REVIEW: DC's The New Champion of Shazam #1

  • The New Champion of Shazam! #1  cover
    The New Champion of Shazam! #1
    Writer:
    Josie Campbell
    Artist:
    Evan "Doc" Shaner
    Letterer:
    Becca Carey
    Cover Artist:
    Evan "Doc" Shaner
    Publisher:
    DC
    Price:
    $3.99
    Release Date:
    2022-08-02
    Colorist:
    Evan "Doc" Shaner

The Shazam Family has always been an incredibly heartwarming and unique team within the DC Universe. Yet, readers rarely get to see members of Billy's family as individuals. The New Champion of Shazam #1, written by Josie Campbell with art by Evan "Doc" Shaner, brings readers into the life of Mary Bromfield, aka Mary Marvel. She tries to find her place in the world outside of her family dynamic, with Billy stuck in the Rock of Eternity. This new four-part series shows readers what Mary's life was like before she was thrown into the super-powered family readers are familiar with.

The New Champion of Shazam #1 shows Mary Bromfield on her journey of self-discovery as a young woman trying to fit in at her dream college. But Billy's absence complicates everything, and she is forced to rise to the occasion in this thrilling first issue.

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Mary-Marvel-Shazam

Josie Campbell brings charm to The New Champion of Shazam #1 that makes Mary such an immensely relatable character, even when she turns into her superhero self. Campbell brings Mary down to a human level and shows that, at the end of the day, everyone is just trying to find their place in the world. Mary is self-conscious, nervous, and scared as she begins her new life as a college freshman. Campbell shows these emotions and many more as Mary talks to her new roommates. desperately wanting to fit in. The New Champion of Shazam #1 shows a side of Mary that readers haven't seen before. She has almost a selfishness about her when it comes to wanting a normal life. When the time comes for Mary to become the next champion, she refuses until circumstances force her hand. Campbell elevates Mary to new heights as her own woman and shows how complicated life can be, especially growing up as a superhero.

With Josie Campbell bringing so much emotional depth to The New Champion of Shazam #1, Evan "Doc" Shaner hits each emotional beat out of the park. Each time Mary speaks about her family or how she's going to get to live her life at her dream college, her face lights up with warmth and cheer. Shaner is no stranger to bringing the Shazam family to life, and in The New Champion of Shazam #1, he doesn't hold back from using vivid colors to grab the reader's attention. When it's time for Mary to get down to the action, he uses lightning to make the action leap off the page. Shaner's attention to detail is truly impressive, with even the smallest of details covered. He brings deep colors to moments that reflect the dark moments in Mary's life and warms up the panels when moments of happiness spark from Mary's memory. Each panel flows incredibly well, making it easy for the reader to follow along from start to finish.

Related: REVIEW: DC's Dark Crisis #3

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The New Champion of Shazam #1 is an impeccable first issue that catches up with the Shazam family while Billy is busy inside the Rock of Eternity. It's a heartwarming and relatable story told through the eyes of a young woman finding her way. Josie Campbell and Evan Shaner have created a new and fascinating look into the life of one of DC's most unique families. It will be a treat to see how Mary develops throughout the next few issues of The New Champion of Shazam.