SHAZAM!

For a while during its run Fawcett Publications Captain Marvel (known now to DC Comic readers primarily as SHAZAM!) outsold DC Comics Superman. DC lawyers sued Fawcett Publications stating that Captain Marvel was a direct rip-off of Superman.

Both were tall and muscular white men with wavy black hair, could fly, were nearly indestructible, were incredibly strong and shared other similar powers and abilities. While Superman was an adult and his disguise was as mild-mannered Clark Kent, Captain Marvel's secret identity was that he was really a small boy, Billy Batson, who when uttering the word, SHAZAM!, transformed into the world's mightiest mortal.

Eventually DC Comics won its case, Fawcett closed its door and ironically DC Comics bought the rights to Captain Marvel some years back. He and Superman are now friends.


In SHAZAM! The Golden Age Of The World's Mightiest Mortal, published by Abrams Comicarts and written and designed by Chip Kidd with photos by Geoff Spear, readers are invited to travel back to the heyday of the Captain's popularity during the Golden Age of comic books


Through photos of Captain Marvel Memorabilia, archival written pieces, reprints of comic book stories and publicity stills of the Captain Marvel serial movie series Chip Kidd provides a nostalgic journey to a simpler time when heroes were need more than ever.


I was amazed at the mass amount of Captain Marvel collectibles that were produced, from toys to clothing and everything in between. All I can say is, "SHAZAM!"