So, last issue
we were in a land where children rule and adults are forbidden. And this issue
we find ourselves in a land where animals rule and humans are forbidden. I
sense a theme developing.
I am uncertain how long
the Magic Lands story arc will continue, but I’m pleased to see a visit to the
Earth Lands. Billy’s adopted parents have called in the police in the belief
that Billy & Co have simply runaway. With all the kids trapped in the Magic
Lands, it leaves no one (well, almost) to come in and rescue them – someone
with greater knowledge of what they have wandered into.
With the Shazam! movie on the verge of release, I
find it no small coincidence (if indeed it is a coincidence) that DC Comics
co-publisher contributed the variant cover to this month’s issue. Honestly, I’d
be fine if DC did away with variant covers all together. I don’t see how they
serve a purpose, other than to add another artist – and paycheck – to the
overall cost of producing a comic book.
The artwork by Eaglesham
is terrific, reminiscent of Neal Adams in his heyday. He anthropomorphizes
animals well enough, which is always a challenge to no over-think. How do
snakes have arms and legs? What about when animals triple-jointed legs bend the
other way? Hopefully, it won’t be a concern much longer, as I hope the story
arc wraps up soon, and the original Captain Marvel Shazam can get back
to battling the likes of Dr. Sivana.
Rating: 5/10