Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil #3 continues Jeff Smith’s ( Bone) curious updating and re-imagining of Golden Age Fawcett Comics hero, Captain Marvel.  While testing her new powers, Mary Marvel discovers that the immobile monsters in the city park are actually robots.  Dr. Sivana (of the Dept. of Heartland Security) makes his move against Billy Batson/Captain Marvel and Mary and reveals his ties to Mr. Mind.  In spite of Talky Tawny’s best efforts, Billy proves an impatient boy and is determined to battle The Monster Society.

THE LOWDOWN:  Jeff Smith’s take on Shazam/Captain Marvel seems more steeped in magic than superhero comics than any previous incarnation.  His unique cartoony art style, dressed in colorist Steve Hamaker’s wonderful work, gives Shazam an uncanny mood.  The entire work has a strange ambiance that is addictive.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of Jeff Smith’s Bone will find that this new work proves that Smith isn’t a one-hit wonder.  They should follow him to this mini-series.

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