SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL #3

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.cvr.jpg" align="right">When we last left Captain Marvel...

DC Comics has provided Newsarama with the first six pages of <b>Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil #3</b>, due in stores on May 2nd.

The solicitation for the issue reads:

Written by Jeff Smith; Art and Cover by Smith

Jeff Smith's amazing Shazam miniseries continues! Billy and Mary have been captured by Sivana... so Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel may not be able to stop Mr. Mind's Monster Society from taking over the world.




<center><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_01.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p1_t.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_02.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p2_t.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_03.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p3_t.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_04.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p4_t.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_05.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p5_t.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/Shazam03_06.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/JeffSmith/03/SZME3.p6_t.jpg" border="0"></a></center>

[Nate-Earth 2]

I haven't really been following this story, but, why is Mary a toddler in this reboot? The only reason I haven't really picked it up is mostly because I think the Power of Shazam reboot was the best version of the character, and doesn't really need any further revisions. But, thats just me.

[bkwrds]

Mary is younger, but I don't think she's a toddler. She's between 5-7 years old, little younger than Billy.

It's not a reboot, I don't think it's canon. I'm all for Jeff Smith doing whatever the hell he wants with any comic book character. I'd let him do any character he wanted, even if it seemed against his style. Captain Marvel suits him to a tee, though.

First two books were great -- before you jump to a conclusion based on five pages, you might want to check out one of the other books.

[Snowspinner]

I haven't really been following this story, but, why is Mary a toddler in this reboot? The only reason I haven't really picked it up is mostly because I think the Power of Shazam reboot was the best version of the character, and doesn't really need any further revisions. But, thats just me.

Mary isn't a toddler - she's just cartoonishly small.

As for why it needs further revisions...

Because if Jeff Smith feels like writing and drawing a comic book, the world needs him to do it.

[O.M.A.C.]

think of it as All Star Shazam!!
:o :o :o :o :o

[hugo]

I so love the concept of "Chibi Mary Marvel" ^__________^

Jeff Smith is a master to render facial expressions; this man rules :cool:

[NeroMan]

think of it as All Star Shazam!!
:o :o :o :o :o
So do I

and I think of Justice as All-Star JSA.

[KoozyK]

you know what? i love jeff smith.

that is all.

[GSHAG]

the real issue i have with this is Smith is channeling too much bone in this. it could very well be just his writing style, but take page four for example. mary does this cute/brash move and yells at whatever that thing is, then you get a panel of blank, deadpan reaction. that just screams "bone" writing mechanics. moreover, you frankly can just plug in characters. replace CM/Billy as Phone Bone, a guy whos always just trying to do the right thing, and Mary as Phoney for Billy/Phone's foil as the outspoken brash one that usually get the other in trouble.

i hate to be such a downer but bone is one of the few things about my childhood that i unconditionally will always love. i just hate to see it revived to tell a year one story about a concept that needs to move on from its goofy past and into the hardcore DCU. and yes you guessed it right, i like trials alot better than i like monster society:(

[Grendel Prime]

So do I

and I think of Justice as All-Star JSA.

I think you mean JLA. But otherwise I agree. It bugs me that Justice and the Smith Captain Marvel were not marketed under the All-Star banner. (Probably because both of these titles come out relatively on time).

[Dreighton]

I read the 1st one. For every hit there was a big miss. And over all, I was disappointed. The changes were so jarring. I didn't bother with the 2nd (same as this). I do hope DC does a Captain Marvel series, and uses at least the tone/feel of this series.

And if Mary looks like a toddler, and acts like a toddler, doesn't that make her a toddler?

[Snowspinner]

the real issue i have with this is Smith is channeling too much bone in this. it could very well be just his writing style, but take page four for example. mary does this cute/brash move and yells at whatever that thing is, then you get a panel of blank, deadpan reaction. that just screams "bone" writing mechanics.

I think this is a bit unfair. You're dealing here with a writer who has one other story. Is it a Bone mechanic or just a technique Smith uses? It's not as though Smith invented using the pause for comic timing.


moreover, you frankly can just plug in characters. replace CM/Billy as Phone Bone, a guy whos always just trying to do the right thing, and Mary as Phoney for Billy/Phone's foil as the outspoken brash one that usually get the other in trouble.


What? Mary and Phoney have virtually nothing in common other than the status as occasionally troublesome sidekick - again, hardly an innovation on Smith's part.


i hate to be such a downer but bone is one of the few things about my childhood that i unconditionally will always love. i just hate to see it revived to tell a year one story about a concept that needs to move on from its goofy past and into the hardcore DCU. and yes you guessed it right, i like trials alot better than i like monster society:(

Why? I mean, why does Captain Marvel need to be in the hardcore DCU? When the hardcore DCU is so invested in its own past, why can't Captain Marvel reflect its past? It was the biggest-selling superhero comic of its time, and provided brilliant, whimsical, fun adventures of a sort you cant get anywhere else. There are dozens of titles I can get hardcore DCU from. This is the only one I can get that taps satisfyingly into the legacy of fun, goofy, exciting comics.

[Snowspinner]

I think you mean JLA. But otherwise I agree. It bugs me that Justice and the Smith Captain Marvel were not marketed under the All-Star banner. (Probably because both of these titles come out relatively on time).

Also, perhaps, because the Smith Captain Marvel is prestige format, and the All-Star line is supposed to not be prestige format.

[Roche-Man]

not reading it but I really dig what they are doing with mary marvel...

before she was just like Hakgirl toHawkman, Supergirl to superman, Batgirl to Batman but I really love this take...

I love the original too I love how the marvels are portrayed as these innocent characters.

[bsmith]

Best mini of the year so far, hands down.

As a Captain Marvel story, it captures the spirit of the character perfectly. Would love a series like this.

As a comic book, it provides something no other comic does out there right now.


Go Jeff go!


And give it to someone else with skills after it's done!

[MattBrady]

And if Mary looks like a toddler, and acts like a toddler, doesn't that make her a toddler? 5-8 isn't a toddler. And trust the parents of the 5-8 crowd, that's how she's acting.

MattB

[Aquaduck]

:eek: Everytime this comes out I feel like a kid again - the mythology that Jeff brings to the series is just mind-tickling! I loved the magic train showing up out of no where in the first issue. I loved the take on Tawky-Tawny, the tiger, as the old bum. I love how this could all just be in a boys' imagination. There is an other-worldliness to it.

Mary is about 5-8 years, and... Wait, MattB already said what I was gonna say. ;)

I also love the Trials of Shazam series. The professional critics might find it trite, but it is a great take on how these former gods of myth can actually live in today's world and do battle right under our noses. I hope Freddy becomes the new Captan Marvel, but I also hope Shazam (who uses to be Billy) loses the white uniform. It just doesn't say "All Powerful Wizard" as much as a Gandolf look-alike does.

I was not a big Captain Marvel fan unto these two series came out and yes, I own Power of Shazam. I just thought he was just a magical Superman, but now I know why the DCU needs him. Kingdom Come and the recent Week 50 also helped me see this.

[Wonder Boy]

LOL. Mary Marvel rocks in this.

Yeah, it's different from what's generally canon, but you know what? I'm okay with it, because this book's not screwing things over horribly, and I don't think its an in-canon story either.

It's just...a fun book. Something we've been sorely lacking.

[NeoSamurai]

this is a very fun book that is good for kids as it is adults.

I bought my nephew copies of the first two because of this.

[TakumProti]

I haven't really been following this story, but, why is Mary a toddler in this reboot? The only reason I haven't really picked it up is mostly because I think the Power of Shazam reboot was the best version of the character, and doesn't really need any further revisions. But, thats just me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, this is supposed to be a reboot?! And aren't Billy and
Mary twins?

[Davy]

the real issue i have with this is Smith is channeling too much bone in this. it could very well be just his writing style, but take page four for example. mary does this cute/brash move and yells at whatever that thing is, then you get a panel of blank, deadpan reaction.

To be fair, the deadpan reaction shot is hardly limited solely to Jeff Smith or Bone. It's a staple in comedy in general. I can't, however, speak to your other criticism of similarity of characters because I never read many issues of Bone. But I'm thoroughly enjoying this (so far) incredibly fun mini. More please.

Davy

[SHIM'TAR]

I LOVE THIS MINI-SERIES!!!

[NeoSamurai]

dont forget the monster society secret code!!!!

[Nate-Earth 2]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, this is supposed to be a reboot?! And aren't Billy and
Mary twins?

Yeah, it is a reboot. In a preview article of this series, before it came out, Jeff Smith said this is canon and the current interpretation of the early days of Captain Marvel. That's what he said at the time, at least. Maybe it's changed since then.

[Lex]

That preview was so awesome, I think I just peed my pants! I love Jeff Smith's Shazam! It's good comics.

[MatthewTie]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, this is supposed to be a reboot?! And aren't Billy and
Mary twins?

Just a story, not a reboot.

Not twins, he's older.

I never read Bone, but I'm enjoying this immensely. Just like I'm enjoying Trials. Just like I enoyed Ordway's Power of Shazam.

Different takes on the same mythology.

[comixcollctr]

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1331/gossamersb3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The monsters in the first pages reminds me of the Rat creatures and Gossamer the hairy monster from Bugs bunny:)

Such interesting monsters should have such interesting hairdo.

[Aquaduck]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, this is supposed to be a reboot?! And aren't Billy and Mary twins? :rolleyes:

Billy and Mary can still be twins in this series! Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel do not have to be portrayed as the same when they take on the powers. Having Mary remain child-like lets us know that Captain Marvel is the leader of the Marvel family.

[SanityOrMadness]

Did anyone else get a strong Dark Crystal vibe off page three?

[Uncle Jawa]

I really enjoyed the first issue, but felt the second issue didn't live up to the initial standards that were set. Hopefully, I'll dig the third more.

[BillReed]

I adore this comic.

[greenman]

This comic book is just amazing. Oh, and for those still talking about whether its in mainstream DCU or not: the DC web page for the very first issue said non continuity right there in black and white.

[Snowspinner]

This comic book is just amazing. Oh, and for those still talking about whether its in mainstream DCU or not: the DC web page for the very first issue said non continuity right there in black and white.

Jeff Smith, standing in front of me, said it was in-coninuity. He was in color, but that's not his fault.

[LikeaPhoenix]

If the powers of SHAZAM turn Billy Batson into an adult, then how come Mary is still a little tyke??:confused:

[izzatrix]

It's a great story and Mary is cute. With the return of the multiverse, EVERTHING is in continuity cause everything happens somewhere. Maybe this is the new Earth-S. Why not just enjoy the story or if you aren't let the rest of us. The teenage Mary will be back for Countdown.

[drsivana01]

I read the 1st one. For every hit there was a big miss. And over all, I was disappointed. The changes were so jarring. I didn't bother with the 2nd (same as this). I do hope DC does a Captain Marvel series, and uses at least the tone/feel of this series.

And if Mary looks like a toddler, and acts like a toddler, doesn't that make her a toddler?
And ToS isn't ???? I'd take this version over anything Winick ever lays his grungy hands on. MSoE ain't perfect but it ain't Trials of Shazam. This is in CONTINUITY, it's in Jeff's contract with DC. Mary looks so young because this plot starts before "First Thunder". Another Winick disaster. Hence the Captain Marvel origin rehash. Everyone needs to get over the supposed toddler look of Mary. Please get beyond the look. :rolleyes:

[Nightwing826]

the real issue i have with this is Smith is channeling too much bone in this. it could very well be just his writing style, but take page four for example. mary does this cute/brash move and yells at whatever that thing is, then you get a panel of blank, deadpan reaction. that just screams "bone" writing mechanics. moreover, you frankly can just plug in characters. replace CM/Billy as Phone Bone, a guy whos always just trying to do the right thing, and Mary as Phoney for Billy/Phone's foil as the outspoken brash one that usually get the other in trouble.

i hate to be such a downer but bone is one of the few things about my childhood that i unconditionally will always love. i just hate to see it revived to tell a year one story about a concept that needs to move on from its goofy past and into the hardcore DCU. and yes you guessed it right, i like trials alot better than i like monster society:(

I agree with you 100%

[drsivana01]

If the powers of SHAZAM turn Billy Batson into an adult, then how come Mary is still a little tyke??:confused:
First you have had to have read MSoE # 2 to know, Mary only got a small portion of the lightning bolt, when Billy said the magic word. Hence since she only got a portion of the Bolt, she only got a small part of the Power of her brother Billy. Comprehension is important to reading :rolleyes: :D

[drsivana01]

Just a story, not a reboot.

Not twins, he's older.

I never read Bone, but I'm enjoying this immensely. Just like I'm enjoying Trials. Just like I enoyed Ordway's Power of Shazam.

Different takes on the same mythology.
Sorry, Matt...I disagree with you, ToS changed the legend and mythos and or canon of the Captain Marvel Family. It bares little resemblence to, what has come before Winick's epic tome, of disappointment. Trials is a travesty.

[LikeaPhoenix]

First you have had to have read MSoE # 2 to know, Mary only got a small portion of the lightning bolt, when Billy said the magic word. Hence since she only got a portion of the Bolt, she only got a small part of the Power of her brother Billy. Comprehension is important to reading :rolleyes: :D

I don't follow Shazam's adventures. What little I know about the character is through my Dad. Presumption is a vapid and pompous thing, and that's never good....and all this time I thought I was only supposed to look at the purdy pictures when reading the funny books:rolleyes::D

[Squashua]

I haven't really been following this story, but, why is Mary a toddler in this reboot? The only reason I haven't really picked it up is mostly because I think the Power of Shazam reboot was the best version of the character, and doesn't really need any further revisions. But, thats just me.


Quiet, Judd.

[greenman]

Jeff Smith, standing in front of me, said it was in-coninuity. He was in color, but that's not his fault.
Good for you. I'll believe what has been documented by the publisher.

[DocKaon]

If the powers of SHAZAM turn Billy Batson into an adult, then how come Mary is still a little tyke??:confused:

In many versions of the Marvel family neither Mary Marvel nor Captain Marvel, Jr age significantly when they transform (including the original Fawcett versions). The only difference this has is we're seeing Mary when she's still a child.

This actually fits very well with the modern DCU. In the present DCU Mary's in her late teens in both her mortal and Marvel form. In this story, which, if it's part of the DCU, would be about 8-10 years earlier, she's a child in both her mortal and Marvel form.

[SanityOrMadness]

First you have had to have read MSoE # 2 to know, Mary only got a small portion of the lightning bolt, when Billy said the magic word. Hence since she only got a portion of the Bolt, she only got a small part of the Power of her brother Billy. Comprehension is important to reading
Actually, the reason is that Billy's hosting a separate-person Captain Marvel here. Mary=Mary in both forms. Comprehension'n'all :p

[TakumProti]

Yeah, it is a reboot. In a preview article of this series, before it came out, Jeff Smith said this is canon and the current interpretation of the early days of Captain Marvel. That's what he said at the time, at least. Maybe it's changed since then.

But, Mary's supposed to be Billy's twin sister. Now her being a little girl would be understandable for me if Billy was a boy, too in this story because they're supposed to be twins like I said.

[drastic_q]

think of it as All Star Shazam!!
:o :o :o :o :o
That might not be the best idea...

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9656/goddamnvc1ph6.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3215/goddamn2gv1hh4.jpg

Seriously, I love this book though. I'd gladly add it as a monthly - even if Smith had to reduce his art chores to layouts and design to make it work. The good and innocent take mixed with the political satire (priceless by the way) strikes the perfect tone for Captain Marvel and bridges the readership gap so effortlessly that you wonder why other writers can't achieve the same effect.

This is one of DC's best titles. It makes Judd Winick's take on the Marvels look positively libelous.

[McEddard]

The Winick Shazam just isn't my cup of tea, but Jeff Smith's take reminds me of that awe and wonder I had when I first discovered comics as a young lad.

[stvnhthr]

The coloring is beautiful!

[Kolimar]

Good preview. Both the art and the story are nice even though it's nothing for me to rave about.

[rodolfo leon]

why isn't anyone praising that this book is coming out on time just as solicited? ;)

we should all be happy and celebrate this, and give DC the idea that this is how you make books: give the artist enough lead time and then put the book on sale with a regular schedule when the work comes in.

YAY FOR DC (this once)!

now, regarding the continuity issue... WHO CARES?! all stories are imaginary, remember?! didn't you guys read your early Alan Moore, like all superhero enthusiasts are supposed to? :p

[SanityOrMadness]

This is one of DC's best titles. It makes Judd Winick's take on the Marvels look positively libelous.
Indeed......

[Blackbeard]

It's refreshing to find a book that I can safely read with my kids.
We are all loving this mini-series! :)

[greenman]

why isn't anyone praising that this book is coming out on time just as solicited? ;)

we should all be happy and celebrate this, and give DC the idea that this is how you make books: give the artist enough lead time and then put the book on sale with a regular schedule when the work comes in.

YAY FOR DC (this once)!

now, regarding the continuity issue... WHO CARES?! all stories are imaginary, remember?! didn't you guys read your early Alan Moore, like all superhero enthusiasts are supposed to? :p
You are so right about the on-time delivery. Kudos to Jeff Smith and DC for delivering on this one. For all the criticism (valid IMO) that is levied against publishers and creators for delays, its also only fair to positively acknowledge them when a top-shelf quality series is delivered on time.

I don't mind MSoE being out of continuity. In fact, I kind of prefer it. I still think the Marvels would be better served by being in their own universe. But why care at all? Well, because it's nice to have a coherent picture of the life and history of the characters you are reading. It helps in understanding who the characters are if you are able to place events in the past that you have previously read about. Superman is a very different character if you suddenly say that his death at the hands of Doomsday is non-continuity. Continuity isn't the be-all and end-all of good storytelling, not by any means, but it IS important in a shared universe.

[Kebab Gud]

why this issent a All-star book i just dont know.. but i can say one thing..



CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!

[Tymminator]

This is a great book.:)

[Nate-Earth 2]

Quiet, Judd.

uhhh.....Judd Winnick had nothing to do with the Power of Shazam series....

[SmileOnADog]

I love the original too I love how the marvels are portrayed as these innocent characters.

YES!!! Not enough of that these days. Marvel has always been a little dark but I think it is getting much too dark. And DC is heading in that direction too. So an innocent, yet not simplistic, story is very much needed.

[wildcard9]

FANTASTIC preview!! I can't wait to read the full issue in 2 week.

[Somebody]

*wonders idly what Mary's sextet here is. Smith's established on p3 of the preview that she doesn't share Captain Marvel's, but Athena wasn't in Mary's historical SHAZAM either. I'd say Athena probably replaced Aurora, but that doesn't mean the other five have to stay the same*

[GregoryD]

It could very well be that Billy becomes the adult Captain Marvel because that's how he sees he can be protected against adults who would do him harm. Mary doesn't have that same level of fear in her heart and is happy to be just who she is.

[Greg Spira]

The All-Stars are classic takes of DC's icons. Smith's Captain Marvel may be written in the same spirit as the classic Captain Marvel - though I personally think his take is somewhat darker than that, more like that of fairy tales - but his story has elements that have never been used by any previous version of Captain Marvel, and thus would not definitely not fit into the All-Star line.

[weaselwelch]

the real issue i have with this is Smith is channeling too much bone in this. it could very well be just his writing style, but take page four for example. mary does this cute/brash move and yells at whatever that thing is, then you get a panel of blank, deadpan reaction. that just screams "bone" writing mechanics. moreover, you frankly can just plug in characters. replace CM/Billy as Phone Bone, a guy whos always just trying to do the right thing, and Mary as Phoney for Billy/Phone's foil as the outspoken brash one that usually get the other in trouble.

i hate to be such a downer but bone is one of the few things about my childhood that i unconditionally will always love. i just hate to see it revived to tell a year one story about a concept that needs to move on from its goofy past and into the hardcore DCU. and yes you guessed it right, i like trials alot better than i like monster society:(

He isn't channeling Bone it's just his style of art. By saying that You should be complaining about about most artist when they leave a book to do another how there art looks the same.

I just think your issue here is not valid at all.

Right I say Monster's is far superior to Trials at this moment. Monsters is harken back to the Golden Age/Silver Age of Captain Marvel when his stories not only exciting but fun and whimsical. So really Jeff isn't so much rebooting CM but bringing him back to his roots. hich far more than I can say for what DC is doing with the rest of their characters.

[Somebody]

It could very well be that Billy becomes the adult Captain Marvel because that's how he sees he can be protected against adults who would do him harm. Mary doesn't have that same level of fear in her heart and is happy to be just who she is.
No, look at the conversation CM has with the Wizard immediately before the big stone drops on the Wizard. CM predates Billy, and was previously bonded to someone else (the Wizard himself?) before being bonded to Billy. Billy and CM are also physically separated on the second trip to the Rock of Eternity.

Mary, OTOH, isn't bonded to anyone, she's just powered-up.

[JaredOh]

Question: I've read people on here saying that this isn't in continuity. It is though, isn't it? I could've sworn I read interview with the writer saying it was.

[Krona]

It's a great story and Mary is cute. With the return of the multiverse, EVERTHING is in continuity cause everything happens somewhere. Maybe this is the new Earth-S. Why not just enjoy the story or if you aren't let the rest of us. The teenage Mary will be back for Countdown.

That's been my take on the series that it takes place on Earth-S. At least I hope it does because this is the Captain Marvel book I've been waiting years for.

Excellent Job Mr. Smith!