers send Billy on an outrageous adventure that’ll not only change him but have an immense impact on the school and other students on Titans Island.
Shazam #1 is a brilliant start. The tempo and tone of the book are revealed very quickly, with an exciting story presenting itself with multiple plot threads. But this isnt just a book full of superheroes and cosmos-threatening crises, as it possesses a heart as well. With this art team creating amazing pages and the unpredictability at which heroes will appear next, this series is sure to be a universe of fun. Read Full Review
With Shazam #1, Sheridan again shows us why he's one of DC's hottest writers. This series puts the focus on Billy Batson, which is the thing I most want to see in a Shazam series. I look forward to seeing what Sheridan has planned for Billy in the issues ahead. Read Full Review
A bold and fun debut issue. If only this was an ongoing... Read Full Review
Sheridan and Henry establish a lot in one issue making for a good sign that this mini-series features a focused creative team capable of creating magic in a short amount of time. Read Full Review
This isn't your typical SHAZAM! title. However, Sheridan shrugs off the normal constraints and begins to shape multiple aspects of the character through some internal conflicts. Sure, Billy's heading on a voyage. However, it appears as though Sheridan's end goal is to strengthen the character and ultimately send him on a journey of maturity. Read Full Review
SHAZAM #1 spins directly out of the pages of Teen Titans Academy and is barrelling towards the fate of Billy Batson seen in FUTURE STATE: SHAZAM. A fun book with promise coming from #DCComics @Iamtimsheridan @claytonhenryart Read Full Review
Shazam #1 is a fun little opening issue, even if you're not caught up on Teen Titans Academy or the bigger ongoing DC events. Read Full Review
Henry on the art adds a stylized flair to Shazam #1 that lightens up the mood and keeps it fun, especially in the areas that get kind of heavy. Read Full Review
Shazam! #1 serves as an expansion of the themes and mysteries previously seen in Tim Sheridan's DC work from earlier this year. With strong characterization and artwork, this limited series has the potential to tell a compelling Shazam! tale, but this first issue doesn't do much to establish its own identity. Read Full Review
While I don't think this is the best beginning issue for somebody new to the character or for somebody that's been a fan of the character for the way that he's presented here, I will say that I am interested in the quest that Billy Batson is on and I just hope that the story allows us to know the status quo of the Marvel/Shazam Family because the omission of the newer members of the family felt weird throughout..... Not to mention that I wasn't the biggest fan of the way that our young hero was depicted either. Thankfully though, I did enjoy the art and hope that things start feeling a tad more familiar as we go on. Read Full Review
Overall, this isn't bad as an expansion of the Teen Titans Academy world. It sets up a decent conflict. But it feels like it's ripped apart the world of Shazam and replaced it with things that don't do the character or the legacy justice. Read Full Review
I surprisingly loved this issue. I’m loving the Academy story and Billy’s struggle seems to be genuine and interesting.
I liked it, it's a cool original story for shazam to find out why his powers are not working
In media res, Billy Batson is having an identity crisis. He's losing his connection to his powers and his sense of self that comes with it. While Billy left his older solo series questioning what good superheroes can do in the long term, he didn't want to just give it all up. Plus off-screen, it's affecting his foster family too and Billy doesn't want to feel powerless. It's hard not to feel hopeless when the Big Red Cheese isn't even around to provide the fantasy.
But... as somebody familiar with the Future State Storylines, I have a feeling where it's all going and it involves Black Adam.
Not terrible, but I really am not looking forward to the rest of this!
Interesting approaching.
Not bad, not great either.
Wanted to like this one, but just didn't. I will give it another issue, but we'll see how it goes.