Mary is back home in the City of Brotherly Love, and she's feeling nothing but hate! Not only did she have to leave her dream school, but now she's the caretaker of her siblings and a city that is skeptical about the new hero in town. Everyone wants a piece of Shazam, and super-powered misfits are lining up to take her on! When her world is falling apart, can our hero keep it together?
When coupled with Doc Shaner's truly excellent art, which contains some of the most distinct facial expressions and action panels I've read lately, this second issue could not be more perfect. Read Full Review
There are lots of little details that make this series feel special. The rabbits description of advanced tech as mach and not-magic, for example, has a concise idiosyncrasy about it that delivers a whole lot more about Mary and her world than most writers longer exposition usually manages. Marys personal journey feels very deep, even though shes only been going through this particular journey for a couple of issues now. Campbell and company have made quite a lot out of 2 brief issues. Read Full Review
The New Champion of Shazam! #2 is another fantastic issue of the mini-series that puts Mary through the wringer throughout but gives us some great action scenes and character moments. Highly recommended. Read Full Review
Campbell quickly found Marys voice while tying in to larger family dynamics. The combination of a tighter script and Shaners stellar art is elevating this title to a highly recommended status in two issues. Its turning into a fun ride for Mary and her family. Read Full Review
This is a highly ambitious comic, one that's apparently been in the works for a long time, and so far the hard work these creators have put into it is paying off. Read Full Review
Josie Campbell and Doc Shaner are creating magic with their work on The New Champion Of Shazam. This second issue builds off all the character work done in the first to build greater investment in what is going on around Mary Bromfield in her journey as the new Shazam. The interpersonal relationships and superhero elements all complement each other extremely well. This series is definitely shaping up to be one of the best comic books DC Comics in 2022. Read Full Review
Shaner's Mary is lovely and her world is engaging and realistic. If only her fights weren't such dramatic losses. Read Full Review
There's still plenty of questions circulating about the book's enemies and character development, but it's already clear we have a compelling "new" hero in Mary Bromfield. Read Full Review
The power continues to flow in this issue as Mary Marvel has a lot more on her plate than she previously thought. The art is great and I love the Fawcett Comics callbacks, I just wish that some of the finer points and drama of this story would have been addressed more and that this issue didn't feel like almost starting over again, but even with that I still found myself having a lot of fun with this issue. Read Full Review
Now halfway through the four-issue mini-series, I'd expect to see our heroine (and her bunny) picking up the pace to discover just what is happening in Fawcett City. Read Full Review
I'm really enjoying this series. Campbell's writing is a bit twee in the manner of Karl Kesel or Mark Waid (which is absolutely my jam) and Shaner's art is worth the price of admission alone. I'm bummed this is only 4 issues, I'd 100% read an ongoing from this team
Can't say Josie Campbell is a new talent, merely new to me. But she is really doing a good job splitting the difference between the dark whimsy of Geoff Johns and the better old school Shazam projects. And you cannot go wrong with Doc Shaner. If Waid and Mora need a break, I hope these two get the call (assuming Josie isn't too busy on her TV work).
I like a lot about this issue. Darla taking the bunny and the bunny being able to teleport was a good addition. The issue takes a dip with the scene in the classroom where we meet an actual "Chad." Come on - please. I did like the action scenes with the crocodile and the negative-multi man, though I have no idea what his powers are. They are going to have to define those soon.