Bullet Points Review of Trials of Shazam!

 Issues 1-4 By Jay Ferguson Writer: Judd Winick Artist: Howard Porter

Well to preface this, this is my favorite title from DC at the moment. That being said, it may not be for everyone. Some people feel that it is destroying the Marvel Family and doing things to them that shouldn’t be done. I personally don’t agree, but it’s something you should know before reading it. The first issue is not the best by any stretch, and so far as the story goes, it’s a bit lame, but it’s setup, and it’s a decent story that shows Captain Marvel dealing with the new power he’s gained following the death of the wizard. He is dealing with problems all over the world and chooses to deal with demons that are planning to sacrifice children to gain power for themselves. One ends up changing into a giant toad that Captain Marvel just barely manages to defeat. The issue ends with Billy trying to transform back into a child, which leads to his costume and hair turning white, leaving him in despair wondering what will happen. Like I said, maybe not the best issue, but its saving grace is the art which is beautifully rendered, dynamic and powerful. Issue 2 has Freddy Freedman, Captain Marvel Jr. at his lowest point. In despair over the loss of his powers, and the state Mary Marvel is in, since she fell when she lost her powers while in the air, and so she is in a coma and a body cast. He decides to quit college, despite the protestations of his girlfriend. While visiting Mary, he despairs and wishes she would say Shazam, so that she could be healed. When he says the word, a lightning bolt descends and takes him to the Rock of Eternity, where he finds Billy in his new form. Billy explains that all the powers of the Marvel Family have returned to him. Freddy must complete a series of trials to regain the powers he lost, and if he fails, they will go to another magical lineage. Freddy gets a little power back, which allows him to walk without his cane after he says Shazam. He is sent to meet Zareb Babek, the magician who is supposed to lead him through his trials. He picks up a package for Zareb from a deliveryman. While talking to Zareb, he realizes that he made a mistake in telling Zareb’s name to the deliveryman, and the issue ends with a gigantic tentacled monster about to attack the two men. Issue 3 starts with Zareb panicking, because the only weapon around cannot damage the creature because of its thick skin. Freddy finds a solution by irritating the creature so it opens its mouth, and taking the weapon to its inside, causing it to explode. Later on, we are introduced to the Council of Merlin, a group of dark wizards who were responsible for the attack on Freddy, and Sabina, the one who they have chosen to take the power if Freddy fails. The last scene involves Freddy going with Zareb to get a tattoo from Rachel Zallman, a tattoo artist. The tattoo causes intense pain, and while it happens, Rachel questions him about the accident that made him lame, and led to him receiving his powers. In the process, Freddy has to admit that he does hold some anger towards Captain Marvel for the loss of his leg and his grandfather, but he wants to be Captain Marvel’s champion. After they leave, Zareb starts quizzing Freddy on various magical creatures, and he has the answers. Then he realizes that Rachel is the incarnation of Solomon, and he has just gained the Wisdom of Solomon, and that is the end of the first trial. Issue 4 starts in Qurac, where a group of soldiers are traveling a dangerous stretch of road. Then we see their truck explode, and a man named Lieutenant Alvarez arguing with a Captain. The lieutenant ordered the troops on a special ops mission that is classified. Then we see Freddy and Zareb in disguise, and they say that they are there for the Trials. They enter his tent, and then Lieutenant Alvarez points his rifle at them, and tells them to drop their disguises, which they do. Alvarez is revealed to be Achilles. He says that he can’t test Freddy, because he has to stop a creature who is powered by hate from emerging, and since this is the Middle East, such a creature will be unstoppable. Freddy volunteers to help Achilles, and Achilles agrees, but says it’s not going to be easy, because he senses someone else there. In the next scene we see Sabina with some magical creatures, who start losing their disguises, caused by the disruption of the hate creature trying to pass through into our world. Then we see Freddy and Achilles talking about duty, and then Achilles notices something and grabs Freddy, leaping to safety from a blasted fired by a bazooka-like magical weapon fired by the creatures aiding Sabina. Then a large group of them start using small arms, and a large battle ensues between the creatures and our heroes. Then we realize that this was all a diversion to allow Sabina to free the hate creature. She frees it and it bursts out, and Achilles suggests a new plan, but Freddy says they have other problems, and we see another group of the animals spilling down the hill as the issue closes. I loved each of these issues, and each one more than the last, and I heartily recommend it. I’m through the roof on this title. The art is some of the best painted art I’ve ever seen, and though I have disliked much of Winick’s writing, he has hit it out of the park here. If you haven’t at least checked it out, you are doing yourself a disservice. It may not be for you, but if you can appreciate it for what it is, you’ll love it.