Shazam!: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis hardcover collection celebrates seven and a half decades of the original Captain Marvel, the World's Mightiest Mortal, and his Marvel Family. Spanning from his 1940s Fawcett Comics debut through his DC Comics revival, it reprints key stories by creators like C.C. Beck, Otto Binder, and Jerry Ordway, showcasing the character's evolution from Golden Age hero to modern icon. The volume includes classic tales, team-ups, and milestone issues that define Billy Batson's legacy as Shazam!
"Introducing Captain Marvel" reimagines the legendary origin with a fresh twist, spotlighting three young men named Billy Batson—Tall Billy, Hill Billy, and Fat Billy—each from different corners of the U.S., who stumble upon Captain Marvel’s comic and dare to try the magic word. When they’re captured by Sivana and the real Billy Batson, their simultaneous shout of “Shazam” triggers a surprising transformation, turning them into the Lieutenant Marvels, each wielding powers echoing the original. The story, illustrated by C. C. Beck in his classic style, celebrates the character’s 75th anniversary with a nostalgic yet inventive take, and the cover by Cameron Stewart, C. C. Beck, and Pete Costanza captures the moment of transformation with dynamic energy.
After a mysterious stranger brings him to the ancient wizard Shazam, Billy Batson gains the powers of Captain Marvel and learns of a shadowy figure known as the Phantom Scientist. Determined to expose the threat, he sets out to warn the head of Amalgamated Broadcasting Company.
In a quiet moment between adventures, Billy Batson stumbles upon a surprising connection when a girl named Mary, appearing on the Station W.H.I.Z. radio show "The Mental Marvel Quiz," reveals she’s been keeping half of a mysterious locket—just like the one Billy has. When their shared past is confirmed by Mary’s former nurse, the truth begins to unfold: Billy and Mary are twins, separated at birth, and their bond may be the key to unlocking more than just family history.
In "The Monster Society of Evil Chapter 17: Mr. Mind's Movie Madness," Mr. Mind escapes once more, this time turning Hollywood into his playground. When Billy receives a letter from director Hitchblock inviting him to star in a film meant to expose the Monster Society, Mr. Mind seizes the chance to infiltrate the studio—posing as a movie monster and orchestrating a scheme to kidnap Billy during filming.
In "The Monster Society of Evil Chapter 18: Peril Behind the Camera," Mr. Mind hijacks a film production, twisting it into a weapon of propaganda, only for Captain Marvel to step in and stop him. With the camera rolling and danger in every frame, Mr. Mind unleashes his experimental death ray, turning the set into a battlefield of spectacle and suspense.
In "Make Way for Captain Thunder!" from Shazam!: A Celebration of 75 Years, Jo finds himself stranded in Superman's universe, where every time he transforms into Captain Thunder, he's consumed by a sinister alter ego. With Superman’s help, Jo must uncover the truth behind the Monster League of Evil’s hold on his powers before he loses himself completely.
In "The World's Wickedest Plan," Captain Marvel breaks free from the trap Dr. Sivana engineered, a scheme that had frozen the Marvel Family in suspended animation for two decades. With the weight of time and forgotten battles pressing down, the hero must confront the consequences of a past that never ended.
When Billy Batson is snatched by criminals aiming to use him as leverage against Captain Marvel, the real hero faces a twist: the villains don’t know Billy and Captain Marvel are the same person. With Billy’s safety on the line, Junior teams up with the cunning Magnificus Sivana to stage a rescue—posing as the superhero to outwit the kidnappers.
In "Things Change," Captain Marvel steps in to protect Sinclair Batson, Billy's wealthy and unexpected cousin, from a sudden wave of danger that threatens his life. As Uncle Dudley offers quiet support and the Wizard questions whether Billy’s powers are being used with purpose, the young hero must navigate a crisis that tests both his resolve and the true meaning of his gift.
In "The Arson Fiend," Billy, Beautia, and Sinclair Batson find themselves trapped in a blazing inferno as the Arson Fiend unleashes a fiery vendetta against Sinclair and his father, Ebenezer. With flames closing in and the past coming to life in the smoke, the trio must survive the heat before the fire consumes them.
In "Chapter 2: NZIB GZPVH GSV XZPV!", Billy faces down a terrifying threat from the alligator men with the help of his new ally, Talky Tawny, just as a towering humanoid emerges from the shadows. As lightning strikes, Billy transforms into Captain Marvel—but Mary isn’t spared, and the surge of power begins to change her too.
In "Shazam! [Conclusion]," Billy steps up to the challenge, sharing his powers with his foster siblings to become a team of champions, as Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins unleash chaos through the possessed Mr. Bryer. The fate of the world rests on their ability to unite—magic, family, and courage colliding in one final stand.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Whiz Comics #2 (1940), Whiz Comics #21 (1941), Captain Marvel Adventures #18 (1942), Captain Marvel Jr. #12 (1943), Captain Marvel Adventures #38 (1944), Captain Marvel Adventures #39 (1944), The Marvel Family #1 (1945), Hoppy the Marvel Bunny #6 (1946), Captain Marvel Adventures #137 (1952), Captain Marvel Adventures #148 (1953), Shazam! #1 (1973), Superman #276 (1974), Shazam! #29 (1977), All New Collectors' Edition #C-58 (1978), World's Finest Comics #275 (1982), DC Comics Presents #49 (1982), L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #31 (1991), The Shazam! Archives #1 (1992), The Power of SHAZAM! #1 (1995), The Power of SHAZAM! #2 (1995), The Power of SHAZAM! #33 (1997), Action Comics #768 (2000), JSA #48 (2003), Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil #2 (2007), Justice League #21 (2013)
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