Originally published in 2010 this reprint coincides with the release of the movie 'Shazam!' The book's 246 pages are crammed with Captain Marvel collectibles and ephemera (from the collection of Harry Matetsky). In 1940 the second edition of the monthly Whiz Comics introduced Captain Marvel who, as ace reporter Billy Batson for radio station WHIZ, only had say the magic word SHAZAM to instantly change into the world's mightiest mortal and search out evil-doers everywhere.
Fawcett Publications realized they were onto a winner with the comic, especially when it outsold the successful Superman so they started licensing all kinds of merchandise to readers. The Captain Marvel Club at one time had 400,000 members all eager to check their mailboxes for the latest button, watch, key chain, paper rocket, tin toys, figurines, clothing, patches, transfers and the all important club letter from the Captain himself.
All of this provides the material for the book and Chip Kidd's exuberant design makes it all sparkle on the page. There is a complete fifteen page story from a 1941 edition of the comic, a couple of interesting spreads show the inked artwork on the left, complete with white paint retouching and on the facing page the comic page printed in color, a handsome gatefold showing a 1941 Captain Marvel jigsaw and pages of collectibles, all in color.
Publishers don't mess with winning formulae so Captain Marvel Jr, arrived in 1941 and Billy Batson's long lost sister Mary turned up in 1942 to say SHAZAM (Selena, Hippolyta, Ariadne, Zephyrus, Aurora, Minerva) and Mary Marvel appeared before your eyes with lots of merchandise for girls. Perhaps it was stretching the concept too far with Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, featured on several pages at the back of the book.
Fans of the golden age of comics will enjoy this remarkable collection of Captain Marvel magic.
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